The
boy seemed to read her very soul, as she stood thus before him. It
was more than a minute before he spoke, and seemed to break the
spell; but at last-and it seemed an age to Isabella Gonzales-he did
so, and said:
"Sister?"
"Well, Ruez?"
"Captain Bezan loves you."
"Perhaps so."
"I say he does love you."
"It is possible."
"I say he loves you," continued the boy, almost sternly.
"Well, brother, what of that?" she asked, with assumed indifference.
"It is that, sister, which has led General Harero to persecute him
as he has done, and it is that which has led him like a noble spirit
to turn to bay."
A moment's pause ensued.
"Is it not so, sister?" he asked, still looking keenly at her. "Have
you not yourself intimated that Captain Bezan was to suffer owing to
his interest and services for us?"
"You do indeed speak truly, brother," said the lovely girl,
breathing more quickly, and half amazed at Ruez's penetration and
prophetic manner of speech.
"Alas!" said the boy, once more relapsing into his former mood,
"that he might be saved!"
"Has our father seen the governor-general, Ruez?" asked his sister,
earnestly.
"Yes."
"And to no effect?"
"None.
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