"Count Almonte, you doubtless know why I have ordered you to appear here."
"Excelencia, I fear that I have been indiscreet," was the reply.
"You adopted the uniform of the guards for your own private purposes upon this young girl, did you not?"
"Excelencia, I cannot deny it."
"Declare, upon your honor, Count Almonte, whether she is unharmed whom you have thus kept a prisoner."
"Excelencia, she is as pure as when she entered beneath my roof," was the truthful reply.
The governor turned, and whispered something to his page, then continued his questions to the count, while he made some minutes upon paper. Pedro was now summoned to explain some matter, and, as he entered, the governor-general turned his back for one moment as if to seek for some papers upon his table, while Miralda was pressed in the boatman's arms. It was but for a moment, and the next, Pedro was bowing humbly before Tacon. A few moments more and the governor's page returned, accompanied by a monk of the church of Santa Clara, with the emblems of his office.
"Holy father," said Tacon, "you will bind the hands of this Count Almonte and Miralda Estalez together in the bonds of wedlock!"
"Excelencia!" exclaimed the count, in amazement.
"Not a word, Señor; it is your part to obey!"