listened with deep attention to the strange recital. All the
disgust with which my previous knowledge of this man's character had
inspired me vanished from my mind, and I felt for him compassion--ay,
admiration. He had suffered much. Suffering atones for crime, and in
my sight he was justified. Perhaps I was too lenient in my judgment.
It was natural I should be so.

When the revelation was ended, I was filled with emotions of pleasure.
I felt a vivid joy to know that she was not the offspring of the demon I
had deemed him.

He seemed to divine my thoughts; for there was a smile of satisfaction,
I might say triumph, on his countenance, as he leaned across the table
to refill the wine.

"Monsieur, my story must have wearied you. Drink!"

There was a moment's silence as we emptied the glasses.

"And now, sir, you know the father of your betrothed, at least somewhat
better than before. Are you still in the mind to marry her?"

"Oh, sir! she is now, more than ever, to me a sacred object."

"But you must win her, as I have said, from me."

"Then, sir, tell me how. I am ready for any sacrifice that may be
within my power to make."

"You must help me to recover her sister."

"Willingly."

"You must go with me to the desert."

"I will."

"Enough. We start to-morrow." And he rose, and began to pace the room.

"At an early hour?" I inquired, half fearing that I was about to be
denied an interview with her whom I now more than ever longed to
embrace.

"By daybreak," he replied, not seeming to heed my anxious manner.

"I must look to my horse and arms," said I, rising, and going towards
the door, in hopes of meeting her without.

"They have been attended to; Gode is there. Come, boy! She is not in
the hall. Stay where you are. I will get the arms you want. Adele!
Zoe! Oh, doctor, you are returned with your weeds! It is well. We
journey to-morrow. Adele, some coffee, love! and then let us have some
music. Your guest leaves you to-morrow."

The bright form rushed between us with a scream.

"No, no, no, no!" she exclaimed, turning from one to the other, with the
wild appeal of a passionate heart.

"Come, little dove!" said the father, taking her by the hands; "do not
be so easily fluttered. It is but for a short time. He will return
again."

"How long, papa? How long, Enrique?"

"But a very short while. It will be longer to me than to you, Zoe."

"Oh! no, no; an hour will be a long