She could only hold him with her small hands, and say over and over again that she would not let him go.

“Ah! why have you never loved me before in all these years?” he cried.  “It was my fault—­all my fault.”

“I love you now with all my heart,” she answered, “and I will save you, even from the King; and you and I and Inez will go far away, and you two shall comfort me and love me till I go to him.”

Mendoza shook his head sadly, looking over her shoulder as he held her, for he knew that there was no hope now.  Had he known, or half guessed, but an hour or two ago, he would have turned on his heel from the door of Don John’s chamber, and he would have left the King to bear the blame or shift it as he could.

“It is too late, Dolores.  God bless you, my dear, dear child!  It will soon be over—­two days at most, for the people will cry out for the blood of Don John’s murderer; and when they see mine they will be satisfied.  It is too late now.  Good-by, my little girl, good-by!  The blessing of all heaven be on your dear head!”

Dolores nestled against him, as she had never done before, with the feeling that she had found something that had been wanting in her life, at the very moment when the world, with all it held for her, was slipping over the edge of eternity.

“I will not leave you,” she cried again.  “They shall take me to your prison, and I will stay with you and take care of you, and never leave you; and at last I shall save your life, and then—­”

The door of the corridor opened, and she saw Ruy Gomez standing in the entrance, as if he were waiting.  His face was calm and grave as usual, but she saw a profound pity in his eyes.

“No, no!” she cried to him, “not yet—­one moment more!”

But Mendoza turned his head at her words, looking over his shoulder, and he saw the Prince also.

“I am ready,” he said briefly, and he tried to take Dolores’ hands from his neck.  “It is time,” he said to her.  “Be brave, my darling!  We have found each other at last.  It will not be long before we are together for ever.”

He kissed her tenderly once more, and loosed her hold, putting her two hands together and kissing them also.

“I will not say good-by,” she said.  “It is not good-by—­it shall not be.  I shall be with you soon.”

His eyes lingered upon hers for a moment, and then he broke away, setting his teeth lest he should choke and break down.  He opened the door and presented himself to the halberdiers.  Dolores heard his familiar voice give the words of command.

“Close up!  Forward, march!”