eners in the loft, who were thus able to
understand the meaning of the new turn which affairs had taken. After
the prisoners had been brought up to the loft, their character and
appearance still formed a field for ingenious speculation; and many
were the theories hazarded by each, in turn, toward the solution of
those points.

Morning at length came, and the prisoners awaked. Rita was first on
her feet, and Brooke was able to read her whole character at a
glance. He saw her to be a common sort of woman, with a bold face,
piercing eyes, and ready tongue. He soon entered into a conversation
with her, and learned from her exactly what she had already told
Lopez. She also informed him that Lopez had detained her, in order
that she might guide him back to the castle. This much Brooke had
already gathered from what little he had overheard of the examination
of the previous evening, and it gave him unmixed pleasure. For,
although he had refused to violate his honor by acting as guide to
betray the castle, he had no objection that others should do so. The
fate of the castle and its Carlist occupants was in itself a matter
of indifference to him. To be taken there would make an agreeable
change for himself and Talbot. If Lopez should take them with him, it
would be pleasant to go back with Talbot to that tower and renew the
past; and although, for reasons already given, he did not feel like
flying with her, still he felt that liberty would be better for both,
and was ready to avail himself of any chance that might offer.

Brooke reported to Talbot what Rita had said, and while they were
conversing Russell awoke. Suddenly he detected, to his amazement, the
sound of English words. The shock was so great that he was on the
very point of betraying himself, and it was only by a strong effort
that he maintained his self-control. Then, listening quietly, he
understood the whole state of the case, as it had resulted from
Rita's examination by Lopez.

Unable to sleep any longer, Russell roused himself, and slowly
putting himself on his feet, walked to the window. His figure and
movements at once struck the notice of Talbot, who drew the attention
of Brooke to the strange and eccentric attitudes of the "Hungarian
countess." Brooke scrutinized the good Russell closely, and expressed
his opinions with great freedom, and a severe criticism followed, in
which these two, safe, as they supposed, in the ignorance of the
foreigner, made very