"
"But you were a poor lieutenant of infantry then."
"True."
"And that had its influence."
"I cannot but suppose so."
"Well," said the queen, "we have a purpose for you."
"I am entirely at your majesty's disposal," replied the young
soldier.
"We will see what commission it best fits so faithful a servant of
our crown to bear, and an appointment may be found that will carry
thee back to this distant isle of the tropics, where you have left
your heart."
"To Cuba, my liege?"
"Ay."
"But my banishment from the island reads forever," said the soldier.
"We have power to make it read as best suits us," was the reply.
"You are really too good to me," replied the soldier.
"Now to your duty, general, and to-morrow we shall have further
business with you."
Lorenzo Bezan bowed low, and turned his steps from the palace
towards his own lodgings, near the barracks. It was exceedingly
puzzling to him, first, that he could not understand what had led
the queen to this subject; second, how she could so well discern the
truth; and lastly, that such consideration was shown for him. He
could not mistake the import of the queen's words; it was perfectly
plain to him what she had said, and what she had meant; and in a
strange state of mind, bordering upon extreme of suspicion and
strong hope, and yet almost as powerful fears, he mused over the
singular condition in which he found himself and his affairs.
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