Devoured with a new and gratuitous curiosity, in another moment Teresa felt she would have disclosed herself at any risk, but the stranger rose and began to retrace his steps.

Long after his tinkling spurs were lost in the distance, Teresa remained like a statue, staring at the place where he had stood.

Then she suddenly turned like a mad woman, glanced down at the gown she was wearing, tore it from her back as if it had been a polluted garment, and stamped upon it in a convulsion of rage.

And then, with her beautiful bare arms clasped together over her head, she threw herself upon her couch in a tempest of tears..