"I think they do, but they are afraid of my father's hold on the people; and there is only a handful of troops. When it is late they may make a search, but Castillo will leave soon. It is possible that you are in some danger."
Walthew laughed.
"That makes things interesting; I've never been in serious danger yet. But I suppose you have Don Martin's permission to be frank with us?"
"You are shrewd," she answered, smiling. "He has some confidence in my judgment. I spent the years that should have been happiest in poverty and loneliness. Are you surprised that I'm a conspirator? If you value your safety, you will beware of me."
"You might prove dangerous to your enemies, but I believe you'd be very staunch to your friends."
"Gracias, señor. I'm sure I can at least hate well."
A mulatto boy came out on to the balcony, and the girl's stout duenna, who had been sitting silent and apparently half asleep, rose and approached the table.
"Don Martin is disengaged," she said to Blanca; and when the girl waited a moment Grahame imagined that something had been left for her to decide.
He did not see any sign exchanged, but he thought with some amusement that he and his companion had passed a test when the duenna said to them:
"Don Martin would speak with you."