ce
of our Holy Church."

"May God bless thee, as I bless thee!" answered Alvarado, to give him
the familiar name.

As he spoke he sank on his knees and pressed a long and fervent kiss
upon the worn and withered hand of the aged man.

"It is not meet," said the priest, withdrawing his hand and laying it
in blessing upon the bowed fair head. "That which was lost is found
again. Let us rejoice and praise God for His mercy. Donna Mercedes,
gentlemen, my blessing on Senor de Guzman and upon ye all. Benedicite!"
he said, making the sign of the cross.

CHAPTER XXIV

IN WHICH SIR HENRY MORGAN APPEALS UNAVAILINGLY ALIKE TO THE PITY OF
WOMAN, THE FORGIVENESS OF PRIEST, THE FRIENDSHIP OF COMRADE, AND THE
HATRED OF MEN

"And bless me also, my father," cried Mercedes, kneeling by Alvarado's
side.

"Most willingly, my fair daughter," answered the old man. "A fit
helpmate indeed thou hast shown thyself for so brave a soldier. By your
leave, your Excellency. You will indulge an old man's desire to bless
the marriage of the son as he did that of the mother? No obstacle, I
take it, now exists to prevent this most happy union."

"None," answered the Viceroy, as the young people rose and stood before
him, "and glad I am that this happy solution of our difficulties has
come to pass."

"And when, sir," questioned the priest further, "may I ask that you
design----"

"The sooner the better," said the Viceroy smiling grimly. "By the mass,
reverend father, I'll feel easier when he hath her in his charge!"

"I shall prove as obedient to thee as wife, Don Francisco----" said
Mercedes with great spirit, turning to him.

"Nay, call me Alvarado, sweet lady," interrupted her lover.

"Alvarado then, if you wish--for it was under that name that I first
loved thee--I shall prove as obedient a wife to thee as I was a dutiful
daughter to thee, my father."

"'Tis not saying o'er much," commented the Viceroy, but smiling more
kindly as he said the words. "Nay, I'll take that back, Mercedes, or
modify it. Thou hast, indeed, been to me all that a father could ask,
until----"

"'Twas my fault, your Excellency. On me be the punishment," interrupted
the lover.

"Thou shalt have it with Mercedes," answered the Viceroy, laughing
broadly now. "What say ye, gentlemen?"

"My lord," said Agramonte, from his age and rank assuming to speak for
the rest, "there is not one of us who would not give all he possessed to
stand in the young Lord