s a sudden
whim--it was no more than a dream; she was hardly in her right mind, she
was infatuated. Of course she would get over it. And he determined to use
his advantages to the utmost. So he returned to the subject.

"You see," said he, "as long as Rivers is here, he is subject to the most
deadly peril. He is even now in danger. Do you wish to save him?"

"Oh heavens!" cried Katie. "I do! I do!"

"Well, then, you must do as I have said."

Katie moaned.

"Will you?"

"Oh, let me wait! I'll promise anything--everything; but, for Heaven's
sake, let me wait--only a little, little time! Oh, senor, on my knees I
fall--I pray, as I would pray to Heaven, give me time--time--time! only a
little--only a very, very little!"

Katie knelt; she put her palms together; she looked up, as in prayer, to
this mighty tyrant who held over her such power. Lopez could not endure
the sight: it filled him with tender pity, with grief, with remorse. He
began to yield.

Instinctively he bent down and took her in his arms. He was about to
grant her everything. He was about to tell her, with tears, that he would
grant her years, if she would only promise to _try_ to love him.

But Katie misunderstood his action. The touch of his arms was enough--it
was too much! She tore herself away, and stood shuddering and weeping.

Lopez felt that gesture of loathing and aversion cut like a knife to his
inmost being. At once all tenderness, all pity, departed. He determined
to have no more of this trifling.

"Listen!" said he, coldly. "By saving Rivers I destroy myself. You must
be my wife. I must then fly--do you hear?--fly from Spain, from my
country, from all I have loved: I must be an exile. This is all for you.
Think of all that I give up for you! I cannot postpone. If I postpone, my
people will kill Rivers and myself too. The life of Rivers depends on you
alone."

Katie said not a word. She was helpless.

"To-morrow, early," said Lopez, "you must be mine. Rivers shall be then
set free."

Without waiting for any further words, Lopez bade her adieu, and retired.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

HOW LOPEZ GOES TO SEE THE PRIEST ABOUT HIS MARRIAGE.

After leaving Katie, Lopez decided to give notice to the priest about the
nature of the ceremony that was to be performed, and also to appoint the
time for its performance on the following morning.

As he entered the room Talbot saw in his face the sign of some important
purpose. At once she d