Serafina asked him of his home. He would
not parry her question, and yet he could not tell her that all
their future hung on the promise of a man in an old leathern
jacket calling himself a king. So the mystery of his habitation
deepened, spoiling the glamour of the evening. He spoke, instead,
of the forest, hoping she might know something of that strange
monarch to whom they dwelt so near; but she glanced uneasily
towards Shadow Valley and told him that none in Lowlight went that
way. Sorrow grew heavier round Rodriguez' heart at this: believing
in the promise of a man whose eyes he trusted he had asked
Serafina to marry him, and Serafina had said Yes; and now he found
she knew nothing of such a man, which seemed somehow to Rodriguez
to weaken his promise, and, worst of all, she feared the place
where he lived. He welcomed the approach of Dona Mirana, and all
three returned to the house. For the rest of that evening he spoke
little; but he had formed his project.
When the two ladies retired Rodriguez, who had seemed tongue-tied
for many hours, turned to Don Alderon. His mother had told Don
Alderon nothing yet; for she was troubled by the mystery of
Rodriguez' castle, and would give him time to make it clear if he
could; for there was something about Rodriguez of which with many
pages I have tried to acquaint my reader but which was clear when
first she saw him to Dona Mirana. In fact she liked him at once,
as I hope that perhaps by now my reader may.
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