When all had been told and arrangements made for a future meeting, the girl left him.
Roderic had imbibed some of the courtly ways of these people, and it was not at all strange that he should again raise the hand she gave him to his lips.
The action however, might be misconstrued.
He had heard much that interested him, and besides found desperate work cut out ahead, if he hoped to save Leon, who was in deadly danger.
Hence, when once more alone he thought to indulge in a cigar so that he might consider the whole case, and form plans for the immediate future. To those who are accustomed to the solace of a weed the necessity of this step can be understood and needs no apology.
Roderic, having a glorious destiny opening before him, and being in the possession of unbounded health and strength, enjoyed the first part of that cigar immensely.
He never knew what the balance was like.
For a shock came upon him, a shock that was entirely unexpected, and which left him so stunned that a Wheeling stogie would have appeared as a prime Havana in his estimation.
What more could be said?
As he turned in his walk he suddenly discovered a veiled figure approaching—walk and figure declared that it could be no other than the governor's daughter—she had forgotten something and had returned to tell him.