"'As long as you please.'
"'Ah! feel how my heart beats. I ask how long in vain?'
"'Long enough, senor,' said she, with a pretty pout.
"'Senor!'
"'Yes, senor, unless—unless——'
She paused.
"'What?'
"'You speak of marriage, too,' she replied, suddenly unclasping my hands, which were tenderly folded round her slender waist.
"'Do you love me?'
"'Do I love you?' she repeated, reproachfully, turning her full, clear, and glorious eyes to mine, while throwing back her veil and the masses of her silky hair together; 'you know that I do love you, Pedro, fondly, deeply, passionately, for you have won that which never belonged, and never shall belong, to another—my heart.'