he looked at her with a sombre and resolute glance.
    »Ah, but I would, Mrs. Gould. I would run away if it served that which at
present is my only desire. I am courageous enough to say that, and to do it,
too. But women, even our women, are idealists. It is Antonia that won't run
away. A novel sort of vanity.«
    »You call it vanity,« said Mrs. Gould, in a shocked voice.
    »Say pride, then, which, Father Corbelàn would tell you, is a mortal sin.
But I am not proud. I am simply too much in love to run away. At the same time I
want to live. There is no love for a dead man. Therefore it is necessary that
Sulaco should not recognize the victorious Montero.«
    »And you think my husband will give you his support?«
    »I think he can be drawn into it, like all idealists, when he once sees a
sentimental basis for his action. But I wouldn't talk to him. Mere clear facts
won't appeal to his sentiment. It is much better for him to convince himself in
his own way. And, frankly, I could not, perhaps, just now pay sufficient respect
to either his motives or even, perhaps, to yours, Mrs. Gould.«
    It was evident that Mrs. Gould was very determined not to be offended. She
smiled vaguely, while she seemed to think the matter over. As far as she could
judge from the girl's half-confidences, Antonia understood that young man.
Obviously there was promise of safety in his plan, or rather in his idea.
Moreover, right or wrong, the idea could do no harm. And it was quite possible,
also, that the rumour was false.
    »You have some sort of a plan,« she said.
    »Simplicity itself. Barrios has started, let him go on then; he will hold
Cayta, which is the door of the sea route to Sulaco. They cannot send a
sufficient force over the mountains. No; not even to cope with the band of
Hernandez. Meantime we shall organize our resistance here. And for that, this
very Hernandez will be useful. He has defeated troops as a bandit; he will no
doubt accomplish the same thing if he is made a colonel or even a general. You
know the country well enough not to be shocked by what I say, Mrs. Gould. I have
heard you assert that this poor bandit