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The voice died away in her tremulous throat; and he wondered if it could be possible that this girl had been betrothed to the young soldier But presently she spoke again, cheerfully and lightly: "Wherefore, it happens that there rehter of the house of Valdés to carry the burden that should have been her brother's, to look out for his people, and to protect theainst themselves and others She may fail; but, if I know her, the failure will not be because she has not tried"

"Good for her I'd like to shake her aristocratic little paw and tell her to buck in and win"

"She would no doubt be grateful for your sy a queer little look of irony at hirant? Why is there a doubt of its legality?"

She saily at him

"No person who desires to rehborhood We are all partizans of Valencia Valdés; and many of her tenants are such war blood in defense of her title You ht If she were dispossessed so would they be"

"Is that a threat? Iher sret any trouble, and so should I" A shadow crossed her face as she spoke "But she could not prevent her friends froirl, after all They would e I know they would"

"Hoould they ray eyes, which had been warm as summer sunshine on a hill, were now fixed on her with chill inscrutability

"I don't know It ht be that Very likely" He saw the pulse in her throat beating fast as she hesitated before she plunged on "A warning is not a threat If you know this Señor Gordon, tell hiht from a distance; not to come to this valley himself Else his life would be at hazard"

"If he is a ht for what is his all the hting on the ground--unless he's a quitter"

She sighed

"I was afraid so"

"But you have not told ed defect in the Valdés clais"