y broke on, him. Well that he could bear it!

'Hark!' he said, 'there is cannon firing! Miss Conway, you cannot go
back. I will do my utmost to recover your clasp, but we must not stay
here.'

'I had forgotten. I beg your pardon, I did not think!' said Isabel,
with a species of rebuked submission, as if impressed by the calmness
that gave authority to his manner; and she made no remark as he made
her resume his arm, and hurried her on past houses with closed doors
and windows.

Suddenly there was the sound of a volley of musketry far behind.
'Heaven help the poor wretches,' said Louis; and Isabel's grasp
tightened on his arm.

Again, again--the dropping sound of shot became continual. And now it
was in front as well as in the rear; and the booming of cannon
resounded from the heart of the city. They were again on the outskirts
of a crowd.

'It is as I thought,' said Louis, 'we are between both. There is
nothing for it but to push on, and see whether we can cross the
barricades; are you afraid to encounter it!'

'No,' said Isabel.

'There is a convent not far off, I think. We might find shelter for
you there. Yet they might break in. It might not be easy to meet. I
believe you are safer with me. Will you trust in me?'

'I will not have you endanger yourself for me. Dispose of me as you
will--in a convent, or anywhere. Your life is precious, your safety is
the first thing.'

'You are speaking in irony.'

'I did not mean it: I beg your pardon.' But she coloured and faltered.
'You must distinctly understand that this is only as Englishman to
Englishwoman.'

'As Englishman to Englishwoman,' repeated Louis, in her own formula.
'Or rather,' he added, lowering his voice, 'trust me, for the sake of
those who gave the clasp.'

He was answered by her involuntary pressure of his arm, and finally, to
set her at ease, he said, hurriedly, 'If it went wrong with me, it
would be to Lima that I should ask you to send my love.'

There was no time for more. They were again on the freshly-torn
ground, whence the pavement had been wrenched. The throng had
thickened behind them, and seemed to be involving them in the vortex.
Above their heads Louis could see in front between the tall houses, the
summit of another barricade complete, surmounted with the red flag, and
guarded by a fierce party of ruffians.

All at once, tremendous yells broke out on all sides. The rattle of a
drum, now and then, might be dis