"And then," the general added, "if even, which is impossible, his mother through love of him, in order to give him a rank in society, should accept my offer, mothers being capable of the noblest sacrifices to secure the happiness of their children, he himself would refuse. Can you believe, dearest, that this man, brought up in the desert, whose whole life has been passed among unexpected, exciting scenes, in face of a sublime nature, would consent, for the sake of a little gold which he despises, and a name that is useless to him, to renounce that glorious life of adventures so full of pleasant and terrible emotions, which has become necessary to him? Oh, no! he would be stifled in our cities; to an exalted organization like his our civilization would be mortal. Forget this idea, my dear daughter. Alas! I feel convinced he would refuse." "Who knows?" she said, shaking her head. "God is my witness," the general resumed, earnestly, "that I should be most happy to succeed; all my wishes would be fulfilled. But why should I flatter myself with wild chimeras? He will refuse, I tell you! And I am forced to confess he would be right in doing so!" "Well, but try, uncle!" she said, coaxingly; "if your proposal be repulsed, you will at least have proved to Loyal Heart that you are not ungrateful, and that you have known how to appreciate him at his just value." "Do you wish it?" said the general, who asked no better than to be convinced. "I _do_ wish it, uncle," she answered, embracing him to conceal her joy and her blushes. "I do not know why, but it appears to me you will succeed." "Well, so be it, then," the general murmured, with a melancholy smile. "Request Loyal Heart and his mother to come to me." "In five minutes they shall be here!" she cried, radiant with joy. And, bounding like a gazelle, the young girl disappeared, running along the windings of the grotto. As soon as he was alone, the general hung down his pensive head, and fell into melancholy and deep reflections. A few minutes later, Loyal Heart and his mother, brought by Doña Luz, were before him. The general raised his head, bowed with courtesy as they entered, and with a sign desired his niece to retire. The young girl complied in great agitation. There only prevailed in this part of the grotto a faint light, which did not allow objects to be seen distinctly; by a strange caprice, the mother of Loyal Heart had put on her rebozo in such a manner that it almost entirely covered her face; so that, notwithstanding the attention with which the general looked at her, he could not succeed in discerning her features. "You have sent for us, general," Loyal Heart said, cheerfully, "and, as you see, we have hastened to comply with your desire."