fall from some height, and to-night I thought that my hour had come. At
first I did not understand, for I was watching the Senora's face in the
moonlight, and to me she looked like an angel. Then I saw, and my senses
left me. It was as though hands were stretched up from the blackness
to drag me down--yes, I saw the hands. But you saved me, Outram, though
that will not help me, for I shall perish in some such way at last. So
be it. It is best that I should die, who cannot conquer the evil of my
heart."

"Nonsense, my friend," said Leonard; "don't talk like that about dying.
We can none of us afford to die just at present--that is, unless we are
obliged to do so. Your nerves are upset, and no wonder! As for 'the evil
of your heart,' I wish that most men had as little--the world would be
better. Come, go to sleep; you will feel very differently to-morrow."

Francisco smiled sadly and shook his head, then he knelt and began to
say his prayers. The last thing that Leonard saw before his eyes closed
in sleep was the rapt girlish face of the priest, round which the light
of the taper fell like an aureole, as he knelt muttering prayer after
prayer with his pale lips.

It was nine o'clock before Leonard awoke next morning--for they had not
slept till nearly four--to find Francisco already up, dressed, and, as
usual, praying. When Leonard was ready they adjourned to Juanna's room,
where breakfast was prepared for them. Here they found Otter, looking
somewhat disturbed.

"Baas, Baas," he said, "they have come and will not go away!"

"Who?" asked Leonard.