by Mayne Reid
CHAPTER TWENTY.
A PAIR OF BEAUTIFUL PETITIONERS.
Soon as the aide-de-camp had closed the door behind him, Santa Annasprang up from his seat and hastily stumped it to a large cheval glasswhich stood on one side of the room. Squaring himself before this hetook survey of his person from crown to toes. He gave a pull or two athis moustaches, twisting their points, and turning them upward along hischeeks. Then running his fingers comb-like through his hair, he gavethat also a jaunty set. In fine, straightening himself in hisgold-braided uniform frock, with a last glance down to his feet--thisresulting in a slight grimace--he returned to the state chair andreseated himself.
With all his gallantry and politeness--and to these he made muchpretension--it was not his custom to receive lady visitors standing. Inthe upright attitude the artificial leg made him look stiff, and hepreferred stowing it away under the table. Besides, there was hisdignity, as the grand figure-head of the nation, which he now wished tohave its full effect. Leaning forward, he gave a downward blow to thespring of the table bell; then assuming an attitude of expectantgrandeur, sate expectant. This time the aide-de-camp required nopassing to and fro; and the door again opening, the ladies were usheredinto the august presence.
In their air and manner they betrayed agitation too, while the seriousexpression upon their features told they were there on no trivialerrand.
"Pray be seated, ladies," said the Dictator, after exchangingsalutations with them. "'Tis not often the Condesa Almonte honours thePalacio with her presence, and for the Senorita Valverde, were it notfor official relations with her father, I fear we should see even lessof her than we do."
While speaking he pointed to a couple of couch chairs that stood nearthe table.
They sat down rather hesitatingly, and slightly trembling. Not thateither would have been at all timid had the occasion been a common one.Both were of Mexico's best blood, the Condesa one of the old _noblesse_who hold their heads higher even than the political chief of the State,when he chances to be--as more than once has occurred--an adventurer ofhumbler birth. Therefore, it was not any awe of the great dignitarythat now unnerved them, but the purpose for which they were seekingspeech with him. Whether Santa Anna guessed it, or not, could not betold by his looks. An experienced diplomatist, he could keep hisfeatures fixed and immovable as the Sphinx, or play them to suit thetime and the tune. So, after having delivered himself, as above, withthe blandest of smiles upon his face, he remained silent, awaiting therejoinder.
It was the Condesa who made it.
"Your Excellency," she said, doing her utmost to look humble; "we havecome to beg a favour from you."
A gratified look, like a gleam of light, illuminated Santa Anna'sswarthy features. Ysabel Almonte begging favours from him! What bettercould he have wished? With all his command of features he butill-concealed the triumph he now felt. It flashed up in his eyes as hesaid respondingly--
"A favour you would ask? Well, if it be within my power to grant it,neither the Condesa Almonte, nor the Dona Luisa Valverde need fearrefusal. Be frank, then, and tell me what it is."
The Countess, with all her courage, still hesitated to declare it. Fordespite the ready promise of compliance, she did fear a refusal; sinceit had been asked for that same morning and though not absolutelyrefused, the answer left but little hope of its being conceded.
As is known, at an earlier hour Don Ignacio had paid a visit to thePalacio, to seek clemency for a prisoner-of-war, Florence Kearney. Butpardon for a state prisoner was also included in his application--thatbeing Ruperto Rivas. Of all this the ladies were well aware, since itwas at their instigation, and through their importunity, he had acted.It was only, therefore, by the urgency of a despairing effort, as a_dernier ressort_, these had now sought the presence as petitioners, andnaturally they dreaded denial. Noting the Condesa's backwardness--athing new but not displeasing to him, since it gave promise of influenceover her--Santa Anna said interrogatively:
"Might this favour, as you are pleased to term it, have ought to do witha request lately made to me by Don Ignacio Valverde?"
"'Tis the same, your Excellency," answered the Countess, at lengthrecovering spirit, but still keeping up the air of meek supplication shehad assumed.
"Indeed!" exclaimed the Dictator, adding, "that grieves me very much."
He made an attempt to look sorry, though it needed none for him toappear chagrined. This he was in reality, and for reasons intelligible.Here were two ladies, both of whom he had amatory designs upon, eachproclaiming by her presence--as it were telling him to his teeth, thegreat interest she felt in another--that or she would not have beenthere!
"But why, Excellentissimo?" asked the Countess, entreatingly. "What isthere to grieve you in giving their freedom to two men--gentlemen,neither of whom has been guilty of crime, and who are in prison only foroffences your Excellency can easily pardon?"
"Not so easily as you think, Condesa. You forget that I am but officialhead of the State, and have others to consult--my Ministers and theCongress--in affairs of such magnitude. Know, too, that both these menfor whom you solicit pardon have been guilty of the gravest offences;one of them, a foreigner, an enemy of our country, taken in arms againstit; the other, I am sorry to say, a citizen, who has become a rebel, andworse still, a robber!"
"'Tis false!" exclaimed the Countess, all at once changing tone, andseeming to forget the place she was in and the presence. "Don RupertoRivas is no robber; never was, nor rebel either; instead, the purest ofpatriots!"
Never looked Ysabel Almonte lovelier than at that moment--perhaps neverwoman. Her spirit roused, cheeks red, eyes sparkling with indignation,attitude erect--for she had started up from her chair--she seemed to bethe very impersonation of defiance, angry, but beautiful. No longermeek or supplicating now. Instinct or intuition told her it would be ofno use pleading further, and she had made up her mind for the worst.
The traits of beauty which her excitement called forth, added piquancyto her natural charms, and inflamed Santa Anna's wicked passions all themore. But more than any of them revenge. For now he knew how much thefair petitioner was interested in the man whose suit she had preferred.With a cold cynicism--which, however, cost him an effort--he rejoined:
"That, perhaps, is your way of thinking, Condesa. But it remains to beproved--and the prisoner you speak of shall have an opportunity ofproving it--with his innocence in every respect. That much I canpromise you. The same for him," he added, turning to Luisa Valverde,"in whom, if I mistake not, the Dona Luisa is more especiallyinterested. These _gentlemen_ prisoners shall have a fair trial, andjustice done them. Now, ladies! can you ask more of me?"
They did not; both seeing it would be to no purpose. Equallypurposeless to prolong the interview; and they turned toward the door,the daughter of Don Ignacio leading where she had before followed.
This was just as Santa Anna wished it. Seemingly forgetful of hiscork-leg, and the limp he took such pains to conceal, he jerked himselfout of his chair and hurried after--on a feigned plea of politeness.Just in time to say to the Countess in a hurried, half-whisper:--
"If the Condesa will return, and prefer her request _alone_, it may meetwith more favour."
The lady passed on, with head held disdainfully, as though she heard butwould not heed. She did hear what he said, and it brought a fresh flushupon her cheek, with another flash of anger in her eyes. For she couldnot mistake his meaning, and knew it was as the serpent whispering intothe ear of Eve.
