his and wondered, and looked on in still increasing wonder,
till this was all that he saw, and all else was forgotten in a sudden
great light that flashed into his mind.

He saw it all. "So this," he thought, "was the reason why these two held
such self-sacrificing affection; this was the reason why one would persist
in risking everything for the other. The priest would not leave the spy
when freedom was offered; the priest had stood before the spy, interposing
between him and the bullets; the spy had flung himself into the jaws of
death to save the priest. Priest! Ah, thou of the angel face! thou, so
calm in the presence of death for thy beloved! thou! no angel, no demon,
but a woman, with a woman's heart of hearts, daring all things for thy
love!"

A mighty revolution took place in the breast of Lopez. Bound as he was, he
struggled to his feet and then dropped on his knees before Talbot. He then
bent down and examined Brooke very carefully. Then he looked up, nodded,
and smiled. Then he kissed Talbot's hand. Then he again smiled as if to
encourage her.

Talbot caught at the hint and the hope that was thus held out. Lopez was
offering his assistance. She accepted it. She determined to loose his
bonds. True, he might fly on the instant, and bring back all his men; but
the preservation of Brooke was too important a thing to admit of a
moment's hesitation. Besides, had she not already discovered that this
Spaniard had a heart full of noble and tender emotions? that he was at
once heroic and compassionate, and one on whose honor she might rely to
the uttermost?

With a small penknife she quickly cut his bonds.

Lopez was free.

But Lopez remained. He bent over Brooke. He raised him up to a more
comfortable position, and examined him in a way which showed both skill
and experience.

Then he suddenly rose and left the room. Talbot heard his footsteps
outside. Was he escaping? she asked herself, and her answer was, No.

She was right. In a few moments Lopez came back with some cold water. He
bathed Brooke's head, loosened his neckcloth, and rubbed his hands as
skilfully as a doctor and as tenderly as a nurse.

At length Brooke drew a long breath, then opened his eyes, and looked
around with a bewildered air. Then he sat up and stared. He saw Lopez, no
longer stern and hostile, but surveying him with kindly anxiety. He saw
Talbot, her face all stained with blood, but her eyes fixed on him,
glowing with love unuttera