But during the few days that had passed since the taking of the camp the young people had progressed without suspecting it, and this was greatly assisted by the mother of Loyal Heart, who, with that second sight with which all mothers worthy of the name are endowed, had divined this passion, and the honourable combats of her son, and had constituted herself the secret confidante of their love, assisting it unknown to them, and protecting it with all her power, whilst both lovers were persuaded that their secret was buried in the depths of their own hearts. Such was the state of things two days after the proposal made by the captain to Doña Luz. Loyal Heart appeared more sad and more preoccupied than usual; he walked about the grotto with hasty strides, showing signs of the greatest impatience, and at intervals casting uneasy glances around him. At length, leaning against one of the projections of the grotto, he let his head sink on his chest, and remained plunged in profound meditation. He had stood thus for some time, when a soft voice murmured in his ear-- "What is the matter, my son? Why are your features clouded with such sadness? Have you received any bad news?" Loyal Heart raised his head, like a man suddenly awakened from sleep. His mother and Doña Luz were standing before him, their arms interlaced, and leaning upon each other. He cast upon them a melancholy glance, and replied with a stifled sigh,-- "Alas! mother, tomorrow is the last day. I have as yet been able to imagine nothing that can save Doña Luz, and restore her uncle to her." The two women started. "Tomorrow!" Doña Luz murmured; "that is true; it is tomorrow that that man is to come!" "What will you do, my son?" "How can I tell, mother?" he replied impatiently. "Oh! this man is stronger than I am. He has defeated all my plans. Up to the present moment we have not possibly been able to discover his retreat. All our researches have proved useless." "Loyal Heart," the young lady said, softly, "will you then abandon me to the mercy of this bandit? Why, then, did you save me?" "Oh!" the young man cried, "that reproach kills me." "I am not reproaching you, Loyal Heart," she said warmly; "but I am very unhappy. If I remain, I cause the death of the only relative I have in the world; if I depart, I am dishonoured!" "Oh, to be able to do nothing!" he cried, with great excitement. "To see you weep, to know that you are unhappy, and to be able to do nothing! Oh!" he added, "to spare you the least anxiety I would sacrifice my life with joy. God alone knows what I suffer from this want of power." "Hope, my son, hope!" the old lady said, with an encouraging accent. "God is good. He will not abandon you."