“None!” he replied. “There are certain things that you must do—be my wife, and I will save Señor Zorro by fetching the troopers from San Diego de Alcála. And afterward you must say that I did but trick the pirates, and that you wed me in gratitude for saving you from them.”
“Such a falsehood would not come easily from my lips, señor,” she said. “And how can I trust you? How do I know that you would fetch the troopers?”
“I am not afraid to make the bargain,” he told her. “You need not wed me until after the pirates are defeated and the caballeros are released. That is fair enough for both, is it not? But how, on the other hand, may I be assured that you will not forget your part of the bargain, once I have done my share?”
“Señor!” she cried, her face flaming. “Would a daughter of the Pulidos break her given word?”
“Then you give it?” he asked.
“Not yet!” she replied firmly. “There are to be certain stipulations, señor.”
“And they—” he questioned.
“I must see Señor Zorro alone and speak to him, and explain just what I intend to do. I would tell him the truth—that you will save him and the others if I wed you. I would not have him think that my heart is one that can change so easily.”
“Ha! After that you would have to save him against his will. He would not accept the sacrifice.”
“Then will I save him despite himself,” she declared. “And you need not fear for the future in such case, señor. Once we were wed, Señor Zorro would not raise his hand against you if I asked him not to do so.”