y that name--save one. Instantly a wild revulsion of
feeling took place. She had mistaken--the first visitor was not
Ashby. Ashby was not false. He was true. He had come, but he had come
for her--herself. It was her name that he called. In that sudden
revulsion of feeling she almost shouted for joy. She started up, and,
regardless of everything but her own heart, was about to steal toward
Ashby, when suddenly she was arrested in her attempt.

There arose another sound from some one near the door.

"Here, here," said a whisper--"here I am. How long you've been!"

Ashby heard this voice, and thinking it was Dolores, hurried there.
Dolores heard it, understood Ashby's action, and sank down in
consternation and despair. Katie and Harry heard it, and thought it
was "His Majesty" on his way to Mrs. Russell. And they thought that
others of "His Majesty's" followers were in the chimney.

Ashby saw a figure dimly defined in the gloom. It was
indistinguishable. He took it for Dolores. So he folded that figure
fondly in his arms, and the "figure" reciprocated to the fullest
extent.

"Oh, my own love and darling!" sighed Ashby, in Spanish.

Mrs. Russell understood not a word of Spanish. She thought, however,
that if "His Majesty" could express himself more freely in that
language it was certainly quite natural for him to use it; yet it did
seem rather unfair to her to come here and talk love and use
endearing expressions in an unknown tongue. "His Majesty" seemed very
eloquent and strongly agitated, yet Mrs. Russell could not make out
what he said, nor had she a chance to explain.

For in the midst of all this there occurred a new interruption. This
was the sound of a key turning in the door. The door opened
immediately behind Mrs. Russell, and a soft voice, said in familiar
tones and in a husky whisper:

"Whis-s-s-s-sht, darlin'--are ye awake, thin! Sure I hope the
gyerruls are aslape."

CHAPTER XXXI.

IN WHICH THE WHOLE PARTY FIND THEMSELVES IS A HAUNTED CASTLE.

At the opening of the door and the sound of the voice Ashby started
back and retreated. He was very much puzzled at the Irish brogue, and
could only think that a stray Paddy might be among the Carlists.
However, there was no time to wait, so he sought to regain the
fireplace. But as he did so a figure came in his way, arms were flung
about him, and a low, faint whisper came close to his ear:

"Oh, Assebi! I am Dolores; that other is Mrs. Russell.