"I must pay Don Garcia a visit. It is long since I saw him. I never dreamt his little daughter had grown up so lovely. Thank Heaven, I am rich! My jewels and wealth might tempt a queen! I need not fear refusal from a viceroy's daughter." Full of complacent contentment, Tonza made hasty preparations for leaving Diu, and that same evening saw him a welcome guest of Don Garcia. He was charmed with Lianor. In spite of himself, a deep passionate love wakened in his heart for her, and he determined to win her for his wife. First he wished to gain Don Garcia over to his side, so took an early opportunity of speaking to him on the subject. The viceroy listened in grave silence, and a look of regret stole into his eyes. "I am sorry," he said gently. "Why have you come too late? My child is already betrothed." "To whom?" hoarsely. "Luiz Falcam." "But he is only a captain, and poor! Surely you would not sacrifice your child to him? Think what riches I could lay at her feet! As my wife, Lianor would be one of the most envied of women." "I know, and I wish now I had not been so hasty; but Luiz saved her life, won my gratitude; then, as the price of his act, asked Lianor's hand. I was forced to consent, as I had said I would give him whatever he asked," with a sigh. "A promise gained like that is not binding. It was taking an unfair advantage of your gratitude." "I do not like to break my promise, but I will do what I can for you; I will ask Lianor, and if she cares for you more than for Luiz, she shall wed you." "Thank you; and I will try hard to gain her love," Manuel answered hopefully. When Lianor heard the subject of the conference between her father and Tonza, her indignation was unbounded. "How can you act so dishonorably, papa?" she cried angrily, "after betrothing me to Luiz; now, because Tonza is rich and wishes to marry me, you would break your word." "But, my dear, think how different Manuel is to Falcam! He can give you a beautiful home, and jewels such as a queen might envy, while the captain can give you nothing." "He can give me a brave, loving heart, which is worth all the world to me! No; while Luiz lives I will be true to him. No other shall steal my love from him," firmly. "Is that the answer I am to give Tonza?" "Yes. Thank him for the great honor he has done me; but, as I cannot marry two men, I choose the one I love--who first won my hand and saved my life." When Manuel heard her answer he was filled with rage and hate. "So--so," he muttered, a sinister look creeping over his face, "she will not wed me while Falcam lives. But should he die--what then?" To Lianor he was always gentle, trying by soft words and many little attentions to win her regard; a very difficult task. Since her father's conversation, she shrank as much as possible from him, hoping he would understand her studied coldness.