All the
little Garavels were lined up like mourners."
"And you dined there last night. Is that all you have seen of
her?"
"N-no! I've seen her at Las Savannas. That's why I went hunting so
often."
At this confession, which Kirk delivered with sheepish reluctance,
Mrs. Cortlandt drew herself up with an expression of anger.
"Then this has been going on for some time," she cried. "Why,
Kirk, you never told me!"
"Why should I?"
She flushed at this unconscious brutality, but after a moment ran
on bravely; "Oh, well, I suppose any man would enjoy that sort of
an adventure, particularly with such a pretty girl, but why did
you let it go so far? Why did you let them commit you?"
"Am I committed?"
Her look was half offended, half incredulous. "Are you trying to
be disagreeable, or is it possible you don't know the meaning of
those invitations to call, and to dine with the family, and all
that? Why, they expect you to MARRY her. It is all settled now,
according to the Spanish custom. The whole town is talking about
it, I can't understand, for the life of me, how you ever allowed
yourself to go there the second time and to DINE." Seeing the look
in his face, she cried, sharply, "You don't mean--that you're in
earnest?" She was staring at him as if disbelieving her eyes.
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