cards and training roosters for battle, and otherwise
as a man may. He was but fifteen, this haughty,
severe-looking young hidalgo, but while in some re-
spects many years older than his sister, in others
he was younger, for he possessed none of her
illuminating instinct.

She led him through a postern gate, round the
first of the dunes, and they were alone in a waste of
sand. She demanded abruptly:

"What do you think of our illustrious visitor?"

"I like him. He would wring your neck if you
got in his way, but has a kind heart for those that
call him master. I like that sort of a man. I wish
he would take me away with him."

"He shall--one of these days. Santiago mio, let
me whisper--" She pulled his ear down to her
lips. "He will marry me. I feel it. I know it.
He has talked to me the whole day. He has told
me grave secrets. Not even to you would I reveal
them. So many have loved me--why should not
he? I shall live in St. Petersburg, and see all
Europe!--thousands of people--Dios mio! Dios
mio!"

"Indeed!" Santiago, still unamiable, responded
to this confidence with a sneer. "You aspire very