"Be frank with me, child, for am I not your best friend?" "That is true," she stammered. "Have I ever refused to satisfy the slightest of your wishes?" "Oh, never!" "Have you ever found me severe to you?" "Oh, no!" "Well, then, why not confess to me frankly what is troubling you?" "Because--" she murmured, in hesitation. "What?" he answered, affectionately. "I dare not." "It must be very difficult to say, then?" "Yes." "Nonsense! Go on, girl, where will you find a confessor so indulgent as I am?" "Nowhere, I know." "Speak, then." "I am afraid of vexing you." "You will vex me a great deal more by obstinately remaining silent." "But--" "Listen, Carmela; while telling us a little while back what happened to-day at the venta, you confessed yourself that you wished to find me, no matter where I was, this very night; is that so?" "Yes, father." "Well, here I am, I am listening to you; besides, if what you have to say to me is so important as you led me to suppose, you will do well to make haste." The maiden started; she gave a glance at the sky, where the gloom was beginning to be intersected by white stripes; all the hesitation disappeared from her face. "You are right, father," she said, in a firm voice; "I hate to speak with you about an affair of the greatest importance, and perhaps I have deferred it too long, for it is a question of life and death." "You startle me." "Listen to me." "Speak, child, speak, without fear, and reckon on my affection for you." "I do so, my kind father, so you shall know all." "It is well." Doña Carmela seemed to collect herself for a moment, then, letting her dainty hand fall into her father's rough and large hand, while her long silken lashes drooped timidly, to serve as a veil to her eyes, she began in a weak voice at first, which, however, soon became more firm and distinct. "Lanzi told you that meeting with a conducta de plata encamped a short distance from here, helped him to escape from the pursuit of the pagans. Father, this conducta spent last night at the venta, and the Captain who commands the escort is one of the most distinguished officers in the Mexican army; you have heard him spoken of before now in terms of praise, and I even think you are personally acquainted with him; his name is Don Juan Melendez de Gongora." "Ah!" said Tranquil. The maiden stopped, all palpitating. "Go on," the Canadian said, gently. Carmela gave him a side glance; as the tigrero was smiling, she resolved to continue. "Already accident has brought the Captain several times to the venta; he is a true Caballero--gentle, polite, honourable, and we have never had the slightest ground of complaint against him, as Lanzi will tell you." "I am convinced of it, my child, for Captain Melendez is exactly what you describe him." "Is he not?" she quickly asked. "Yes, he is a true Caballero; unfortunately, there are not many officers like him in the Mexican army."