She widened her hatred so as to include old
Sebastian and his daughter, and even went so far as to persecute
Evangelina's sweetheart, a slave named Asensio.
It had not taken Dona Isabel long to guess the reason of
Sebastian's many privileges, and one of her first efforts had been
to win the old man's confidence. It was in vain, however, that she
flattered and cajoled, or stormed and threatened; Sebastian
withstood her as a towering ceiba withstands the summer heat and
the winter hurricane.
His firmness made her vindictive, and so in time she laid a scheme
to estrange him from his master.
Dona Isabel was crafty. She began to complain about Evangelina,
but it was only after many months that she ventured to suggest to
her husband that he sell the girl. Esteban, of course, refused
point-blank; he was too fond of Sebastian's daughter, he declared,
to think of such a thing.
"So, that is it," sneered Dona Isabel. "Well, she is young and
shapely and handsome, as wenches go. I rather suspected you were
fond of her--"
With difficulty Esteban restrained an oath. "You mistake my
meaning," he said, stiffly. "Sebastian has served me faithfully,
and Evangelina plays with my children. She is good to them; she is
more of a mother to them than you have ever been."
"Is that why you dress her like a lady? Bah! A likely story!"
Isabel tossed her fine, dark head.
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