her hand, turned her back, and made a peremptory
gesture to that other enamoured young swain, Cap-
tain Antonio Castro of Monterey. Don Ignacio,
surprised and discomfited, retired amidst the jeers
of his friends, and Concha, with her most vivacious
and gracious manner, met Castro half way, and, tak-
ing his hand, danced up and down the sala, slowly
and with many improvisations. Then, as they re-
turned to the center of the room and stepped lightly
apart before joining in a gay whirl, she snapped her
fingers under HIS nose, made a gesture of dismissal
over her shoulder, and fluttered an uplifted hand
in the direction of Sturgis. Again there was a de-
lighted laughter, again a discomforted knight and
a triumphant partner.

"Concha always gives us something we do not
expect," said Santiago to Rezanov, whose eyes were
twinkling. "The other girls dance El Son and La
Jota very gracefully--yes. But Conchita dances
with her head, and the musicians and the partner,
when she takes one, have all they can do to follow.
She will choose you, next, senor."

Rezanov turned cold, and measured the distance
to the door. "I hope not!" he said. "I should hate
nothing so much as to make an exhibition of myself.
The dances I know--that is all very well--but to
improvise--for the love of heaven help me to get
out!"