She looked toward Inez, into whose brain something of the wonderful truth was beginning to enter.
That look no longer spoke of contempt and hatred—there was a new light in her eye as though her soul had awakened to a glorious realization of the possibilities opening before.
In Inez the devoted daughter of Morro's stern governor, the girl who had saved Leon from a prison cell in Cuba, the woman whose love had made her that same Leon's wife and who was therefore her own sister, she saw a different being from the dark-eyed houri whom she once believed had stolen Roderic's heart—circumstances alter cases, and the same scene we have looked upon in the deceptive moonlight becomes transformed in the garish light of day.
"His wife—my brother's wife—oh! what is this strange thing you tell me—that would be too much happiness—I must be dreaming."
The girl had met with such a revulsion of feeling that she threatened to become incoherent again; but Roderic, advancing another step laid a hand upon her arm, his touch acting like magic, for he seemed to infuse some of his own calmness into her.
"Go closer to Inez—see, the poor girl is bewildered, overwhelmed at finding you here when she expected Leon, just as I too am deeply puzzled. Speak to her—ask her who she is, and what she seeks at the risk of her life. Ah! you cannot hate her, sweetheart, she who loves your brother so dearly—your sister. Take her to your heart, you two whom Heaven has brought together so strangely."
His words stirred both of those who heard—the girls looked at each other yearningly, for a new emotion had leaped into their souls.
Unable to longer restrain their feminine feelings they were speedily clasped in each other's arms, while Roderic stood by, holding his little lantern, complacently watching the demonstration, meanwhile congratulating himself that his skies had cleared and that the future promised glorious possibilities.
He was still greatly puzzled and for the life of him unable to comprehend how Georgia could take the place of Leon in this dungeon of the old fortress, difficult of access and vigilantly guarded by not only one but two sentries.
At the same time he knew an explanation would speedily be forthcoming, and hence exercised what patience he possessed.