down close under the shadow of the arbour.

A moment after the lovers entered, and seated themselves upon the
benches with which the little bower was provided.

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

The hearts of both were so agitated that for some moments neither gave
utterance to their thoughts. Catalina was the first to speak.

"Your sister?" she inquired.

"She is better. I have had the rancho restored. They have returned to
it, and the old scenes seem to have worked a miracle upon her. Her
senses came at once, and relapse only at long intervals. I have hopes
it will be all well again."

"I am glad to hear this. Poor child! she must have suffered sadly in
the hands of these rude savages."

"Rude savages! Ay, Catalina, you have styled them appropriately, though
you little know of whom you are speaking."

"Of whom?" echoed the lady, in surprise. Up to this moment even she had
no other than the popular and universal belief that Carlos' sister had
been a captive in the hands of the Indians!

"It was partly for this that I have sought an interview to-night. I
could not exist without explaining to you my late conduct, which must
have appeared to you a mystery. It shall be so no longer. Hear me,
Catalina!"

Carlos revealed the horrid plot, detailing every circumstance, to the
utter astonishment of his fair companion.

"Oh! fiends! fiends!" she exclaimed; "who could have imagined such
atrocity? Who would suppose that on the earth were wretches like these?
But that _you_, dear Carlos, have told me, I could not have believed in
such villainy! I knew that both were bad; I have heard many a tale of
the vileness of these two men; but this is wickedness beyond the power
of fancy! _Santisima Madre_! what men! what monsters! It is
incredible!"

"You know now with what justice I am called a murderer?"

"Oh, dear Carlos! think not of that. I never gave it a thought. I knew
you had some cause just and good. Fear not! The world shall yet know
all--"

"The world!" interrupted Carlos, with a sneer. "For me there is no
world. I have no home. Even among those with whom I have been brought
up, I have been but a stranger--a heretic outcast. Now I am worse--a
hunted outlaw with a price upon my head, and a good large one too. In
truth, I never thought I was worth so much before!" Here a laugh
escaped from the speaker; but his merriment was of short duration. He
continued--

"No world have I but you, Catalina,--