"He loves me!" she exclaimed, drawing herself up to her full height; "Can it be possible?"
At this time the sound of hurried footsteps was heard outside.
"He is coming to tell you so himself," the count remarked.
At the same instant Dominique entered the arbour.
"Ah!" she said, trembling and falling back on the bench she had left.
"Good God!" Dominique cried, turning pale, "What is going on here?"
"Nothing that need alarm you, my friend," the count answered, with a smile, "doña Dolores permits you to offer her your homage."
"Can it be true?" he exclaimed, as he rushed towards her, and fell on his knees.
"Oh, cousin!" the young lady said, in a tone of gentle reproach, "Why have you taken this unfair advantage of a secret?"
"Which you did not confide to me, but I guessed," he answered.