noticed that Isabel did not follow her. Never before had

Isabel seemed to prefer any society to her mother's, and the

unhappy Senora felt the defection, even amid her graver

But Isabel had seen something new in her father that night;

something that touched her awakening soul with admiration.

She lingered with him and Antonia, listening with vague

comprehension to their conversation, until Rachela called

her angrily; and as she was not brave enough for a second