He apologized over and over for his
little error, and tried to reinstate himself by announcing, with a
confidence he was far from feeling, that this time he had
identified the elusive Chiquita beyond the peradventure of a
doubt. This welcome intelligence did much to make Kirk forget his
wrath.
"What's her name?" he inquired, eagerly.
"Fermina, sar."
"Are you sure?"
"H'entirely. But it will not h'avail to be courting of those
ladies, Master h'Auntony."
"Is there more than one?"
"Two of they--sisters--very rich. They h'occupy the 'ouse
h'adjoining Senor Torres."
Allan spoke in a hushed voice, and shook his head as if to show
the hopelessness of aspiring to such aristocracy. Surely Kirk knew
of the Ferminas? Arcadio Fermina was the owner of the pearl-
fishery concession and a person of the highest social distinction.
He was white, all white, there was no doubt on that score.
Undoubtedly Chiquita would prove to be his daughter and a joint
heiress to his fabulous fortune. But she was not the sort to be
courted from the street, even Allan knew that much; for, after
all, such a procedure was followed only by the middle classes, and
in this instance would result in nothing less than disaster.
It sounded reasonable, and Kirk allowed himself to be half
convinced.
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