A flush was deepening Ed’s purple cheeks; his voice was peculiarly brutal and throaty as he said:  “The decree isn’t entered yet, and so long as you are Mrs. Austin I have rights.  Yes, and I intend to exercise them.  You’ve made me jealous, and, by God—­” He made to encircle her with his arms and was half successful, but when Alaire felt the heat of his breath in her face a sick loathing sprang up within her, and, setting her back against the wall, she sent him reeling.  Whether she struck him or merely pushed him away she never knew, for during the instant of their struggle she was blind with indignation and fury.  Profiting by her advantage, she dodged past him, fled to her room, and locked herself in.

She heard him muttering profanely; heard him approach her chamber more than once, then retire uncertainly, but she knew him too well to be afraid.

Later that night she wrote two letters—­one to Judge Ellsworth, the other to Dave Law.

Jose Sanchez rode to the Morales house feeling some concern over the summons that took him thither.  He wondered what could have induced General Longorio to forsake his many important duties in order to make the long trip from Nuevo Pueblo; surely it could be due to no lack of zeal on his, Jose’s, part.  No!  The horse-breaker flattered himself that he had made a very good spy indeed; that he had been Longorio’s eyes and ears so far as circumstances permitted.  Nor did he feel that he had been lax in making his reports, for through Rosa he had written the general several lengthy letters, and just for good measure these two had conjured up sundry imaginary happenings to prove beyond doubt that Senora Austin was miserably unhappy with her husband and ready to welcome such a dashing lover as Longorio.  Therefore Jose could not for the life of him imagine wherein he had been remiss.  Nevertheless, he was uneasy, and he hoped that nothing had occurred to anger his general.

But Longorio, when he arrived at the meeting-place, was not in a bad humor.  Having sent Rosa away on some errand, he turned to Jose with a flashing smile, and said: 

“Well, my good friend, the time has come.”

Now Jose had no faintest idea what the general was talking about, but to be called the good friend of so illustrious a person was flattering.  He nodded decisively.

“Yes, beyond doubt,” he agreed.

“Mexico is in a bad way.  These rebels are growing by the thousands; they overrun the country like ants.  You read the papers, eh?”

“Sometimes; when there are enough pictures,” said Jose.

“Ha!  Then I doubt if you know what is happening.  Well, I’ll have to tell you.  Our enemies have taken all northern Mexico except that part which is under my control; but they are pushing toward me from two sides, and I prepare to retreat.  That is not the worst, however; the Gringos are hoping to profit by Mexico’s distress; they are making ready to invade our Fatherland, and every Mexican must fight or become a slave.”