Nauseated by Tony's piteous exhibition of craven terror, Myra turned away from him in loathing and contempt as the men released him.
"Oh, you coward!" she burst out passionately. "I was so sure you would stand the test and would not fail me that I promised I would marry this devil in your presence if you were dastard enough to offer to give me to him to save your own skin. All these preparations for torture were only bluff to test your courage and your love. You have failed me, Tony, in my hour of greatest need, and I hate and despise you. I would give myself to any bandit now rather than marry you!"
"I hold you to your promise, señorita," cried Cojuelo. "You will marry me here and now in the presence of Señor Standish…. Come hither, Padre Sancho, and perform the marriage service."
A fat little bald-headed man, dressed in a greasy black cassock and carpet slippers, shuffled forward and addressed some questions to Myra in a wheezy voice.
"He is asking if you are willing to marry me," Cojuelo interpreted.
"Yes, I will keep my promise and marry you in the presence of the man who has failed me," said Myra, and flashed a glance at Standish that made him quail.
"Here, I say! I—I didn't realise it was bluff," faltered Standish. "I'll do anything… Cojuelo, I'll pay you fifty thousand if only you'll——"
"Proceed with the ceremony, Padre Sancho," interrupted Cojuelo; and the monk opened his book and began to gabble unintelligibly in his wheezy voice. Presently he paused and addressed a question to the hooded figure.
"I will," said Cojuelo, and took Myra's listless hand in his own. "You Myra, will also answer 'I will,' when the Padre asks you. This ring, which I took from the finger of Don Carlos de Ruiz, will serve for the present."
"Myra, for heaven's sake——" broke in Tony Standish, but Myra paid no heed to him.