Thou canst scarcely keep this Captain Carroll any
longer at a distance by rattling those bones of Koorotora in his
face. And of a truth, child, since the affair of the letters, and
his discreet and honorable conduct since, I see not why thou
shouldst. He has thy mother's reputation in his hands."
"He is a gentleman, my mother," said Maruja, quietly.
"And they are scarce, child, and should be rewarded and preserved.
That is what I meant, silly one; this Captain is not rich--but
then, thou hast enough for both."
"But it was Amita that first brought him here," said Maruja,
looking down with an air of embarrassed thoughtfulness, which Dona
Maria chose to instantly accept as exaggerated coyness.
"Do not think to deceive me or thyself, child, with this folly.
Thou art old enough to know a man's mind, if not thine own.
Besides, I do not know that I shall object to her liking for
Raymond. He is very clever, and would be a relief to some of thy
relatives. He would be invaluable to us in the emergencies that
may grow out of these mechanical affairs that I do not understand--
such as the mill and the railroad."
"And you propose to take a few husbands as partners in the
business?" said Maruja, who had recovered her spirits. "I warn you
that Captain Carroll is as stupid as a gentleman could be. I
wonder that he has not blundered in other things as badly as he has
in preferring me to Amita. He confided to me only last night, that
he had picked up a pocket-book belonging to the Doctor and given it
to Aladdin, without a witness or receipt, and evidently of his own
accord.
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