He had gained his purpose now. She gave a cry of rage and rushed upon him, poniard lifted to strike. He seemed to recoil in sudden panic as she lunged toward him, then quickly turned to one side and darted forward. She guessed his trick then, and swung her arm to turn the blade against her own bosom. But her arm was caught half-way and twisted so cruelly that the weapon clattered to the floor, she felt herself clasped to him, felt his breath on her face, heard his laughter ringing in her ears. Then his kisses rained upon her face, as she twisted her head in an effectual effort to escape them. Shame and rage flamed in her cheeks and throat. She screamed, kicked, tried to free hands and hold him off, and always he laughed and kissed her more, and finally held her securely in his arms and looked down at her, while her eyes blazed with hatred and loathing. “A pretty tigress!” he cried. “’Twill be a pleasant task to tame you, my sweet one, but tamed you shall be. How like you to rest in my arms, eh? Are they not as strong and at the same time as soft as those of this Captain Fly-by-Night? Struggle, pretty one! The sooner will you be exhausted. Come with me to the window, queen-to-be, and watch the culmination of the assault!” He lifted her from the floor and carried her across the room while she fought to be free. He held her there at the window, held her hands so she could not cover her eyes and laughed when he saw that her eyes were closed. “You’ll not look?” he said. “Then I’ll relate, _señorita_ mine. Just now my men are battering at the church doors while others pour volleys into the windows to drive fear to the hearts of the defenders. Five minutes more, perhaps, and the fighting will be at an end. I have told the men to save me one padre. There will be an immediate marriage, _señorita_----” “Never will I be wed to you!” she cried. “No padre will say the words!” “He reads the ceremony or dies, _señorita_. Save his life or not, as you please; by telling him you are willing you will save it. And then, if he refuses to speak the words-- Hah! Ceremony or no ceremony, _señorita_----” She twisted from his arms and dashed away, but before she could reach the poniard on the floor he had put a foot upon it, and standing there he laughed at her again. Shrieks came from the plaza as the hostiles battered in the doors of the church. The cracking of flames told that some of the buildings were being destroyed. But the man in the guest house had attention for nothing except the girl who stood before him panting in fear and anger. “Resistance avails you naught,” he said. “Be sensible, my pretty _señorita_; agree to what I say.” Terror clutched her now; whimpering, she crouched at the end of the fireplace. “Even death is denied me!” she cried. “Is there no escape?” “None, _señorita_, except by becoming my bride.” “Never that--renegade, murderer, traitor! If, in all the wide world, there was but one honest man to aid me now----”