Irish Jake?"

"He is taking luggage down from the rooms," she answered--"Many
people are going away to-day."

"Is that why you are 'so busy'"? he asked, the smile still dancing
in his eyes.

She gave a little toss of her head but said nothing.

"And how fine we are to-day!" he said, glancing over her with an air
of undisguised admiration--"White suits you, Manella! You should
always wear it! For what fortunate man have you dressed yourself so
prettily?"

She shrugged her shoulders expressively--

"For you!"

"For me? Oh, Manella! What a frank confession! And what a
contradiction you are to yourself! For did you not send word by that
Irish monkey that you were 'too busy to come'? And yet you dress
yourself in white, with red roses, for ME! And you come after all!
Capricious child! Oh Senora Soriso, how greatly honoured I am!"

She looked straight at him.

"You laugh, you laugh!" she said--"But I do not care! You can laugh
at me all the time if you like. But--you cannot help looking at me!
Ah yes!--you cannot help THAT!"