the Spaniard take my hand.

He drew me toward him, laughing softly. "Who doubts that the lady goes
willingly?" and lifted his voice with a defiant question in its ringing
tones.

"I do, senor!"--and it was my dear love who pushed aside the arras and
came forward into the room,--my dear love, wasted by fever and long
imprisonment, white and gaunt and spectral, yet bearing himself with all
his olden dignity.

The Spaniard turned to meet him, holding me still within the circle of
his arm. I gave one final glance at the Governor's wife and read my cue.
After that I could see nothing but my love's white face.

"Have I lied to you, Senor Englishman? Do you believe, now, that I hold
that golden tress as a pledge of future favours? The lady on whose faith
you were ready to stake your soul is here to answer for herself, and she
has thrown in her lot with me--with me, senor."

"Margaret--Margaret!" cried my dear love, "tell him he lies,
sweetheart!"

I opened my lips, but the words died on my tongue. Again my poor love
cried to me, holding out his arms. I saw his white face grow paler
still, and he swayed uncertainly where he stood. Then, gathering all his
strength, he threw himself upon the Spaniard and would have torn us
apart, had not his weak limbs given way, so that he fell prone upon the
floor.

Melinza's hand went to his sword; he drew the blade and held it to my
dear love's throat.

[Illustration: "SPARE THE MAN, DON PEDRO! I LIKE NOT THE SIGHT OF
BLOOD."--_Page 125._]

At last my voice came back to me; I laid my hand upon the Spaniard's
arm. "Spare the man, Don Pedro! I like not the sight of blood!"

Then I saw mortal agony in a brave man's eyes. He made no move to rise,
but lay there at my feet and looked at me.

"Margaret Tudor," he said, "do you love me still?"

I looked down at him. If I spoke truth, Melinza's blade would soon cut
short his hearing of it. A wild laugh rose in my throat; I could not
hold it back, and it rang out, merrily mad, in the silent room.

"Senores," I said, "Senores, I love a brave man, not a coward!" and that
was truth, though none in that room read me aright, save Dona Orosia.

The man at my side laughed with me, and he at my feet gave me one look
and swooned away.

Melinza sheathed his sword, saying, "Your Excellency, the prisoner
appears convinced; so you can scarce doubt the evidence yourself."

The Governor cleared his throat again, and glanced helplessly toward his