“And you will say ‘No’ to any more from this--writer’s pen?”

“To any more about Spain I most certainly shall.”

The Count reflected. What little light the London day afforded fell full upon his long narrow face, upon the pointed Velasquez chin, the receding iron-grey hair brushed straight back.

“And the fact that the writer is supporting herself and a worn-out old uncle by her pen will make no difference?”

John Craik hesitated for a moment.

“Not the least,” he then said. “You seem to know the writer.”

“I do, and I am interested in her.”

“A lady?” John Craik was dotting his i’s with the contemplativeness of artistic finish.

“Essentially so.”

“And poor?”