bring him to the neighbourhood of the capital--perhaps to Toledo
itself. Larralde had, however, hitherto failed to come near her,
and the news of the day reported an increasing depression in the
ranks of the Carlists. Indeed, that cause seemed now at such a low
ebb that the franker mercenaries were daily drifting away to more
promising scenes of warfare, while some cynically accepted
commissions in the army of Espartero.

'I always said that Don Carlos would fail if he employed such men--
as--well, as he does,' Madame Barenna took more than one opportunity
of observing at this time, and her emphatic fan rapped the personal
application home.

She had just made this remark for perhaps the sixth time one evening
when the door of the patio where she and Julia sat was thrown open,
and Larralde--the person indirectly referred to--came towards the
ladies. He was not afraid of Madame Barenna, and his tired face
lightened visibly at the sight of Julia. Concha was right.
According to his lights Larralde loved Julia. She, who knew every
expression, noted the look in his face, and her heart leapt within
her breast. She had long secretly rejoiced over the failure of the
Carlist cause. Such, messieurs, is the ambition of a woman for the
man she really loves.

Senora Barenna rose and held out her hand with a beaming smile. She
was rather bored that evening, and it was pleasant to imagine
herself in the midst of great political intrigues.

'We were wondering if you would come,' she said.