rm of his love in his arms and cover her cold face with
kisses, knelt down by her side and began chafing her hands. He thought
it no breach of propriety to murmur her name. Indeed he could not keep
the words from his lips. Almost instantly the Viceroy departed there was
a commotion in the outer hall. There was a knock on the door, repeated
once and again, and before Alvarado could determine upon a course of
action, Don Felipe burst into the room followed by Senora Agapida, the
duenna of Donna Mercedes.

"Your Excellency----" cried the old woman in agitation, "I missed the
Senorita. I have searched----"

"But who is this?" interrupted de Tobar, stepping over to where Alvarado
still knelt by the prostrate girl. "'Tis not the Viceroy!" He laid his
hand on the other man's shoulder and recoiled in surprise.

"Dominique!" he exclaimed. "What do you here and who----"

"Mother of God!" shrieked the duenna. "There lies the Donna Mercedes!"

"She is hurt?" asked Felipe, for the moment his surprise at the presence
of Alvarado lost in his anxiety for his betrothal.

"I know not," answered the distracted old woman.

"She lives," said Alvarado, rising to his feet and facing his friend.
"She hath but fainted."

"Water!" said Senora Agapida.

Both men started instantly to hand her the carafe that stood on a table
near by. Don Felipe was nearer and got it first.

Senora Agapida loosened the dress of the young woman and sprinkled her
face and hands with the water, laying her head back upon the floor as
she did so and in a moment the girl opened her eyes. In the darkness of
the room, for no lamp had as yet been lighted, she had not recognized in
her bewilderment who was bending over her, for Alvarado had forced
himself to draw back, yielding his place to de Tobar as if by right.

"Alvarado!" she murmured.

"She lives," said Don Felipe, with relief and jealousy mingled in his
voice, and then he turned and faced the other.

"And now, Senor Alvarado, perhaps you will be able to explain how you
came to be here alone, at this hour of night, with my betrothed, and why
she calls thy name! By St. Jago, sir, have you dared to offer violence
to this lady?"

His hand went to his sword. To draw it was the work of a moment. He
menaced the young soldier with the point.

"I could kill you as you stand there!" he cried in growing rage. "But
the memory of our ancient friendship stays my hand. You shall have a
chance. Where is your weapon