"Lorenzo Bezan fond of my daughter, and she of him?"
"Why, yes, father; I don't see anything so very strange, do you?"
"Do I? Lorenzo Bezan is but a nameless adventurer--a--a--"
"Stop, father--a lieutenant-governor, and the queen's favorite."
"That is true," said Don Gonzales, thoughtfully. "Yes, but he's
poor."
"How do you know, father?"
"Why, it is but reasonable to think so; and my daughter shall not
marry any one with less position or fortune than herself."
"As to position, father," continued the boy, "General Bezan wears
orders that you would give half your fortune to possess!"
"I forgot that."
"And has already carved a name for himself in Spanish history," said
Ruez.
"True."
"Then I see not how you can complain of him on the score of
position."
"No; but he's poor, and I have sworn that no man, unless he brings
as large a fortune as Isabella will have in her own right, shall
marry her. How do I know but it may be the money, not Isabella, that
he wants?"
"Father!"
"Well, Ruez."
"You are unjust towards the noble nature of that man; there are few
men like him in the queen's service, and it has not required long
for her to discern it.
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