Yet her lover's impending fate was just then of more consequence to her than the possible destruction of her father's vast property. She felt that sooner or later Lieutenant Mazenas would keep his word. She shuddered at the thought of marriage with this man, yet to think of Howard being shot in consequence of her refusal, made her soul sick with horror. For the time being even the fate of her father was forgotten. "Heaven be merciful!" she moaned, as she walked the floor and wrung her hands. "What shall I do? I cannot, cannot, cannot remain here, when so much depends upon my action!" Cara came in and tried to soothe her, and in return Estella poured her tale of woe into the maid's sympathetic ear. "Rest easy; Tomasso will watch for you," said Cara; but this did not satisfy Estella. For a few moments she seemed engaged in deep reflection; then she suddenly ran to the door. "Cara, have a horse saddled for me!" she cried. "I am going out----" "But it is night--after ten o'clock!" cried the maid. "Even the perils of darkness shall not stay me! I must find Howard--to delay would be a crime!" She ran up stairs to change her dress, and Cara acted upon her command. Five minutes later Estella was off, riding toward the town. She knew that she could learn from the keeper where Howard was confined. She never dreamed that she was so near her lover. The night was not very dark, and she could plainly discern objects some distance ahead of her; and as the horse she was riding knew the road well, she had no fear on that score. But the country was in a tumult, and both armies were followed by a set of vagabonds--guerillas who were out, not for patriotism, but for gold. The top of a hill reached, Estella guided her horse down toward the valley on the other side. As she descended she fancied she saw a camp-fire glimmering through the plantain trees ahead. As she went on she heard voices in the darkness. "Where are you going?" suddenly demanded a harsh voice, and a tall, gaunt man sprang from the bushes and grasped her horse by the bridle. "You must not detain me!" cried Estella, and she cut the man over the hand with her riding-whip. He muttered an oath, but did not let go his hold. "Come here!" he bawled to several companions, and immediately Estella was surrounded. The heart of the fair girl sank within her as she looked into the repulsive faces of the men who had thus rudely detained her. That they were neither insurgents nor Spanish soldiers, she saw at a glance. They wore the dress of gipsies, but evidently they were outcasts. "Lead the horse to the fire, Murillo," said one of the men. "Make the woman stay where she is." "What would you of me?" demanded Estella. "If it is your intention to rob me, take my purse, and let me depart." And taking her purse from her pocket, she flung it on the ground. Two of the men ran for it, and the one who secured it uttered a hoarse laugh as he stowed the dainty bead-worked receptacle in his bosom.