The Insurgent Chief. Gustave Aimard
firmly fastened, and that no one could surprise him; then he slowly returned, sat himself on the butaca, and unfolded the paper.
It was, indeed, a letter, written in a fine close hand, but nervous and agitated, which convinced him in a moment that it was a woman's writing.
The young man at first cursorily read it, and feigning to take but moderate interest in it; but soon, spite of himself, he felt himself influenced by what he learned. As he proceeded in his reading, he found his interest increase; and when he had reached the last word, he remained with his eyes fixed on the thin paper which was being crushed in his convulsive fingers; and a considerable time elapsed before he could succeed in conquering the strong emotion that this strange letter had excited.
The following are the contents of this letter, the original of which has for a long time remained in our hands, and which we translate without comment: —
"As an important preliminary, let me, Señor, claim, from your courtesy a formal promise – a promise in which you will not fail, I am convinced, if, as I have the presentiment, you are a true caballero. I demand that you read this letter without interruption from beginning to end, before passing any judgment whatever on her who addresses it to you."
"You have sworn, have you not? Well, I thank you for the proof of confidence, and I begin without further preamble."
"You are, Señor – if, as I believe, I am not deceived in my observation – a Frenchman from Europe: that is to say, the son of a country where gallantry and devotion to women reign supreme, and are so far traditional, that these characteristics form the most salient feature in the men."
"I also am – not a French woman, but born in Europe; that is to say, although unknown to you, your friend, almost your sister on that far-off land; and as such, I have a right to your protection, and I now boldly claim it from your honour."
"As I do not wish that you should at once take me for an adventuress, from the mode, somewhat beyond the rules of society, in which I enter on relations with you, I must first tell you, in a few words, not my history – that would cause you unreasonably to lose precious time – but who I am, and by what motives I am compelled for a time to put aside that timid modesty which never abandons women worthy of the name; and then I will tell you what is the service I ask of you."
"My husband, the Marquis de Castelmelhor, commands a division of the Brazilian army, which, they say, has some days since entered Buenos Airean territory."
"Coming from Peru with my daughter and some servants, with the intention of joining my husband in Brazil – for I knew nothing of the events which had just previously occurred – I have been surprised, carried away, and declared a prisoner of war, by a Buenos Airean Montonero; and I and my daughter are now imprisoned in the house which you pass twice a day."
"If it were but a question of a detention more or less protracted, I would resign myself to submit to it, confiding myself to the power and goodness of God."
"But, unhappily, a terrible fate threatens me – a frightful danger hangs not only over my own head, but over that of my daughter – my innocent and pure Eva."
"An implacable enemy has sworn our ruin; he has boldly accused us of being spies, and in a few days – perhaps tomorrow, for this man is thought very highly of by the members of his Government – we shall be brought before a tribunal assembled to judge us, and the verdict of which cannot be doubtful – the death of traitors, dishonour! The Marchioness of Castelmelhor cannot submit to such infamy."
"God, who never abandons the innocent who trust in Him in their distress, has inspired me with the thought of addressing you, Señor, for you alone can save me."
"Will you do it? I believe you will."
"A stranger in this country – sharing neither the prejudices, the narrow ideas, nor the hatred of its inhabitants against Europeans – you ought to make common cause with us, and try to save us, even if it be at the peril of your life."
"I have long hesitated before writing this letter. Although your manners were those of a respectable man – although the frank expression of your countenance, and even your youth, prepossessed me in your favour – I feared to trust myself to you; but when I learned that you were a Frenchman, my fears vanished, to give place to entire confidence."
"Tomorrow, between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning, present yourself boldly at the door of the Black House, and knock. When the door is opened, say that you have heard that a professor of the piano is wanted in the convent, and that you have come to offer your services."
"But be very careful. We are watched with the greatest care. Perhaps it would be better if you were to disguise yourself, to avoid being recognised, in case your proceedings are watched."
"Remember that you are the only hope of two innocent women, who, if you refuse them your help, will die cursing you; for their safety depends on you."
"Tomorrow, between ten and eleven in the morning."
No pen could describe the expression of astonishment, mingled with fright, which was painted on the countenance of the young man, when he had finished the reading of this singular letter, which had reached him in so extraordinary a way.
As we have said, he remained a long time with his eyes fixed on the paper, probably without seeing the characters which were written there, his body leaning forward, his hands clenched, a prey to reflections which could not be at all pleasant.
To say nothing of the check to his self-love – a check always disagreeable to a man who for several hours had given his imagination free play in the pleasant land of chimeras, and who had thought himself the object of a sudden and irresistible passion, caused by his good looks and his Don Juan-like appearance – the service which the unknown lady demanded of him could not but considerably embarrass him, especially in the exceptional position in which he found himself at the time.
"Decidedly," murmured he, in a low voice, dashing his hand on the chair with rage, "Fate too furiously pursues me. This is absurd! Here am I asked to be a protector – I, who so much want protection myself! Heaven is not just to permit, without rhyme or reason, a good fellow, who only sighs for quiet, to be thus tormented in every possible circumstance."
He rose, and began to stride about his room.
"However," added he, after a pause, "these ladies are in a frightful position; I cannot abandon them thus, without trying to come to their aid; my honour is engaged in it; a Frenchman, spite of himself, represents France in a foreign country. But what is to be done?"
He sat down again, and appeared to be lost in a deep reverie. At last, in about a quarter of an hour, he again rose.
"That is it," said he; "I see no other means that. If I do not succeed, I shall have nothing to reproach myself with, for I shall have done even more than my actual position, and especially prudence, should permit me to attempt."
Emile had evidently made a resolve.
He opened the door, and went down into the patio.
It was almost night; the attendants, freed from their labours, more or less properly accomplished, were resting themselves, reclining on palm-mats, smoking, laughing, and chatting together.
The painter had not long to search for his domestics in the midst of the twenty or five-and-twenty individuals grouped pell-mell on the ground.
He made a sign to one of them to come to him, and he immediately went up again into his room.
The Indian, at the call of his master, immediately rose, in order to obey him.
He Was an Indian Guaraní, still very young; he appeared to be at the most twenty-four or twenty-five, With fine, bold, and intelligent features, a tall figure, of a robust appearance, and with free and unconstrained manners.
He wore the costume of the gauchos of the Pampa, and was named Tyro.
At the call of his master he had thrown away his cigarette, picked up his hat, gathered his poncho round him, and had darted towards the staircase with an alacrity which