wered complacently. "They are at
present our guests."

"Our guests!" the count exclaimed, astonished "What are you saying,
Nina? The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position have you
placed me! I have two hundred armed men just behind. I left them to ride
on when I heard the news, being too anxious to go at their pace, and now
you tell me that these men of whom they are in search are our guests!
What am I to say or do? You amaze me altogether."

"What would you have me do?" the countess said. "Could I refuse
hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?" she continued, changing
her tone. "You have to thank Providence indeed that those men came to
our door instead of falling into the hands of your peasants."

"To thank Providence!" the count repeated, astonished.

"Come with me and you will see why."

She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The count gave
a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color left his
face.

"Mary, mother of heaven!" he said in a broken voice, "I thank thee that
I have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered all my life.
Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been hunting blindly
for the blood of the man to whom I owe so much?"

"Happily there is no harm done, count," Jack said, advancing with
outstretched hand; "you were doing what you believed to be your duty,
attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you would have
been no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot of mine slay you
when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of Philip."

The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting,
so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had from
slaying the preserver of his wife and child. As soon as he recovered
himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts could be heard
as they approached the castle. He soon returned and bade his servants
take a cask of wine into the courtyard behind the house, with what bread
and meat there might be in the larder.

"You had no trouble with them, I hope?" Jack asked.

"None whatever," the count said. "As soon as I told them the
circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my boy,
and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their gratitude;
they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly treated greatly
attached to their lords."

"It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage,"