, in the bosom of a happy family, but he knew also that there was
no happiness for him. And this happiness he desired to add to the
reputation to which he was entitled. But death came--he intrusted to me,
his companion, to do what he could no longer do. He gave me the proofs
of Dacosta's innocence for me to transmit them to him, and he died."

"The man's name?" exclaimed Joam Garral, in a tone he could not control.

"You will know it when I am one of your family."

"And the writing?"

Joam Garral was ready to throw himself on Torres, to search him, to
snatch from him the proofs of his innocence.

"The writing is in a safe place," replied Torres, "and you will not have
it until your daughter has become my wife. Now will you still refuse
me?"

"Yes," replied Joam, "but in return for that paper the half of my
fortune is yours."

"The half of your fortune?" exclaimed Torres; "agreed, on condition that
Minha brings it to me at her marriage."

"And it is thus that you respect the wishes of a dying man, of a
criminal tortured by remorse, and who has charge you to repair as much
as he could the evil which he had done?"

"It is thus."

"Once more, Torres," said Joam Garral, "you are a consummate scoundrel."

"Be it so."

"And as I am not a criminal we were not made to understand one another."

"And your refuse?"

"I refuse."

"It will be your ruin, then, Joam Garral. Everything accuses you in the
proceedings that have already taken place. You are condemned to death,
and you know, in sentences for crimes of that nature, the government is
forbidden the right of commuting the penalty. Denounced, you are taken;
taken, you are executed. And I will denounce you."

Master as he was of himself, Joam could stand it no longer. He was
about to rush on Torres.

A gesture from the rascal cooled his anger.

"Take care," said Torres, "your wife knows not that she is the wife of
Joam Dacosta, your children do not know they are the children of Joam
Dacosta, and you are not going to give them the information."

Joam Garral stopped himself. He regained his usual command over himself,
and his features recovered their habitual calm.

"This discussion has lasted long enough," said he, moving toward the
door, "and I know what there is left for me to do."

"Take care, Joam Garral!" said Torres, for the last time, for he could
scarcely believe that his ignoble attempt at extortion had collapsed.

Joam Garral made him no answe