wife. She stepped forward with scornful composure and took my arm.

"Things are come to a pretty pass, Senor de Colis, when Don Pedro brings
his prisoners under this roof and your wife is made a witness to a
brawl. I crave your leave to withdraw; and I take this girl with me till
the question of her guardianship is settled." Then, still holding me by
the arm, she left the room; and neither of the two men ventured to stop
our progress.

Arrived at my chamber Dona Orosia opened the door and thrust me in,
bidding me draw the bolt securely.

I was left alone with my thoughts. Such thoughts as they are! I cannot
weep; my eyes are hot and dry. There is no grief like unto this. Oh, my
mother! when your beloved clasped you to his heart in that last
farewell, there were between you thoughts of parting, of bodily pains to
be borne, of scourgings and fetters,--aye, and of death. But what were
those compared with what I have to bear, who am humbled in the sight of
my dear love?

CHAPTER XVIII.

After writing these words I cast aside my pen, and, throwing myself upon
the bed, buried my face in the pillow. I could feel the drumming pulses
in my ears, and my heart swelled till it was like to burst within my
bosom. Though I pressed my hot fingers against my close-shut eyes, I
still could see my poor love's white, set face, the great hollows in his
bearded cheeks, the blue veins on his thin temples, and the large eyes,
one moment all love-lighted, the next, stricken with horror at the sight
of my unfaith.

How long I lay there I can scarcely tell. It was many hours after noon
when I heard heavy steps without my door, which suddenly began to shake
as though one beat upon it with frantic hands.

"Who is there?" I cried, lifting my head.

"Oh! Mistress Margaret! a God's mercy--undo the door!"

I drew the bolt in haste, and Dame Barbara burst in and dropped down,
weeping, at my feet.

"Lord love ye, Mistress Margaret! Lord help us both this day! They have
sent off all our men to meet the blessed English ship--and we two poor
women left behind!"

I could not think it true. I seized the weeping dame by her heaving
shoulders and fairly dragged her to her feet, demanding what proof she
had that this was so. She pointed dumbly to the window, and fell
a-sobbing louder than before.

Then I looked out.

The _Carolina_ frigate stood off the bar of Matanzas Bay, and over the
waves, in the direction of the frigate, went a smal