murmured pityingly.




CHAPTER V.


In a large, handsome room, overlooking a shining river, now ablaze
with sunshine, sat a beautiful woman, wearing on her face unmistakable
signs of sadness.

She scarcely heeded the opening door, until two pretty children came
bounding to her side, clambering onto her chair and lap.

Then her face changed, and a sweet, tender smile chased away all
gloom; the idle hands were busy now stroking the curly heads pressed
so close against her.

"I would have brought them to you before, but their father wished to
keep them; he is always so happy when they are near," a little, dark-
eyed woman, clad in picturesque robes of brilliant crimson and gold,
said rapidly, as she threw herself down on a pile of soft cushions
opposite the sweet, pale mother.

Lianor sighed, but she could not look sad long with those loved
children clasped in her arms.

"I cannot understand Manuel," she said, with a puzzled expression in
her eyes; "he is so strange, sometimes gay--almost too gay; then he