The unhappy lady was half-lying among the large pillows of her gilded bed, wide awake.
Her black eyes were fixed upon a crucifix at its foot, and she was slowly murmuring prayers upon her rosary.
"Madre! Madre! Luis is here, Luis is here! Come quick, mi madre.

Here are your stockings and slippers, and your gown, and your mantilla--no, no, no, do not call Rachela.

Luis has news of my father, and of Jack! Oh, madre, he has a letter from Jack to you! Come dear, come, in a few minutes you will be ready." She was urging and kissing the trembling woman, and dressing her in despite of her faint effort to delay--to call Rachela--to bring Luis to her room.

In ten minutes she was ready.

She went down softly, like a frightened child, Antonia cheering and encouraging her in whispers.
When she entered the cheerful parlor the shadow of a smile flitted over her wan face.