"By the way, what is her name?"
"Gertrudis. Rather pleasing, I think."
Kirk thought so, too. In fact, it pleased him so greatly that he thought of nothing else during the entire second act of "La Tosca." It was even sweeter than the music of her hesitating accent.
When, after an age, the curtain fell for a second time, he escaped from his companions, mumbling some excuse or other, and made haste to find her again. But as he approached he felt a sudden pang of jealous rage.
Ramon Alfarez was beside her, and the two were chatting with an appearance of intimacy that made him furious. Close at hand stood Garavel, deep in conversation with Colonel Jolson.
"Ah, Ramon, I wish you to meet Mr. Anthony," said Gertrudis. "So! You have met before?"
"In Colon," Kirk explained, while Alfarez scorched him with his eyes.
"Mr. Alfarez was very hospitable to me."
"Yes," the Spaniard exclaimed. "It is my great regret that Senor
Ant'ony did not remain for longer."
"Ramon is with the President's party this evening. He is Senor Galleo's
Secretary, you know."
"I informed you concerning those good fortunes some time since, eh?"
Ramon's insulting stare made Kirk long to take him by the throat.