You are
cruel to postpone my delight; nevertheless, I yield to your
feelings. But, star of my life, I shall dream of you, and of that
little priest who waits with the key of Paradise in his hands."
He bowed over Alaire's cold fingers, then stood erect until she
and Dolores had gone.
XXIX
THE PRIEST FROM MONCLOVA
That was a night of terror for the women. Although Longorio's
discipline was in some ways strict, in others it was extremely
lax. From some quarter his men had secured a supply of mescal,
and, forgetful of Felipe's unhappy fate, they rendered the hours
hideous. There were singing and quarreling, and a shot or two
sounded from the direction of the outbuildings. Morning found both
Alaire and Dolores sadly overwrought. But they felt some relief
upon learning that the general had been unexpectedly summoned from
his bed at daylight, and had ridden to the telegraph office.
Profiting by his absence, Alaire ventured from her room, racking
her brain to devise some means of escape. But soldiers were
everywhere; they lolled around the servants' quarters; they dozed
in the shade of the ranch buildings, recovering from the night's
debauch; and an armed sentinel who paced the hacienda road gave
evidence that, despite their apparent carelessness, they had by no
means relaxed their vigilance.
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