A cup of strong coffee, made by Cara's friend, soon tranquilized the beautiful girl's nerves. Yet she was much disturbed on Howard's account. "Oh, I hope he has escaped!" she murmured, as she paced the floor, although urged by her maid to retire. "And he told me to fly--for his sake! Ah, me, if he only knew! If he only knew!" And two big and bitter tears coursed down her dark cheeks, in the centre of each of which glowed a bright red spot, as in her imagination she saw his handsome face still, as he looked when he was holding back the soldiers who sought to follow her. "Cara," she continued, after a long pause, as she drew her maid to one side, "you did not tell me all the news from home." "You did not give me time," smiled the maid. "I told you about your dear father--that he intends to join the royal army should matters grow worse. He is inflexibly opposed to the rebels." "I suppose so!" sighed Estella. "But the men on the place--what of them, Cara?" The maid smiled, showing two rows of strong, white teeth. "Oh, they--perhaps you had better not ask me, Miss Estella." "They are with the rebels, of course. And why not? Cuba should be free!" "Oh, my darling!" cried the servant. "Blessed be your tongue for that! Yes, Cuba libre! That is the cry! But, oh, do not let your father hear you say it! Tomasso said that three days ago and your father had him flogged!" "He did!" Estella's eyes blazed. "And papa always thought Tomasso the best man in the cane brakes! But he was induced to act so only on account of his position in the old guard and his duty to the kingdom!" "It is Lieutenant Mazenas who has inspired your father with loyalty to Spain, Miss Estella. He calls nearly every day with stories of the insurgents' wrong-doings. He tells your father that the men are only watching for the chance to loot the plantation and join the rebel army." Estella's eyes begin to blaze. If her father was of a strong mind, his daughter was not much unlike him. "Why is not the lieutenant with the main body of the Spanish army?" she asked. "He is stationed near Marambo, guarding a section of the railroad, Miss Estella. He had himself stationed there on purpose, so Tomasso told me, that he might be convenient when you came home." The beautiful young mistress began to shiver. How she dreaded the coming meeting with this bony, dark-skinned Spanish officer, even though he was connected with the finest families in the island. She turned away to hide her agitation, but Cara came quickly to her side. She was Estella's firm friend, and would have laid down her very life for her mistress had it been necessary. "A fearful ordeal awaits you, my darling," she said, softly. "I wanted to tell you before, but I could not, and now it is harder to tell than ever." Estella started and stared at the maid. "More bad news? Tell me at once."