"Pardon you for what, my dear child? For loving your father? On the contrary, you are quite right. But yours is no common nature, my child; though we have only been acquainted for a few hours, you have sufficiently appreciated my character, I think, to recognise the interest I take in you."
"Yes, yes, I believe you, madam; I must believe you."
"Well, console yourself, my dear girl; do not weep thus, or I shall be forced to follow your example; and I have still some details to add to this interminable story."
The maiden smiled through her tears. "Oh, you are so kind, madam," she answered.
"No, I love you, that is all, and," she added, with a sigh, "I have done so for a long time."
Doña Marianna gazed at her with amazement.
"Yes, that surprises you," she continued, "and I can well understand it. But enough of this subject for the present, my darling, and let us return to what I wanted to say to you."
"Oh, I am listening to you, madam."
"I will now tell you where Ova's town stood, and its name. It was called Cibola."
"Cibola!" the girl exclaimed.