"Well," said the queen, "we have a purpose for you."
"I am entirely at your majesty's disposal," replied the young soldier.
"We will see what commission it best fits so faithful a servant of our crown to bear, and an appointment may be found that will carry thee back to this distant isle of the tropics, where you have left your heart."
"To Cuba, my liege?"
"Ay."
"But my banishment from the island reads forever," said the soldier.
"We have power to make it read as best suits us," was the reply.
"You are really too good to me," replied the soldier.
"Now to your duty, general, and to-morrow we shall have further business with you."
Lorenzo Bezan bowed low, and turned his steps from the palace towards his own lodgings, near the barracks. It was exceedingly puzzling to him, first, that he could not understand what had led the queen to this subject; second, how she could so well discern the truth; and lastly, that such consideration was shown for him. He could not mistake the import of the queen's words; it was perfectly plain to him what she had said, and what she had meant; and in a strange state of mind, bordering upon extreme of suspicion and strong hope, and yet almost as powerful fears, he mused over the singular condition in which he found himself and his affairs.