"You knew?"

"You see, I've thought of nothing but you; and I've learned all I could about what concerns you."

"I don't like him, not even as a friend. He's handsome enough, but I'm sure he has a most horrible temper. I could be afraid of him. I believe I _am_ afraid. And mother-you don't know her, but-when she makes up her mind that you're to do a certain thing, you find yourself doing it. That's one reason I was so glad when you came to-night, and said, 'The next is our dance,' in such a determined way. Not only did you take me away from _him_, but-I felt you'd try to _keep_ me from him, in the end."

"Try!" I echoed. "I will keep you. Trust me my darling. I've been foolish to come to Biarritz under another name. This isn't Spain; and even a Casa Triana has a right to be here. But luckily not much harm's done. Through the de la Moles I'll be presented to Lady Vale-Avon; I'll tell her that, though compared to the days when my people counted for something in the history of Spain, I'm penniless, still my father left me enough to live on and keep a wife who loves me better than she loves society. I'll tell Lady Vale-Avon that there are countries in which my name's well thought of, even in these piping times; that there I'll do something worth doing-"

"You've already done things worth doing," the girl broke in; "splendid things."

"I've done nothing yet, but I'll change that. I'll ask your mother to give me a chance-to wait-"

"No," she insisted. "Mother would refuse, and everything would be worse than ever."

"Darling one, they couldn't be worse. Because now, I'm doing what I oughtn't to do, although it's been forced upon me by my love. To deserve you in the faintest degree, I must be open in my dealings. I must speak to Lady Vale-Avon."

"She'll never consent."

"At least I shall have done the right thing. Now we've had this talk, now you know that you're all the world, and heaven besides, to me, even for your mother's sake you won't throw me over, will you?"

"No, a thousand times no. I didn't dream loving would be like this. It would kill me to give you up."

"Then nothing can part us."

"It makes me feel brave to hear you say so. But-you don't know mother."

"I know myself, and I trust you."

"I'm so young, and-I've never been allowed to have my own way. I've always given up."

"Because you were alone, with no one to help you. Now you have me."

"That's true. But-"

"Precious one, there's no 'but.'"

"I wish I could think so! Yet something seems to say that if you speak to mother, we shall be lost. I love you-but-_do_ let it be kept secret for a while."

"With what end?"

"I hardly know. Only, I've the strongest presentiment it would be best."

"And I've the strongest conviction that not only would it be wrong, but that you wouldn't respect me if I consented."

"I beg of you, wait at least till the royalties leave Biarritz before you tell mother, or anyone, who you are."

I could not help smiling, though rather bitterly. "You've heard about my adventure in Barcelona?"

"Yes, from Angele. I couldn't bear it if you were to have trouble here."

"There's no danger of that."

"One can't tell. Circ.u.mstances which you don't foresee might seem to involve you in some plot. Oh, if you love me, wait till the royalties have gone."

How could I refuse those soft eyes, and those little clasped hands?

I caught the hands and crushed them against my lips, the rosy fingers that smelled of orris, and the polished nails like pink jewels. As I bent over my love, the curtain which covered the doorway waved as in a gust of wind.

Quick as light, Monica s.n.a.t.c.hed away her hands, but it was too late.

Carmona was holding back the portiere for Lady Vale-Avon.

He must have been watching. He must have known that I had brought Lady Monica to this room. He must have fetched the girl's mother on purpose to find us together.

These were the thoughts in my mind as I faced the two, mask in hand.

They had seen me kissing Monica's fingers. It was useless to hope that they had not.

"Leave the room instantly, my daughter," said Lady Vale-Avon, in a low voice. She too had taken off her mask.

It was a disastrous situation for me, and one all too difficult to carry off with dignity.

"Madame," I said. "I am the Marques de Casa Triana. I met Lady Monica some time ago, and have this moment told her that I love her. Now, I ask your consent to-"

"Casa Triana here!" exclaimed Carmona, in a tone which could have expressed no more of horror, had I been a bandit at large.

"Have no fear for your house," I could not help sneering.

He gave me a look not to be forgiven a man by a man. "I have no such fear," he said; "but there are those here whose safety is dear to me; and your name is not one which should be spoken under the same roof."

It was thus that he chose to inform Lady Vale-Avon, if she had been ignorant of it, that I was a notorious character.

"Will you tell me," he went on, "how you found your way into my mother's house, where no one of your name could be an invited guest?"

"There's a window," said I, thinking to save de la Mole, "by which the world and his wife might enter."

"I saw you, masked, in the ball-room half an hour ago."

Half an hour ago! Perhaps he was not exaggerating. But the thirty minutes, if there had been thirty, had pa.s.sed like one.

"I was there," I admitted, "looking for Lady Monica Vale. We danced together, and I brought her here-"

"Who is this man, Duke?" Though she spoke to him, Lady Vale-Avon's eyes, cold as points of steel, pierced mine.

"A person who, whatever his intentions may be, ought not to be in Biarritz while King Alfonso's here."

"I remember the name now. And he has come to your house, uninvited; he proposes to marry my daughter-a man whom I've never seen! You have your answer, Marques de Casa Triana, if you need an answer. It is, no. Pray accept it quietly, and cease to persecute us, otherwise I must ask the Duke to act for me, as I have no husband or son. Is that enough?"

"It is not enough," I echoed. "I love your daughter, and I trust she cares for me. I will not give her up."