"Were you ever in the States?" asked Terrence, suddenly.
"Yes," she answered falteringly. He must not discover her yet. "I was over there with my mother a couple of years ago."
"You were not born there?"
"No, I was born in Mexico, although my father was a Spaniard from the north of Spain. We came last spring from visiting his relatives. Have you been in Spain?" She adroitly turned the conversation to this subject.
"No. I have thought several times that I would go, but not knowing the language I thought I would wait till I could come across a travelling companion who did."
Here a sudden interruption came in the person of Aunt Manning, who took a fancy to come over with Mr. Kirkby to see Mrs. Teaness. "Nancy," she called, "Nancy Beltrán, where are you?"
Anita sprang up. "It is my Aunt Manning," she said, nervously.
"Nancy," came the voice again. "Oh, there you are. I want to see that American you have been talking so much about."
Anita turned to Terrence who in his corner was half hidden by a curtain. "My aunt wants to meet you, do you mind?" she asked. "She is a funny old dear."
"I shall be very glad to meet her," returned Terrence courteously.