He lied instantly and nobly to save the woman's honor.
"Thou villain, thou false friend!" shouted the Viceroy, whipping out his sword.
He was beside himself with fury, but there was a characteristic touch of magnanimity about his next action; so handsome, so splendid, so noble, in spite of his degrading confession, did the young man look, that he gave him a chance.
"Draw your sword, Captain Alvarado, for as I live I shall run you through!"
Alvarado's hand went to his belt, he unclasped it and threw it aside.
"There lies my sword. I am dishonored," he cried. "Strike, and end it all."
"Not so, for Christ's sake!" screamed Mercedes, who had heard as if in a daze. "He hath not told the truth. He hath lied for me. I alone am guilty. I heard him praying here in the still night and I came in, not he. I threw myself into his arms. I begged him to take me away. He spoke of his love and friendship for you, for Don Felipe, his honor, his duty. I did indeed seize the dagger, but because though he loved me he would still be true. On my head be the shame. Honor this gentleman, my father, as I—love him."
She flung herself at her father's feet and caught his hand.
"I love him," she sobbed, "I love him. With all the power, all the intensity, all the pride of the greatest of the de Laras I love him."
"Is this true, Captain Alvarado?"