"

"Am I really the woman for you?" asked Rita, full of excited hopes,
and still continuing to misinterpret his words.

"The very one!" said Russell. "The one of all others! Heaven has sent
you to me. Rita, my dear, do what I ask!"

Rita was deeply moved. This brilliant, wealthy stranger seemed to
love her. He wanted her to fly with him. But, oh, if he should prove
false!

"Ah, senor, you not earnest--you not true!" said Rita, clasping his
hand in both of hers.

"True! earnest!" cried Russell. "I swear, Rita, my dear, I will be
true to what I say--always, always! Can't you trust me, Rita, my
dear?"

"Oh, senor," sighed Rita, deeply moved, "you persuade me too easy.
And think on the danger--the life is risk--the death will come if we
are captura."

"Rita, my dear," said Russell, "let us not talk of danger. Let us fly
together. I will always remember your devotion. I will never forget
you as long as life lasts. I am noted for my truth and fidelity. I've
got a warm and throbbing heart. And now, Rita, my dear, if you want
one who will always be yours truly--if you want one who will love you
and care for you--why, I'm your man!"

Upon these words Rita put, as usual, her own interpretation. The last
words especially--"I'm your man"--seemed to her to be the most direct
offer yet.

"My man?" she said--"and will you be my man, senor?"

"Of course--of course," said Russell, not comprehending her drift.

Upon this Rita flung her arms around the neck of the astonished
Russell.

"Oh, senor--then--I helpa you. I yours--I do all. We fly--you be
true--to your Rita."

Russell was so astonished that for some time he said nothing; but
feeling how important it was to retain her friendship, he did not
dare to disabuse her of her false idea; nay, he even felt that it
would be better for her to entertain it since she had it. So he put
his arm around her and kissed her.

Suddenly Rita started up.

"I mus' go," she said. "I will soon return."

And with these words she hurriedly retreated, leaving Russell to his
breakfast and his meditations.

Russell had been very successful in his attempt to win over Rita to
his interests; in fact, too successful. His success caused him at
first not a little perplexity. Rita, he perceived, had misunderstood
him; but then, in making friendly advances to a woman who was not
very well up in the English language, it was next to impossible to
preserve those nice and delicate shades of meani