bless you, no!--he had only come with Talbot _as far as the
tower_!

In the midst of all this, Harry and Ashby and Brooke were amazed at the
Irish brogue of the Carlist chief, who had formerly spoken to them in
Spanish.

And now, while they were thus wondering, who should come in but a certain
female in a very peculiar dress; for this female wore what looked like a
military cloak, and she wore, also, an officer's "kepi," which was perched
upon the top of her chignon; which female took a glance around, and then
exclaimed,

"Well, goodness gracious me! I never! Did I ever! No, never!"

"Auntie!" screamed Katie, and with this she rushed toward the aforesaid
female, who was no other than Mrs. Russell. She flung her arms around that
lady, and almost smothered her with kisses.

"Dear child," said Mrs. Russell, "how impetuous you are! but it's
natural--it's touching--it's grateful--we deserve it, dear. We came to
seek and to save. Bless you, my child, and may you be happy! "His Majesty"
has a tender heart, and often talks of you. We also cherish for you a fond
affection, child; but in future try to be a little less boisterous, and
respect the majesty of Spain."

At this reception Katie was quite bewildered. It was only by a strong
effort that she could comprehend it. She then recalled that old nonsense
with which she had amused herself when she had suggested that Mrs. Russell
should marry "His Majesty;" but now a great terror seized her: was it
possible that Mrs. Russell had done such a thing?

"Oh, Auntie!" she said; "oh, Auntie! you haven't--you haven't--done--done
it?"

"Done it!" said Mrs. Russell, who seemed at once to understand her; "no,
child--not yet; but as soon as the affairs of State will allow, "His
Majesty" says that the ceremony shall be performed; after which comes the
coronation, you know,
and then, dear, I shall be Queen, and you may be princess, and may marry
the proudest of all the Spanish chivalry."

At this Katie was so terrified that she did not know what to say. The only
thought she had was that "Auntie" had gone raving mad. She knew that Mr.
Russell was alive and well, for she had seen him only a short time before.
The old joke about marrying "His Majesty" had been almost forgotten by
her; and to find "Auntie" now as full as ever of that nonsensical piece of
ambition was inexpressibly shocking to her. Yet she did not know what to
say. To disabuse her seemed impossible. She did not dare to t