"I do not know what you mean. I could never be vexed by anything that such a sweet little person as you might say," replied the young man, with the lordly smile of a Sultan.
"I am glad it was a false alarm on my part. Many thanks for the compliment, if you mean it—which I doubt. It would grieve me to the heart to displease you in any way," and as she spoke she blushed up to her ears.
"But I hear you are very apt to be displeasing."
"Oh, no!"
"So my friend Ramon tells me."
Esperancita's countenance clouded, and a deep line marked her childlike brow.
"I do not know why he should say so."
"Your conscience does not prick you?"
"Not in the least."
"What a heart of stone!"