he would have been
wholly in her element but for a vague fear that Harboro would not like her
to yield unrestrainedly to the prevailing mood. She wished some one would
ask her to dance. The waltz was wonderful, and there was plenty of room.

And then she looked up as a figure paused before her, and felt a thrill of
interest as she met the steady, inquiring gaze of Jesus Mendoza.

"Mrs. Harboro, I believe?" he asked. The voice was musical and the English
was perfect. He shrewdly read the glance she gave him and then held out
his hand.

"I heard you spoken of as Mr. Mendoza," she replied. "Your wife has been
very kind to me." She did not offer to make room for him on the seat
beside her. She had been relieved of her riding-habit, and she held
Antonia's _rebozo_ across her knees. She had decided not to use it just
yet. The night was still comfortably warm and she did not like to cover up
the pretty Chinese silk frock she was wearing. But as Mendoza glanced down
at her she placed the _rebozo_ over one arm as if she expected to rise.

Mendoza must have noted the movement. A gleam of satisfaction shone in his
inscrutable eyes--as when a current of air removes some of the ash from
above a live coal. "Will you dance with me?" he asked. "When the young
fellows overlook so charming a partner, surely an old man may become
bold."

She arose with warm responsiveness, yet with undefined misgivings. He had
an arm about her firmly in an instant, and when they had caught step with
the music he held her close to him. He was an excellent dancer. Sylvia was
instantly transported away from the world of petty discretions into a
realm of faultless harmony, of singing rhythm.

Her color was heightened, her eyes were sparking, when they returned to
their place. "It was nice," she said, releasing her partner's arm and
drawing apart. A purple-and-gold Chinese lantern glowed just above her
head. And then she realized that Harboro and Valdez had returned. There
was a stranger with them.

Harboro regarded her with unmistakable disapproval; but only for an
instant. When something of the childlike glory of her face departed under
the severe expression of his eyes, he relented immediately. "Are you
enjoying yourself, Sylvia?" he inquired gently, and then: "I want you to
meet our host."

Wayne shook hands with her heartily. "You're a very kind lady to get right
into our merrymaking," he said, "though I hope you'll save a dance for me
a little l