mpanion and friend, the
venerable and the virtuous Russell.

"I want to look after something," said he; and with these words he went
into the room where he had first been confined--namely, the one opposite
to that in which the recent ceremony had taken place.

CHAPTER LV.

HOW HARRY AND KATIE DISCUSS THE SITUATION, AND ASHBY TELLS DOLORES HER
DUTY.

The sudden appearance of Russell broke the spell which had rested upon
all.

Talbot was the first to make a movement.

"Excuse me for a few moments," said she. "There are some wounded men
inside who are in my care. I came out to get some water for them. I must
make haste."

Saying these words, she left Harry, and went to a corner of the apartment
where there was a jar of water. Filling a vessel from this, she returned
to the wounded.

Harry did not follow her.

Upon seeing this movement of Talbot, Katie withdrew from Ashby. Ashby did
not seem to notice this, for he was still watching Dolores.

Dolores now remarked to Brooke that she was just at that time engaged in
looking after the defences of the castle, for there was serious danger of
an immediate attack by the enemy.

At this Brooke said nothing, but merely bowed, and followed Talbot to help
her with the wounded men.

Dolores, upon this, cast a glance at Ashby and went out. Ashby immediately
followed her.

Upon this, Harry approached Katie. Neither said a word, but, acting on one
common impulse, they went upstairs together into the upper hall. As they
thus went up, Russell came out of the other room, and, seeing them
ascending the stairs, he followed them.

On reaching the top of the stairs, Harry and Katie stood, and Russell also
stopped a little below. He wasn't proud. He was anxious for information.
So he stood and listened to what they had to say.

The two stood there in silence for some time, until at length Katie spoke.

"Isn't this horrible?" said she, with a heavy sigh.

Harry gave another sigh responsive to hers.

"It's worse," said Katie, "than ever."

Harry, with another sigh, allowed that it was.

"I can't stay here," said Katie, "in this place, and, what's more, I won't
stay. I'm free now, and I've made up my mind to go away."

"Will you?" said Harry, in an eager voice.

"Yes, I will," said Katie, decidedly; "and I'll go all alone. You needn't
come; for of course you'll stay."

"Stay?" said Harry--"stay? and here--when you've gone away?"

"Oh yes," said Katie, "of co