"No. The trial is over. His fate has already been decided; in another hour all will be over."
The repetition of these words roused Katie to a fresh outburst of despairing grief.
"Oh!" said she; "in so short a time! so short!"
"It was because he was so near his doom," continued Lopez, "that the condemned prisoner requested to see you, and I thought I would mention it. Had it not been for this request he would have been shot without your knowing it."
Katie wrung her hands, in a blind passion of despair.
"Oh!" she burst forth, "something must be done! He shall not die! He must not! Oh, heavens! how can I live, and think of it? Harry! Harry! was there no one to speak for you? A spy! It's false! He was a simple traveller. Oh, Captain Lopez, there must be some way of saving him, or at least of deferring his doom. Can it not be put off—for one day?"
"That would be of no avail," said Lopez.
"One day!" pleaded Katie, in eager tones.
"It's useless," said Lopez; "it's impossible. The sentence of the court cannot be revoked."
"But time flies! Oh, Captain Lopez, can you not let him go?"