"Ah, but they are precious, Senor _Capitan_--these especially; they are
my favorites," and she swept her hand caressingly over the bush beside
which she was standing.

"For that reason I shall prize it all the more, Senorita."

"Ah! you men have a way of using flattery to women whenever you want
anything of them. And yet," she continued with just the suggestion of a
frown, "a woman would be hard hearted to refuse--" Her eyes dropped for
an instant, then looking up again, she said hesitatingly: "I wonder if I
can trust you?"

"Try me," he pleaded.

"I know it's foolish, but rather than have you think me less generous
than the women you have known, I shall give you one little one, Captain
Forest, that is, on condition you never ask me for another," and
breaking off one of the largest half-blown blossoms, she held it in her
hand as though loath to part with it.

"I promise," said the Captain solemnly, dismounting and holding his
horse by the rein. "I dare not leave my horse, Senorita," he added in a
tone of embarrassment, "he is unaccustomed to a town and feels strange,
and should he take it into his head to bolt, he might do the first
person he met an injury."

"Indeed? I have often thought of your horse and wondered where you got
him. But," she continued reluctantly, "since you cannot come to me, I
suppose I must come to you," and passing through the gate, she stood
before him, rose in hand.

"A truly magnificent animal," she said, running her hand gently along
Starlight's neck. "I've been accustomed to horses from childhood and
can't help admiring a good one when I see it."

Much to the Captain's surprise, the Chestnut did not resent her touch,
but whinnied softly instead and laid his nose on her shoulder. Any one
else but Jose and himself he would have seized with his teeth. Perhaps
it was her way of approaching and handling him, or was it the subtle
influence of that mysterious kinship which exists between the wild
things--strange and inexplicable to all but themselves?

"I thought I possessed the only pure Arab in Mexico," she continued.
"He's a small black horse with a white star in his forehead, and has
never been beaten. You should look at the Raven some time--he would
interest you," she added.

"I should like to. Arabs are rare on this side of the Atlantic. Where
did you get him?"

"He was a present from Count Don Louis de Ortega, of the City of
Mexico."

"Count Louis de Ortega?"

"Yes. He is