The deer-like freedom of her home was altered; she came slowly into the room with graceful but restrained hauteur. Her rich, brown skin was now white as an almond petal; in her cheeks wavered a transparent pink but her lips were as red as ever and her eyes shone with the same liquid brightness.
Bowing, she said mockingly, “Most impatient and ungentle Great Sir, you are angry at my delay?”
“No, no, just bothersome dispatches——”
“Indeed! then I shall leave you to consider them in peace.” Tossing her head she turned to leave the room.
“Just a moment! Just a moment!” cried the Viceroy hastily. She stopped with her back to him. “I have a necklace of pearls.”
“Yes?” she inquired carelessly.
“You wish it?”
She could hear the pearls trickling through his fingers.
“Ah, do you not admire it?”
“I have not seen it,” she answered curtly.