“I trust you find yourself quite recovered, captain, from your severe illness,” said Isabella, reaching by her father, as she addressed Lorenzo Bezan kindly.

“I am quite recovered, lady; better, if possible, than before,” he replied, respectfully.  “Master Ruez has been a constant nurse to me, thoughtful and kind,” he continued, as he looked down upon the boy’s handsome features with real affection lighting up his own pale face.

Ruez only drew the closer to his side at these words, while his father, Don Gonzales, watched both the soldier and his boy with much interest for a moment, then turning to General Harero, he made some earnest and complimentary remark, evidently referring to Captain Bezan, though uttered in a low tone of voice, which seemed to increase the cloud on the general’s brow.

But the young soldier was too much interested in gazing upon the lovely features of Isabella, to notice this; he seemed almost entranced by the tender vision of beauty that was before him.  At the same moment some slight disturbance occurred in a distant part of the extensive building, which afforded a chance for General Harero to turn quickly to the young soldier, and in a sharp tone say: 

“Your duty calls you hence, sir!”

For it moment the blood mantled to the officer’s face at the tone of this remark, but suppressing his feelings, whatever they might be, with a respectful acknowledgement of the order, Lorenzo Bezan hastened to the quarter from whence the noise had come, and by at simple direction obviated their trouble immediately.  But he remembered the bitter and insulting air of his superior, and it cut him to the quick, the more keenly too as having been given in the presence of Isabella Gonzales.

As he returned from this trifling duty, he necessarily again passed the box where were Don Gonzales, amid his party, and seeing Ruez standing there awaiting his return, he again paused for a moment to exchange at word with the boy, and once more received a pleasant greeting from Isabella and her father.  At this but reasonable conduct, General Harero seemed nettled and angry beyond all control, and turning once more towards Lorenzo Bezan, with a face black with suppressed rage, said: 

“It strikes me, sir, that Captain Bezan would consult his own interest, and be best performing his ordinary duty by maintaining his post at the proscenium!”

“I proposed to return there immediately, General Harero, and stopped here but for one moment,” said the young officer, with a burning cheek, at the intended insult.

“Shall I put my words in the form of an order?” continued General Harero, seeing that Bezan paused to assist Ruez once more over the seats to his position in the box.

“It is not necessary, general,” replied the officer, biting his lips with vexation.

“I declare, general,” said Isabella, unable longer to remain quiet at his repeated insults to the young officer, “you soldiers are so very peremptory, that you half disconcert me.”