or I shall have to teach you better manners. You know perfectly
well that Katie is engaged to me, and that I mean to make her my
wife."

"You shall never!" cried Russell, passionately; "never--never!"

"Pooh!" exclaimed Ashby, contemptuously.

"I'm her guardian," said Russell.

"That may be," said Ashby, calmly, "but only for a few months longer.
I can wait. Don't be alarmed."

"You shall never marry her!"

"Pooh, my good man! attend to your luggage."

Muttering inarticulate threats, mingled with curses, Russell now
stamped off, and entered the carriage. Here he found Lopez. At the
sight of this man his fury burst all bounds. With Ashby he had felt
under some restraint; but with Lopez there was nothing of the kind,
and he ordered him out in the most insulting manner.

Lopez, however, refused to stir, telling him that Madame Russell had
given him permission to remain.

"Madame Russell be hanged!" roared the other. "You get out of this,
or else I'll kick you out!"

"No, senor," said Lopez, coolly, "I advisa you not to try violencia."

For a moment Russell measured him from head to foot; but the sight of
the sinewy young Spaniard did not reassure him. His own muscles were
somewhat flabby, and by no means fit for a struggle with this
vigorous youth.

So he chose another and a safer mode. He sprang out and began to bawl
loudly for the guard. But, very unfortunately, Russell could not
speak a word of Spanish, and when the guard came up he could not
explain himself. And so Russell, after all, might have had to travel
with his unwelcome companion had not an unexpected ally appeared upon
the scene. This was Ashby, who had been standing by, and had
comprehended the whole situation. Now Ashby could speak Spanish like
a native.

"See here, Russell," said he, "I don't mind giving you a lift. What's
the row?"

Russell hesitated for a moment, but his rage against Lopez had quite
swallowed up his anger at Ashby, and he accepted the aid of the
latter. So he went on to explain what Ashby very well knew--the
situation in the carriage. Ashby thereupon explained to the guard.
The guard then ordered Lopez out. At which summons the gallant
captain thought fit to beat a retreat, which he effected in good
order, drums beating and colors flying, and with many expressions of
polite regret to the ladies and many wishes for a pleasant journey.

Arriving outside, however, our noble hidalgo found the blast of war
blowing, and so