e determination
she had refused to allow it. She had thrown prudence to the winds.
Careless of whoever might see, of whoever might comment, heedless of the
reproving duenna, indifferent to ancient practice, reckless of curious
glances, she had insisted upon accompanying the captain and he had
yielded. He was doomed in his own soul to death. He intended to tell the
Viceroy and de Tobar everything, and he had no doubt that one or the
other would instantly kill him. It was a fate to which he would make no
resistance. Meanwhile he would enjoy the day. There was a melancholy
pleasure, too, in the thought, for this morning had assured him of it,
that whatever awaited him Mercedes would belong to no one else. If they
killed him she had sworn that she would not survive him. If they strove
to force her into the arms of another, she had declared she would die
rather than comply, and he believed her.

Other women in like circumstances might have resorted to a convent, but
Mercedes was not of the temperament which makes that calm harbor an
inviting refuge. If she could not have Alvarado, she would simply
die--that was all. Under the circumstances, therefore, as he had already
forfeited his own esteem, he hesitated no more. Indeed, before the
passion of the woman he loved, who loved him, it was not possible. In
her presence he could do nothing else. They abandoned themselves with
all the fervor of youth and passion to their transports of affection.
They wandered away from the others and by the side of the brook beneath
the shelter of the trees remained together and whispered all the love
that beat within their freed breasts. They might die to-morrow, to-day
they lived and loved. Fain would they have prolonged the Elysian dream
forever, but the descending sun of the afternoon at last warned
Alvarado, if they would reach La Guayra that night, that they must
resume their journey. Reluctantly he gave the order to mount.

This time, utterly indifferent to the Senora Agapida, Mercedes, mounted
on one of the led horses, rode openly by Alvarado's side. Sustained by
his presence, constantly in touch with him, she made the way down the
difficult wanderings of the rocky mountain trail. They watched the sun
set in all its glory over the tropic sea. The evening breeze blew softly
about them riding side by side. Then the night fell upon them. Over them
blazed the glorious canopy of the tropic stars, chief among them the
fiery Southern Cross, emb