that heart
have been which could have remained unmoved at such a sight. Never was a
bride seen more despairing. There was agony in her face, and in her
attitude, and in her gestures. It was not a bride that he saw; it was a
victim. It was an altar of sacrifice upon which Katie was to be offered
up--not an altar of love.

And thus Ashby, like Harry, stood overwhelmed at this unexpected sight.

Harry felt an almost irrepressible impulse to spring forward and greet
her, but something there was in her look which deterred him. It was her
face of despair, her attitude of utter weakness and prostration, her
downcast eyes, her averted look. He could not move; he was petrified.
There came over him something like a feeling of horror. He shuddered at
the sight. All his thoughts and all his soul were fixed on her, while he
kept asking himself, What is this? What does it mean? A marriage? And is
this the bride--Katie?

Meanwhile Lopez had taken up a position at the upper end of the room, and,
looking around with a sarcastic smile, began to make a few remarks:

"Senors," said he, "I have done myself the honor of requesting your
company on this occasion, so as to have your presence on the happiest
moment of my life, on the joyful moment when I am to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony to one whom I have long loved, and whom I have at last
won by rescuing her from a fearful peril. I shall expect your warmest
congratulations; but however warm they may be, they cannot be adequate to
the occasion that calls them forth."

At this speech Harry stood transfixed. Then his whole nature and aspect
changed instantly and utterly. His face grew death-white, there glowed a
burning spot on each cheek, and his eyes, as he stared at Lopez, blazed
with the fury of a madman.

"Senor," said he, feverishly and in a loud voice, "who is the lady?"

Lopez smiled scornfully, and took Katie's cold hand in his.

"This," said he, "is the lady--my chosen bride."

Scarce was the action done, scarce were the words spoken, when Harry's
hand, quick as lightning, had plunged into his breast pocket and snatched
forth a revolver. In an instant it was levelled. Lopez saw the act, and
with rapid presence of mind dropped Katie's hand and flung himself flat on
the floor.

At the same instant two shots in immediate succession came from Harry's
revolver. In another instant Lopez was on his feet, and had bounded
against his assailant. A fierce struggle followed