"Why, dear child, I mean that a braver man has never drawn sword in the Californias, and surely no one doubts his earnestness in making love."
The girl's face flushed.
"Did you know that the Captain and I first knew each other about ten years ago? No? The inception of our acquaintance was quite interesting. Would you like to hear about it?"
"If the señora wishes to tell of it."
"Well, after all, not so much to tell—a schoolgirl and schoolboy flirtation." She sighed very prettily as she spoke. "I was fourteen, he eighteen."
"I knew that you and Captain Morando had met in Spain, but I did not think it so long ago as that."
"Yes, ten years, ten long years," opening her eyes in mock seriousness. "For three years this went on—three whole years, then—"
"Excuse me, please, but some of the physician's orders are to be carried out at once. I must send a peona to see about it. May I leave you alone again for a few moments?"
"Certainly, querida, certainly. The story will keep. I also have another story of love to tell you. We shall be quite sentimental."
The girl stepped into the corridor and gave some orders to a servant. The young peona wondered that her mistress's face was stern and her tone sharp.