told him," replied the lover, "that I had come hither with my heart
full of _you_; that my father's message summoning me to his presence had
been received by me as a voice calling me to bliss: since it gave me
this opportunity of once more being near you. I told him how I had
hurried over the immense distance that separated us; and how, in order
that I might see you an hour sooner, I had disregarded the howling of
the jaguars, and the threatening voice of the inundation--"

Don Rafael became silent, perhaps from embarrassment, while Gertrudis
still remained in a listening attitude. It was a melody to which she
could have listened for ever!

"And when you told my father," said she, after a pause of silence,
"that--that--you loved me--did he exhibit any astonishment at the
unexpected revelation?"

"No, not any," replied the officer, himself a little surprised at the
question thus put to him.

"That, then, must have been because I had already told him," said the
young beauty, with a smile as sweet as her voice. "But my father--what
answer did he give you?"

"`My dear Don Rafael,' said he to me, `I would be most happy to see our
families united. But this can only be with the consent of Gertrudis,
and the free wish of her heart; and I have no reason to think that her
heart is yours.' Those were the terrible words that proceeded from the
lips of your father. Gertrudis, do your lips confirm them?"

The voice of Don Rafael quivered as he spoke; and this trembling of a
strong man--who never trembled in the presence of danger--was so
delicious to the heart of her who loved him, as to hinder her from
hastening to make reply.

On hearing the answer which her father had given to Don Rafael, the
carnation upon her lips became of a deeper hue. She was biting them to
restrain a smile. Assuming an air of gravity, however, which had the
effect of rendering her lover still more anxious, she at length made
reply--

"Don Rafael!" said she, "you have appealed to my candour, and I shall
speak frankly to you. But swear to me that you will not regard my
sincerity as a crime."

"I swear it, Gertrudis! Speak without fear, though your words should
crush a heart that is entirely your own."

"Only on one condition can I speak freely."

"Name it! it shall be observed."

"It is, that--while I am making my confession to you, you will keep your
eyes fixed upon the tops of those pomegranate trees. Without doing that
you might