He glanced coldly at the young captain, and listened in silence to his
explanations; but, as Luiz drew from his breast a sealed packet, given
him by Don Garcia, Lianor's miniature fell with a crash to the ground,
the jeweled case flying open.
Manuel picked it up from the floor with sudden swiftness, and gazed
admiringly at the pictured face.
"Who is this?" he asked abruptly.
"Lianor de Sa, Don Garcia's daughter.
"Lianor de Sa, and so beautiful as this!" the governor muttered
inaudibly. "I forgot she had grown from a child to a woman; I must see
her. How comes 'it, though, her miniature is in his hands? Surely they
could not have betrothed her to a captain!"
With a gesture of disdain he flung the miniature on the table, and
told Luiz his presence was no longer needed.
Once alone, and a singular smile crossed the governor's face.
"I must pay Don Garcia a visit. It is long since I saw him. I never
dreamt his little daughter had grown up so lovely. Thank Heaven, I am
rich! My jewels and wealth might tempt a queen! I need not fear
refusal from a viceroy's daughter."
Full of complacent contentment, Tonza made hasty preparations for
leaving Diu, and that same evening saw him a welcome guest of Don
Garcia.
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