indeed gravely irregular," she said, "but in these untoward
circumstances the King's service overrides all. I will receive Dolores
Garcia."

"And if it be your will I will arrange the details with the Senorita
Concha," said Rollo, promptly. "I need not, in that case, further detain
the noble and reverend Prioress!"

The Lady Superior bent a quick sharp look upon the pair, but Rollo was
grave and high of demeanour as became the envoy of a King, while Concha
sat at her embroidery as demure as a mouse. She had gone back to her
frame and was engaged in elaborating the wings of a cherub of
exceedingly celestial aspect, in whom all the parts below the
shoulder-blades had been suppressed by order of the Lady Superior of
the Convent of the Holy Innocents.

"You will do your best, Concha," she said gravely, admonishing that
maiden with her forefinger, "to further the objects of this young man.
And, above all, be sure to show him the deference due to his rank and
mission!"

"Yes, my Lady Superior!" said little Concha Cabezos, "I will treat him
as if he were the King's own high majesty in person!"

"A very proper spirit!" said the Prioress, nodding and going out;
"cultivate it, my young friend!"

"I will!" said little Concha, and dropped a curtsey behind her back,
which, alas! was not without a certain wicked suggestion of contempt for
kings and dignitaries and their emissaries.

CHAPTER XVIII

A FLUTTER OF RED AND WHITE

"At your ambassadorial service!" said the Senorita Concha, bowing still
lower and holding out her skirts at either side with a prettyish
exaggeration of deference; "what commands has your Scottish Excellency
for poor little Concha?"

"Ahem!" said Rollo, more than a little puzzled, "they were not so much
commands as--as--I thought you might be able to help me."

"Now we are getting at it," said Concha Cabezos, nodding with a wise
air.

("I must be on my guard with this girl," thought Rollo, "I can almost
bring myself to believe that--yet it seems impossible--that--the girl is
chaffing me--me!")

"I wished to see you," he went on.

The girl curtsied again, bringing her hands together in a little appeal
almost childish. It looked natural, yet Rollo was not sure. But at any
rate the sensation was a new one. He began to think of what he had heard
in the venta. But no, the girl looked so sweet and demure, such babyish
smiles flickered and dimpled about the mouth--all scented of fresh youth
l