"I heard you fall and ran in, and so did Lizette. We picked you up, and sent the lieutenant for the doctor. He has just gone, and Lieutenant Mazenas went with him." "What did the lieutenant have to say?" "He said he would inform your father, that is all. He was much disappointed, and half imagined you were shamming." "Shamming," cried Estella, indignantly. "Would that I could bring to his heart one-half of the pain he has brought to mine!" "And so say I, my dear mistress. In my opinion, the lieutenant is a brute. But, alas! your father thinks quite differently!" "Cara, my father would compel me to marry that man!" "I know it, the more shame to him!" cried the maid, boldly. "Now, if it was Señor Howard----" "Don't speak of him--now that he is dead! I cannot bear it. Oh, would that I could fly from here?" "It can be done, sweet mistress, if you will," whispered the maid. "Can be done--how? The guards are outside, and----" "But they are not below, and I know of a secret way out of the cellar--a way which leads to the river----" "You must show it to me, Cara," ejaculated Estella. "I cannot remain here, to be linked to that brute; such an abominable alliance would drive me insane. I will fly, join the rebel army, and make myself known far and wide as Estella, the little Cuban rebel! I will show Lieutenant Mazenas that women are of some account in this world! Come, Cara, gather up our things, and waste not a single moment, lest it be too late to fly!" In nervous haste Estella took the lead in picking up such articles as she wished to carry with her. The maid followed, and in five minutes the bundle was made up. "I will go first," said Cara, "and will get the other servants out of the way, so they may think you are still up here. When you hear me start to sing, come down." She glided out of the bedroom, and with a last look around Estella waited for the signal. Soon she heard Cara's clear voice singing in Spanish: "A lover bold, with a heart of gold, Rode off to the distant battlefield; His heart was light, and his sword was bright-- To the enemy he ne'er would yield." Estella waited to hear no more. She hurried to the door, threw it open, and--confronted her father. "Hullo!" He started back in surprise. "Verily, I thought you were sick in bed. What is the meaning of this? What have you in that bundle?" Astonished and dismayed, Estella shrank back and swung the bundle behind her. With a quick movement he tore the bundle from her hand, and emptied the contents on the floor. "Ha! I thought as much. So you were going to run away in secret! It is well that I appeared in the nick of time. I fancy the lieutenant was right when he said you were shamming." "Father!"