"Then I can't be expected to," she laughed.

His laughter joined hers; but presently he recurred to his question:

"You haven't told me yet about Miss Valdés. Is she as lovely as they say
she is?"

"I don't know just how lovely they say she is. Sometimes I have thought
her very passable; then again--" She broke off with a defiant little
laugh. "Don't you know, sir, that you mustn't ask one lady to praise the
beauty of another?"

"I suppose I may ask questions?" he said, much amused.

"It depends a little on the questions."

"Is she tall?"

"Rather. About as tall as I am."

"And dark, of course, since she is a Spanish _señorita_"

"Yes, she is dark."

"Slim and graceful, I expect?"

"She is slender."

"I reckon she banks a heap on that blue blood of hers?"