Jack burst out laughing at the incongruity of such coupling.
"Has Don Pedro asked you to look after that rubbish!"
"Yes, Juanito! I am to take the very greatest care. They are precious."
"In the doctor's eyes they are more precious than the opal. By the way, where is Peter?"
"He has said farewell, and departed with my uncle. Would I could come down to the boat, querido. But I dare not."
"I never knew such particular people as the Tlatonacians," muttered Jack, somewhat vexed. "Well, angelito, we must say good-bye here."
"Will you take the opal for good fortune, Juan?"
"I? Take the opal? My dear Dolores, I would be frightened out of my life at carrying such a treasure with me. No! No! You keep the opal with yourself, and yourself in Tlatonac. Then will the good fortune of the city be assured. But I will take this ring."
"Turquoise! rubies! pearls!" said Dolores, drawing it off her finger. "It was my mother's, querido. Now it is yours."
"A thousand thousand thanks, alma de mi alma!" replied Jack, slipping it on his little finger, "it will remind me ever of you. Rubies for your lips, pearls for your teeth, and—and——"