"The girls seem to have the usual
American freedom."
"Perhaps they are therefore the less likely to give it up to the
first man who asks them. But the Spanish duenna still survives in
the family--the more awful because invisible. It's a mysterious
fact that as soon as a fellow becomes particularly attached to any
one--except Maruja--he receives some intimation from Pereo."
"What! the butler? That Indian-looking fellow? A servant?"
"Pardon me--the mayordomo. The old confidential servitor who
stands in loco parentis. No one knows what he says. If the victim
appeals to the mistress, she is indisposed; you know she has such
bad health. If in his madness he makes a confidante of Maruja,
that finishes him."
"How?"
"Why, he ends by transferring his young affections to her--with the
usual result."
"Then you don't think our friend the Captain has had this
confidential butler ask his intentions yet?"
"I don't think it will be necessary," said the other, dryly.
"Umph! Meantime, the Captain has just vanished through yon
shrubbery. I suppose that's the end of the mysterious espionage
you have discovered. No! De'il take it! but there's that
Frenchman popping out of the myrtlebush. How did the fellow get
there? And, bless me! here's our lassie, too!"
"Yes!" said Raymond, in a changed voice, "It's Maruja!"
She had approached so noiselessly along the bank that bordered the
veranda, gliding from pillar to pillar as she paused before each to
search for some particular flower, that both men felt an uneasy
consciousness.
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