ghter, Senorita Isolda, in marriage."

"To demand--the hand of--my daughter--in marriage?" gasped Don Hermoso
in amazement.

"Certainly, Senor Montijo," retorted Alvaros haughtily. "Surely there
is nothing so very extraordinary in making such a demand, is there?"

"Nothing very extraordinary, certainly," returned Don Hermoso, who had
quickly recovered a grip upon himself; "but something most entirely
unexpected, I assure you. You do me and my family too much honour,
Senor Alvaros. I presume you have some reason for supposing that your
suit will be acceptable to my daughter?"

"I have never had any reason to suppose otherwise, Senor," answered
Alvaros. "But even were the Senorita to entertain any foolish
objections--or imagine that she entertained them--I presume it would
make no difference in your decision. If she does not actually entertain
any sentiment of love for me at this moment I have not a shadow of doubt
as to my ability to inspire that sentiment as soon as we are married.
The young lady will raise no objection, I presume, if she is given to
understand that the marriage would be in conformity with your wishes;
and I imagine it is quite unnecessary for me to point out to you how
very greatly to your advantage and that of your whole family such a
marriage would be."

"Advantage, did you say, Senor?" retorted Don Hermoso. "Pardon me, I am
afraid that I am unusually dull to-day, but I am compelled to confess
that for the moment I scarcely see in what respect such an alliance
would be an advantage to us. If it would not be troubling you too much,
would you kindly explain?"

"Surely, Senor Montijo, it ought not to be very difficult for you to see
how highly advantageous it would be for you and yours to be allied in
marriage to an officer of some distinction--if I may be permitted to say
so--in the Spanish Army!" exclaimed Alvaros, in tones of haughty
surprise. "I am a scion of one of the best families of Spain, while
you, if you will pardon me for reminding you of the fact, are merely a
Cuban; and in these troublous days no Cuban is entirely free from
suspicion--"

"Enough, Senor!" interrupted Don Hermoso indignantly. "You appear to
despise me as `merely a Cuban'; but you either forget, or are ignorant
of, the fact that my father was born in Spain, and there are few Spanish
names that stand higher than that of Montijo. You have made a mistake,
Senor, in presuming to claim superiority for yourself ov