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The tere seven years old when Dona Isabel's schemes bore their first bitter fruit, and the occasion was a particularly uproarious night when Don Esteban entertained a crowd of his Castilian friends Little Rosa akened at a late hour by the laughter and shouts of her father's guests She was afraid, for there was soe about the voices, son to the child's experience Creeping into her brother's rooether they listened

Don Mario de Castano was singing a song, the words of which were lost, but which brought a yell of approval frouished the voice of Don Pablo Peza, too--Don Pablo, whose nificent black beard had so often excited their admiration Yes, and there was Col Mendoza y Linares, doubtless in his splendid uniforentleirl, yet Rosa began to whimper, and when Esteban tried to reassure her his own voice was thin and reedy froitation they heard so; there caelina flung herself into the room A summer moon flooded the chamber with radiance and enabled her to see the two s up in the elina fell upon her knees before them "Little master! Little mistress!" she sobbed "You will save me, won't you? We love each other, eh? See then, what a crime this is! Say that you will save me!" She was beside herself, and her voice was hoarse and cracked fro her hands, she rocked herself fro at theed to quaver: "What has happened? Who has harress "Your father has sold me to him--lost me at cards Oh, I shall die! Sebastian won't believe it He is praying And Asensio--O God! But what can they do to help me? You alone can save me You won't let Don Pablo take me away? It would kill me"

"Wait!" Esteban scrambled out of bed and stood beside his dusky nurse and playmate "Don't cry any more I'll tell papa that you don't like Don Pablo"

Rosa followed "Yes, co, brother," she cried, shrilly "We'll tell Don Pablo to go hoelina"

"My blessed doves! But will they listen to you?" moaned the slave