. Juanita remembered that Marcos had told
her that this was a matter of politics. Mon was only guessing; but he
guessed right. The greatest men the world has produced only guessed after
all; but they did not guess wrong.

"Such a fortune as yours," he said, with an easy laugh, "would make or
mar any cause you see. Your fortune is perhaps your misfortune--who
knows?"

Juanita laughed also, as at a pleasant conceit. The wit that had baffled
Father Muro was ready for Evasio Mon. A woman will take her stand before
her own heart and defy the world. Juanita's eyes flashed across the man's
gentle face.

"But," she said, "if the fortune is my own; if I prefer that Marcos
should have it--to the church?"

Evasio Mon smiled gently.

"Of course," he murmured. "That is what I said to Leon, and to Sor Teresa
also, who naturally is troubled about you. Though there are other
alternatives. Neither Marcos nor the Church need have it. You could have
it yourself as your father, my old and dear friend, intended it."

"How could I have it myself?" asked Juanita, whose curiosity was aroused.

Mon shrugged his shoulders.

"The Pope could annul such a marriage as yours by a stroke of the pen if
he wished." He paused, looking at her beneath his light lashes. "And I am
told he does wish it. What the Pope wishes--well, one must try to be a
good Catholic if one can."

Juanita smiled. She did not perhaps consider herself called upon to admit
the infallibility of his Holiness in matters of the heart. She knew
better than the Pope. Mon saw that he had struck a false note.

"I am a sentimentalist myself," he said, with a frank laugh. "I should
like every girl to marry for love. I should like love to be treated as
something sacred--not as a joke. But I am getting to be an old man,
Juanita. I am behind the times. Do I hear Sarrion in the passage?"

He rose as he spoke and went towards the door. Sarrion came in at that
moment. The Spanish sense of hospitality is strongly Arabic. Mon had
ridden many miles. Sarrion greeted him almost eagerly.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE STORMY PETREL
As Juanita quitted the room she heard Sarrion ask Evasio Mon if he had
lunched. And Mon admitted that he had as yet omitted that meal. Juanita
shrugged her shoulders. It is only in later life that we come to realise
the importance of meals. If Mon was hungry he should have said so. She
gave no further thought to him. She hated him. She was glad to think that
he sh