"Since the Señor Captain frees me from my obligation as hostess I will tell him he is well stocked in presumption."
In a moment the shadows lost the girl.
The young man was disconsolate. He buckled his sword-belt tightly, then loosened it. Pulling his laced cap lower on his forehead he moved aimlessly about.
A laugh called him to himself. In the semilight near the ballroom entrance stood the Señorita Mendoza. Mischief sparkled in her eyes.
"Señor the Captain, are you playing blind-man's-buff with yourself?"
"O, señorita mia, only a game of solitaire."
"A game of solitaire!" rippled Carmelita. "What a diversion for a ball! Señor Comandante, it is not permitted here."
A bevy of laughing young women came to the door.
"Lucinda, come, and Alfreda, and all you girls," called Carmelita. "I have here a caballero captain who needs our attention. Señoritas doñas, come quickly."
Directly they were all fluttering around Morando.