"Ah, 'tis you, Captain?" said the young man, stopping. "What news?" "Nothing, your Excellency," answered the Indian. "All is calm; the night, I think, will be tranquil." "However, you have, if I am not deceived, something to say to me." "Just so, your Excellency; I come to announce that I am about to quit the camp." "You quit the camp!" "Is it not necessary that I go out for information?" "True; how long do you reckon to be on this excursion?" "Who can say, your Excellency? Perhaps one day, perhaps two; perhaps only a few hours. All will depend on circumstances. It is possible that I shall never return." The marquis remained an instant--his eyes fixed with a strange expression on the captain. "Don Diogo," said he, at last, placing his hand in a friendly way on his shoulder, "before leaving me, permit me to ask you a question." "Do so, my lord." "What is the reason which induces you to manifest so great a devotion--so complete a self-denial?" "What good would it do to tell you, my lord; you would not understand me." "Several times have I asked myself this question without being able to reply. We have only known each other two months; before the treason of Malco, I had scarcely exchanged a few ordinary words with you." "Mon Dieu, my lord," carelessly answered the Indian; "I in nowise interest myself in you, believe me." "But, then," cried the marquis, with the utmost surprise, "why risk your life for me?" "I have told you, my lord, that you would not understand me." "Never mind, my friend; answer my question, I beg you." "You wish it, your Excellency?" "I demand it, as far as I am permitted to have my way on such a matter." "Be it so; listen to me then, my lord; only I doubt, I repeat, whether you will understand me." "Speak, speak." "Do not be angry, then, my lord, I beg you, if what you are about to hear should appear a little hard. To a question frankly put I must make a candid answer. You personally do not interest me at all. You yourself have said that I scarcely know you. Only it happens that you are in some respects under my keeping; that when I was placed under your orders, I swore to defend you in all circumstances during the time we should travel together. When that miserable Malco betrayed you, I understood the responsibility that the treason caused to devolve upon me." "But," interrupted the marquis, "that is no reason why you should sacrifice your life." "It is not to you, my lord, it is to myself that I make this sacrifice--to my honour, which would be wounded if I did not, if necessary, fall by your side, in trying, up to the last moment, to protect you, and to make a shield for you by my body. But," added he, with a sad smile, "of what use is it to dwell on this subject my lord? Profit by my devotion, without disquieting yourself about other matters. Moreover, it is not so great a thing as you think." "How is that?"