"It was partly for this that I have sought an interview to-night. I could not exist without explaining to you my late conduct, which must have appeared to you a mystery. It shall be so no longer. Hear me, Catalina!" Carlos revealed the horrid plot, detailing every circumstance, to the utter astonishment of his fair companion. "Oh! fiends! fiends!" she exclaimed; "who could have imagined such atrocity? Who would suppose that on the earth were wretches like these? But that _you_, dear Carlos, have told me, I could not have believed in such villainy! I knew that both were bad; I have heard many a tale of the vileness of these two men; but this is wickedness beyond the power of fancy! _Santisima Madre_! what men! what monsters! It is incredible!" "You know now with what justice I am called a murderer?" "Oh, dear Carlos! think not of that. I never gave it a thought. I knew you had some cause just and good. Fear not! The world shall yet know all--" "The world!" interrupted Carlos, with a sneer. "For me there is no world. I have no home. Even among those with whom I have been brought up, I have been but a stranger--a heretic outcast. Now I am worse--a hunted outlaw with a price upon my head, and a good large one too. In truth, I never thought I was worth so much before!" Here a laugh escaped from the speaker; but his merriment was of short duration. He continued-- "No world have I but you, Catalina,--and you no longer except in my heart. I must leave you and go far away. Death--worse than death-- awaits me here. I must go hence. I must return to the people from whom my parents are sprung--to our long forgotten kindred. Perhaps there I may find a new home and new friends, but happiness I cannot without you--No, never!" Catalina was silent, with tearful eyes bent upon the ground. She trembled at the thought that was passing in her mind. She feared to give it expression. But it was no time for the affectation of false modesty, for idle bashfulness; and neither were her characteristics. Upon a single word depended the happiness of her life--of her lover's. Away with womanly coyness! let the thought be spoken! She turned toward her lover, took his hand in hers, leant forward till her lips were close to his, and, looking in his face, said in a soft, but firm voice-- "Carlos! is it your wish that _I_ go with you?" In a moment his arms were around her, and their lips had met. "O Heavens!" he exclaimed; "is this possible? do I hear aright? Dearest Catalina! It was this I would have proposed, but I dared not do it. I feared to make the proposal, so wild does it seem. What! forsake all for me? Oh, _querida! querida_! Tell me that this is what your words mean! Say you will go with me!" "_I will_!" was the short but firm reply.