The officer reflected for a few moments, and then looking searchingly into the face of the young Mexican, he said, energetically, "I have known many a gentleman pledge his word and break it as if it was a bit of cracked china; but our profession teaches us to reckon up a man by the cut of his phiz, and I think you're an honorable man, M. Lisimon, and I don't think you guilty of this business that's brought against you, so give me the ring, mademoiselle," he added, holding out his hand for the valuable trinket. "I'll step outside and wait while you say what you've got to say."
He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, leaving Pauline and the Mexican together.
"Paul Lisimon, I came to save you," said Mademoiselle Corsi.
"You come from Camillia?"
"No; I come of my own accord. That ring is Camillia's; she gave it to me at my request, as a bribe for your jailer."
"Noble girl!"
"Ay, noble girl!" exclaimed the Frenchwoman, bitterly; "because she gave one from the costly heaps of jewels her foolish father has lavished upon her; but I, whose brain devised the plan, deserve no word of praise."
"Pardon me, Mademoiselle Corsi, believe me I am not ungrateful."
"Paul Lisimon," said Pauline, fixing her limpid blue eyes upon the face of the Mexican, "you love Camillia Moraquitos?"
"Love her—"