He looked so absurdly pathetic that Myra's irritation gave way to
amusement, and her lovely face dimpled into smiles.

"I'm not really cross with you, Tony, my dear, although I do think you
have made rather a mess of things," she exclaimed, and gave Tony an
affectionate pat on both cheeks. "It will be interesting and amusing
to listen to Don Carlos's explanations and apologies--if any... Oh,
yes, Tony, I'll see him, and I think I shall manage to take some of the
conceit out of him."

As it happened, Lady Fermanagh had an engagement that afternoon, and
Myra was alone when Don Carlos de Ruiz was announced. Myra had been
doing some hard thinking, and she was feeling sure of herself as she
rose to greet her visitor, who bowed low before smiling into her eyes.

"I have called to offer my congratulations, dear lady," he said, in his
deep, caressing voice.

"Congratulations? On what, pray?" inquired Myra very coldly. "I
understood from Mr. Standish that you were calling to offer apologies
for having annoyed me."

"I have come to proffer both apologies and congratulations," said Don
Carlos slowly, twin imps of mischief dancing in his laughing eyes. "I
have come to tender my most humble apologies for having so far,
apparently, failed to melt your icy heart and fire it with the love
that burns within me; to congratulate you on being the first woman who
has ever taken exception to my making love to her. And to congratulate
you, also, on being such an excellent actress."

"Actress? What do you mean?"

"Your pretence of annoyance, dear lady, is such a fine piece of acting
that almost I am persuaded you are not in love with me and have steeled
your heart against me."

"Please go on being persuaded." Myra's tone was intended to be
sardonic. "So far it seems to me you have called to pay yourself
compliments instead of to offer apologies. Apparently you explained to
Mr. Standish that your love-making was intended as a compliment. Let
me tell you, Don Carlos, if that is so I want no more of your
compliments."

"If I believed that, sweet lady, life would lose its savour and become
but a bleak existence," responded Don Carlos. "I prefer to believe
that you love, yet refrain, and that your complaint to your fiance is
an indication that your resistance is weakening, that you fear unless
you are able to avoid me you will inevitably surrender to the call of
love."

"Your overweening conceit would be laughable if i