ity which
she felt to be so beneficial an example to the world. But Juanita
emphasised each item of her late education with a jerk which gradually
deranged Cousin Peligros' prim mantilla. Then she danced her round an
impalpable mulberry bush until the poor lady was breathless.

"No more Primes at six o'clock in the morning," concluded Juanita,
suddenly allowing Cousin Peligros to sit again. "Do you ever go to Primes
at six o'clock in the morning, Cousin Peligros?"

"No," was the grave answer. "Such things are not expected of ladies."

"How thoughtful of Heaven!" exclaimed Juanita, with a light laugh. "Then
I do not mind being grownup--and putting up my hair--if you will lend me
two hairpins."

She fell on Cousin Peligros' mantilla and extracted two hairpins from it
despite the resistance of the soft white hands. Then she twisted up the
heavy plait that hung to her waist, threw back her mantilla and stood
laughing before the old lady.

"There--I am grown-up! I am more grown-up than you, you know; for
I am..."

She broke off, and turning to Sarrion, asked,

"Does she know ... does she know the joke?"

"No," said Sarrion.

"We are married," she said, standing squarely in front of Cousin
Peligros.

"Married ..." echoed the disciple of etiquette, faintly. "Married--to
whom?"

"Marcos and I."

But Cousin Peligros only gasped and covered her face with her hands.

Marcos came into the room at this moment and scarcely looked at Cousin
Peligros. Those white hands played so large a part in her small daily
life that they were always in evidence, and it did not seem out of place
that they should cover her foolish face.

"I found all your clothes ready packed at the school," he said,
addressing Juanita. "Sor Teresa brought them with her from Pampeluna. You
will find them in your room."

"Oh ..." groaned Cousin Peligros.

"What is it?" inquired Marcos practically. "What is the matter with her?"

"She has just been told that we are married," explained Juanita, airily.
"And I think you shocked her by mentioning my clothes. You shouldn't do
it, Marcos."

And she went and stood by Cousin Peligros with her hand upon her shoulder
as if to protect her. She shook her head gravely at Marcos.

Cousin Peligros rose rigidly and walked towards the door.

"I will go," she said. "I will see that your room is in order. I have
never before been made an object of ridicule in a gentleman's house."

"But we may surely laugh an