firmly. "The Senorita Chiquita is--the mother of a child."

"The mother of a child?" cried Chiquita in astonishment. "You lie!" His
words were like a blow in the face to the Captain. For an instant the
world seemed to swim before his eyes, but only for an instant. Had he
rushed upon Don Felipe then and there as he felt impelled, it would have
been what the latter most wished him to do. He would have then had
sufficient provocation to kill him on the spot. But a lion never springs
before he has taken the measure of his leap.

"Don Felipe Ramirez," said Captain Forest at length, in a hoarse,
half-audible voice, "unless you give me instant proof of what you say,
either you or I shall never leave this place alive! Understand," he
continued, "that when I ask you for proof, it is not because I doubt
this woman, but that your life and mine are at stake."

"Well spoken, Captain Forest," returned Don Felipe. "'Tis the answer I
expected; the utterance of a gentleman, a _Caballero_! You shall have
the proof you desire--the living proof, Captain Forest," he added with
emphasis.

"Proof?" exclaimed Chiquita in amazement. "Are you bereft of your
senses, Don Felipe Ramirez?"

"Ah! you have played your part well these many years, Senorita. It is
now my turn to cut the cards. If you will return to the _patio_--" he
continued, turning to the Captain.

"Why not here?" asked the latter.

"Because the proof which you desire awaits you there." The Captain was
about to protest further, when Chiquita interposed.

"Come!" she said, and without further words, turned and silently led the
way back to the _patio_ followed by Don Felipe and the Captain, the
latter scarcely able to control his desire to seize Don Felipe by the
throat and choke the breath out of his body. She knew that Don Felipe
had laid a most ingenious trap for her; that was to be expected. But
what form it would take, she was at a loss to divine until they reached
the _patio_; then it all came over her at once. She was to be publicly
accused. Don Felipe was capable of that, and she shuddered as she
pictured to herself the scene it would be certain to create.

There was a pause in the dancing. The musicians were playing an
interlude, and as the three reentered the _patio_, the eyes of all
present immediately became centered upon them. Just opposite to where
they halted sat Blanch and Padre Antonio, conversing together.

"I would much prefer to spare you a public humilia