"That you have, all of you. I know that in the future I shall look back upon my prison as the dearest spot upon earth." "We shall be sorry to lose you and shall miss you much, but have not you promised me that it shall only be for a time?" "I have, and if God give me life I will keep my promise. When my own country needs my sword no longer then I will come back and aid you in the great object you have at heart." "That object is surely well-nigh attained already. Spain fighting for her own liberty will hardly deny liberty to us." "I wish I could think so, but I fear you will not become a free people without a sore struggle, and one which will entail much sorrow upon yourself." "I know of what you think, it has caused me many a sleepless night for months past. You think of my father?" "Yes, Don Roderigo is a man of very liberal opinions, but when the struggle commences he will remember only that he is a Spaniard." "But he and many other Spaniards would gladly yield to us a share in the government of our own country, that is all we ask from Spain, we do not wish for absolute independence." "You do not, for your father's sake, but others who have no such tie to Spain will be content with nothing short of complete independence. That Spain shall ever yield to you rights which she denies to her own sons is a dream, my friend. A year ago that was your opinion also." "It was," said Marcelino sadly. "You know that you have my sympathy in every trouble that may befall you," continued Gordon. "I wish I could remain and share your troubles with you, but in your chief trouble I cannot help you, I cannot even advise you. You will have to choose between your duty to your country and your duty to your father, look to God and your own conscience, they alone can guide you in each difficulty as it arises." "God help me then, for if you cannot advise me I know not who can." Then came the sound of feet tripping over the soft carpet towards them, and Dolores, with a bright flush on her face and a smile on her lip, came to present her congratulations to the newly-released prisoner of war, but her speech stopped short as she looked upon the grave faces of the two, and she hardly listened to what Gordon said in return, but laying her hand upon her brother's arm she said: "What makes you sad, Marcelino?" "We are losing a friend, Lola," said Marcelino, forcing himself to smile. "Is it not natural that I should be sad?" "Yes, it is not strange, but he is not going now?" "In three days I believe," said Gordon. "Don Roderigo tells me there is an English man-of-war at Monte Video, and I must lose no time in returning to my duty." "Three days!" said Dolores, the colour fading from her cheeks. "But he does not regret his imprisonment among us, Lola," said Marcelino softly, "he will not forget us when he is back in his own country."