“Senor, the pleasure of having served you richly compensated for any personal inconvenience or risk I may have experienced,” answered Lieutenant Bezan; saying which, he bowed low and looked once into the lovely eyes of the beautiful Senorita Isabella, when at a word to the calesaro, the volante again passed on in the circular drive.

But the young officer had not been unwatched during the brief moments of conversation that had passed between him and the occupants of the vehicle.  Scarcely had he left the side of the volante, when he once more met General Harero, who seemed this time to take some pains to confront him, as he remarked: 

“What business may Lieutenant Bezan have with Don Gonzales and his fair daughter, that he stops their volante in the public walks of the Paseo?”

“The lady dropped her fan, general, and I picked it up and returned it to her,” was the gentlemanly and submissive reply of the young officer.

“Dropped her fan,” repeated the general, sneeringly, as he gazed at the lieutenant.

“Yes, general, and I returned it.”

“Indeed,” said the commanding officers, with a decided emphasis.

“Could I have done less, general?” asked Lieutenant Bezan.

“It matters not, though you seem to be ever on hand to do the lady and her father some service, sir.  Perhaps you would relish another cold bath,” he continued, with most cutting sarcasm.  “Who introduced you, sir, to these people?”

“No one, sir.  It was chance that brought us together.  You will remember the scene on the quay.”

“I do.”

“Before that time I had never exchanged one word with them.”

“And on this you presume to establish an acquaintance?”

“By no means, sir.  The lady recognized me, and I was proud to return the polite salute with which she greeted me.”

“Doubtless.”

“Would you have me do otherwise, sir?”

“I would have you avoid this family of Gonzales altogether.”

“I trust, general, that I have not exceeded my duty either to the father or daughter, though by the tone of your remarks I seem to have incurred your disapprobation,” replied Lieutenant Bezan, firmly but respectfully.

“It would be more becoming in an officer of your rank,” continued the superior, “to be nearer his quarters, than to spend his hours off duty in so conspicuous and public a place as the Tacon Paseo.  I shall see that such orders are issued for the future as shall keep those attached to my division within the city walls.”

“Whatever duty is prescribed by my superiors I shall most cheerfully and promptly respond to, General Harero,” replied the young officer, as he respectfully saluted his general, and turning, he sought the city gates on the way to his barracks.

“Stay, Lieutenant Bezan,” said the general, somewhat nervously.

“General,” repeated the officer, with the prompt military salute, as he awaited orders.