invalid--can scarcely interest anyone."

"I really forget to whom I am indebted for the information," said Lord
Caranby mendaciously, "and a lady of your beauty must always interest
men while they have eyes to see. I have seen ladies like you in
Andalusia, but no one so lovely. Let me see, was it in Andalusia or
Jerusalem?" mused Lord Caranby.

"I am a Spanish Jewess," said Maraquito, quickly and uneasily, "I have
only been in London five years."

"And met with an accident a year or two after you arrived," murmured
Caranby; "how very sad."

Maraquito did not know what to make of the ironical old gentleman. It
seemed to her that he was hostile, but she could take no offence at
what he said. Moreover, as he was Mallow's uncle, she did not wish to
quarrel with him. With a graceful gesture she indicated a glass of
champagne. "Will you not drink to our better acquaintance?"

"Certainly," said Caranby without emotion, and sipped a few drops of
the golden-colored wine. "I hope to see much of you."

"I reciprocate the hope," said Maraquito radiantly, "and I'll tell you
a secret. I have been consulting specialists, and I find that in a few
months I shall be able to walk as well as ever I did."

"Excellent news," said Caranby, "I hope you will."

"And, moreover," added Maraquito, looking at him from behind her fan;
"I shall then give up this place. I have plenty of money, and--"

"You will go back to Spain?"

"That depends. Should I leave my heart in England--"

"How I envy the man you leave it with."

Maraquito looked down moodily. "He doesn't care for my heart."

"What a stone he must be. Now I--upon my word I feel inclined to marry
and cut my nephew out of the title."

"Your nephew," stammered Maraquito, with a flash of her big eyes.

"You know him well, he tells me," chatted Caranby garrulously, "a
handsome fellow is Cuthbert. I am sure the lady he is engaged to
thinks as much, and very rightly too."

"Miss Saxon!" cried Maraquito, breaking her fan and looking furious.

"Ah!" said Caranby coolly, "you know her?"

"I know of her," said Maraquito bitterly. "Her brother Basil comes
here sometimes, and said his sister was engaged to--but they will never
marry--never!" she said vehemently.

"How can you tell that?"

"Because the mother objects to the match."

"Ah! And who told you so? Mr. Basil Saxon?"

"Yes. He does not approve of it either."

"I fear that will make little difference.