reported. The policy of silence was for them quite the
most sensible under the circumstances. Until this moment they had both
clung to those engagements to others which neither had forgotten, and
which they had confided to each other. Each knew the other's secret. But
now they both flung up those engagements and confessed their love to one
another. And how such high-toned people could justify such conduct to
their consciences is a problem that I, for my part, don't pretend to be
able to solve.

At length they began to be aware of the existence of the outside world.

"These poor wounded," said Talbot, "require some attention. Let us go out.
Let us get some water and try to make it easier for them."

Talbot now proceeded to take off the priest's dress, in which task she had
been interrupted by Brooke. He again tried to dissuade her, but in vain.

"No," said she; "it only gets me into trouble. If I am to be taken
prisoner again it shall be in my true character. This disguise may be
useful to you."

And with these words Talbot removed the dress, and stood forth in her own
proper costume--that of an English lady, as she was when Brooke first met
her.

And now the two went out to procure water for the wounded prisoners.

CHAPTER LIII.

WHICH TELLS OF A REUNION OF VERY DEAR OLD FRIENDS.

While Brooke and Talbot were thus conversing, others were indulging in the
same pursuit, and none to better purpose than Harry and Katie.

No one can say that Katie had not been very severely tried, and had not
passed through a most distressing ordeal. Apart from the long trial of
mind which had preceded that eventful morning, the circumstances of the
final scene were enough to shake up stronger nerves than those of Katie.
So completely was she prostrated, that under any other circumstances
nothing could have saved her from a fit of sickness, which might possibly
have resulted in brain-fever and terminated fatally, for all I know; but
fortunately, under these actually existing circumstances, she was spared
all this. The presence of Harry made all the difference in the world.

After retiring from the scene of conflict, they ascended into that upper
chamber in which Katie had last been imprisoned, and here they seated
themselves so that Katie might rest, supported by Harry's encircling arms,
and at the same time be refreshed by the fresh air. Katie now began to
rally with the rapidity which is characteristic of buoyant natu