which they had been saved by brave and pious devotees.

Such things as these made a picturesque setting for the Indian maid on
the night of her début. It might have been a painful ordeal for her had
she known that all these people were there mainly to satisfy their
curiosity concerning her. But Mrs. Coolidge had carefully kept from her
the knowledge that she was of especial interest and was expected to
produce a sensation. So she knew only that she was having a delightful
time and that everybody was so kind and cordial and took so much interest
in her that she did not have a minute during the whole evening in which
to think about herself. Everybody was eager to dance, or talk, or stroll
in the _placita_ with her, and all who were not engaged with her were
talking enthusiastically in praise of her appearance, her manner, or her
conversation.

Colonel Kate moved about, proud and happy in the brilliant success of her
hazardous undertaking and serene in the confidence that the Colonel's
wife would not again attempt rebellion. She was even more glad and happy
for Barbara's sake, for the two had grown very fond of each other and she
had begun to wonder if old Ambrosio could not be induced to let her adopt
the girl. Already it made her heart ache to think she might have to give
up her _protégée_. She cast a glance at Barbara, who was holding her
usual court, a circle of men about her, and thought:

"Nonsense! Old Ambrosio is not so stupid as to refuse his daughter such
a chance as I can give her!"

For Colonel Kate, with all her cleverness, had never measured, or even
imagined, the world-wide difference between the view-points of a pueblo
chief and an ambitious white woman. So she felt happy and secure, as she