"They are at present our guests." "Our guests!" the count exclaimed, astonished "What are you saying, Nina?
The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position have you placed me! I have two hundred armed men just behind.

I left them to ride on when I heard the news, being too anxious to go at their pace, and now you tell me that these men of whom they are in search are our guests! What am I to say or do?
You amaze me altogether." "What would you have me do ?" the countess said.

"Could I refuse hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan ?" she continued, changing her tone.

"You have to thank Providence indeed that those men came to our door instead of falling into the hands of your peasants." "To thank Providence!" the count repeated, astonished.
"Come with me and you will see why." She led the way into the room, her husband following her.

The count gave a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color left his face.
"Mary, mother of heaven!" he said in a broken voice, "I thank thee that I have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered all my life.
Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been hunting blindly for the blood of the man to whom I owe so much ?" "Happily there is no harm done, count," Jack said, advancing with outstretched hand; "you were doing what you believed to be your duty, attacking the enemy of your country.