Part 62 (1/2)
CHAPTER x.x.xIX.
HOW LOPEZ AGAIN MEETS WITH KATIE, AND HOW KATIE SHOWS NO JOY AT HER DELIVERANCE.
Katie remained, as has been stated, in the lower room, which had been Ashby's place of imprisonment. She was not long left alone: soon she heard the noise of footsteps. There was nothing in this sound to alarm her, however, and so she waited quite calmly, thinking that the new-comer might be more friendly than the last, and that this new turn of affairs might improve her position. The door opened, and a man entered in the dress of an officer, while behind him there were visible soldiers in the uniform of the Spanish army. These men carried torches.
The first comer, also had a torch, which he held high above his head as he stared about and peered through the gloom. At length he caught sight of Katie, and, with a cry of joy, advanced straight toward her.
It was not until he had come close to her that Katie was able to recognize Lopez.
”Why, Captain Lopez!” she said, in excellent Spanish; for her Spanish connections, and life in Spain, had made her as familiar as a native with that language. ”I never was so amazed in my life. I never heard that you were here; why haven't I seen you before?”
Lopez paused for a moment in surprise at Katie's words, and still more at her manner.
”I've only arrived this instant,” said he, ”and I've come here to save you from these brigands, and congratulate you and myself on my good-fortune in finding you. The other ladies I cannot find. I hope, senorita, that you have not suffered much while here a prisoner in the hands of these ruffians?”
”Oh no,” said Katie.
”This room is not fit for you,” continued Lopez, ”and you shall at once be removed to a more comfortable apartment.”
Such a proposal as this was by no means agreeable to Katie, who liked the idea of the secret pa.s.sage, and did not wish to go out of reach of it.
”Oh, do not take me away from here!” said she. ”I a.s.sure you I prefer this room to any other. In fact, I am quite attached to it.”
Lopez laughed.
”Really,” said he, ”I had no idea that a prisoner could become attached to such a gloomy dungeon as this. Ah, senorita, you are jesting. I a.s.sure you, however, that there are better rooms than this in the castle, and in a few minutes you shall be taken to one. You shall also be provided with proper attendants; for there are women about the castle who can wait on you.”
Lopez was so earnest and determined that Katie saw plainly the uselessness of any further objections, and therefore murmured a few civil words of thanks.
Lopez looked profoundly disappointed. He had come in the glory of a conqueror--more, of a deliverer; to free Katie from the grasp of a remorseless tyrant; to break in pieces her chains; to s.n.a.t.c.h her from the jaws of death. He had expected to see her on the verge of despair; he had fully counted on being received by her in wild and eager excitement, almost like a messenger from Heaven. It was upon all this that he had counted, as he had toiled to effect her rescue.
His task had been by no means light. Fortune had favored him, or else his toil would all have been unavailing. His rescue of her in so short a time was therefore very near the miraculous. And now as he came to her, after all his efforts, after all this brilliant success, with these hopes and expectations, he found his arrival greeted in the coolest manner, and treated as the most commonplace thing in the world. More than this, instead of finding Katie languis.h.i.+ng in her dungeon, he found her actually unwilling to leave it, and pretending that she had an ”attachment for it.” Of course, all this was pretence and affectation, yet still there was something underneath which Lopez could not quite comprehend. For the present he could only conceal his deep disappointment and vexation as best he might, and arrange his plans for the future.
After retiring for a few minutes, he came back with a woman. This was one of the women who had been captured, and was now allowed to remain on condition of service, the particular service required of her being merely attendance upon Katie.
Lopez here had a fresh disappointment. He had seen Katie's solitary state, and thought that by bringing her an attendant he would give her pleasure. But to Katie the presence of any attendant was exceedingly distasteful. It was like having a spy set over her. It was bad enough to be taken away from within reach of those secret pa.s.sages, but to be afflicted with this attendant and spy was too much.
Lopez noticed her slight frown and her downcast look. He was surprised once more, and more disappointed than ever.
”And now, senorita,” said Lopez, ”if you are quite ready, I will show you the way to the new room, where you may stay so long as you remain here.”
”Very well, senor captain,” said Katie, quietly.
”If you have any luggage, it shall be sent up to-morrow.”
”Thanks, senor.”