eyed, turned
sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it and entered.

"Madam the countess," he said, "an English officer insists on seeing
you."

Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat.

"I must apologize, madam," he began, and then stopped in surprise, while
at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke from the lady.

"Senor Stilwell!" she cried. "Oh! how glad I am to see you! but--but--"
And she stopped.

"But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here by
accident, and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or that this
mansion belonged to your husband. You told me when I saw you last, a
fortnight before I left Barcelona, that you were going away to your seat
in the country. You told me its name, too, and were good enough to say
that you hoped when this war was over that I would come and visit you;
but, in truth, as this is not a time for visiting, I had put the matter
out of my mind."

"And do you belong, then," the countess asked, "to the party who we
heard yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so--" And she stopped again.

"If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and the speed
of my horse."

"What will the count say?" the countess exclaimed. "How will he ever
forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with that party he
would have cut off his right hand before he would have--"

"Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, and now
I hope that you will give your retainers orders to treat my men with
hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men are glowering
at each other in the hall like wolves and dogs ready to spring at each
other's throats."

The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had now armed
themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in readiness to
attack the dragoons on the termination of the colloquy between the
officer and their mistress.

"Lay aside your arms, men," the countess said imperiously. "These men
are the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize this gentleman?"

The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran across, and,
falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The servants, who
had at first stood in irresolute astonishment at their mistress' order,
no longer hesitated, but placed their arms against the wall.

"This," the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, "is the noble
English lord who saved the lives of the coun