Part 72 (1/2)

Another thought, which gave him almost equal delight, was that of the revenge which he would be able to take on Russell. Russell had stirred up his deepest hate. He had insulted him at Madrid, and had put a stop to his attentions to Katie. He had publicly expelled him from the railway-carriage. Had he been Katie's father, Lopez would have felt resentful enough, and would have found it hard to forgive; but as he was merely a guardian, and as Katie had no affection for him, he was under no constraint whatever, and could gratify his revenge without any hinderance. It was to him a most delightful chance which had thrown Russell in his way under such peculiar and ridiculous relations to Rita; and to take advantage of this was a happy thought, which filled him with such exultation that for a time he almost lost sight of the darker and more disheartening side of this affair.

That darker side was the aversion which Katie had evinced toward himself.

She had shown it. It was not merely her love for Rivers; it was something like repugnance to himself, which had been evident at their first meeting. The juncture which he considered most favorable to his hopes had evidently been most unfavorable. He had hoped to be received as a deliverer; he had only been viewed as a captor. Her face, her expression, her tears, her agony, were all present evermore to his memory.

He must see her soon. He must press on this marriage at once. Delay would only be worse. His situation here was precarious. If he were to linger too long, the Carlists might rally, and he would be besieged. Before that could happen he must have Katie for his wife, and then retreat as fast as possible. He could not defer the marriage till they reached Vittoria, for then Katie would surely elude him and effect her escape. He concluded that he must be married on the following day at the farthest, and in the morning. To postpone it any longer was not to be thought of.

That evening he visited Katie once more. As he entered and looked at her, he was struck to the heart to see the change that had come over her. She was pale, thin, and haggard. She looked up hastily, with staring eyes.

Then she started up and looked, but said nothing. But Lopez reflected that all this was the result of a love for another, and at that thought his pity pa.s.sed away. He would go on with his work, he thought. He would not be defeated by uureasonable whims, and violent yet fitful gusts of pa.s.sion.

”He is safe!” said Lopez.

Katie clasped her hands. Her voice now returned, and, casting up her eyes, she e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed in low tones,

”Oh, thank Heaven!--but where--where--has he gone?”

Lopez shook his head.

”Not yet,” said he; ”nor can he go--till your promise is fulfilled.”

Katie shuddered.

”Is there--is there--no other way?” she asked, tremulously.

”No,” said Lopez. ”And the promise must be fulfilled soon.”

”Soon!” said Katie, with white lips.

”I will explain,” said Lopez. ”I am in danger here in many ways--enemies all around. The moment that Rivers is released I am a ruined man. I too must fly; but you must accompany me. So the moment that Rivers is free you must be mine. Our marriage must take place at once.”

”At once!” cried Katie, with a look of horror. ”Oh heavens!”

Lopez drew a deep breath. This aversion of Katie toward himself was horrible.

”Or else,” continued Lopez, ”in the event of your refusal--”

”What? what?”

”Rivers is a prisoner yet. He has been reprieved--that is all. The court did not decide.”

”A prisoner--yet!” repeated Katie.

”He cannot go,” said Lopez, ”till we are married.”

”Oh heavens!”

”Till then he is in the greatest possible peril; till then he is only safe by the most violent exercise of arbitrary authority on my part. Some of my followers are intensely excited: all are mutinous: they clamor for his death. They look at me with sinister faces and low muttered execrations. With these fierce, implacable spirits how can he be safe? I am not safe myself. The moment I set him free I dare not remain behind. I cannot go--I will not go--without you. His life depends on you. My men cannot be long restrained. I myself have had to tell them that it is only for twenty-four hours.”

”Oh heavens!” cried Katie, in even deeper anguish.