"God is my witness," the general resumed, earnestly, "that I should be most happy to succeed; all my wishes would be fulfilled. But why should I flatter myself with wild chimeras? He will refuse, I tell you! And I am forced to confess he would be right in doing so!"
"Well, but try, uncle!" she said, coaxingly; "if your proposal be repulsed, you will at least have proved to Loyal Heart that you are not ungrateful, and that you have known how to appreciate him at his just value."
"Do you wish it?" said the general, who asked no better than to be convinced.
"I do wish it, uncle," she answered, embracing him to conceal her joy and her blushes. "I do not know why, but it appears to me you will succeed."
"Well, so be it, then," the general murmured, with a melancholy smile. "Request Loyal Heart and his mother to come to me."
"In five minutes they shall be here!" she cried, radiant with joy.
And, bounding like a gazelle, the young girl disappeared, running along the windings of the grotto.
As soon as he was alone, the general hung down his pensive head, and fell into melancholy and deep reflections.
A few minutes later, Loyal Heart and his mother, brought by Doña Luz, were before him.
The general raised his head, bowed with courtesy as they entered, and with a sign desired his niece to retire.