"Queer enough."

"Yet sister says that the general was not to blame, in any respect."

"Yes, I took good care to be satisfied of that," said the father, who had indeed made it the subject of inquiry. "Had he been guilty of deceiving that beautiful and high-born lady, he should never have entered my doors again. I should have despised him."

"He seems very fond of Isabella," continued the boy, after a brief silence.

"Fond of her!"

"Yes, and she of him," said Ruez.

"Lorenzo Bezan fond of my daughter, and she of him?"

"Why, yes, father; I don't see anything so very strange, do you?"

"Do I? Lorenzo Bezan is but a nameless adventurer—a—a—"

"Stop, father—a lieutenant-governor, and the queen's favorite."