Donald and Adrian cast an admiring gaze upon Lucia, who was now kneeling at her father's side.
"Well," said Adrian in an aside, "I don't see why you should object to that."
"Who said I objected?" demanded Billie. "It is the young woman who objects."
"But whoever supposed he had a daughter?" said Donald.
"Not I," from Billie. "But this is certainly a queer mess."
Then to Lucia: "How long has he been in this way, Señorita?"
"Only a few days. Since this trouble with the Americanos."
"But how could that affect him?"
"It is a long story, señor. For years he has been trying to overthrow the government. When Madero was made president, he was happy. Then came that awful tragedy, by which Madero was killed. Since that time he has not been himself. But when it became evident that the United States would interfere he became as you have seen him to-day."
"When I told him that all the United States wanted was to get rid of Huerta, he was much pleased," explained Billie. "That was when he proposed to make me his heir."