t
sight the soul of Russell, which had been slowly struggling upward,
once more sank down into his boots, carrying down with it all hope,
and all desire, and almost all consciousness.

There was not the slightest chance of avoiding him. He was coming
straight toward them. What was worse, his eyes were fixed upon them.

"Ah, Rita," said "His Majesty" in Spanish, "where are you going in
the dark?"

Bita paused and made a low obeisance. Russell did the same.

"I'm going over there to see about some washing," said Rita.

"Ah ha!" said "His Majesty," "if you only were going alone I should
say that some brave boy was intending to help you at your washing.
But you have a friend with you."

Saying these words, "His Majesty" looked hard at the shrinking
Russell, who now felt his soul all oozing out at the seams of his
boots. He stood trembling, shrinking, expecting the worst.

But Rita was equal to the occasion.

"Oh, this is my aunt," said she, "that I told you about. I asked her
to come here and help me. She's a little rheumatic, being old, but
she can do a good turn at hard work yet; and she's a good cook, too,
and she can spin well--oh, beautifully; and she is a wonder in her
way. Oh, we shall have a better _olla podrida_ than you ever tasted
when the good old aunt goes to work."

"Your aunt--ah!" said "His Majesty," in a tone that savored of
disappointment. "H'm--well, Rita, the next time you want help don't
send for any of your aunts, but send for some one of your nieces.
They will be far more welcome in a lonely place like this. _Olla
podridas_ are all very well, no doubt, but what I should prefer would
be some one who could touch the guitar, and sing a lively song."

And with these words "His Majesty" retired.

"Come," said Rita to the almost senseless Russell. "Come."

Again Russell followed her. She led the way toward an archway in the
wall on one side of the court-yard. Entering this, they found
themselves in an arched room, in which it was difficult to see
through the dim twilight. But to Rita the way seemed quite familiar,
for she walked on and told Russell to follow without fear. At length
she stopped, and as Russell came up to her, she said:

"We descenda--steps does be here--I takes your hand and helps."

She took his hand, and began to descend. With this assistance Russell
was able to follow without much difficulty. Soon it became quite
dark, and continued so for some time, during which Rita led