For weeks I adhered to the programme traced out by my friend; but without finding the relief he had so confidently prognosticated.
The society of woman was absolutely distasteful to me. I had become almost a _gynothrope_.
I sought distraction in the company of men; and, I regret to add, men who played _monte_.
Play is but a sorry resource--though one of the commonest resorted to-- for soothing the pangs of an unrequited pa.s.sion. The coquette makes many a recruit for the gaming table. Homburg has seen its scores of frequenters--sent there by her arts--hanging over its tables with broken hearts--even when fortune seems smiling upon them!
I had no difficulty in discovering a place to practise the soul-absorbing pa.s.sion. Professional gamblers travelled along with us-- as if part of the regular staff of the army. Every division had its "dealer" of "faro" or "_monte_;" and almost the first canvas spread in an encampment was that which covered the _tapis vert_ of a card table!
In the country it was a tent; in the city a grand saloon, with chandeliers and a set supper.
Our army gamblers usually superintended such places--having established temporary partnerships with the indigenous vultures who owned them.
The game usually played was that universal in Mexico--_monte_. It was the most convenient--permitting players of all kinds and cla.s.ses, and equally favourable to the novice as to the skilled gambler. There is no skill required--not much knowledge of any sort. A "banquier," a "croupier," a piece of green baize, and a pack of Spanish cards--_voila tout_!
There were two or three of these gambling saloons, or "_monte_ banks,"
in La Puebla. More likely there were twenty; but two or three were grand establishments--frequented by the Poblanos of the better cla.s.s; where gold _doblones_ might be seen upon the green cloth as common as silver dollars. They were attachments to the grand Cafes, or Exchanges, that in Mexican cities take the place of our clubs--serving as places of rendezvous for the _haciendados_, and higher cla.s.s of _commerciantes_.
One was much frequented by the officers of our army; though not exclusively by them. The Mexican gentlemen did not deny us their company over the _monte_ table; and around it might be seen representatives of the Teutonic and Latinic races, in nearly equal proportions--with many a type between.
Though the natives were all in civilian costume, we knew that there were among them men who had once worn uniforms. In fact, some of them were our prisoners _on parole_; whom we had encountered, and captured, at the siege of Vera Cruz, or on the ensanguined summit of Cerro Gordo.
The poverty of these men was too conspicuous to escape observation.
Their pay--scant at all times and often in arrears--was now stopped altogether; and how they contrived to live _on parole_, they and G.o.d alone can tell.
It was painful to note their contrivances for keeping up the appearance of gentility. A close inspection of their coats would show where the shoulder-straps and facings had been stripped off--to convert them into civilian garments; and the unfaded stripe, down the seams of their pantaloons, told where the gold lace had once gaily glittered.
They were usually provided with an ample cloth cloak; which in the streets effectually concealed the transformation. But in the hot saloons this could not well be worn; and a man standing behind, as they sat around the _monte_ table, might look upon a pair of shoulders--now plain--that had been lately decorated with the epaulettes of a colonel, or even general!
Their ventures were usually of the most modest kind: beginning with a _peseta_, and graduating upwards, in proportion to the propitiousness of Fortune. When their luck was good, they gambled with _doblones_.
Otherwise, the _peseta_ ended their play for the night; but, instead of retiring in despair, they would continue at the table; as though they took a pleasure in contemplating the gains of the more fortunate players, and the losses of the banker!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A PLEASANT MISCONCEPTION.
There was one of these frequenters of the saloon in whom I felt a peculiar interest. Our acquaintance did not commence at the _monte_ table. I first saw him in the Calle del Obispo, and, on the same night, in the Callecito de los Pajaros. His name was Francisco Moreno: the man who had crossed me in love and saved my life!
I had ample opportunity of studying his character, without referring to either incident of that night. I had the advantage of him: for, although I remembered _him_ well, and with strange emotions, he had no recollection of _me_!
I had reasons for keeping my incognito.
Though we had become otherwise acquainted--and were upon such terms of comity, as two strangers who meet over a gaming table--I could learn very little about him--beyond the fact that he was, or had been, an officer in the Mexican army. My own observation told me as much as this. His bearing, with an occasional speech that escaped him, proclaimed the military man: for in this, as in other callings, there is a freemasonry: and the _rajpoot_ of one land will easily recognise his _caste_ in another.
