Antonia, talking with Dare a little apart, could not help hearing it and feeling great interest in her father's entreaties, even though she was discussing with Dare the plans for their future.

For Dare had much to tell his betrothed.

During the siege, the doctor had discovered that his intended son-in-law was a fine surgeon.

Dare had, with great delicacy, been quite reticent on this subject, until circumstances made his assistance a matter of life and death; and the doctor understood and appreciated the young man's silence.
"He thinks I might have a touch of professional jealousy--he thinks I might suspect him of wanting a partnership as well as a wife; he wishes to take his full share of the dangers of war, without getting behind the shield of his profession"; these feelings the doctor understood, and he passed from Fray Ignatius to this pleasanter topic, gladly.
He told the Senora what a noble son they were going to have; he said, "when the war is over, Maria, my dear, he shall marry Antonia." "And what do you say, Roberto, if I should give them the fine house on the Plaza that my brother Perfecto left me ?" "If you do that you will be the best mother in the world, Maria.

I then will take Dare into partnership.