His firmness made her vindictive, and so in time she laid a scheme
to estrange him from his master.

Dona Isabel was crafty. She began to complain about Evangelina,
but it was only after many months that she ventured to suggest to
her husband that he sell the girl. Esteban, of course, refused
point-blank; he was too fond of Sebastian's daughter, he declared,
to think of such a thing.

"So, that is it," sneered Dona Isabel. "Well, she is young and
shapely and handsome, as wenches go. I rather suspected you were
fond of her--"

With difficulty Esteban restrained an oath. "You mistake my
meaning," he said, stiffly. "Sebastian has served me faithfully,
and Evangelina plays with my children. She is good to them; she is
more of a mother to them than you have ever been."

"Is that why you dress her like a lady? Bah! A likely story!"
Isabel tossed her fine, dark head. "I'm not blind; I see what goes
on about me. This will make a pretty scandal among your friends--
she as black as the pit, and you--"

"WOMAN!" shouted the planter, "you have a sting like a scorpion."

"I won't have that wench in my house," Isabel flared out at him.

Goaded to fury by his wife's senseless accusation, Esteban cried:
"YOUR house? By what license do you call it yours?"