"Go closer to Inez--see, the poor girl is bewildered, overwhelmed at finding you here when she expected Leon, just as I too am deeply puzzled. Speak to her--ask her who she is, and what she seeks at the risk of her life. Ah! you cannot hate her, sweetheart, she who loves your brother so dearly--your sister. Take her to your heart, you two whom Heaven has brought together so strangely." His words stirred both of those who heard--the girls looked at each other yearningly, for a new emotion had leaped into their souls. Unable to longer restrain their feminine feelings they were speedily clasped in each other's arms, while Roderic stood by, holding his little lantern, complacently watching the demonstration, meanwhile congratulating himself that his skies had cleared and that the future promised glorious possibilities. He was still greatly puzzled and for the life of him unable to comprehend how Georgia could take the place of Leon in this dungeon of the old fortress, difficult of access and vigilantly guarded by not only one but two sentries. At the same time he knew an explanation would speedily be forthcoming, and hence exercised what patience he possessed. It is not so difficult to do this when all things seem to be coming one's way. Presently Georgia remembered. As she turned from Inez and faced her lover, face and neck were suffused with scarlet. In his eyes it was a beautiful sight, and he could not remember ever having seen her look so charming. "Oh! Roderic, can you, will you forgive my cruel, unjust suspicions, my insane jealousy that caused me to treat you so bitterly, that refused to hear your explanations? I do not deserve your love, but God knows I could not live without it. Tell me you forgive such a wretch, and make me happy again." He opened wide his arms, and forgetting her confusion, forgetting everything but that she loved him and had again found Paradise, her head was quickly pillowed on his shoulder, and she looked up into his face, smiling through her tears. "You do forgive?" "As I hope to be forgiven. Let it be forgotten, even as you said of my transgression. We love--we have been true to each other--the future lies before us, why should we burden ourselves with foolish doubts and fears? From this hour then we begin anew, nor may all Satan's power prevail against us, nor shall I have reason to fear a Jerome or a Julio, the latter of whom turns out to be the erring black sheep in the family of Inez--her step-brother. As to Leon----" "_Carramba!_ yes, what of Leon?" cried Inez, with suddenly renewed interest. What indeed. Roderic himself was conscious of a keen interest in the young man--where had he gone and what brought Georgia to his dungeon? Plainly the time had arrived for explanations, nor did Georgia show a disposition to withhold them. "You wonder to find me here?" she said, releasing herself from his arms. "Naturally so." "And disguised as--as, a man," with confusion.