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spirit.
    The eyes of Don Carlos brightened. If Don Diego Vega could be made to feel some sympathy, if one of the illustrious Vega family would but whisper a word in the governor’s ear, the persecution would cease instantly, for the commands of a Vega were made to be obeyed by all men of whatever rank.

CHAPTER 6
    DIEGO SEEKS A BRIDE
    Don Diego sipped his wine slowly and looked out across the mesa, and Don Carlos looked at him in puzzled fashion, realizing that something was coming, and scarcely knowing what to expect.
    â€œI did not ride through the damnable sun and dust to talk with you concerning this Señor Zorro, or any other bandit,” Don Diego explained, after a time.
    â€œWhatever your errand, I am glad to welcome one of your family, caballero,” Don Carlos said.
    â€œI had a long talk with my father yesterday morning,” Don Diego went on. “He informed me that I am approaching the age of twenty-five, and he is of a mind that I am not accepting my duties and responsibilities in the proper fashion.”
    â€œBut surely—”
    â€œOh, doubtless he knows! My father is a wise man.”
    â€œAnd no man can dispute that, Don Diego!”
    â€œHe urged upon me that I awaken and do as I should. I have been dreaming, it appears. A man of my wealth and station—you will pardon me if I speak of it—must do certain things. ”
    â€œIt is the curse of position, señor .”
    â€œWhen my father dies, I come into his fortune, naturally, being the only child. That part of it is all right. But what will happen when I die? That is what my father asks.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œA young man of my age, he told me, should have a wife, a mistress of his household, and should—er—have offspring to inherit and preserve an illustrious name.”
    â€œNothing could be truer than that,” said Don Carlos.
    â€œSo I have decided to get me a wife.”
    â€œHa! It is something every man should do, Don Diego. Well do I remember when I courted Doña Catalina. We were mad to get into each other’s arms, but her father kept her from me for a time. I was only seventeen, though, so perhaps he did right. But you are nearly twenty-five. Get you a bride, by all means.”
    â€œAnd so I have come to see you about it,” Don Diego said.
    â€œTo see me about it?” gasped Don Carlos, with something of fear and a great deal of hope in his breast.
    â€œIt will be rather a bore, I expect. Love and marriage, and all that sort of thing, is rather a necessary nuisance in its way. The idea of a man of sense running about a woman, playing a guitar for her, making up to her like a loon when everyone knows his intention!
    â€œAnd then the ceremony! Being a man of wealth and station, I suppose the wedding must be an elaborate one, and the natives will have to be feasted, and all that, simply because a man is taking a bride to be mistress of his household.”
    â€œMost young men,” Don Carlos observed, “delight to win a woman, and are proud if they have a great and fashionable wedding.”
    â€œNo doubt. But it is an awful nuisance. However, I will go through with it, señor . It is my father’s wish, you see. You—if you will pardon me again—have fallen upon evil days. That is the result of politics, of course. But you are of excellent blood, señor , of the best blood in the land.”
    â€œI thank you for remembering that truth!” said Don Carlos, rising long enough to put one hand over his heart and bow.
    â€œEverybody knows it, señor . And a Vega, naturally, when he takes a mate, must seek out a woman of excellent blood.”
    â€œTo be sure!” Don Carlos exclaimed.
    â€œYou have an only daughter, the Señorita Lolita.”
    â€œAh! Yes, indeed, señor . Lolita is eighteen now, and a beautiful and accomplished girl, if her father is the man to say it.”
    â€œI have observed her at