He was one of the Mexican officers _on parole_; but we had reason to believe that there were many others among us--during our long interval of inaction--who had no business to be there. We were not very particular about _spies_; and, in truth, they might have come and gone-- and they did come and go--with as much freedom as if no guard had been kept. Successes unexpected--almost astounding--a series of them--had taught us to despise even the secret machinations of our enemy. His scouts might have entered our camp, partaken of hospitality in our tents--even in the marquee of the commander-in-chief--and departed again with as much facility as a man might obtain an interview with his hatter or tailor!
No one thought of suspecting Francisco Moreno. No one gave heed to him, any more than to remark what a fine, n.o.ble-looking young fellow he was.
I alone made a particular study of him. I knew that he was more than n.o.ble-looking--that he was n.o.ble.
It maddened me to think he was the first; though I could scarce he grieved at his being the last. Had it not been so, I should not have lived to take note of it. I had strange fancies--sometimes not very creditable ones--about captain Moreno.
It was plain that he was poor; though not one of those who had converted the military tunic into a civilian"s coat. His dress, if threadbare, would pa.s.s muster as a correct costume. Nor did he put down _pesetas_ upon the _tapis vert_. His stake was usually a _peso_--sometimes two-- but never rising to the _onza_. The dollar lost, he would retire from the table. Winning, he would remain.
One night I observed a reversion of the rule. His stakes were being doubled at each draw of the cards; and yet he rose from his seat, and hastily took his departure from the place!
Many wondered at this. A man must be mad to leave such luck? It was like flinging the favours of Fortune back into her face.
I had a clearer comprehension of what had caused his defection from the gaming circle. I divined, that he was going to worship the G.o.ddess elsewhere, and under another t.i.tle.
I had heard the cathedral clock strike ten--the hour when I had first seen him in the Calle del Obispo. It suggested the conjecture that he was going thither.
Had my own luck at the game been ten times greater than it was--and I was winning--I could not have stayed to take advantage of it.
I clutched at my stake, as soon as it was covered by the coin of the croupier; and, starting up from the table, followed Francisco Moreno from the saloon.
Whether my abrupt departure created as much surprise, as that of the Mexican, I never knew.
It may have done; but at that moment I was absolutely indifferent, either to the thing itself, or the conjectures that might arise respecting it.
I had but one thought in my mind; and that was to witness a second of those interviews--the first of which had lacerated my heart to its core!
I felt as the bird may feel, fluttering into the jaws of the envenomed reptile; as the moth that goes voluntarily to have its wings scorched by the candle!
There was a fascination in the thought of thus rushing upon ruin!
Perhaps it was the knowledge, that my heart could not be reduced to a greater desolation than it already knew.
For the first time in four weeks I entered the Calle del Obispo.
Francisco was before me. I had correctly divined his intent. He had forsaken the smiles of Fortune to bask in those of Mercedes!
We took different sides of the street; he going silently along the _facade_ of the Casa Villa-Senor; I skulking, thief-like, under the portal of the opposite house.
We were not kept waiting for as much as an instant. Scarce had we taken our respective stands, when the blind was drawn back, and a woman appeared in the window. Of course it was Mercedes.
"You are late, Francisco!" said she, in an undertone, and with the slightest accent of reproach. "The cathedral has tolled ten minutes ago! It is very cruel. You know how I am watched, and that every moment is so precious!"
Francisco stammered out some excuse, which appeared to satisfy her. I could see she was not exacting--by the easy grace with which she forgave him. Even this increased my anguish.
"Do you know, dearest, papa is more suspicious than ever! Even now I am afraid he will be coming this way. He has not yet retired to his bed; and never does till both sister and I have gone to ours."
"Why don"t you give him a sleeping draught? Put poppy-seed in his chocolate. Do that, _nina_, and we might have a better chance of a little conversation at this hour. I never see you now, or only for a moment. It"s very tiresome to be kept apart in this fashion. I hope it is the same to you?"
"Do you doubt it? You do not? But what help for it? He is so much against you. I think some one has been telling him something bad about you. When we go to _matins_ he always sends _Tia_ Josefa along with us, and I"m sure she has instructions to watch us. I know it"s only _me_.
He"s not half so careful about sister. He allows her to drive out alone--to the Alameda--anywhere. If I go, I must be accompanied by Tia Josefa."