eisure to get rid of that bitterness and gall which
you, senor, with your English superciliousness, have poured into my
heart. For a time you had your hour of triumph, and I was made to
feel by you all the insolent superiority of a man of wealth over a
man of the people. But now, senor, our positions have changed. I have
the power, and you are nothing. Even your wealth will not save you;
for while you are my prisoner all the gold of Mexico will be
unavailing to deliver you until I choose."

Ashby had now a sudden thought that his position was very peculiar
and very unenviable. He had just quarrelled with his best friend, and
had just been saved from murdering him, for the sake of a girl whom
he had ceased to love (or whom he believed he had ceased to love,
which was the same thing just then); and now here was another of
Katie's numerous lovers, full of love and jealousy--the one as
strong as death, the other as cruel as the grave; which lover was
evidently now regarding him as a tiger regards his helpless victim,
and was playing with him for a time, so as to enjoy his torments
before devouring him. These thoughts passed through his mind, and he
had nothing to say.

"Senor," said Lopez, "our quarrel was about that young lady, and our
meeting may take place at any time. For the present, I have to say
that if you will consent to give up all claim to her hand and leave
the castle, I will send you at once with a sufficient guard to any
place you name, or to the nearest station. But if not, then I shall
be under the painful necessity of detaining you."

"May I ask," said Ashby, "upon what ground you propose to detain me?"

"Certainly," said Lopez. "I arrest you as a spy."

"A spy!"

"Certainly. What are you doing here? You were seized by the Carlists,
it is true, but what of that? You may have betrayed your party to
them. I find you coming North on no good or reasonable errand. You
certainly were following that party--as a spy, or something like
it--in your private interests. I am therefore at liberty to arrest
you as a spy, perhaps in league with the enemies of Spain. It is a
charge of which I can prove you guilty, and for which you will be
shot."

"And that is a gentleman's satisfaction!" said Ashby, with a sneer.

"Gentlemen," said Lopez, "obtain satisfaction in many ways. It will
give me no small satisfaction, for instance, to know that you are
here while I urge my suit for the young lady's hand, for which I hav