Hardly two minutes had elapsed before she heard voices and footsteps in the bedchamber.

Don John spoke in short sentences now and then to his servants, and his voice was commanding though it was kindly.

It seemed strange to be so near him in his life; she wondered whether she should some day always be near him, as she was now, and nearer; she blushed, all alone.

So many things had happened, and he and she had found so much to say that nothing had been said at all of what was to follow her flight to Villagarcia.

She was to leave for the Quixadas' house before morning, but Quixada and his wife could not protect her against her father, if he found out where she was, unless she were married.