I prayed hourly to the
Blessed Virgin, and she heard. Now, I shall perish until you
come."
"When you give me leave; through steel and stone, through fire and
water."
"Quick, for the one more time, call me--that--" She hesitated,
blushing vividly. "I will hear it in my dreams."
"My wife!" he whispered, tenderly.
"Ho! Chiquita mia!" her father cried, as they came to him. "There
you are then. I have missed you." His eyes smouldered as he gazed
suspiciously at Kirk.
"Ah, but I was too warm," she said, easily. "Yonder by the door we
have been standing in the night breeze. And where is Ramon?"
"He is looking for you."
"One would think him a jealous husband already," she exclaimed,
lightly. Then, extending her hand coolly to Kirk, "I thank you,
senor, for the--dance."
Her husband bowed. "I shall not soon forget it." To the father he
added, in a low voice: "I thank you, also, for your courtesy. We
have been discussing your daughter's marriage during the dance,
and it is my one greatest hope that she will never regret it."
The banker acknowledged the words ceremoniously. "Love is a thing
that comes and goes; marriage alone can bind it. Some day you will
thank me, and then perhaps you will honor our house again, eh?"
"I shall be happy to come whenever you wish.
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