"Dear, dear! You foolish boy, you're always in trouble, aren't you? You really don't deserve to be helped. Why, you have avoided me for weeks."
"The new arrangement has swamped us with work. I have had no time to go out."
"Indeed! You had time to run after the first pretty Spanish face you saw. I'm really angry, though I suppose I can't blame you. After all, she is charming, in her way."
"You mean Miss Garavel?"
"Yes. Didn't you realize what you were doing?"
"I realized what I was trying to do."
"Naughty! But why select her of all people? There are dozens of others who could amuse you and whose people would not object. Andres Garavel isn't that sort; he is a rich man, he has political ambitions, he's a very proud sort. Now, I suppose I must get you out of this difficulty as best I can. You ought to be more careful."
"Please!" he said, crossly. "I could understand better what you are talking about if I knew just what this difficulty is."
"Why, this silly 'engagement' of yours. Don't pretend to be so stupid."
"Ramon Alfarez heard that same report, and very courteously invited me to wait a few minutes while he killed me. It's tremendously flattering to be linked up with Miss Garavel, of course, but I haven't asked her to marry me."