"Then go!" he cried. "Go--leave this house, and never let me see you again until you are ready to obey me!" Scarcely had the words crossed his quivering lips than the side door to the parlor was flung open, and Howard Sherwood leaped into the room. "General Corona, have pity on your daughter, and do not treat her so unkindly," said Howard. "I am here to answer all questions concerning myself!" CHAPTER XIX. I NEVER FANCIED THAT A DAUGHTER OF MINE WOULD BE SO DISLOYAL. It was a striking tableau in the parlor of the plantation mansion. In the centre stood General Corona, with the crafty Captain Nocolo beside him. Near the door the beautiful Estella swayed--pale, weak, trembling--as if about to fall from the intensity of the emotion she had just experienced. In the doorway was outlined the handsome form of Howard Sherwood, his eyes meeting those of the general fairly and squarely, while his arms were outstretched to support the girl he so loved, should such support be desired. "The escaped spy!" burst from Captain Nocolo's lips. "Ha! I was right after all!" Howard paid no attention to him. He was not thinking of himself--of what capture might mean. His thoughts were only of Estella, and what the beautiful girl had suffered, and was suffering, for his sake. "So this is Howard Sherwood?" said General Corona at last, as he surveyed that manly form from head to foot. He could not conceal from himself the fact that never had he seen a young man who looked so thoroughly honest, noble, and prepossessing. "Yes, I am Howard Sherwood, the man who has caused all this trouble," responded Howard. "We have met before, I believe," he went on, and a faint smile played for an instant on his face. "So we have. But I forget where." "In the streets of Santiago. Several thieves were about to relieve you of your watch and purse----" "Yes--yes! And you helped me!" cried General Corona. Then his face clouded. He was far from pleased to have such an unpleasant truth thrust upon him in view of the present situation. "I owe you my thanks for that, to be sure." "You gave them to me at the time," replied Howard, coldly, "so let that pass. If you would do me a favor, treat your daughter more kindly. She does not deserve the anger you have aimed at her." Estella turned quickly and gave Howard such a grateful look that he felt more than repaid for the words spoken. Then she looked toward her father, but for once the eyes of the old warrior fell. It had remained for his daughter's lover to teach him a first lesson in forbearance. "Well, well; perhaps I was a little hasty," he said. "But I don't understand all this. Captain Nocolo, since this is the man you are after--" He paused. The captain had moved to the window, and now two shots from his revolver rang out in rapid succession. "What is that for?" "The guard will be here directly," grinned the Spanish officer. "I do not want this spy to escape us again."