tion," said Don
Felipe, addressing the Captain in a low tone. "It is not too late. But
if you still insist on having the proof at this time--"

"The proof by all means!" exclaimed Chiquita without giving the Captain
time to answer, her eyes blazing with indignation.

"Very well, since you insist," replied Don Felipe, glancing for an
instant in the direction of Blanch. As he did so, both the Captain and
Chiquita noticed that she let fall, as if by accident, the pink rose she
held in her hand. Instantly Don Felipe turned and clapped his hands,
whereupon, an old Indian woman, bowed with age and supporting herself
with a stick, and accompanied by a pretty little Indian girl of five or
six years of age, emerged from one of the doors of the house and paused,
bewildered by the unusual sight that greeted their eyes; the lights and
flowers, the music and gayly dressed men and women. Chiquita started and
uttered a low cry as her gaze fell upon the old woman and the child.
Captain Forest noted the ashen hue of her face and felt her hand tremble
as she involuntarily clutched at his arm as if for support. Then she
suddenly seemed to recover her composure.

"That?" she exclaimed, and began to laugh, almost hysterically. It was
evident to the others that something unusual had occurred. The music
suddenly ceased, and save for the murmur of the fountain in the center
of the court, not a sound was to be heard. All eyes were now turned upon
the old woman and the child who still stood silent and motionless,
gazing in bewilderment upon the strange scene before them. Suddenly the
child uttered a cry of joy.

"Madre! Madre _mia_!" she cried, and running across the court, flung
herself into Chiquita's arms. Then it was that the latter grasped the
full significance and gravity of the situation. What could have been
more compromising and humiliating for her?

[Illustration: "'Madre! Madre _mia_!' she cried, and flung herself into
Chiquita's arms."]

"Marieta, _nina mia_!" she exclaimed, stooping and kissing the child,
without realizing that her words and action only compromised her the
more.

"Is this the beautiful garden you told me of, Mother--which you said you
would one day take me to see?" asked the child, gazing delightedly about
her.

"Yes, yes, _cara mia_!" she answered hastily, holding the child close to
her. Instinctively the others began to draw near the little group.

"What brings you here, Juana?" she asked sternly of the