'Is Miralda Estalez your sister?'
'No, su excelencia, she is not,' replied Pedro.
'Your wife, perhaps?' suggested the general.
'She is my betrothed!'
General Tacon motioned the young man to approach, and then directing a look to him which seemed to read him through, held up a crucifix, and bade him swear to the truth of all that he had stated. Pedro knelt, and taking the cross in both hands, kissed it, and made the oath required of him. When he had done so, the general pointed to an apartment, where he desired Pedro to wait until he was summoned. Aware of the brief and severe manner in which General Tacon dealt with all social questions, Pedro Mantanez left the august presence in doubt whether his judge would decide for or against his case. His suspense was not of long duration. In an hour or so, one of the governor's guards entered, ushering in Count Almante and his captive lady. The general received the new-comers in the same manner as he had received the young boatman. In a tone of apparent indifference, he addressed the count as follows:
'If I am not mistaken, you have abused your authority by effecting the abduction of this girl?'
'I confess I have done so,' replied the count, in a tone intended to match that of his superior; 'but,' he continued, with a conciliatory smile, 'I think that the affair is of such a nature that it need not occupy the attention of your excellency.'
'Well, perhaps not,' said his judge, still busy over the documents before him.
'I simply wish to learn from you, upon your word of honour, whether any violence has been used towards the girl.'
'None whatever, upon my honour,' replied Almante, 'and I am happy in believing that none will be required!'