Cortlandt and the other members of
his party. There were more introductions, more bows and polite
exchanges of words which had the maddening effect of distracting
Miss Garavel's attention. Then, by some glorious miracle, Kirk
found himself moving toward the open air at her side, with Mrs.
Cortlandt and the banker in advance of them.
"Oh, Chiquita," he said, softly, "I thought I'd NEVER find you.
I've hunted everywhere."
At the tremulous intensity of his tone, she gave an uncertain
laugh and flashed him a startled glance.
"Chiquita is not my name," she said, reprovingly.
"Yes, it is; it must be. I can't think of you by any other. Hasn't
it been whispering at my ears ever since you said it? It has
nearly driven me mad."
"Senor Antonio! I have seen you but once."
"I have seen you every day, every hour-"
"Indeed?"
"I can't see anything else. Don't you understand?"
"You forget that we have but just been introduced."
"Don't be offended; you see, I can't realize that I have found you
at last. When I learned you had gone away, I thought I would
surely-"
"I have been nowhere."
"Didn't you go away on a ship?"
"That is absurd! I have remained always in my father's house."
"Then wait until I catch that boy of mine! Didn't you know I was
looking for you? Couldn't you FEEL it?"
"Indeed, why should I imagine such things?"
"Why, if you couldn't feel a thing like that, you can't love me.
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