Frightened by his outcry, and
unable to retreat, the shadowy depredator had fallen back on his
slinking haunches with a snarl, and bared teeth that glittered in
the moonlight.
In an instant the expression of terror on the old man's ashen face
turned into a fixed look of insane exaltation. His white lips
moved; he advanced a step further, and held out both hands towards
the crouching animal.
"So! It is thou--at last! And comest thou here thy tardy Pereo to
chide? Comest THOU, too, to tell the poor old man his heart is
cold, his limbs are feeble, his brain weak and dizzy? that he is no
longer fit to do thy master's work? Ay, gnash thy teeth at him!
Curse him!--curse him in thy throat! But listen!--listen, good
friend--I will tell thee a secret--ay, good gray friar, a secret--
such a secret! A plan, all mine--fresh from this old gray head;
ha! ha!--all mine! To be wrought by these poor old arms; ha! ha!
All mine! Listen!"
He stealthily made a step nearer the affrighted animal. With a
sudden sidelong snap, it swiftly bounded by his side, and vanished
in the thicket; and Pereo, turning wildly, with a moan sank down
helplessly on the grave of his forefathers.
CHAPTER VI
To the open chagrin of most of the gentlemen and the unexpected
relief of some of her own sex, Maruja, after an evening of more
than usual caprice and willfulness, retired early to her chamber.
Here she beguiled Enriquita, a younger sister, to share her
solitude for an hour, and with a new and charming melancholy
presented her with mature counsel and some younger trinkets and
adornments.
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