"It would be useless."
"But I love Gertrudis," said Kirk, desperately.
Garavel looked a trifle pitying.
"You are by no means the first," he said; "I have been besieged by many, who say always the same thing—without Gertrudis they cannot, they will not, they should not live. And yet I have heard of no deaths. At first I was greatly concerned about them—poor fellows—but most of them are married now, so I not do take your words too seriously." He laughed good-naturedly. "You unemotional Americans do not love at first sight."
"I do, sir."
"Tut! It is but admiration for a beautiful girl who—I say it—is wicked enough to enjoy creating havoc. Take time, my boy, and you will smile at this madness. Now, let us talk of something else."
"It is no use, sir, I have it bad."
"But when you make such a request as this, you assume to know the young lady's wishes in the matter."
"Not at all. Without your consent I don't believe she'd allow herself to even like me. That is why I want to fix it with you first."
"In that, at least, you are quite right, for Gertrudis is a good girl, and obedient, as a general rule; but—it is impossible. Her marriage has been arranged."