Page:Arrow of Gold.djvu/160

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looking cavalier. He had his moustaches so, and his teeth were very white when he smiled at her. But his eyes are too deep in his head for my taste. I didn't like it. It reminded me of a certain very severe priest who used to come to our village when I was young; younger even than your marvel, Dominic."

"It was no priest in disguise, Madame Leonore," I said, amused by her expression of disgust. "That's an American."

"Ah! Un Americano! Well, never mind him. It was her that I went to see."

"What! Walked to the other end of the town to see Dona Rita!" Dominic addressed her in a low bantering tone. "Why, you were always telling me you couldn't walk further than the end of the quay to save your life--or even mine, you said."

"Well, I did; and I walked back again and between the two walks I had a good look. And you may be sure--that will surprise you both- -that on the way back--oh, Santa Madre, wasn't it a long way, too-- I wasn't thinking of any man at sea or on shore in that connection."

"No. And you were not thinking of yourself, either, I suppose," I said. Speaking was a matter of great effort for me, whether I was too tired or too sleepy, I can't tell. "No, you were not thinking of yourself. You were thinking of a woman, though."

"Si. As much a woman as any of us that ever breathed in the world. Yes, of her! Of that very one! You see, we woman are not like you men, indifferent to each other unless by some exception. Men say we are always against one another but that's only men's conceit. What can she be to me? I am not afraid of the big child here," and she