"It is the servants—only the servants," said Don Antonio. "Don Rafael has perhaps started on his journey; he will be disconsolate that—"
But at that moment Rafael and Fernando came in from the dining-room, one smoothing his hair and one arranging his cravat. Rafael was the less sober of the two, but he managed to bow with a certain grace as he took Mrs. Bryton's hand.
"My poor house is at your service, madama," he murmured, "and I am at your feet. I hastened to you as soon as—"
—"As soon as he could get the other girls out the back door," remarked Fernando, aside to Bryton.
"Mr. Bryton was horribly cross to me for coming in; he thinks it too unconventional; he thinks I do not know the Spanish customs, and—"
"I offer myself as your teacher," said Rafael, looking straight into the blue eyes. "Believe me, señora, there are many delightful things to be learned in old California!"
"I shall remember your offer," she returned, smilingly. "See how sulky Mr. Bryton looks! He never takes time to be gallant himself."
"That is true," assented Rafael. "He never looks at the girls, or speaks except to tell them to keep quiet."
"Oh!" she replied, with a little malicious smile, "there is always a girl excepted!"
Bryton looked at her with impatient wonder; he was about to speak, when an Indian came in with a tray of coffee, and Rafael offered a cup to Mrs. Bryton.