"Indeed, yes. I can almost see her dagger up your sleeve."
The girl's black eyes flashed fire. "If it was there, you'd get a good scratch!"
"Believe me," he apologized, "you quite failed to take me."
"It's no question of taking you. I prefer heroes."
"Can't say I blame you. You've all the fire and charm of a Spanish girl, and, permit me to add, the far greater charm of an American girl."
She looked to see if he was mocking her. Finding him unaffectedly sincere, she promptly melted into a most amiable and vivacious though unconventional debutante.
CHAPTER XVI
THE AMARYLLIS
The constraint between Blake and Genevieve had rather increased than lessened when they left the others. Neither spoke until they had passed through the outer conservatory into the tropical heat of the palm room. But there the first whiff of the odor from the moist warm mould brought with it a flood of pungent memories.
"The river jungle," muttered Blake, sniffing. "Air was drier out under the cocoanut palms."