"I will tell you another time. It is a secret passage." "A secret passage?" "Yes. I have come to tell you that I can save you. You may escape." "Escape?" "Yes. I know the way out." "How does that happen?" "Oh, I have been here before." "You!--here?" "Yes. When I was a child I was here. My father lived here. He had a plantation. But enough; I know the way out." "But haven't you run too much risk in coming here?" "I have run a risk," said Dolores, slowly, "but not--too--much." "A risk?" "Yes. I went into the wrong room. A man was asleep there. I went to him and touched him, and whispered in his ear your name." "Dolores!" "Hush! be calm, senor. Remember your promise." "Who was the man?" "I could not see him. He pursued me, but I escaped." "But you!--how did you get here?" "By a secret passage, as I said." "In what part of the castle are you?" "Oh, in the story above." "Do they treat you well?" asked Ashby, in a tone of tender solicitude. "I have nothing to complain of." "Do you feel lonely? I wonder if you have felt as I have?" Dolores sighed. "Sometimes," she said, "I have felt lonely." "And you have come here to save me?" "Yes--why not?" "But you are risking much--perhaps your life." It all burst forth now. "I don't care," said Dolores, impetuously, "if I can save--you!" Ashby made no reply. He took the little hand of Dolores gently and tenderly, without any resistance on her part, and held it in silence. CHAPTER XXVII. HOW MR. ASHBY AND MISS DOLORES GARCIA CARRY ON A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION. Ashby stood thus, holding the little hand of Dolores, and was overcome by the strongest emotions. He was in a very trying position. Her presence filled him with joy, yet she would not allow him to express that joy. Being bound to another, he was forced by Dolores to respect that bond. And yet, what must her feelings be toward him, since she had come here to see him, venturing so far and risking so much? Who else in the world would do this for him? Would Katie? The idea was too absurd. Katie was a mere butterfly; but Dolores, with her intense nature, her passionate self-devotion, was formed out of that stuff from which the heroine is made. Katie could lose all she loved best, and still go on smiling and smiling; but Dolores could lay down her life for her friend. (Such were the sentiments of Ashby on this occasion, and need not be considered as by any means a fair estimate of the real character of the young lady in question. Katie has yet to speak for herself.)