who is not even of your own
kind?"

"I love you with all my heart and soul. Ever since the day when It
drew you half-fainting from off the already lighted pile, I have felt
my affection growing deeper and deeper, until it has absorbed my whole
being. My happiness is never complete unless I am near you. Tell me,
darling, that you return my love!" "How could I help but love you--you
who saved my life? Oh, Leone, you cannot think how proud I am at being
chosen by you before all others!"

With a joyous exclamation, Panteleone drew her to his breast, pressing
passionate kisses on her brow, cheeks, and lips, his heart thrilling
with rapture at the realization of his dreams.

CHAPTER IV.

The next morning a small band of soldiers, headed by Henrique
Ferriera, wound their way toward the humble home of Jarima.

On arriving, they found to their astonishment the door fastened close,
and no one to answer their knock.

"Never mind, break it down," Henrique said, roughly.

In obedience a few heavy blows fell on the woodwork, which soon gave
way beneath their force.

Stepping over the scattered splinters, Henrique saw a sight which
filled him with horror.

Crouching on the bare floor, her hands twined convulsively in her long
hair, was a woman, with three sleeping children leaning against her.

On a hard straw mattress, almost in shadow, lay Jarima, his face
covered with blood, which oozed in streams from his mouth.

Henrique gazed for an instant on the awful sight, then turned towards
his men.

"We have arrived a little too late; blind men cannot see, or dumb ones
tell tales. Some horrible wretch has done this deed, fearful of his
betraying them. I wonder who?"

The woman, when questioned, could tell them nothing. She only knew her
husband had been brought home in his present condition at daybreak,
and remained unconscious since.

"I regret to say it is our painful duty to take him; every care will
be given him. He is suspected of having murdered Luiz Falcam."

"No, no; you are mistaken! It is some one else, not he. Jarima was
much too gentle to kill any one!" the woman cried, passionately.

Her prayers and supplications were unavailing. Henrique was obliged to
do his duty, and bade his men take the suffering man to prison.

Some hours later, as Diniz stood in his room, just before setting out
in search of Henrique, that man entered the house, followed by several
soldiers.

"Diniz Sampayo, I arrest you