"
"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.
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