"I would that I were twenty men, señora. Each would be your devoted servant."
"And then she have her necklace!" cried Benicia, delightedly.
"What is that?" asked Russell; but Doña Eustaquia shook her fan threateningly and turned away.
"I no tell you everything," said Benicia, "so no be too curiosa. You no dance the contradanza, no?"
"I regret to say that I do not. But this is a plain waltz; will you not give it to me?"
Benicia, disregarding the angry glances of approaching caballeros, laid her hand on the officer's shoulder, and he spun her down the room.
"Why, you no dance so bad!" she said with surprise. "I think always the
Americanos dance so terreeblay."
"Who could not dance with a fairy in his arms?"
"What funny things you say. I never been called fairy before."
"You have never been interpreted." And then, in the whirl-waltz of that day, both lost their breath.