though
we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we
him no more.'"

The fire crackled briskly on the great hearth. Carmen rose and turned
off the light above them. All drew their chairs about the cheery
blaze.

Silence, sacred, holy, lay upon them. The rich man, now possessing
treasures beyond his wildest dreams, sat holding his daughter's hand.
Her other hand lay in Jose's. Sidney had just entered; and Haynerd had
sent word that he would join them soon.

Then the silence was broken by the rich man. His voice was unsteady
and low.

"My friends, sorrow and joy fill my heart to-night. To the first I am
resigned; it is my due; and yet, were it greater, I know not how I
could live. But the joy--who can understand it until he has passed
through death into life! This little girl's mother knew not, nor did
I, that she was royal born. Sometimes I wonder now if it is really so.
And yet the evidence is such that I can scarcely doubt. We met in the
sun-kissed hills of Granada; and we loved. Her old nurse was
Argus-eyed; and our meetings were such as only lovers can effect. I
was young, wild, and my blood coursed like a torrent through my veins!
But I loved her, yes, base though I was, I loved her. And in these
years since I left her in that little house in Bogota, I have suffered
the agonies of the lost when her memory and my own iniquity fell upon
me and smote me sore--

"We were married in Spain, and the marriage was performed by Padre
Rafael de Rincon."

"My uncle!" cried the startled Jose.

"And then we fled," continued Ames. "I was rich; I was roaming the
world, extending my vast business interests; and I took her to
Colombia, where I labored with the politicians in Bogota to grant me
timber and cattle concessions. We had a cottage on the outskirts of
the city, where we were happy. With us lived her faithful old nurse,
whom she would not leave in Spain--

"Then, one day, came a cable message that my father had died. The news
transformed me. I knew I must return at once to New York. But--I would
not take a wife back with me! Why, I know not. I was mad! And I kissed
her tear-stained face, and bade her wait, for I would return and make
her happy. And then--

"Months later I wrote to her, and, receiving no reply, I caused
inquiry to be made. But she had gone--whither, no one knew. The old
nurse, too, had disappeared. I never learned that a woman had been
left at Badillo to die. And she was no