"The Señora is very ill," she said. "The Señorita receives. There is a visitor with her now."
"I will wait, then."
"Not so, Señor. The Señorita gave orders that the Señor was always to be shown up if he called."
Entering the sala, he saw a tall cloaked figure between him and Juanita.
"Ah!" said Juanita, coming forward eagerly with outstretched hand; "how do you do, Jack? You are just in time to show Don Miguel to the door."
"With pleasure," said Jack, returning at once to the door and holding it wide open.
Miguel had faced round, and stood swinging his hat in the middle of the room. A fierce scowl darkened his face as he looked from one to the other. Juanita reseated herself, turned her back on him, and resumed some needle-work for the wounded on which she had been engaged. Jack stood in an attitude of polite expectancy at the door.
"I protest—" began Don Miguel; but Jack cut him short. Speaking in a quiet, even tone, he said:
"You have taken leave, Don Miguel?"
The Spaniard stood for a moment irresolute; then, flinging on his hat, he strode across the room, made no response to Jack's bow, and disappeared. The moment the door was shut Juanita sprang up, ran towards Jack, and took him by both hands.