"Send Senor Rubio to me," he said to the servant who came. I knew the name as that of one of the chief police agents; and knew also that he had determined to have me arrested. "I am a member of the British Embassy, Senor Quesada. If you molest me, I warn you of the consequences." "I offered you my friendship and protection, and you declined them and heaped abuse on me. You shall now feel my power." I made no reply, and then the police official entered—a spare, dark, ferrety-faced man, with quick-twinkling eyes. "Senor Rubio, you have a warrant for the arrest of Senorita Sarita Castelar, which I told you to hold back." "I have, your Excellency." "You will execute it at once. This is Senor Ferdinand Carbonnell, of whom you know; hold him in custody; the warrant will be made out." "I am a British subject, and a member of the British Embassy here in Madrid. I shall resist arrest, and hold you responsible for any consequences." The official heard this with some dismay, and looked at the Minister for an explanation. "Do your duty, Senor Rubio. You have my orders." "You must come with me, please," said the man, turning to me. "I am armed," was my reply. "Get the help you need," cried Quesada, sternly. "Do you hear?" he added, angrily, for the man paused; but at this he went to the door and opened it to call assistance. It was clear he had little stomach for the task; and he appeared no less relieved than surprised when, instead of his police assistants, Dolores Quesada entered. She was looking pale and very agitated, but said to her brother quite firmly— "I heard that Senor Rubio had been sent for; and before anything more is done I have something to say to you. Dismiss him for a moment." To my surprise, her brother sent him away. "Have you ordered Senor Carbonnell’s arrest?" "This is no concern of yours, Dolores." "Why have you two quarrelled?" she cried passionately, and turned to me as if demanding an explanation. But I, of course, could give her none, and said so. "Sebastian, Senor Carbonnell shall not be arrested. I will not have it." "Senor Carbonnell will scarcely wish to owe his safety to you," he answered, with an ugly sneer. "Nor is this a matter in which I can allow you to interfere. He has come here purely out of solicitude for the safety of his friend—Sarita Castelar. You owe him thanks for what he did for you, and, remembering that, I have tried to induce him to leave the country. He will not, and as he remains he must take the consequences. This is a State matter, and, I repeat, you must not interfere. It can do you no good." That there was a meaning under his words which she understood was clear by her change of colour; but when he finished she turned upon him as if to retort angrily. She checked herself, however, and instead asked me, in a voice that only with a great effort she was able to keep firm and cool: "Will you not give your word to leave Spain, Senor Carbonnell?"