"Do you mean to return there?" "Such are my plans at present," was the quiet response. Miss Stuart thought a moment before she began again. "Lieutenant Hernandez," she said at last, "you have been a hero to-day." "I have done my best," said the man. "You have done what few men would have. You have given your life for our safety." "Yes," answered he, "I have." "But there are other heroes, Lieutenant Hernandez," said the girl. "You have inspired us two. That is what I wish to speak to you about. I have a better plan than your return to Havana." "What is it?" "Come to America with us----" "And then?" "Then I will do my best to repay your favor. I will do as you have asked me." "You mean----" "I mean that I will marry you the day that we arrive." The girl said those words in a low, earnest tone. She saw the officer give a start, she even fancied she heard his heart begin to beat louder. But he said nothing. The two sat as they were in silence. The Spaniard was having his struggle then. The pause continued for at least five minutes; it was broken only once. "Does Cadet Faraday know of this?" asked the officer. "He does," said the girl. "We talked it over in the carriage." "And he said that he was willing to give you up?" "He did." "I am glad that I saved him," muttered the man. Bessie Stuart was a little puzzled to catch the drift of that last remark. But she soon saw what it meant. She was quite startled by the decision to which the Spaniard came. "Miss Stuart," he began, in a low, trembling voice, "this is indeed a reward for my helping you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. It shows me that those I helped were worth helping. And it makes me all the more sorry." "Sorry?" "Yes, sorry that it cannot be." The girl gave a slight gasp. "What cannot be?" "I cannot marry you. I will not." The officer paused for a moment, then he went on. "It is plain to me," he said, "that you have worshiped this cadet. I do not blame you, after what I have just seen of him. I have heard of his bravery, too, and he is worthy of you--more so than I am. As I say, Miss Stuart, you love him; and you do not love me. You make this proposal to me from a sense of duty, and I cannot think of accepting it. You would never be happy again." The girl started to protest, but the lieutenant held up his hand to stop her. "No," he said, "there are more reasons, even stronger ones, I could not think of going to the United States. I could not think of turning traitor to my country. You forget, since I have helped you, that I am still a Spaniard; and while this war continues I shall remain with my countrymen." "But they will kill you!" "They may do what they please with me. It is not for me to say. I have done my duty; I will not become a traitor." The officer was silent for a moment, sadly staring ahead in the darkness.