“Five minutes after you left me in the ball-room at the palace,” narrates Juanita, “Isabel came to me and declared that we should leave for Santos. She explained that Captain Huerta and his men were going to Santos at once, and would escort us, and that the ride would be enjoyable after the heat and excitement of the ball. At the mention of Captain Huerta I know I looked displeased, and Isabel remarked disagreeably: ‘Perhaps you would prefer the escort of Mr. Ashley.’ I replied that I should certainly prefer it to that of Captain Huerta, and she declared that you would not be likely to offer it, as—”
“As what?” asks Ashley, as Juanita pauses in confusion.
“She gave me to understand that you had proposed to her that night and that she had refused you.”
“And you believed her?”
“I don’t know what I believed. But I agreed to Isabel’s proposition and we left for Santos at once. On our arrival there we were set upon by a party of men. All I remember is being lifted from the volante by Captain Huerta. Then I fainted, and when I recovered consciousness I was in the church, alone with Captain Huerta. He told me that he loved me. I replied that I hated him, and when he attempted to put his arm around me I struck him in the face. Then he swore frightfully and told me I would regret the blow. ‘My father—’ I began. ‘Your father is a fugitive,’ he sneered. ‘You are wholly in my power.’ ‘Then I will kill myself,’ I cried. ‘Oh, no; you will come to your senses in a few hours,’ he said, tauntingly. ‘I shall expect to find you in a better humor when I return.’ Then he went away, locking the church door behind him.
“When he had gone I piled all the furniture of the church against the door and then threw myself down before the altar and prayed. The opening of a door aroused me. I lifted my head, expecting to see again the hated face of Captain Huerta. Instead, to my great joy, I beheld Father Hilario. When he told me of your arrest I cried out in terror. Then he gave me your message and hope came to me.”
“And Satan came also,” quotes Ashley. “I fear your barricade would not withstand a very earnest assault,” surveying the rude defense critically.
“It was all I could do. But tell me of yourself,” urges Juanita. “What is the meaning of your violent arrest?”
As Ashley unfolds the black plot, beginning with the first appearance of the adventuress at La Quinta de Quesada, the Cuban girl grows very pale, and she realizes how much she owes to the blue-eyed young man who finishes his story with the smiling quotation: “And now, senorita, if a lifetime of devotion—”
“There, do not remind me of my folly,” she protests, choking back a sob. “I will never doubt you again.”