self and your Englishman, don't
fail to play your part to the end. Come quickly! Melinza demands to see
you, and the Governor permits it. Don't blame me, child--I can do
nothing to prevent it. But, I warn you, act the part, whatever it may
cost you."

I followed her, as in a dream, along the corridor, into the room where
the old Governor sat in his arm-chair beside a carved table, whereon
were a decanter of wine, glasses half drained, and a litter of
playing-cards. He drummed upon the table with his withered fingers, and
looked uneasily, first at his wife's flushed face as she entered the
door, and then at the determined countenance of Melinza, who was
standing before the heavy arras which divided that room from another in
the rear.

"Dona Margarita," said the Governor, clearing his throat nervously, "is
it so that you are detained within my house against your will?"

"Your Excellency," I began, and was thankful I could speak truth, "I,
and all the other English, have been held here in San Augustin for many
a long month against our will."

"Without the orders of the Spanish Council I could not liberate you,
senorita; though now we purpose to do so, having authority. But
concerning yourself--Melinza assures me that you do not desire to be
sent with your countrymen."

I felt my heart grow cold. Must I still cling to the lie? I looked at
Dona Orosia, whose black eyes flashed a warning.

"That is true, Senor de Colis," I said, and my voice sounded far off and
strange.

"You would wish to remain here as my guest and companion, Margarita,"
said the Governor's wife in vehement tones.

I looked at her in wonder. What did they desire between them? My head
swam, and I would have said Yes to her also; but her black eyes menaced
me again. I drew a deep breath and shook my head. "No, please your
Excellency."

Melinza smiled a slow triumphant smile. "Dona Orosia is unfortunate. I
trust I shall be more successful. You would rather go to Habana as _my_
companion,--is it not so, Margarita mia?"--and he stepped forward and
held forth his hand to me.

One day in the early spring Dona Orosia had called me to see a new pet
which had been brought to her, a young crocodile, loathsome and hideous;
and she had forced me to touch the tethered monster as it crawled, the
length of its chain, over the floor. I do remember the cold disgust I
felt at the horrid contact; but it was as naught to the feeling that
passed over me when I let