"One hour was allowed him," murmured Lopez—"one hour to prepare. Much of that hour has already passed. Say, will you save his life? and shall I set him free? Say, shall I go to ruin? Say, will you give up as much for me as I am ready to give up for you? Quick—another minute, and it may be too late!"
Katie started up wildly.
"Go! go!" she said, in a hot, feverish whisper. "Haste—fly—save him!"
"You promise?" said Lopez.
"Oh, my God! yes!" cried Katie, and fell senseless to the floor.
"See to your mistress," said Lopez, in a faltering voice, as he went outside and met the attendant there.
Then Lopez went away, not to free Harry, for he was already free, but to a lonely room, where he flung himself on his face on the stony floor, and lay there long, weeping like a child.
For the agony of this man at winning Katie thus was equal to that of Katie over her act of self-sacrifice.