At last, as if in despair, he started to his feet, one day, and exclaimed to himself, "Why not go to head-quarters at once? why not see the governor-general, and tell him the whole truth? Ah! see him?--how is that to be effected? And then this Count Almonte is a _nobleman_! They say Tacon loves justice. We shall see. I _will_ go to the governor-general; it cannot do any harm, if it does not do any good. I can but try." And Pedro did seek the governor. True, he did not at once get audience of him,--not the first, nor the second, nor third time: but he persevered, and was admitted at last. Here he told his story in a free, manly voice, undisguisedly and open in all things, so that Tacon was pleased. "And the girl?" asked the governor-general, over whose countenance a dark scowl had gathered. "Is she thy sister?" "No, Excelencia, she is dearer still; she is my betrothed." The governor, bidding him come nearer, took a golden cross from his table, and, handing it to the boatman, as he regarded him searchingly, said, "Swear that what you have related to me is true, as you hope for heaven!" "I swear!" said Pedro, kneeling and kissing the emblem with simple reverence. The governor turned to his table, wrote a few brief lines, and, touching a bell, summoned a page from an adjoining room, whom he ordered to send the captain of the guard to him. Prompt as were all who had any connection with the governor's household, the officer appeared at once, and received the written order, with directions to bring Count Almonte and a young girl named Miralda immediately before him. Pedro was sent to an anteroom, and the business of the day passed on as usual in the reception-hall of the governor. Less than two hours had transpired when the count and Miralda stood before Tacon. Neither knew, the nature of the business which had summoned them there. Almonte half suspected the truth, and the poor girl argued to herself that her fate could not but be improved by the interference, let its nature be what it might. "Count Almonte, you doubtless know why I have ordered you to appear here." "Excelencia, I fear that I have been indiscreet," was the reply. "You adopted the uniform of the guards for your own private purposes upon this young girl, did you not?" "Excelencia, I cannot deny it." "Declare, upon your honor, Count Almonte, whether she is unharmed whom you have thus kept a prisoner." "Excelencia, she is as pure as when she entered beneath my roof," was the truthful reply.