The young lady could not restrain her emotion, and threw herself into her uncle's arms with an outburst of passionate grief. The general pressed her tenderly to his bosom, and kissed her on the forehead.
"I am the more affected by these marks of affection, my child," he said with much emotion, "because I have been very harsh to you. Can you ever forgive me the sufferings I have caused you?"
"Oh, uncle, speak not so. Are you not, alas! the only relation I have remaining?"
"For a very short time," he said with a sad smile, "that is the reason why I ought, without further delay, to provide for your future."
"Do not talk about that at such a moment, uncle," she continued, bursting into tears.
"On the contrary, my child, it is at this moment when I am going to leave you, that I am bound to insure you a protector. Don Martial, I have done you great wrong; here is my hand, accept it as that of a man who has completely recognized his faults, and sincerely repents the evil he has done."
The Tigrero, more affected than he liked to display, took a step forward, and cordially pressed the hand offered him.
"General," he said, in a voice which he tried in vain to render firm, "this moment, which I never dared hope to see, fills me with joy, but at the same time with grief."
"Well, you can do something for me by proving to me that you have really forgiven me."
"Speak, general, and if it is in my power——," he exclaimed warmly.