THE APPOINTMENT. 289 



Sinaloa; she had friends there, perhaps I knew some of 

 them ; she should so much like to hear about those I knew 

 there ; and I could teach her some more English, and we 

 could smoke and drink chocolate ; and I must come when 

 the night was getting cool and pleasant. I should find her 

 alone, sitting in the verandah, or perhaps in her salon. I 

 could come in through the window ; it would be wide open 

 to let the air in, but there would be no light burning because 

 -of the mosquitoes. If the house looked dark I was not to 

 think she was away or gone to bed. She would be sure to 

 be there, waiting for me. 



As I strolled home with my friend I told him I was 

 going, by appointment, to see the Mariposa the next night- 

 He looked very grave. He made a remark a personal 

 one. I think personalities very bad form. I do not like 

 personal remarks. He said I was an idiot. He went on 

 to say, if I thought because the senorita had permitted me 

 to carry on outrageously with her he maintained I had 

 done so, the whole company had remarked us that there- 

 fore she was sweet upon me, I was an infatuated fool. 

 How many men did I suppose had gone to (the Palm 

 Grove) on account of that woman? Lozada's spies were 

 everywhere. Lozada was everywhere; was sure to hear of 

 my follies. If I went to El Ojo I should be murdered. 

 " Four aces to a pair of deuces." 



I inelegantly answered : " I shall keep my appointment. 

 Lozada be bio wed." 



My friend turned sharply, almost fiercely, on me. He 

 made another personal remark a very personal one. I 

 .shall not repeat it it is not necessary. But if I would go, 



