"Then you were only mocking me! Cruel, cruel!"

"Less than ever can I renounce this expedition. But I will do what will
perhaps please you as well. I will release Carmen from his promise. He has
found his fortune; let him stay. I have mine to make; I must go."

"O senor, you have made me happy again. I thank you with all my heart. We
can now speak to my father. But you are mistaken; it is not the same to me
whether you go or stay so long as you release Salvador from his promise. I
would have you stay with us, for I know that he and you are great friends,
and that it will pain you to part."

"It will, indeed. He is a true man and one of the bravest and most
chivalrous I ever knew. I can never forget that he risked his life to save
mine. To lose so dear a friend will be a great grief, even though my loss
be your gain, senorita."

"No loss, Senor Fortescue. Instead of one friend you will have two. Your
gain will be as great as mine."

My answer to these gracious words was to take her proffered hand and press
it to my lips.

"_Caramba!_ What is this? Juanita? And you, senor, is it the part of a
friend? Do you know?"

"Don't be jealous, Salvador," said Juanita, quietly to her lover, who had
come on the balcony unperceived. "Senor Fortescue is a true friend. He is
very good; he releases you from your promise. And he seemed so sorry and
spoke so nobly that the least I could do was to let him kiss my hand."

"You did right, Juanita. I was hasty; I cry _peccavi_ and ask your
forgiveness. And you really give up this expedition for my sake, dear
friend? Thanks, a thousand thanks."

"No; I absolve you from your promise. But I shall go, all the same."

Carmen looked very grave.

"Think better of it, _amigo mio_," he said. "When we formed this project
we were both in a reckless mood. Much of the country you propose to
explore has never been trodden by the white man's foot. It is a country of
impenetrable forests, fordless rivers, and unclimbable mountains. You will
have to undergo terrible hardships, you may die of hunger or of thirst,
and escape the poisoned arrows of wild Indians only to fall a victim to
the malarious fevers which none but natives of the country can resist."

"When did you learn all this? You talked very differently a few days ago."

"I did, but I have been making inquiries."

"And you have fallen in love."

"True, and that has opened my eyes to many things."

"To the dangers of this expedition