"I did not mean that he should kiss my hand. I'm sure I did not; and
why did I give it to him? How thoughtless. I declare I have never
met so monstrously impudent a person in the entire course of my
life. Very strange. Here's General Harero, Don Romonez, and Felix
Gavardo, have been paying me court this half year and more, and
either of them would give half his fortune for a kiss of this hand,
and yet neither has dared to even tell me that they love me, though
I know it so well. But here is this young soldier, this new captain
of infantry, why he sees me but half a minute before he declares
himself, and so boldly, too! I protest it was a real insult. I'll
tell Don Gonzales, and I'll have the fellow dishonored and his
commission taken from him, I will. I'm half ready to cry with
vexation. Yes, I'll have Captain Bezan cashiered, and that directly,
I will."

"No you wont, sister," said Ruez, looking up calmly into her face as
he spoke.

"Yes I will, brother."

"Still I say no," continued the boy, gently, and caressing her hand
the while.

"And why not, Ruez?" asked Isabella, stooping and kissing his
handsome forehead, as the boy looked up so lovingly in her face.

"Because he saved my life, sister," replied Ruez, smiling.

"True, he did save your life, Ruez," murmured the beautiful girl,
thoughtfully; an act that we can never repay; but it was most