r kit-bags till a ship is lost an' a
Gover'ment 'as to pay."

Watts deemed this an exquisite joke. He laughed loudly.

"That reminds me," he cried. "W'en the _Gem of the Sea_ turned turtle on
the James an' Mary----"

A _criado_, a nondescript man-servant attached to the household, stooped
over Iris and whispered something. She gathered that she was wanted in
the _pateo_, or court-yard, which, owing to the construction of the
house, stood on one side instead of in front, where the lawn usurped its
usual position.

"Who is it?" she asked.

The voice sank even lower.

"Colonel San Benavides, Senhora."

She had gathered sufficient of Brazilian ways to understand that the man
had been bribed to convey this request to her without attracting
attention.

"Tell him to wait," she said, hoping to gain a moment wherein to decide
how best to act.

"It is urgent, Senhora--_ao mesmo tempo_, the colonel said."

"Go! That is my answer."

The man's unwillingness to obey showed how imperative were his
instructions. She rose, and the _criado_ hurried out, satisfied that she
would follow. But Iris had no wish to meet San Benavides. If she were
seen with him in the dark _pateo_ at this late hour, fuel would be added
to the fire of Carmela's foolish spite. She was aware of Carmela's
covert glance watching her from the other end of the long room. What was
to be done? Why not send Carmela in her stead? They were almost of the
same height, and dressed somewhat alike in flowered muslin. It would be
an amusing mistake, though annoying, perhaps, to San Benavides; at any
rate, Carmela would not object, and Iris was fully resolved not to keep
the tryst in person.

She walked straight to her enemy.

"Colonel San Benavides awaits you in the _pateo_," she said in English.

"Awaits _me_!"

There was no mistaking the gleam in those jet-black eyes. The smoldering
fire flamed into furnace heat at the implied indignity of such a mandate
being delivered by Iris.

"I suppose so," said Iris carelessly. "A servant brought the message.
He came to me in the first instance, but I am just going to my room to
pack my few belongings. We leave here at daybreak, you know."

Carmela tried to smile.

"I shall be sorry to lose you," she said, "though I admit it will be
pleasant to occupy my own room again."

Then Iris was genuinely distressed.

"I had not the least notion----" she began, but Carmela nodded and made
off, saying as