remained grave and deep. She had all the dignity of carriage famous
in Castilian women, though her figure was youthful still, and
slight. Her face was a clean-cut oval, with lips that were still
and proud, and a delicately aquiline nose.

'My daughter speaks English better than I do,' went on the General
in the garrulous voice of an exceedingly domesticated man. 'She has
been at school in England--at the suggestion of my dear friend
Watterson--with his daughters, in fact.'

'And must have found it dull and grey enough compared with Spain,'
said Conyngham.

'Ah! Then you like Spain?' said the General eagerly. 'It is so
with all the English. We have something in common, despite the
Armada, eh? Something in manner and in appearance, too; is it not
so?'

He left Conyngham, and walked slowly on with one hand at his
daughter's waist.

'I was very happy in England,' said Estella to Conyngham, who walked
at her other side; 'but happier still to get home to Spain.'

Her voice was rather low, and Conyngham had an odd sensation of
having heard it before.

'Why did you leave your home?' she continued in a leisurely
conversational way which seemed natural to the environments.