and Dona Inez are
civilians, he will not attempt to detain you; and even should he think
of doing so, I do not believe I am overrating my influence with him when
I say that I think he would, at my intercession, restore you your
freedom."

"Thank you, Leo," said Don Luis heartily; "this is good news. I have
been feeling a little anxious on that point since I have found time to
think about it; for detention, at the present crisis in my affairs,
might affect me most seriously. But if I can only succeed in making my
way back to La Guayra, I have no doubt that, in a fortnight at most, I
can collect evidence enough to completely frustrate the machinations of
my enemies and set myself perfectly right again with the authorities in
Spain.

"Now, with respect to yourself and this foolish--well, no, I will
withdraw the word `foolish'--this love affair between you and Inez.
There is no doubt but you and your brave fellows have been the means of
preserving us both from a very terrible fate; and, as I have said, you
shall not find me ungrateful. I am not going to give my unconditional
consent to Inez's marriage with you--not yet at least, that would be
rather too absurd. You are both--and you, especially, Leo--far too
young to seriously contemplate marriage for some years to come;
moreover, you are at present merely a midshipman; you still have your
way to make in the noble profession you have chosen to follow. I have
not the slightest doubt that you _will_ make it in due time; you have
already established something more than a merely local reputation as a
most gallant officer and seaman; you have distinguished yourself in a
most remarkable manner for so young a man, and your superiors would be
worse than ungrateful were they to fail to duly acknowledge and reward
such distinguished merit. I have no doubt they _will_ reward it, and I
fully expect that when once you have `served your time'--I believe that
is the correct expression, is it not?--your rise in your profession will
be rapid, and that it will not be very many years before you gain your
post rank. When that day arrives, if your present regard for Inez
remains unchanged, come to me, and you shall find me perfectly willing
to incline a favourable ear to your proposals. In the meantime I
completely withdraw my veto as to your intercourse with her; you may
have as much of each other's society as you wish during the short time
you are likely to be together, and you may