He felt relieved and gay.
"Good-afternoon, queen!" He rose and bowed politely. "I thought I
saw one underneath the waterfall just now."
"Who would have expected you to be here?" she cried, with an
extreme and obviously counterfeit amazement that filled him with
delight.
"I'm lost," he declared; then, after one look into her eyes, he
added, "Absolutely, utterly, irretrievably lost."
"It is very fortunate that I chanced to be passing, for this is a
lonely spot; nobody ever comes here."
"Well, I hardly ever lose myself in busy places. Won't you sit
down?"
"Since we have met quite by accident, perhaps it would not be so
very improper," She laughed mischievously.
"You know I've been lost now for several months. It's a delightful
feeling-you ought to try it."
She settled uncertainly beside him like a butterfly just
alighting, ready to take flight again, on the instant.
"Perhaps I can help you to find your way, senor?" she said, with
ingenuous politeness.
"You are the only one who can, Miss Garavel. I don't know that I
ever told you, but I'm in love."
"Indeed?"
"I am the most miserably happy person in the world, for I have
just this moment begun to believe that the young lady likes me a
little bit.
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