She smiled: the old man rushed to the door and threw it wide open. The Colonel entered and ran up to the maiden. White Scalper went out and closed the door after him.
"At last," the Colonel exclaimed joyously, "I have found you again, dear Carmela!"
"Alas!" she said.
"Yes," he exclaimed with animation, "I understand you, but now you have nothing more to fear; I will free you from the odious yoke that oppresses you, and tear you from your ravisher."
The maiden softly laid her hand on his arm, and shook her head with an admirable expression of melancholy.
"I am not a prisoner," she said.
"What?" he exclaimed with the utmost surprise, "Did not this man carry you off?"
"I do not say that, my friend. I merely say that I am not a prisoner."
"I do not understand you," he remarked.
"Alas, I do not understand myself."