I
see neither past nor future. The rose-hued curtain of youth and hope
falls behind and before us."
"Yes, yes," assented Prudencia, delightedly. "My Reinaldo! my
Reinaldo!"
We congratulated them severally and collectively, and, when the
ceremony was over, Reinaldo cried, with even more enthusiasm than he
had yet shown, "My mother, for the love of Mary give me something to
eat,--tamales, salad, chicken, dulces. Don Juan and I are as empty as
hides."
Dona Trinidad smiled with the pride of the Californian housewife. "It
is ready, my son. Come to the dining-room, no?"
She led the way, followed by the family, Reinaldo and Prudencia
lingering. As the others crossed the threshold he drew her back.
"A lump of tallow, dost thou hear, my Prudencia?" he whispered,
hurriedly. "Put it under the green bench. I must have it to-night."
"Ay! Reinaldo--"
"Do not refuse, my Prudencia, if thou lovest me. Wilt thou do it?"
"Sure, my Reinaldo."
XIII.
The family retired early in its brief seasons of reclusion, and at ten
o'clock Casa Grande was dark and quiet. Reinaldo opened his door and
listened cautiously, then stepped softly to the green bench and felt
beneath for the lump of tallow. It was there. He returned to his room
and swung himself from his window into the yard, about which were
irregularly disposed the manufactories of the Indians, a high wall
protecting the small town.
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