The dinner proved to be another disappointing ordeal, for again he
was allowed no opportunity of speaking with Gertrudis, and had to
content himself with feasting his eyes upon her. But although the
family were present en masse, as on the former occasion, they
unbent to a surprising degree, and he found them truly gracious
and delightful. He realized, nevertheless, that he was under the
closest scrutiny and upon the strictest probation. The Garavels
still held him at a noticeable distance, and he was far from
feeling wholly at ease.
Later in the evening he found himself alone with Chiquita and the
old Spanish lady, and, knowing that the latter could not
understand a word of his tongue, he addressed himself to the girl
with some degree of naturalness.
"I was sorry for you the last time, senor," she said, in reply to
his half-humorous complaint, "and yet it was fonny; you were so
frightened."
"It was my first memorial service. I thought I was going to see
you alone."
"Oh, that is never allowed."
"Never? How am I going to ask you to marry me?"
Miss Garavel hid her blushing face behind her fan. "Indeed! You
seem capable of asking that absurd question under any
circumstances."
"I wish you would straighten me out on some of your customs.
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