At this Brooke said nothing, but merely bowed, and followed Talbot to help her with the wounded men. Dolores, upon this, cast a glance at Ashby and went out. Ashby immediately followed her. Upon this, Harry approached Katie. Neither said a word, but, acting on one common impulse, they went upstairs together into the upper hall. As they thus went up, Russell came out of the other room, and, seeing them ascending the stairs, he followed them. On reaching the top of the stairs, Harry and Katie stood, and Russell also stopped a little below. He wasn't proud. He was anxious for information. So he stood and listened to what they had to say. The two stood there in silence for some time, until at length Katie spoke. "Isn't this horrible?" said she, with a heavy sigh. Harry gave another sigh responsive to hers. "It's worse," said Katie, "than ever." Harry, with another sigh, allowed that it was. "I can't stay here," said Katie, "in this place, and, what's more, I won't stay. I'm free now, and I've made up my mind to go away." "Will you?" said Harry, in an eager voice. "Yes, I will," said Katie, decidedly; "and I'll go all alone. You needn't come; for of course you'll stay." "Stay?" said Harry--"stay? and here--when you've gone away?" "Oh yes," said Katie, "of course you'll stay here with your dear Sydney!" Harry sighed. "But _I_ won't stay," continued Katie, after another pause; "I'm going to leave; and I'll walk back to the railway all alone." "I think that would be a capital idea!" said Harry, in a tone of great animation. At this Katie burst into tears. Harry was now quite distracted. He caught her in his arms and kissed her over and over again. "You don't understand," said he. "I mean it would be a good idea to go; but, of course, you shall not go alone." "Yes, I will go alone," said Katie, "all alone. You don't care for me, now that you've got your Sydney. You don't care for me a bit!" "Care for you!" cried Harry; "you're the only one, Katie, in all the world that I do care for." Katie struggled away from his encircling arms. "No," said she, "you're not speaking the truth. You'll leave me, and say those same words to your Sydney." "Bother Sydney!" cried Harry, in unfeigned vexation. At this Katie, whose head had been for a moment averted, now turned her tearful eyes on him, and Harry once more took her in his arms. "But do you, after all," said she--"do you, after all, care for me just a little bit, Harry?" "Care for you?" cried Harry, with headlong impetuosity. "I swear, Katie, that I love you better than all the world. I will give up everything for you. Will you do as much for me?" "Why--why--how can I help it?" said Katie. At this reply Harry kissed her again.