trust me--I bade you strike before, strike now and end it all.
What supports life when love is denied? Friendship and duty. If these be
taken from me, I am poor indeed, and I'd liefer die than live in shame.
Your Excellency, bid him strike."

"Thy life is not thine," answered the older man, "it belongs to Spain.
We have fallen on evil times and thy country needs thine arm. Thou hast
said aright. Senor de Tobar," he cried, "he is thy friend. Take him back
to thy affection. I am an old man and a father, but were I young and one
so beautiful crossed my path as Donna Mercedes--by Our Lady he hath
excuse for anything! He speaks the truth, though it be to his own hurt.
Canst stand unmoved, senor, in thy happiness before such misery as
that?"

"Dominique, forgive me!" cried de Tobar, "I was wrong. I am ashamed.
Thou couldst not help it. I forgive thee. I love thee still."

He made as if to embrace his friend, but Alvarado held him off.

"Wilt trust me fully, absolutely, entirely?"

"With all my life," answered de Tobar.

"Thou shalt be tried," said the Viceroy. "We march toward the Orinoco in
three days. I had proposed to establish Donna Mercedes at La Guayra
under care of Alvarado."

"Not now, your Excellency," cried the young man.

"Nay, I shall, provided de Tobar is willing."

"A test, a test!" answered that young man. "Gladly do I welcome it. As
thou lovest me, and as I love thee, guard thou my betrothed."

"Your Excellency, take me with you to the Orinoco, and let Don Felipe
stay at home with Donna Mercedes in La Guayra."

"I am no experienced soldier to command a town," protested de Tobar.

"Nay," said the Viceroy, "it shall be as we have said. Wilt take the
charge?"

"Ay, and defend it with all my soul!" answered Alvarado firmly.

"Senor Alvarado and Don Felipe, you have shown yourselves true Spanish
gentlemen this night, hidalgos of whom Spain may well be proud," cried
the Viceroy in pleased and proud content. "To you, de Tobar, I shall
give my daughter with assurance and pride, and were there another to
bear my name I could wish no better husband for her than you, my poor
friend. Now, the hour is late, I have much to say to Alvarado. Don
Felipe, you will pardon me? Good-night."

"Good-night, your Excellency," promptly returned de Tobar. "I shall see
you in the morning, Dominique, ere you set forth for La Guayra. I love
thee and trust thee, my friend."

CHAPTER XII

SHOWS HOW DONNA MERCEDES