and then she added, as she took Brooke's
hands in hers, "But oh, Brooke, how I should love to be captured, if you
are only captured with me!"

Brooke said nothing, but a thrill of joy passed through him at the
thought.

CHAPTER LVIII.

IN WHICH SOME OLD FRIENDS REAPPEAR.

Dolores and Ashby had experienced none ofthat inner conflict that had
disturbed the souls of Brooke and Talbot, for Ashby had been prompt in
decision, and had taken all responsibility from Dolores. She meekly
acquiesced in his decision, was all the happier for it, and prepared with
the briskness of a bird to carry out their purpose of flight. She led
Ashby down by the same way through which she had formerly conducted "His
Majesty," starting from that lower room in which Ashby had been confined.
Had she gone from one of the upper rooms, they might, perhaps, have
encountered the lurking Rita, and thus have rescued the unhappy Russell
from his vengeful captor and from his coming woe. But such was not to be
their lot. It was from the lower room that they started; and on they went,
to the no small amazement of Ashby, through all those intricate ways,
until at length they emerged from the interior, and found themselves in
the chasm. Here the moon was shining, as it had been during all the
eventful days in which all these wonderful and authentic adventures had
been taking place, and gave them ample light by which to find the path.
Their way lay along the lower part of the chasm, where the brook was
foaming and bubbling and dashing on its way. Before long they reached the
place where the path ascended toward the tower. Up this they proceeded.

As they went up they heard voices. Thus far they had been talking with one
another quite merrily and carelessly, but these sounds at once arrested
them. They stopped for a moment and listened in deep anxiety.

The sound of the voices seemed to draw nearer, and to come up from some
point in the pathway behind them, as though others were advancing in the
same direction.

"We are pursued," said Dolores.

"Who would pursue us?" said Ashby.

"Mr. Brooke," said Dolores, in a tone of alarm. "It must be Mr. Brooke. He
has been looking for me. He has seen us, and is pursuing us."

Ashby muttered a curse.

"Confound him!" said he. "Let him keep his distance! We must hurry on
faster."

They hurried on.

In a few moments they had reached the tower. Inside that tower were Brooke
and Talbot, who had reached