CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
THE VOW PERFORMED.
While these incidents were in course of occurrence, the two sisters hadreturned to their own chamber.
Alarmed by the coincidence, between the melancholy event that had justtranspired and the procrastination of her vow, Gertrudis fancied she sawin it the finger of Providence; and, without further hesitation, she,with her own hands, completed the pious but painful sacrifice!
Shrouded under the folds of her _reboso_, her pale face appeared beneatha single band of hair that encircled her forehead--all that was left ofthat magnificent _chevelure_.
Marianita was in tears. It was she one would have thought that hadsuffered a misfortune; while Gertrudis, whose eyes shone with a sort ofmelancholy satisfaction for the act she had accomplished, appealed to beendeavouring to console her sister!
"Do not weep, my poor Marianita!" said she. "Perhaps, had it not beenfor my culpable weakness, in consenting to defer the fulfilment of myvow, this sad affair would not have arisen. Now I am more confident,that whatever danger he may run, God will restore Rafael safe to me. Goand tell him that I wait here to bid him _adios_. Bring him here, butstay with us yourself. Remember that, sister. Remain here along withus, for I cannot trust my strength. I might never allow him to leaveme. Go, dearest, and return quickly!"
Marianita, covering her face with a kerchief, and endeavouring to dryher tears, hastened upon her errand.
Gertrudis, left alone, looked towards the two long plaits which she hadplaced beside her upon the table. The lips of Don Rafael had kissedthem but the moment before; and, perhaps, influenced by this sweetsouvenir, the young girl took them up and pressed them repeatedly to herown. Then laying them once more upon the table, she knelt down, to seekin prayer the strength of which she stood in need.
She was still upon her knees when Marianita, followed by Don Rafael,entered the chamber--that virgin sanctuary of the two sisters, whereman, except their father, had never before penetrated.
A rapid glance told Don Rafael that the sacrifice had been accomplished.He was already too pale to change countenance.
Gertrudis rose and seated herself upon a _fauteuil_. Marianita alsotook a seat, but in a remote corner of the apartment. Don Rafaelremained standing.
"Come here, Don Rafael!" said Gertrudis, "come near me. Kneel beforeme. No!--on one knee!--upon both only before God. So! Place yourhands in mine! Look into my eyes."
Don Rafael obeyed these gentle injunctions without resistance orreluctance. What more could he wish, than thus to bend before her whomhe loved? To press those white delicate fingers between his own stronghands? To drink from those swimming eyes as from the fountain of love?What more could man desire?
"Do you remember what you just now said to me, Don Rafael? `_Oh!Gertrudis, there is no love that could repay such a sacrifice! Andhowever beautiful she might be, that young girl must appear in the eyesof her lover as beautiful as an angel_!' Are you still of the sameopinion?" And with a sweet smile the questioner looked down in the faceof her lover. "There, hush!" continued she, placing her little handover his lips, "you need not make reply. Your eyes--you have beautifuleyes, my Rafael!--your eyes answer in the affirmative."
The simple and tender homage, thus rendered to the personal appearanceof her lover, may appear a little _brave_ in the opinion of those whopretend to love a man for the qualities of his mind and heart. I shallnot discuss the point. I only design to draw a faithful picture, andexhibit in all its simple exaltation the love of a Creole maiden underthe ardent sky of the tropics.
Reassured that she was still beautiful as ever in the eyes of her lover,the young girl proceeded--
"Do not tell me, Rafael, that you will ever love me more than you donow. It is sweet for me to know that you cannot love me more. Now!"she continued with faltering voice--"now we are about to part. I do notknow--when one loves one always has fear. Take one of these tresses. Ihave been so happy while decking it with flowers for you. Take it!Keep it as a token--a souvenir. It will remind you, that you shouldnever cease to love a poor girl, who knew of nothing more precious tooffer to God in exchange for your life. The other I shall keep myself,as a talisman. Oh! it is a fearful thing I am now going to say to you.If one day you should cease to love me--if I should know this beyond alldoubt--swear to me, Rafael, that, no matter in what place you may be--nomatter at what hour it may reach you--when you receive this tress fromme, that you will instantly come to see me. This silent messenger willsay to you, `_The woman who sends you this token knows that you nolonger love her; but, despite all, she cannot cease to love you, and shedesires once more, only once more, to see you kneeling before her_'--asyou are now, Don Rafael!"
"I swear it," cried the lover with emphasis. "I swear it; and though Iwere standing in front of my most mortal foe, with my sword raised tostrike him, I should suspend the blow to obey that sacred message!"
"Your oath is registered in Heaven, Don Rafael," said Gertrudis. "Butnow the time presses. Accept from me this sun-scarf, which I haveembroidered for you. Each thread of the embroidery will recall athought, a prayer, or a sigh, of which you have been the object. Adieu,my beloved Rafael! You must go; your father may stand in need of yourhelp. What is a mistress when compared with one's father?"
"It is time," said Don Rafael, suddenly awakening to a sense of hisfilial duty, "I shall be gone."
And yet he remained kneeling at the feet of Gertrudis, ever intending togo, and as often tarrying in his intent, adieu following adieu, like theeternal waves of the ocean!
"Say to him to go, Marianita," said Gertrudis with a sweet smile, "Ihave not the courage to tell him. One more kiss, Don Rafael, ere wepart! let it be the pledge--"
The ardent pressure of her lover's lips interrupted her speech. Onelast fond embrace--a strange commingling of joy and sorrow--one wildlyspoken "_Adios_!" and Don Rafael rushed from the apartment.
The clattering of hoofs, heard shortly after, told that he was gallopingaway from the hacienda.