The Colonel's amazement at these strange words attained such a height that he could not find a word to reply, but he looked wildly at the maiden. The man who loves is never mistaken as to the feelings of the woman he loves. The young man felt instinctively that Carmela was directed by her heart in the resolution she had formed. At this moment the door opened, and White Scalper appeared. His appearance was a great relief to the pair, for they were frightfully embarrassed, and the young man especially understood that this unexpected arrival would be of great help to him. There was in the demeanour and manner of the old man a dignity which Carmela had never before remarked.
"Pardon me disturbing you," he said, with a kindly accent, that made his hearers start.
"Oh," he continued, pretending to be mistaken as to the impression he produced; "excuse me, Colonel, for speaking in this way, but I love Doña Carmela so dearly that I love all she loves; though old men are egotistic, as you are aware, I have been busy on your behalf during my absence."
Carmela and the Colonel looked their amazement. The old man smiled.
"You shall judge for yourselves," he said. "I have just heard, from a scout who has come in, that a reinforcement of Indians has turned our lines, and joined the enemy, among them being a wood ranger, called Tranquil."
"My father!" Carmela exclaimed, in delight.
"Yes," the Scalper said, suppressing a sigh.
"Oh, pardon me!" the maiden said, as she offered him her hand.
"Poor child! How could I feel angry with you? Must not your heart fly straight to your father?"
The Colonel was utterly astounded.