The footsteps ceased, a figure stood in the entrance of the porch, and a low voice spoke to her in tender accents, one word only: "Magdalen." As she heard that voice, and that one word so tenderly spoken, the tremor of her heart ceased, the blood rushed back to her face, suffusing cheeks and brow, she started to her feet, stretching out her hand and trying to speak some word of welcome, but no word came. Marcelino took her hand in his own and raised it to his lips, then leading her back to her chair he seated himself beside her on a low stool, still holding her hand in his. So sat they silently for some moments, Magdalen was the first to speak. "Papa is not at home," she said, drawing away her hand; "all day he has been in the city." "It is three weeks since I have seen you," replied Marcelino. "They have been to me like three years. I have been in prison, I have been thinking of you all the time and wondering whether you would miss me. Have you been much in the city since I saw you last?" "No, only once," said Magdalen. "Doña Josefina said that you would soon be free." "I escaped last night, and am free, yet in great trouble; I cannot live here any longer, I must go, but I could not go without seeing you first." "Going! Where are you going? Don Fausto said that it was a mistake, and that you had done nothing." "Yes, I had done something, I had dared to love my country, and had dared to speak of a scheme which would free her from tyranny. To love one's country is a crime in the eyes of our lords the Spaniards, and my father is a Spaniard." Then again there was silence between them for a space, till Magdalen spoke. "Yesterday morning there was a squadron of horse here in the Plaza," she said; "all the morning they were there. Papa was very anxious and kept watching them, till in the siesta they marched away into the city. What happened there?" "At sundown there was a fight in the Plaza Mayor. Evaristo with some of the Morenos of mine bust into the Cabildo and set me free. It appears that the Spaniards made a revolt against Liniers and failed. More I know not, but this is the beginning I hoped to have avoided, now I have to choose between my father and my country." "Your father! But he was a great friend of the Viceroy, he would not join a revolt against him." "My father is a Spaniard, what Spaniards do is always well done in his eyes, and without doubt he was with them." "But you say they have failed; he may be in danger. When did you leave the city? What have you heard?" "I left the city last night, and I have heard nothing more than I have told you." "And all the day where have you been?" said Magdalen, looking at him in surprise. "I have been all day at the quinta, I have just come from there. I could not pass the first day of my freedom without seeing you." "And your father in danger! Oh, that is wrong, it is so unlike you. "In danger of what? a prison? I have just escaped from the prison where he put me."