Santos had noticed it, too, and a sullen scowl spread over his face.

Intuitively Constance read the two men before her. She had fled from
one problem to a greater. Both Santos and Gordon were in love with
her.

In the whirl of this new discovery, two things alone crowded all
else from her mind. She must contrive to hold off Drummond until
that part of the expedition which was ready could be got off. And
she must play the jealous rivals against each other with such
finesse as to keep them separated.

Far into the night after she had left the Junta she debated the
question with herself. She could not turn back now. The attentions
of Gordon were offensive. Yet she could have given no other reason
than that she liked Santos the better. Yet what was Santos to her,
after all? Once she had let herself go too far. She must be careful
in this case. She must not allow this to be other than a business
proposition.

The crisis for her came sooner than she had anticipated. It was the
day after the visit of Drummond. She was waiting at the Junta alone
for Santos when Gordon entered. She had dreaded just that. There was
no mistaking the man.

"Mrs. Dunlap," began Gordon bending down close over her.

She was almost trembling with emotion, and he saw it.

"You can read me like a book," he hurried on, mistaking her