himself of the characteristic temper of his nation,
which sees in liveliness of movement, and the eager pursuit of
pleasure, the best means of healing a wounded heart. Thus it happened
that the Colonel walked arm in arm with the Marseilles commercial
traveller in the Alameda, and drew him into the wild amusements of his
light-hearted comrades.

Edgar noticed, clearly enough, that many strange forms dogged him
about, watching him with suspicious looks; and it went deeply to his
heart when, one day on entering a Posada with the Colonel, he heard
distinctly behind him a whisper of "Acqui esta el traidor!" ("That is
the traitor.")

Don Rafaele grew daily more cold and monosyllabic towards Edgar, and at
last he saw him no more, and was given to understand by him that,
instead of taking his meals with him, he should take them with Colonel
la Combe.

One day, when duty had called the Colonel elsewhere, and Edgar was
alone, there came a gentle knock at his door, and Father Eusebio
entered. He made enquiry after Edgar's welfare, and talked on all kinds
of indifferent subjects, but presently came to a pause, and after
looking fixedly into Edgar's eyes, cried with much emotion--

"No, Don Edgar, _you_ are not a traitor. It is in human nature that, in
that waking dream which constitutes the delirium of fever--when the
forces of life are in bitter combat with man's earthly envelope, and
the strong tension of the fibres cannot hem in the thoughts and fancies
which strive for utterance--it is, I say, in human nature that a man
can then no longer help revealing phases of his being which are secret
at other times. How often have I, Don Edgar, watched by your pillow
during long nights? How often have you, all unknowing, allowed me to
read the very depths of your soul? No, Don Edgar, it is impossible that
you can be a traitor. But have a care of yourself--have a care of
yourself!"

Edgar implored Eusebio to tell him clearly what he was suspected of,
and what danger was threatening him.

"I will not conceal from you," said Eusebio, "that your intimacy with
Colonel la Combe and his companions has caused suspicion to rest upon
you--that fears are entertained that you might, from no evil intention,
but out of mere lightheartedness, on some occasion when you may have
taken more of our strong Spanish wines than was advisable, perhaps
divulge some of the secrets of this house, into which Don Rafaele has
initiated you. There is no doubt t