"He did nozing, Senorita!" burst out the girl. "He was thrown into a
vile prison for what you call 'politics.' Yet in our country
politics are not what zey are here--so open, with all ze papairs
printing so much about zem. Spanish politics are more in ze
dark--what you call under the hand."

She seemed uncertain whether she had used the right word.

"Underhanded--yes," encouraged Cora, with a smile.

"He had enemies," proceeded the girl. "Oh, zose politic--zose
intrigues--I know nozzing of zem--but zey are terrible!" She spread
her hands before her face with a natural, tragic gesture.

"But I must not tire you, Senoritas," she resumed. "My father, he
was arrested on ze political charges. We lived on Sea Horse
Island-L, it is a Spanish possession of ze West Indies. We were
happy zere (it is one grand, beautiful place). Ze waters of ze bay
are so blue--so blue--ah!"

She seemed lost in a flood of happy memories, and then, as swiftly,
she apologized for giving away to her feelings.

"I should not tire you," she said.

"Oh, but we just love to hear about it," said Belle, eagerly. "We
are going there--to waters blue--"

"That I might go wiz you--but no, it is impossible!" the lace seller