It did not occur to Harry to ask her if she loved Dom Alvarez; but he said, passionately—
“I had hoped one day to go back to the old Devon tower, which must come to me; and though I never could have made you a great lady, Nell, you should never have been vexed or crossed, and have had your will always.”
“Oh, hush! hush!” said Nella, “hush!”
“Tell me one thing,” said Harry; “Dom Alvarez accuses me of a share in the treason that rained my beloved prince. Do you believe that of your old playmate!”
Nella turned round, her blue eyes flashing through their tears.
“I would as soon believe it of myself,” she said.
“Then I care for no one,” cried Harry; “and when my prince comes home, he will see me righted.”
Perhaps it was as well for Nella that her father at this moment came out of the inner room. She ran up to him, and grasped his hand.
“Father, Harry is no traitor! How dared Dom Alvarez utter such a falsehood!”
“Leave me to settle that matter, my daughter,” said Sir Walter, sternly, “and go you within. What have you to do with the disputes of these gentlemen? Your country-breeding makes you too forward, and too free of tongue.”