Her dark eyes flashed, showing that she meant what she said. He drew her still closer, while a joyful mist dimmed her eyes, and she began to sob in his arms. "Oh, Howard, my king, you will protect me now?" "I will do all that mortal man can do. I will save you from the lieutenant forevermore, if you will do as I desire." "And that is----" She hesitated, while a sudden warm flush came to her dark cheeks. "Will you become my wife now, Estella?" he asked, tenderly. "You know how much I love you--more than words can tell. Say you will be mine this very day and thus make me the happiest man on earth." He looked down into those dark eyes so wistfully, his own so full of tender passion, that she could not turn away. She threw her arms about his neck and kissed him lightly, yet with an intensity of emotion that thrilled him to the soul. "As you will, Howard," she whispered, "I am yours, all yours, forevermore!" CHAPTER XXXII. A STARTLING INTERRUPTION. It was some little time later, when Howard and Estella, accompanied by the faithful Cara--now also happy for the reason that the young war correspondent had assured her that Tomasso was alive and in the vicinity--left the woods and took to the road leading to the nearest camp of the insurgents. As they journeyed along Estella told her story in detail, to which he listened with much interest. "I have also much to tell," he said. "Since we parted I have been able to send much important news to the press association I represent, and I have also been promoted to a captaincy in the Cuban Army. So if you marry me you will become the wife of a full-fledged rebel!" he laughed. "I will be proud of that," she responded, with an arch smile. "Am I not a little Cuban rebel myself? Ah, how I wish papa might see things in the light we do--have correct ideas of Spanish injustice." "The burning of his plantation had, no doubt, made him doubly bitter against the insurgents," said her lover. "It is a mystery how that attack started," he went on. "Captain Martinez gave no orders to that effect, nor did any of his associates. Some one said the orders came direct from General Gomez, but I cannot believe that possible." "Lieutenant Mazenas intimated to my father that you were responsible for the attack upon the place, and what is worse, my father believes all the stories told about you." "I am half of the opinion the destruction of the cane was the lieutenant's work," cried Howard, struck by a sudden idea. "He might do it, to make your father more bitter against me. His stories and actions prove his hatred of me." "He is afraid of you." At the end of the conversation they had come in view of the rebel camp. They were halted several times, but Howard had the password, and the badge he now wore on his breast--a miniature rebel flag, five blue and white stripes, with a red triangle and a single white star--allowed them to pass without further question.