"'Until to-morrow,' Melinza answered. 'To-morrow the _Virgen de la Mar_ returns to Habana, and with her go the English girl and your humble servant.' "'The Governor,' I cried, 'will not permit it!' "'Will he not? Ask him,' said Melinza, 'ask his Excellency the Governor of San Augustin!' Then he laughed at me--_Dios!_ he laughed at me!" She bit her red lip at the remembrance, and clenched her white hands. "And did you ask the Governor, senora?" She nodded fiercely. "The old dotard! He did but shrug his shoulders and offer me a diamond necklace in exchange for my pretty puppet of a plaything. It is plain Melinza has some hold upon him, what it is I cannot guess; but it is stronger than my wishes. He would sooner brave my anger than oppose his nephew's schemes." I watched the dark shadow settling on her brow, and I thought all hope was over. "Dona Orosia," I said at last, "will you lend me your dagger?" "Not yet, child--not unless there is no other way to thwart them both. Look--" she said, and threw a purse of gold pieces on the bed beside me. "This is your purchase money, and 'twill serve to buy assistance. When I could make no better terms, I was forced to take this and a kiss to boot--Pah!" and she rubbed her cheek. "To-morrow, when the tide is full, the _Virgen de la Mar_ will leave the harbour. Before then I must contrive your escape." "And Barbara's," I added, for I could see the poor dame was in deep anxiety. Dona Orosia stared. "Upon my soul, we had all forgotten the old woman. She might have gone well enough with the other prisoners; but how am I to smuggle _two_ women from the town?" Then I besought her not to separate me from the dame, to whom I clung as my last friend; and after a time she yielded me a grudging promise and left me, bidding me make ready for the evening meal, at which I must appear in order not to arouse the Governor's suspicions. My hands were cold and trembling; but with Barbara's aid I decked me out in one of the gay gowns which had been given me by my protectress, and, taking up a fan--with which I had learned the Spanish trick of screening my face upon occasion--I joined the Governor and his beautiful spouse in the brightly lighted _comedor_, where covers at table were laid for three. I was thankful for Melinza's absence, for to play at love-making that night would have been beyond my powers. At first I could eat nothing; but an urgent glance from Dona Orosia, and the thought of what need there would be for all my strength prompted me to force some morsels, in spite of the convulsive swelling of my throat. I made shift, also, to answer when addressed by either host or hostess; but the Governor was in no great spirits himself and seemed to stand in some awe of his lady's frown.