n a joyous voice, "in this train?"

"Yes, along with you."

"How perfectly lovely!" said Katie--which expression showed that
these two were on very good terms with one another.

"But then, you know," she resumed, "Mr. Russell has the carriage for
us only."

"Oh, well, it's all the same," said Ashby. "I'm going on in the same
train. That will be happiness enough. But see here," he added, in a
hurried voice, "take this letter;" and with this he slipped a letter
into her hand, which she instantly concealed in her pocket. "I'll see
you to-night at Burgos," he continued, in a low tone, "and then at
Biarritz or Bayonne. I have friends in both places. You must do what
I ask you. You must be mine. You must, darling. Don't mind these
confounded Russells. They're nothing to you compared with me. Russell
has no right to interfere. He's not your uncle, he's only a miserable
guardian; and he's a contemptible scoundrel too, and I told him so to
his face. He's planning to get you to marry that cad of a son of his.
But read my letter. Make up your mind to-day, darling. I'll see you
tonight at Burgos."

Ashby poured forth this in a quiet, low, earnest voice as they
traversed the short space that lay between them and the cars, while
Katie listened in silence. Meanwhile the others had reached a
carriage, which Mrs. Russell entered: Lopez immediately followed.

"Oh, look!" cried Katie; "Captain Lopez has gone into our carriage.
He must be going to travel with us."

"The infernal sneak!" growled Ashby. "But then," he continued,
"what's the use of that? He can't go. Why, old Russell hates him
worse than me."

At this moment Mrs. Russell put forth her head.

"Katie!" she called, in a thin, shrill voice.

"Yes, auntie dear," said Katie.

"In a moment," chimed in Ashby.

[Illustration: Delores.]

"Perhaps I'd better go," said Katie; "she's so horrid, you know."

"Then," said Ashby, "good-bye for the present, my own darling."

Saying this, he took her in his arms and deliberately kissed her two
or three times. Katie then darted away and entered the carriage, to
find Mrs. Russell speechless with indignation.

The moment Katie had gone, up came Russell in a fury.

"Look here, sir!" he cried, shaking his fist at Ashby. "I say, sir!
Look here, sir! You scoundrel! Didn't I tell you--"

"And look here, you!" said Ashby, in a stern voice, laying his hand
heavily on the other's shoulder, "none of this insolence, my good
man,