calculated to cause gossip. Everywhere we go along this
route my son and I have acquaintances, friends; and already there has been
talk, which flies from place to place in gossiping letters between women.
I am sure you would not like to think that you had caused me this distress
on account of my sweet young guest and her mother?"

Never had I been more completely taken aback. She had us at her mercy; for
how is a man to fight against a woman?

"We are motoring in your direction," I said lamely. "The chances of the
road bring us together."

"Ah! but I ask you, as a woman of my age may ask a favour of young men
like you, senores, not to take those chances. If it is as you say--and of
course I believe--that you happen to be motoring on our road, it would be
no great hardship to delay and give us a longer start. Remember, it is for
the sake of a young girl, and for an old woman's peace of mind. Will you
do this kindness, then, for me?"

She had struck me dumb. I did not know how to answer her, and she knew it.
Even Dick, with his quick Yankee wit, for once was unready. And indeed,
the Duchess had us at a hateful disadvantage.

"We are in something of a hurry, Senora Duquesa," I stammered awkwardly.

"Then, rather than cause you loss of time, we will be off very early, and
go as far as may be in the day. If we leave at--let us say seven o'clock
to-morrow, it would not be too inconvenient for you to wait till nine?
That is all I ask; and to stay the night at Manzanares instead of trying
to get on to some other stopping place. If you promise this, you are
honourable men, and I know you will keep your word."

She had her lesson well, and had evidently rehearsed it with her son, for
this lymphatic, weary-eyed woman was not one to know in advance the names
of halting places on an automobile tour. It was clever of Carmona to use
his mother's plump hand as a cat's-paw to pull his chestnuts from the
fire; but it was not brave, because he must know that we could not let it
touch the flames.

I thought for a moment in silence. Only boors could in so many words
refuse such a request, put with apparent frankness by a woman old enough
to be their mother. Yet I must not be trapped into promising anything that
could separate me from Monica.

To be near her, at her service always, was the one thing of supreme
importance; but to throw aside my sheep's clothing and declare myself a
wolf would be to lose her; for the instant that Car