e up
and meet the green hills until he could not distinguish the one from the
other. His heart almost stopped its beating, yet summoning his
resolution he recovered himself by an effort that left him trembling,
the sweat beading his forehead.

"Are you in a state for a return journey at once, senor?" he asked of
the young officer.

"At your service, captain."

"That's well. Say to His Excellency, the Viceroy, that I thank him for
the honor he does me. I shall wait upon him to-morrow and obey his
commands."

CHAPTER X

HOW DONNA MERCEDES TEMPTED HER LOVER AND HOW HE STROVE VALIANTLY TO
RESIST HER APPEALS

Alvarado was alone in the cabinet of the Viceroy, to which his rank and
the favor in which His Excellency held him gave him access at all times.

[Illustration]

He had ridden all day over the rough road that winds over the mountains
from La Guayra to Caracas. The storm which had rushed down the
mountain-side all afternoon matched the tumult in his soul, and the
sheets of rain blown upon him by the fierce wind had not cooled the
fever of his agitation. The unusual tempest was one of the most terrific
that had swept over the coast in years. He had marked as he rode a huge
ship far to seaward, staggering along under shortened canvas and
laboring tremendously in the heavy seas. But his thoughts were so
centered upon the situation in which he found himself that he had not
particularly noticed the vessel, although passing ships were infrequent
sights off the port of La Guayra. Pale, haggard, and distraught from his
mental struggle he had crossed the pass at the summit of the mountain
and descended into the fertile valley now adrip with rain and looking
almost cold under the gray sky, and had presented himself at the palace
of the Viceroy.

He had changed his apparel after his reception and his old sergeant had
polished his breastplate until it fairly blazed with light, for though
the occasion was one of peace he had felt that he could better sustain
his part in the military uniform in which he had won his only title to
consideration. He schooled himself to go through that part with the
resolution of a Spanish gentleman. Although there was no evidence of
gentle blood save such as was presented by his actions, he had always
cherished the hope that could the secret of his birth be revealed he
would not be found unfit for the honors that he had won and the
ambitions that he cherished. Consequently his appear