"In this letter he wrote you?" asked Maraquito, frowning.
"Yes. I am sorry I did not bring the letter with me. But I can show it to you on another occasion. He also said you had something to tell me."
Maraquito fastened her brilliant eyes on his face. "Mr. Jennings seems to know much about my affairs and to take a deep interest in them. But I assure you, I never gave him any authority to meddle."
"Then why did he write and bring me here?"
Senora Gredos frowned and then her face cleared. "The man is such a secretive creature that I don't trust him," she said; "and yet he declared himself to be my friend. He knows I like you, and hinted that he should be glad to bring us together."
"Jennings is a gentleman in spite of his profession," said Mallow in cutting tones. "I scarcely think he would take so great a liberty."
"Is it a liberty?" asked Maraquito softly.
"I consider it to be one. Jennings knows that I am engaged."
"Stop!" she cried, gripping her fan so tightly that her knuckles grew white. "Do you dare to tell me this?"
"Senora—Maraquito—don't let us have a scene. I told you before that I could not give you the love you asked."