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Updated: September 19, 2025
"Señor de Melinza," I said, "it is true that I come of a race for which you have no love, and that I hold a creed which you condemn; nevertheless it must be remembered that we have our own code of chivalry, and there have lived and died in England as brave knights and true as even your valiant Cid. I would not have the man I am to wed guilty of an unknightly act. Therefore be generous.
All of our English had appeared upon the deck, and when Melinza strode past them with a scowl still upon his brow they exchanged meaning glances. Captain Baulk shook his grizzled head as he approached us. "What have I always said, Mr. Rivers" he began; but my betrothed looked toward me and laid a finger on his lip. Afterward they drew apart and conversed in whispers.
This was not the first occasion on which we had all broken bread at the same board; but there was now an air of mockery in the civilities of Melinza, he passed the salt to my betrothed with a glance of veiled hostility, and pledged him in a glass of wine with a smile that ill concealed the angry curl of his sullen red lip.
"You may taunt me, Señor de Melinza," whispered the broken voice, "you may taunt me with my helplessness. I may not break these bonds, it is true; but neither can you sever those that bind to me the love of a true-hearted English maid.... That is a foul lie, Don Pedro, and I cast it back into your teeth!... Strike a helpless prisoner?
Suddenly she laid aside her petulance, and with a quick, imperious gesture bade me take up the lute again; then, falling back among her pillows, she closed her eyes and let her bosom rise and fall with the gentle breathings of a sleeping child. I hesitated in some astonishment; but again the sharp command hissed from her softly parted lips, "Sing, little fool! Melinza passes!"
"Without the orders of the Spanish Council I could not liberate you, señorita; though now we purpose to do so, having authority. But concerning yourself Melinza assures me that you do not desire to be sent with your countrymen." I felt my heart grow cold. Must I still cling to the lie? I looked at Doña Orosia, whose black eyes flashed a warning.
The man at my side laughed with me, and he at my feet gave me one look and swooned away. Melinza sheathed his sword, saying, "Your Excellency, the prisoner appears convinced; so you can scarce doubt the evidence yourself." The Governor cleared his throat again, and glanced helplessly toward his wife. She stepped forward with scornful composure and took my arm.
And I, listening, but knowing no word of the language, believed that an apology had passed between them! The scuffle on the deck had ceased when the swords clashed forth, and the lads had risen to their feet. Melinza turned now to young Tomas and struck him a sharp blow on the cheek. "Away with you both!" said the gesture of his impatient arm; but I believe his tongue uttered naught but curses.
You will plead with the Governor you will set him free?" She drew back coldly. "You ask too much. I have told you that there are two Governors in San Augustin I divide the honours with Melinza; but I plead with him for naught." I turned away to hide the quivering of my lip. "Listen to me," she added more kindly.
'Twas a woman's instinct, only, that made me doubt the Spaniard; and this simple trust of a noble nature in the integrity of his fellow man seemed a vastly finer instinct than my own. From that moment I laid by my suspicions, and met the courteous advances of Señor de Melinza with as much of graciousness as I knew how.
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