dismay, for she saw five members of the National Guard approaching the
house, beating the shrubbery that bordered the path through which they
were advancing with the butt ends of their muskets. She recoiled in
horror, for before she could prevent it Philip stepped out and stood for
an instant plainly visible in the light that streamed through the open
door ere he perceived them. As soon as they saw him, they raised their
guns and took aim.

"Do not fire!" he exclaimed. "I surrender!"

And he paused, awaiting their approach. At the same moment Vauquelas
entered the room by the other door. Dolores cast a despairing look at
Philip, then involuntarily stepped to his side as if to protect him.
There was a moment's silence caused by surprise on the one side and
terror on the other. Philip was filled with consternation not that his
courage failed him, but because he was appalled by the thought of the
danger in which he had involved Dolores.

As for Vauquelas, he glanced from one to the other in evident anger and
astonishment. The presence of the soldiers, and the thought of the
suspicions to which he--ardent patriot though he was--might be exposed
on account of this stranger's arrest in his house irritated him not a
little. He was about to vent his wrath and indignation upon Philip when
the sergeant in command interposed, and addressing the young man, said,
harshly;

"What are you doing in this house, you rascal? Who are you?"

Philip attempted to reply, but Vauquelas did not give him time.

"Who is he?" he exclaimed. "It is easy to answer that question. Some
enemy of the Republic, you may be sure, who has sought shelter in my
house at the risk of compromising the honor of this young girl, and my
reputation as well."

Dolores trembled; then sacrificing, not without a terrible effort, her
maidenly delicacy and modesty she said: "You are mistaken, Citizen
Vauquelas. This man is my husband!"

"Your husband! Are you married?"

"I had a special reason for keeping the fact a secret from every one."

"But Coursegol--"

"Even he is ignorant of it," answered Dolores, with downcast eyes.

"Married! married!" repeated Vauquelas mechanically, while Philip drew
nearer to Dolores and, in a voice audible to her alone, murmured:

"Ah! cruel one, had you uttered those words sooner, we should not be
here now."

Dolores made no response. She cast a beseeching look upon Vauquelas. At
a word from him the soldiers would have depart