“But why not upon yours, senor? Cannot you obtain it from him?”
Ned looked embarrassed.
“Um, well, you see——” he began.
“We are likely to be here for a few days. We are being detained for some time by your uncle,” put in the midshipman, coming to the rescue.
“But when you are free again? It is only a misunderstanding, I am sure.”
“When we are free again, senorita, we shall be delighted to do anything in our power to aid you,” went on Midshipman Stark, “but in the meantime it would be better for you to communicate with Mr. Timmons yourself if it becomes possible.”
“Thank you, gentlemen!” exclaimed the Spanish-American girl, with a grateful glance. “Be assured that my father’s will would be little to us were it not that my uncle threatens to banish both my mother and myself from our home unless——”
She paused, and was apparently overcome with confusion. Recovering herself, she went on proudly:
“But, after all—after all you have told me, you have a right to know. He is determined that I shall marry the man you saw me with to-day.”