"Yes, but I've forgotten it. I wanted to reward him, but a few more rebels came along, and the soldiers followed, and I lost sight of him. I believe he was a rebel sympathizer--the worse for him!" "Almost all Americans sympathize with the insurgents," said Estella. "So I have heard. They are foolish, like others I know of here. But let us not discuss the subject further. You have not yet asked me of Lieutenant Mazenas. You cannot imagine how anxiously he awaits your coming." At these words Estella turned deadly pale. She had expected something like this, yet she was far from being prepared. "I--I did not care to ask about him," she faltered. "I presume he is quite well." "Ah, Estella, I see you are as willful as ever, when it comes to loving the noble young man who has resolved to devote his life to his country's cause. I cannot imagine why it is thus. The lieutenant is a model young man, and comes of one of the finest families on the island." "Yet even that cannot make me love him," she returned, firmly. "I have nothing against him personally, saving that he has wormed his way into your good graces----" "Silence, child! Speak not thus of so good a patriot! You should be thankful that he has asked for your hand!" "Well, I am not!" "That shows what studying abroad has done for you--put silly notions into your head. I am thankful that I recalled you to your home; the influence here will be so much better for you. If you had any admirers in the United States, I trust you left them all behind." "I had none there," sighed Estella, as her mind rushed to the noble one she had made on the steamer. "So much the more strange that you did not take to the lieutenant. But you will no doubt like him better when you are his wife." "Oh, father!" What a world of meaning there was in those simple words! She rushed toward him, her beautiful hair falling over her shapely shoulders, and threw herself on her knees at his feet. "Don't ask me to marry Lieutenant Mazenas!" she cried, entreatingly. "I cannot do it! It will break my heart!" "Nonsense, Estella; hearts are not so easily broken. You are young--you do not look at the world so soberly as older folks do. The lieutenant is a good man, and his wealth----" "I do not want his money!" "You disregard the power of money, child. In this case it will place you in the best of society in Cuba--in Spain. What more can a woman want than that?" "She may want love, papa--love, worth more than all the riches of kings!" "Bah, Estella! That is but the rant of the actress in the play! Love! I would not give a fig for love nowadays! The age of romance has gone by. Turn to the lieutenant, and you'll be as happy as a woman can be." "No! no! no!" She sobbed, as she essayed to endearingly throw her arms about his neck. But he pushed her off.