"I don't know if you deserve one," she whispered coquetishly.
"Don't say that. As you are strong, be merciful."
She handed him the card with a laugh.
"You can have that valse," she said, indicating one far down, "by that time I will be released from durance vile."
Errington scribbled his name, and giving her back the card, was about to renew the conversation, when she dismissed him imperiously.
"Now you have got what you wanted, go away. I have a number of people to talk to."
"A lot of fools," he muttered peevishly.
"Possibly--we can't all be Ravenswoods, you know."
"Maraquita!"
"Hold your tongue," she said, in a fierce whisper, "do you want to compromise me before all these people? Go away, and don't come near me till our valse."