Louis took his foster-brother on one side.
"Swear to me to protect that child when I am no longer here to do so."
"I swear it!" Valentine said in a broken voice.
Doña Angela heard the words. She smiled sadly as she wiped away a tear.
"Now, brother, there is another oath I must obtain from you."
"Speak, brother."
"Swear to do what I ask you, whatever it may be."
Valentine looked at his foster-brother: he saw such anxiety depicted on his face that he let his eyes fall.
"I swear it!" he said in a hollow voice.
He had guessed what Don Louis was about to demand of him.