He looked at the Vicomtesse with a new admiration to which
she paid no heed.
"I am sorry, Madame la Vicomtesse," he began, "but--"
"But you do not believe that I speak the truth," she replied quietly.
He winced.
"Will you follow me?" she said, turning again.
He had started, plainly in an agony of fear, when a sound came from
beyond the wall that brought a cry to his lips.
Her manner changed to one of stinging scorn.
"You are a coward," she said. "I will bring the gentleman to you if he
can be got to leave the bedside."
"No," said the Alcalde, "no. I--I will go to him, Madame la Vicomtesse."
But she did not open the door.
"Listen," she said in a tone of authority, "I myself have been to his
Excellency to-day concerning this gentleman--"
"You, Madame la Vicomtesse?"
"I will open the door," she continued, impatient at the interruption,
"and you will see him. Then I shall write a letter which you will take
to the Governor. The gentleman will not try to escape, for his mother is
dying. Besides, he could not get out of the city. You may leave your
constable where he is, or the man may come in and stand at this door in
sight of the gentleman while you are gone--if he pleases."
"And then?" said the Alcalde.
"It is my belief that his Excellency will allow the gentleman to remain
here, and that you will be relieved from the necessity of running any
further risk.
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