“I had determined to learn it,” said I, half jestingly; “but if you will not dance with me—”
“Yes; that I will,—indeed I will.”
“But you declined my countryman. Is it because he is inexpert?”
The senhora hesitated, looked confused for some minutes; at length, coloring slightly, she said: “I have already made one rude speech to you this evening; I fear lest I should make a second. Tell me, is Captain Trevyllian your friend?”
“If you mean that gentleman yonder, I never saw him before.”
“Nor heard of him?”
“Nor that either. We are total strangers to each other.”
“Well, then, I may confess it. I do not like him. My father prefers him to any one else, invites him here daily, and, in fact, instals him as his first favorite. But still, I cannot like him; and yet I have done my best to do so.”
“Indeed!” said I, pointedly. “What are his chief demerits? Is he not agreeable? Is he not clever?”
“Oh, on the contrary, most agreeable, fascinating, I should say, in conversation; has travelled, seen a great deal of the world, is very accomplished, and has distinguished himself on several occasions. He wears, as you see, a Portuguese order.”