ne, while I fetch your uncle."

"What does it mean?" asked Mariquita, in amazement, as soon as she
could release herself from her lover's embrace. "You here, Stanislas:
my aunt approving! Am I mad or asleep?"

"Neither, dearest. She sees a chance of profit out of me--that's all.
I will not baulk her. She deserves it for leaving us alone," and he
would have taken her again into his arms.

"No, no! Enough, Stanislas!" said the sweet girl, blushing a rosy red.
"Sit there and be quiet. Tell me of yourself: why you are here. The
war, then, is over? The Holy Saints be praised! How I hated that
war!"

"Do not say that, love! It has been the making of me."

"Nothing would compensate me for all that I have suffered these last
few months."

"But I have gained my promotion and much more. I can offer you now a
far higher position. You will be a lady, a great lady, some day!"

"It matters little, my Stanislas, so long as I am with you. I would
have been content to share your lot, however humble, anywhere."

This was her simple, unquestioning faith. Her love filled all her
being. She belonged, heart and soul, to this man.

"You will not leave me again, Stanislas?" she went on, with tender
insistence.

"My sweet, I must go back. My duty is there, in the Crimea, with my
comrades--with the army of my Queen."

"But if anything should happen to you--they may hurt you, kill you!"

"Darling, there is no fear. Be brave."

"Oh, Stanislas! Suppose I should lose you--life would be an utter
blank after that; I have no one in the world but you."

McKay was greatly touched by this proof of her deep-seated affection.

"It is only for a little while longer, my sweetest girl! Be patient
and hopeful to the end. By-and-by we shall come together, never to
part again."

"I am weak, foolish--too loving, perhaps. But, Stanislas, I cannot
bear to part with you. Let me go too!"

"Dearest, that is quite impossible."

"If I was only near you--"

"What! you--a tender woman--in that wild land, amidst all its dangers
and trials!"

"I should fear nothing if it was for you, Stanislas. I would give you
my life; I would lay it down freely for you."

He could find no words to thank her for such un-selfish devotion, but
he pressed her to his heart again and again.

He still held Mariquita's hand, and was soothing her with many
endearing expressions, when La Zandunga, accompanied by Tio Pedro,
returned.

The lovers flew apart, abashed at b