ness, he
spitefully rejoined--

"Thank you, Condesa Almonte for your amiable observation. It does
something to compensate me for having to do policeman's duty. And now
let it be done. Please to consider yourself under arrest; and you also,
Senorita Valverde."

Up to this time the last named lady had not said a word, the distress
she was in restraining her. But as mistress there, she saw it was her
turn to speak, which she did, saying--

"If we are your prisoners, Colonel Santander, I hope you will not take
us away from here till my father comes home. As you may be aware, he's
in the city."

"I am aware of that, Dona Luisa, and glad to say my orders enable me to
comply with your wishes, and that you remain here till Don Ignacio
returns. I'm enjoined to see to your safe keeping--a very absurd
requirement, but one which often falls to the lot of the soldier as well
as the _policeman_."

Neither the significant words nor the forced laugh that accompanied them
had any effect on her for whom they were intended. With disdain in her
eyes, such as a captive queen might show for the common soldier who
stood guard over her, the Condesa had already turned her back upon the
speaker and was walking away. With like proud air, but less confident
and scornful, Luisa Valverde followed. Both were allowed to pass
inside, leaving the Hussar colonel to take such measures for their
keeping as he might think fit.

His first step was to order in the remainder of his escort and
distribute them around the house, so that in ten minutes after the _casa
de campo_ of Don Ignacio Valverde bore resemblance to a barrack, with
sentinels at every entrance and corner!

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

UNDER ARREST.

Scarce necessary to say that Luisa Valverde and Ysabel Almonte were at
length really alarmed--fully alive to a sense of their danger.

It was no more a question of the safety of their lovers, but their own.
And the prospect was dark, indeed. Santander had said nothing of the
reason for arresting them; nor had they cared to inquire. They divined
it; no longer doubting that it was owing to revelations made by the
hunchback.

Sure now that this diminutive wretch not only himself knew their secret,
but had made it known in higher quarters, there seemed no hope for them;
instead, ruin staring them in the face. The indignity to their persons
they were already experiencing would be followed by social disgrace, and
confiscation of