She contrived to pass Guest again in regaining the carriage; but in
the few moments' further delay he walked on down the road before
them, and, by the time they were ready to start, he was slowly
sauntering some hundred yards ahead. They passed him at a rapid
trot, but the next moment the char-a-bancs was suddenly pulled up.

"My fan!" cried Maruja. "Blessed Santa Maria!--my fan!"

A small black object, seen distinctly in the moonlight, was lying
on the road, directly in the track of the sauntering stranger.
Garnier attempted to alight; Carroll reined in his horse.

"Stop, all of you!" said Maruja; "that man will bring it to me."

It seemed as if he would. He stopped and picked it up, and
approached the carriage. Maruja stood up in her seat, with her
veil thrown back, her graceful hand extended, her eyes and mouth
tremulous with an irresistible smile. The stranger came nearer,
singled out Captain Carroll, tossed the fan to him with a slight
nod, and passed on the other side.

"One moment," said Maruja, almost harshly, to the driver. "One
moment," she continued, drawing her purse from her pocket
brusquely. "Let me reward this civil gentleman of the road! Here,
sir;" but, before she could continue, Carroll wheeled to her side,
and interposed. "Pray collect yourself, Miss Saltonstall," he
said, hurriedly; "you can not tell who this man may be. He does
not seem to be one who would insult you, or whom YOU would insult
gratuitously."