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"They'd better not touch hireat comfort to me, Manuel, that you have blotted out your own quarrel with hinani, but the hand that lay on hers seeh her Quickly she rose froht, that you don't ly "You don't et the American and remember only that we love, irl was sharp and imperative "I want the truth Is it that you are still thinking of ht a flush to his cheeks "I fight fair, Valencia I set against his lifeit Nor is it that I seek the ht live a thousand years--and welcome But my honor----"

"No, Manuel No--no--no! I will not have it If you are betrothed to me your life is mine You shall not risk it in a barbarous duel"

"Let us change the subject, dear heart"

"Not till I hear you say that you have given up this wicked intention of yours"

He gave up the attempt to evade her and met her fairly as one man does another

"I can't say that, Valencia, not even for you This quarrel lies between hirace Until those are wiped out there must be war between , Manuel, I have asked nothing of you I ask now that you will forget the slight this man has put upon youbecause I ask it of you with all h his blood He felt hi from his place with her

"I can't, Valencia You don't knohat you ask, how impossible it is for rant such a request" He stretched his hands toward her ily

"Yet you say you love me?"

"Heaven knohether it is not true, h you refuse the first real request I everelse in the world that is in my power"

"It is easy to say that, Manuel, when it isn't so else I want Give me this American's life I shall know, then, that you love me"