Fortunately I did not know that before me lay a full week of useless scheming and vain . Though we went about visiting and dining as usual, even two evenings at Colonel Mayron's failed to bring me the slightest relief from my . Alisanda was kept in such that even Doña Dolores could not reach her.  
On the other hand, Salcedo called twice at the Vallois and took with him Medina. This caused me the most intense anxiety. I was sure of Alisanda's constancy, and yet did not know what pressure their casuistic minds might bring to bear against her will.
 
As to this Father Rocus might have enlightened me, had I not feared to compromise him by a second visit. It would need only the slightest shadow of a suspicion to put Don Pedro and his señora on their guard against the padre. Also I relied upon His to inform me in some secret manner at the first change in the situation.
 
Another Sunday roused in me the wild hope of a second meeting with my lady. But though I fairly haunted the Parroquia throughout the forenoon, I received no notes and saw nothing of my friends. Even Father Rocus was absent. A spoken question at dinner brought me the information that he was suffering a slight attack of gout.
 
Pike, ever eager for the display of my small skill as a physician, immediately urged upon me to offer my services to the padre. This was seconded by Walker and the half-dozen guests present with us at table, for it appeared that Father Rocus was a general favorite in Chihuahua, from the Salcedo down to the lowliest leproso. After much on the part of the others, I at last agreed to call upon the padre and prescribe for him.
 
Our little dinner, though , was a merry one, for our host and the guests were in high spirits over the of a baile, or ball, that evening. Though this ball was given at the house of a family we had not visited, Walker took Pike and myself as a matter of course.
 
When we arrived we found most of the élite of the city already assembled in the large . Indeed, the first couple upon whom I set eyes were Doña Dolores Malgares and His Excellency, Don Nimesio Salcedo, Commandant-General of the Internal Provinces of the Kingdom of New Spain, whirling about in a Spanish dance that displayed far more liveliness than dignity.
 
We were duly presented to our hostess, and made our compliments; after which Pike into the whirl with all the of his nature. I drew apart, to overlook the gay scene in search of my lady. Not that I had much hope of seeing her, but I had learned that almost anything seemed possible in this land of .
 
At once I was challenged from all sides by brilliant-eyed señoras and señoritas. But even had I wished to take one as partner, I was unacquainted with the now spirited, now measures of this Spanish dance. Pike, daring at all times and in all places, was attempting the step with the aid of a plump and señorita.
 
I was more than content to keep back and look on, while my ears drank in the seductive melody of guitar and violin and singing voices which floated down the ballroom from the stand of the musicians. Both the oddness and the agreeableness of this music was enhanced when at certain the guests joined in the singing.
 
Confusing as was the whirl of the dance, I soon identified all present who were known to me, the first turn of the dancers bringing me a smile from my stately friend Malgares and a hostile stare from Medina. The to which the latter had reduced many of his fellow-officers was evident from the manner in which the young subaltern who had pressed up beside me shrank away at the first glance of the aide's baleful little eyes.
 
Wondering how soon Medina would force a upon me, I drifted idly up the room and back toward the entrance. No more guests had arrived since ourselves, and I had given over all hope of seeing Alisanda. But as I approached the arch of the ballroom I caught a glimpse of Don Pedro in the anteroom. It took me only a few moments to gain the doorway. The close gr............