Outlined against the western sky was the town of San Augustin,--square walls and low, flat roofs built along a low, green shore. The watch-tower of the castle fort rose up in menace as we came nearer. Upon the deck of the Spanish galley, hand in hand, stood my love and I. "Yonder is----our destination," said Mr. Rivers. "Our prison, you would say," I answered him, "and so I think also. Nevertheless, I would rather stand here, at your side, than anywhere else in this wide world--_alone_!" He smiled and raised my fingers to his lips. "Verily, dear lady, so would I also." There was a rattle of heavy chains, and a loud plash as the anchor slipped down in the darkening waters. CHAPTER VI. We were received by the Spanish Governor immediately after our landing. I had already pictured him, in my thoughts, as a man of commanding presence, with keen, dark eyes set in a stern countenance; crisp, curling locks--such as Melinza's--but silvered lightly on the temples; an air of potency, of fire, as though his bold spirit defied the heavy hand of time. 'Twas therefore a matter of great surprise to me--and some relief--when, instead, I beheld advancing toward us a spare little figure with snow-white hair and a pallid face. His small blue eyes blinked upon us with a watery stare; his flabby cheeks were seamed with wrinkles, and his tremulous lips twitched and writhed in the shadowy semblance of a smile: there was naught about him to suggest either the soldier or the man of parts. He was attired with some pretension, in a doublet of purple velvet with sleeves of a lighter color. His short, full trousers were garnished at the knee with immense roses; his shrunken nether limbs were cased in silken hose of a pale lavender hue, and silver buckles fastened the tufted purple ribbons on his shoes. On his breast was the red cross of St. James--patent of nobility; had it not been for that and his fine attire he might have passed for a blear-eyed and decrepit tailor from Haberdashery Lane. I plucked up heart at the sight of this little manikin. "Can this be the Governor and Captain-General of San Augustin?" I whispered in the ear of my betrothed. "'Tis not at the court of _our_ Charles only that kissing, or promotion, goes by favour!" was his answer, in a quick aside. Then he met the advancing dignitary and responded with grave punctilio to the suave welcome that was accorded us. Melinza's part was that of master of ceremonies on this occasion. He appeared to have laid aside his rancour, and his handsome olive countenance was lightened with an expression of great benignance when he presented me to the Governor as--"_the honourable and distinguished senorita Dona Margarita de Tudor_." I looked up at Mr. Rivers with an involuntary smile. "My betrothed, your Excellency," he said simply, taking me by the hand.