"I presume that the question I asked surprised you?"
"I confess it."
"Well, I will tell you why I asked it."
"What good will that do?"
"I must; between us two henceforth there must be nothing hidden. In spite of the hatred I ought to feel for you, I feel myself attracted to you by a secret sympathy, which I cannot explain, but which urges me to reveal to you a secret on which the happiness of my life depends."
"I do not understand you, Caballero; the language seems strange to me. Explain yourself, in Heaven's name."
A feverish flush suddenly covered the Jaguar's face.
"Listen, Captain, if you only know me today for the first time, your name has been ringing in my ears for many months past."
The officer fixed an inquiring glance on the young man.
"Yes, yes," the latter continued, with increasing animation, "she ever has your name on her lips—she only speaks of you. Only a few days back—but why recall that? Suffice it for you to know that I love her to distraction."