"The lieutenant called on your father just before I was sent to Santiago to meet you, and they had a long talk. I should not have listened, but I heard your name mentioned so often I could not resist. The lieutenant said he was afraid he might be shifted to the vicinity of Havana, and wanted to know if the marriage could not take place as soon as you came home----" "Oh, Cara! And my father?" "Be calm, my darling! Your father may listen to reason when you meet him," said the maid, soothingly. "Then he consented!" moaned Estella. "He promised that I should marry Lieutenant Mazenas speedily!" "He promised that the marriage should take place within a week of your arrival. But, oh, Miss Estella, say not that I listened! He would kill me!" "You are safe, Cara--have no fear." Estella clutched her forehead in her hands while an icy shiver swept over her. "To marry him in a week! Oh, merciful Heaven! No, no, no! anything but that! I cannot, cannot be his wife! I would rather die!" "Do not go on so, sweet mistress!" cried Cara. "The lieutenant may grant you time when you go to him, and then----" Estella drew herself up haughtily. "I will ask no favor at his hands. I never consented to be his wife. My father has arranged all, and he--he." She faltered, and could not go on, her agitation overmastering her. She tottered toward a chair, but, ere she could reach it, fell forward, temporarily helpless. Badly frightened, Cara rushed to her assistance, at the same time calling to her friend, the owner of the house, to bring a glass of light wine. The maid raised Estella, who in a few seconds opened her tear-stained eyes. "It--it is nothing--I will be stronger in a moment!" gasped the beautiful girl. "The news was so sudden--and the room is so close. Open a window, Cara." "I closed them, fearing to be overheard," responded the maid. "I will open them wide, and fan you, and you must try to forget what I told you." And the maid started to do as she had said. "Try to forget!" murmured Estella. "Would to Heaven that I could! But, no, it is impossible! If papa has given him his word, no power on earth can make him break it! If the marriage has been arranged, it will have to take place on the day, the hour, the minute! Oh, was ever there a girl so wretched as I?" Again she began to sob; but only for a second. Cara, who had started to open a near window, drew back, and held up her hand warningly. "Hush!" A tramping of many feet was heard, coming up the narrow street. The footsteps seemed to pause at the door. Then came a loud knocking on the door-post. "What's wanted?" asked the woman of the house, as she shook with fear. "Open, in the name of the King of Spain!" CHAPTER V. THE YOUNG WAR CORRESPONDENT'S ESCAPE--THE LAWYER'S STATEMENT--DOGGED BY A SPY. "If he resists, shoot him down!"