o a young lady to be talked about. But
do not suppose that I would have allowed him to insult me with impunity.
No; a day was to come for a settlement, and he knew it. When we left
Madrid we had agreed upon a meeting."

"I didn't know that," said Katie, carelessly.

Lopez was struck with this careless tone with regard to a matter which
affected the life of Ashby; for it was hardly possible that Ashby could
have come unharmed out of a mortal combat, but he took no notice of it.

"Such," said he, "was the state of affairs up to the hour of our journey.
Then the train was stopped, and I moved heaven and earth to follow you
and effect your rescue, with what success you perceive; for here I am,
and this castle is in my hands."

"I must protest," said Katie, with much dignity, "against your using such
a word as 'rescue' with reference to me. I consider that I have been
seized and thrown into prison. I do not wish to be unkind; I merely say
this in justice to myself, and also to "His Majesty" the King, of whom I
was merely the honored guest, with plenty of friends around me."

At this Lopez was struck dumb with vexation. Never could Katie be brought
to look upon his really gallant and daring exploit in its proper light.
And yet he could not disprove her assertion. He did not know what had
been her position here. If the King had really been here, it was, after
all, quite possible that she had been, as she said, an honored guest.

"'His Majesty,'" said Katie, in a calm and placid tone, "was most
attentive. He did his utmost to alleviate our dulness. He paid us
constant visits, and assured us over and over again that our stay was to
be but short. Never have I met with one who was more kind, more
considerate, and at the same time more lively. Always laughing and
cheerful, he seemed more like some well-known friend than the great king
of a great country. With us he forgot all the cares of his situation. He
was gallant, chivalrous--more, he was even pleased to be merry, and to
indulge in many little pleasantries. And now you perceive, Senor Captain,
what the real change in my situation has been. It has been from sunshine
to gloom; from laughter to tears; from bright and pleasant society to
loneliness and despair."

This was putting it strong--very strong indeed, and Lopez felt it in his
very soul. He at once gave up any further efforts in this direction. He
had nothing more to offer in answer to such a statement as this. He fe