e
the good wishes and co-operation of her guardian. It will give me no
small satisfaction to inform you when, as she surely will, she grants
me her consent; and, finally, the highest satisfaction of all will be
afforded when I request your presence at our wedding--a compliment
which, I am sure, senor, you will appreciate. For, senor, we shall be
married here, and immediately, since I have brought a priest with me,
so as to put the whole matter beyond the reach of accident."

Having fired off this heavy shot, Lopez watched to see the effect
upon his victim.

Ashby showed not the slightest emotion. Neither in face nor in
gesture did he evince any agitation whatever; nor in his voice, for
he said, in a perfectly cool and indifferent way,

"Very well, senor. I can do nothing against all that."

Lopez felt disappointed. He had expected to see agonies depicted on
his helpless victim, and to exult in the sight. But he concluded that
this was owing to Ashby's "English phlegm," and that he was thus
preserving, like the Indian at the stake, a proudly calm exterior,
while really suffering torments of hidden pain.

"Since you are so calm," said Lopez again, "perhaps you will consent
to purchase your freedom by formally relinquishing all claim to that
young lady's hand. That is the shortest way of regaining your
liberty, and it will be quite satisfactory to me."

Lopez spoke this in an ironical tone, taunting Ashby thus on his cool
demeanor.

Now, the giving up of all claims to Katie was in itself so far from
being repugnant to Ashby, that, as the reader knows, he had already
virtually renounced her, and formally, too, by word of mouth to
Dolores. But to do this to Lopez was a far different thing. It would,
he felt, be base; it would be cowardly; it would be a vile piece of
truckling to an enemy, who would exult over it to the end of his
days. The idea could not be entertained for a moment.

"Senor." said Ashby, with his usual coolness, "you are well aware
that, apart from all other considerations, your proposition could not
be entertained for a moment by a man of honor."

"Perhaps not," said Lopez; "but I had to make mention of it, merely
as a form, and not supposing that you would entertain it."

"I am in the hands of fortune," said Ashby: "I'll take my chances as
they come."

Upon this Lopez said nothing more, but, with a formal adieu, took his
departure.

Ashby was left with the six unarmed Carlist prisoners.