Concepcion seemed to understand, for he took off his hat and turned
gravely away. The General and Conyngham walked rapidly through the
streets of Ronda, than which there are none cleaner in the whole
world, and duly bought a great black horse at a price which seemed
moderate enough to the Englishman, though the vendor explained that
the long war had made horseflesh rise in value. Conyngham, at no
time a keen bargainer, hurried the matter to an end, and scarce
examined the saddle. He was anxious to get back to the garden of
the great house in the Calle Mayor before the cool of evening came
to drive Estella indoors.

'You will doubtless wish to pack your portmanteau,' said the General
rather breathlessly, as he hurried along with small steps beside
Conyngham.

'Yes,' answered the Englishman ingenuously, 'yes, of course.'

'Then I will not detain you,' said General Vincente. 'I have
affairs at headquarters. We meet at dinner, of course.'

He waved a little salutation with his whip and took a side turning.

The sun had not set when Conyngham with a beating heart made his way
through the house into the garden. He had never been so serious
about anything in his life. Indeed, his life seemed only to have
begun in that garden. Estella was there. He saw her black dress
and mantilla through the trees, and the gleam of her golden hair
made his eyes almost fierce for the moment.

'I am going to-morrow morning,' he said bluntly when he reached her