"I wanted to speak with you alone," she said, gently, as if in
explanation; "but don't look at me so. I have had a bad night, and
now this calamity"--she stopped and then added, softly, "I want you
to do a favor for--my mother?"
Captain Carroll, with an effort, at last found his voice. "But YOU
are in trouble; YOU are suffering. I had no idea this unfortunate
affair came so near to you."
"Nor did I," said Maruja, closing her fan with a slight snap. "I
knew nothing of it until my mother told me this morning. To be
frank with you, it now appears that Dr. West was her most intimate
business adviser. All her affairs were in his hands. I cannot
expain how, or why, or when; but it is so."
"And is that all?" said Carroll, with boyish openness of relief.
"And you have no other sorrow?"
In spite of herself, a tender smile, such as she might have
bestowed on an impulsive boy, broke on her lips. "And is that not
enough? What would you? No--sit where you are! We are here to
talk seriously. And you do not ask what is this favor my mother
wishes?"
"No matter what it is, it shall be done," said Carroll, quickly.
"I am your mother's slave if she will but let me serve at your
side. Only," he paused, "I wish it was not business--I know
nothing of business."
"If it were only business, Captain Carroll," said Maruja, slowly,
"I would have spoken to Raymond or the Senor Buchanan; if it were
only confidence, Pereo, our mayordomo, would have dragged himself
from his sick-bed this morning to do my mother's bidding.
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