and several days had passed in this manner. Finally, the servant
declared that Rosario and Senor Pinzon had agreed to meet and talk with
each other on this night at the window of the room of the latter, which
opened on the garden. They had confided their design to the maid, who
promised to favor it, in consideration of a sum which was at once given
her. It had been agreed that Senor Pinzon was to leave the house at his
usual hour and return to it secretly at nine o'clock, go to his room,
and leave it and the house again, clandestinely also, a little later,
to return, without concealment, at his usual late hour. In this way no
suspicion would fall upon him. Librada had waited for Pinzon, who had
entered the house closely enveloped in his cloak, without speaking a
word. He had gone to his room at the same moment in which the young
lady descended to the garden. During the interview, at which she was not
present, Librada had remained on guard in the hall to warn Pinzon, if
any danger should threaten; and at the end of an hour the latter had
left the house enveloped in his cloak, as before, and without speaking
a word. When the confession was ended Don Inocencio said to the wretched
girl:

"Are you sure that the person who came into and went out of the house
was Senor Pinzon?"

The culprit answered nothing, but her features expressed the utmost
perplexity.

Her mistress turned green with anger.

"Did you see his face?"

"But who else could it be but he?" answered the maid. "I am certain that