Part 59 (1/2)

”But don't you know,” said he, ”that these people are Republicans--that they're going to capture the castle, or try to? If they succeed, they will free your daughter. So you see you have fallen among the right sort of people, and you may be quite at your ease. It's all the best for you. If I were you, I would tell the captain all about it. Get yonder good woman, your companion, to explain.”

At this Russell gave a look of despair.

”The very thing,” said he, ”that I dare not do.”

”Why not?”

Russell then, still keeping up the part of Mrs. Russell, and mentioning Katie as her daughter, explained that Lopez was his bitter enemy, and told them about his love for Katie and his ejection from the railway-carriage.

”Well,” said Brooke, ”you needn't be afraid of him. This matter will settle itself. He'll free your daughter from captivity, and she'll marry him, of course. After that you can take the sweetest revenge on him by tormenting him for the rest of his days as his mother-in-law.”

Russell sighed a heavy sigh and turned away. As he did so, he caught the eyes of Rita, which were fastened upon him with a fixed, earnest, eager stare, and there was that in her look which served to drive away every other thought except the one that in this woman there was a new danger, more formidable than any which had yet menaced him.

This look made him feel like an arrested debtor in the grasp of the bailiff, or like an insane man under the watchful eye of his keeper.

In Rita he now recognized his bailiff and his keeper. She was worse.

She had designs on him! And for what? For marrying him. Marriage was, of course, impossible, for he had a wife already; but did Rita know this? To tell the truth, he had been fooling her; and he now saw for the first time that he would have to answer for this. When she should discover it, what would she do? He had heard the words of the poet:

”h.e.l.l hath no fury like a woman scorned,”

and he recalled these words only to shudder. He shuddered still more as he thought that Rita belonged to the Spanish race--a race that never forgives--a race implacable, swift to avenge--a race that recognizes only one atonement for wrongs, and that is to wipe them out in blood.

Such were the thoughts of our honest friend, and they were painful in the extreme. They awakened new fears. That one look of Rita's made him dread her more than Lopez, more than ”His Majesty.” He began to think now, with something like pleasure, of going back to the castle.

Lopez would protect him; and if Lopez should fail, he would steal back by the secret path and surrender himself to ”His Majesty.” He would find his bonds, and purchase his freedom with these. In addition to this, he determined to wait for a favorable opportunity, when Rita might be away, to confide to these new and sympathizing friends the whole story of his woes.

Further conversation between Russell and these new friends was now prevented by the entrance of Lopez himself. He advanced to Brooke, and addressed him with much civility, not without friendliness.

”Senor,” said he, ”I have been thinking over your case, and I have concluded to hand you over to my military superiors. They may take the responsibility of deciding about your guilt or innocence. But for the present, as I am responsible for you, I must detain you as my prisoner. If you were only connected with some recognized profession, I should be happy to accept your parole, and let you follow at your leisure; but as you are considered here a possible spy, I cannot think of that. You must, therefore, come with us under guard.

Moreover, as to your friend, this young priest, he must consider himself as bound, for a short time, with us. I expect to have need of him for a few days. I have nothing against him; he is not a prisoner, but is detained merely for a purpose in connection with his sacred office. When that purpose is accomplished, he will be at liberty to go or stay.”

With these words Lopez retired. He had taken no notice of Russell, at which the latter felt a deep sense of relief.

Far different, however, were the feelings of Brooke, and of Talbot also, when he had translated to her the captain's words.

”He has need of me,” repeated Talbot, ”for a purpose in connection with my sacred office. Is that what he said, Brooke?”

”Yes,” said Brooke, in a low voice.

”But what am I to do?”

Brooke led her away, out of Russell's hearing, and conversed with her in low whispers.

”Don't antic.i.p.ate trouble, Talbot,” he whispered.

”But I must prepare myself for a possible emergency,” was the reply.