“Doubtless, father; but I’m not very well to-day, and shall be hardly able to go to-morrow—­at least I fear I shall not.”

“Fie, fie, my daughter; thou, the prettiest bird in all the island, to absent thyself from the presence on such an occasion?  It will never do.”

“Here, Ruez, leave that hound alone, and come hither,” he continued, to the boy.  “You, too, must be ready at an early hour to-morrow to go with Isabella and myself to the palace, where we shall be introduced to the new lieutenant-governor, just arrived from Madrid.”

“I don’t want to go, father,” said the boy, still fondling the dog.

“Why not, Ruez?”

“Because Isabella does not,” was the childish reply.

“Now if this be not rank mutiny, and I shall have to call in a corporal’s guard to arrest the belligerents,” said Don Gonzales, half playfully.  “But go you must; and I have a secret, but I shall not tell it to you-no, not for the world-a surprise for you both; but that’s no matter now.  Go you must, and go you will; so prepare you in good season to-morrow to attend me.”

Both sister and brother saw that he was in earnest, and made arrangements accordingly.

The occasion of instating the lieutenant-governor in his high and responsible station, was one of no little note in Havana, and was celebrated by all the pomp and military display that could possibly add importance to the event, and impress the citizens with the sacred character of the office.  The day was therefore ushered in by the booming of cannon and the music of military bands, and the universal stir at the barracks told the observer that all grades were to be on duty that day, and in full numbers.  The palace of the governor-general was decorated with flags and streamers, and even the fountain in the Plaza des Armes seemed to bubble forth with additional life and spirit on the occasion.

It was an event in Havana; it was something to vary the monotony of this beautiful island-city, and the inhabitants seized upon it as a gala day.  Business was suspended; the throng put on their holiday suit, the various regiments appeared in full regalia and uniform, for the new lieutenant-commander-in-chief was to review them in the after part of the day.

The ceremony of installation was performed in the state hall of the palace, where all the military, wealth, beauty and fashion of the island assembled, and among these the venerable and much respected Don Gonzales, and his peerless daughter, Isabella, and his noble boy, Ruez.  The reception hall was in a blaze of beauty and fashion, till patiently awaiting the introduction of the new and high official the queen had sent from Spain to sit as second to the brave Tacon.

An hour of silence had passed, when at a signal the band struck up a national march, and then advanced into the reception room Tacon, and by his side a young soldier, on whose noble brow sat dignity and youth, interwoven in near embrace.  His eyes rested on the floor, and he drew near to the seat of honor with modest mien, his spurred heel and martial bearing alone betokening that in time of need his sword was ready, and his time and life at the call of duty.