Nevertheless, the preparations for our expedition went on, and the time for our departure was drawing near, when one evening, as I returned from a ride, I found Juanita alone on the veranda, gazing at the stars, and looking more than usually pensive and depressed. "So you are still resolved to go, Señor Fortescue?" she said, with a sigh. "I must. One of my principal reasons for coming to South America is to make an expedition to the Andes, and I want much to travel in parts hitherto unexplored. And who knows? We may make great discoveries." "But you might stay with us a little longer." "I fear we have trespassed too long on your hospitality already." "Our hospitality is not so easily exhausted. But, O señor, you have already stayed too long for my happiness." "Too long, for your happiness, señorita! If I thought--would you really like me to stay longer, to postpone this expedition indefinitely, or abandon it altogether?" "Oh, so much, señor, so much. The mere suggestion makes me almost happy again." "And if I make your wish my law, and say that it is abandoned, how then?" "You will make me happier than I can tell you, and your debtor for life." "And why would it make you so happy, dear Juanita?" I asked, tenderly, at the same time looking into her beautiful eyes and taking her unresisting hand. "Why! Oh, don't you know? Have you not guessed?" "I think I have; all the same, I should like the avowal from your own lips, dear Juanita." "Because--because if you stay, dear," she murmured, lowering her eyes, and blushing deeply, "if you stay, dear Salvador will stay too." "Dear Salvador! Dear Salvador! How--why--when? I--I beg your pardon, señorita. I had no idea," I stammered, utterly confounded by this surprising revelation of her secret and my own stupidity. "I thought you knew--that you had guessed." "I mean I had no idea that it had gone so far," I said, recovering my self-possession with a great effort. "So you and Carmen are betrothed." "We love. But if he goes on this dreadful expedition I am sure my father would not consent, and Salvador says that as he has promised to take part in it he cannot go back on his word. And I said I would ask you to give it up--Salvador did not like--he said it would be such a great disappointment; and I am so glad you have consented." "I beg your pardon, señorita, I have not consented." "But you said only a minute ago that you would do as I desired, and that my will should be your law." "Nay, señorita, I put it merely as a supposition, I said if I did make your wish my law, how then? Less than ever can I renounce this expedition." "Then you were only mocking me! Cruel, cruel!" "Less than ever can I renounce this expedition. But I will do what will perhaps please you as well. I will release Carmen from his promise. He has found his fortune; let him stay. I have mine to make; I must go."