The extensive plantations belonging to the Corona estate lay half a mile or more out of the city limits, but a hostler from the stables was on hand, with three magnificent animals, and the remainder of the journey home was quickly made. From afar Estella saw the snowy white pile that comprised the home, rising out of a cluster of palm and mahogany trees. A wide path of coral and shells led to the broad veranda, and here, on their approach, gathered all of the domestics and a number of the plantation hands to welcome her home. No one was there that had not a warm spot in his or her heart for fair Estella, for never had a mistress been so uniformly kind and considerate. "Welcome! Welcome, Doña Estella!" they cried, and one after another kissed her hand. She received them all warmly, but with a sad smile, and the word quickly went the round that the master was missing, and it was supposed that he had been killed in a skirmish with the rebels. For the remainder of the day Estella waited anxiously for news from her father and from Howard, but none came. She was in no humor to even visit the different apartments of the home, and walked nervously up and down the veranda, on the lookout for any messenger that might be approaching. Ah, what a sad home-coming had been hers! What did the lowering clouds of the future hold in store? The evening shadows were falling over the hills behind the great plantation, when she saw a man on a white horse riding rapidly toward the house. Her heart beat quickly. He must certainly bring news. But her face fell and took on a cold look as she recognized the equestrian. It was Lieutenant Mazenas, who had ridden over to learn if she had yet arrived, after seeing to it that Howard was a prisoner beyond the possibility of escape. He came up with a grand flourish and a wave of his hand, and dismounting at the steps hurried toward her with a hypocritical smile upon his narrow, sallow face. "Home at last, I see!" he exclaimed, as he caught her hand. "Thrice welcome back to Cuba, fair Estella." He would have pressed a kiss upon her hand, but she drew it away, and with a formal bow led the way into the house. "Your father, the general, has also returned?" questioned the lieutenant, but little abashed by this freezing reception. "No, he has not returned. Do you know aught of him since he went into that skirmish near Lomori, last evening?" "What! Was he in that engagement? I knew nothing of it. I thought he had gone to Santiago, to see you and your maid safely home." As he spoke the lieutenant again essayed to imprint a kiss upon her hand, but she would not allow it, and now his face grew dark. "Why draw away, pretty Estella?" he said, passionately. "Do you not know what your father has promised me?" An icy shiver swept through Estella's frame. At last she was face to face with her fate!