“We shall see,” thinks Ashley, and then, led by Juanita, who sees nothing of the mutual recognition, the conversation drifts into the usual chatter of the ball-room.
“You remember, Isabel, that big horse we saw lunching so contentedly by the road this afternoon?” prattles Juanita.
“Yes, dear, and how we wondered whether its owner was enjoying a siesta in the bushes.”
“Well, it was Mr. Ashley’s horse.”
“I saw you flit by,” supplements Ashley, “but I was back drinking at a spring and your volante was out of sight before I had recovered from my surprise at seeing you.” He is looking directly at Mrs. Harding and that lady smiles, a bit ironically.
“And I presume that when you saw the principal attraction of El Valle de Bosque Cillos being borne toward Santiago, you mounted your horse and sadly followed,” ventures Isabel.
“No; I knew the senorita was in good company,” Jack responds, dryly, “so I continued on to Santos and spent a profitable hour with Don Quesada.”
“Ah!” Mrs. Harding regards him narrowly from between her half-dropped eyelids.
“I say profitable,” continues Ashley, “as I did not know, until so informed, that Don Quesada numbered the charming Mrs. Harding in his list of acquaintances.”
“Of course you congratulated him.”