cabinet which
had been the scene of the happenings the night before.

"Your Excellency," began the young man, slowly, painfully, "I could not
wait even the hoped-for happy issue of our plans to place my sword and
my life in your hands."

"What have you done?" asked the old man, instantly perceiving the
seriousness of the situation from the anguish in his officer's look and
voice.

"I have broken my word--forfeited my life."

"Proceed."

"I love the Donna Mercedes----"

"You promised to say nothing--to do nothing."

"That promise I did not keep."

"Explain."

"There is nothing to explain. I was weak--it was beyond my strength. I
offer no excuse."

"You urge nothing in extenuation?"

"Nothing."

"'Twas deliberately done?"

"Nay, not that; but I----"

"S'death! What did you?"

"I told her that I loved her, again----"

"Shame! Shame!"

"I took her into my arms once more----"

"Thou double traitor! And she----"

"My lord, condemn her not. She is young--a woman."

"I do not consider Captain Alvarado, a dishonored soldier, my proper
mentor. I shall know how to treat my daughter. What more?"

"Nothing more. We abandoned ourselves to our dream, and at the first
possible moment I am come to tell you all--to submit----"

"Hast no plea to urge?" persisted the old man.

"None."

"But your reason? By God's death, why do you tell me these things? If
thou art base enough to fall, why not base enough to conceal?"

"I could not do so, your Excellency. I am not master of myself when she
is by--'tis only when away from her I see things in their proper light.
She blinds me. No, sir," cried the unhappy Alvarado, seeing a look of
contempt on the grim face of the old general, "I do not urge this in
defense, but you wanted explanation."

"Nothing can explain the falsehood of a gentleman, the betrayal of a
friend, the treachery of a soldier."

"Nothing--hence I am here."

"Perhaps I have estimated you too highly," went on the old man musingly.
"I had hoped you were gentle--but base blood must run in your veins."

"It may be," answered the young man brokenly, and then he added, as one
detail not yet told, "I have found my mother, sir."

"Thy mother? What is her condition?" cried the Viceroy, in curious and
interested surprise that made him forget his wrath and contempt for the
moment.

"She was an abbess of our Holy Church. She died upon the sands of La
Guayra by her own hand rather than surrender her