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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
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