drink, but w'en it comes to them long knives----"

"And the colonel--what is _his_ name?" broke in Carmela, turning to
loosen the surcingle. She could control her voice but not her eyes,
and she did not wish to startle this open-mouthed gossip.

"San Benavides, miss. Captain 'e was on Fernando Noronha; 'e took a
mighty quick jump after we kem ashore. But I ax your pardon for
ramblin' on in this silly way. Won't you go inside? There's a useful
ole party there, name of Maria----"

"Ah, Maria--dear, good Maria--she at least will not have forgotten me,"
sobbed Carmela in her own tongue, and Watts afterwards informed Coke
that although the inhabitants of China were noted for their peculiar
ways, when it came to a show-down in that qualification, the average
woman could beat any Chinky ever born. Had he but known more, Watts
was also in a position to state that he had squared accounts with the
scornful President.

For the Senhora De Sylva might have been seized with mortal illness if
judged solely by the manner in which she staggered into her father's
house, threw her arms around the neck of an elderly woman whom she
petrified by her appearance, and almost fainted--not quite, but on the
verge, much nearer than such a strong-minded young lady would have
thought possible an hour earlier.

Maria screamed loudly. Tongue-tied at first, she was badly scared when
Carmela collapsed on her ample bosom. Restoratives and endearments
followed. Carmela asked to be taken to a room where she might wash and
shake the dust from her hair and clothes. Maria considered ways and
means. Every room in the big house was crowded.

"Who is in my own apartment?" demanded Carmela.

Even before the answer was forthcoming she guessed the truth. The
Senhora Ingleza, of course. Those fine eyes of hers flashed
dangerously.

"What, then? Does this woman come here and take all?" she cried.

"Ah, _pequinina_, do not be angry," said Maria. "Who save the good God
could tell that you would come from Paris to-day? And the Senhora
Ingleza will be glad to give place to you. She is so kind, so
unselfish. All the men adore her."

"So I hear," murmured Carmela, trying to still the passion that
throbbed in her heart, since she was aware that neither Maria nor any
other among the old domestics at Las Flores knew of her engagement, and
pride was now coming to her aid.

"She will have no word to say to any of them," gabbled Maria. "There
is