ds the
door.

"Then you will remain, sir," said Roland, firmly. "Remain, and listen
to what this gentleman has so menacingly alluded. Here it is: it is
the promise, given under my hand, that I will espouse the daughter of a
certain Don Pedro Rica, to whom, in the date herein annexed, I have been
this day betrothed; or, in forfeiture of such pledge, pay down the sum
of seventy thousand dollars, thereby obtaining a full release from
the conditions of the contract. It was the rash pledge of a young and
thoughtless boy, with regard to one who neither accepted his affection
nor acknowledged the contract. I do not say this to absolve myself from
the forfeiture, which I am ready to acquit this hour; I speak of it,
that, as a man of honor, I may not seem to pay a debt of feeling by a
check on my banker."

"But this betrothal," said Tiernay,--"what does it imply?"

"It is a ceremony common enough in Old Spain and her once colonies, and
is simply the recognition of a private promise of marriage."

"You have forgotten two circumstances, sir," said Hoare, whose eyes
never quitted Cashel's face.

"Which are they?"

"One is, that this contract should be either fulfilled, or the forfeit
paid, within two years,--twenty-one months of which have already
expired."

"True!--and the other condition?"

"That the acceptance or refusal of the forfeit is optional with Don
Pedro, who may, at his pleasure, select which clause he likes,--the
marriage or the penalty."

"I never acknowledged this interpretation of the document," said Cashel,
reddening. "I know Don Pedro did, and there we were at issue. Methinks
it were somewhat hard to compel a marriage distasteful to both parties,
and only to suit the speculations of a ruined adventurer."

"I hope, sir, the likelihood of future relationship will moderate the
warmth of your language."

"And is the man fool enough to fancy such a promise could be legally
enforced in this country?" said Tiernay.

"He is not without the opinion of learned counsel," said Hoare, "who
are strongly of opinion that the interpretations Columbian law would put
upon the document would be recognized by our own courts, and recognize
the marriage as such."

"And does he, or do you, suppose," said Cashel, indignantly, "that I
could expose her name, were I indifferent about my own, to be bandied
about your assize courts, and printed in newspapers, and made the gossip
of the town for a nine days' wonder?" He stoppe