‘She would be a very ungrateful girl, and very hard to please, if it did not,’ said her mother, answering for her; and then perceiving that Quita’s self-command was almost at an end, and that she was on the point of breaking down, she added playfully,-- ‘And now I am going to be hard-hearted and carry you off, Sir Russell, for my poor child is overcome with all this excitement, and unable to bear any more at present. Please be good, and return with me to the White House; and if you will call upon us again this evening, I have no doubt she will be calmer, and better able to thank you for all your kind offers on her behalf.’ The Governor rose at once (for he was a gentleman, although he was ugly and ill-formed), and took his leave. As he did so, he stooped down and kissed Maraquita on the cheek. It was not an out-of-the-way thing for a newly-accepted lover to do, but the salute, quietly as it was given, seemed to sting her. She did not resent it whilst her mother and Sir Russell Johnstone were in sight, but as soon as the doors of the White House had closed upon them, she hid her face in her hands, and burst into a flood of tears. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. She was still weeping quietly, when the branches of the orange tree which formed a leafy bower around her, were parted, and a voice exclaimed, with passionate intensity,-- ‘Maraquita!’ The girl sprang to her feet without any effort to conceal her tears. Henri de Courcelles stood beside her. ‘Oh, go!’ she implored, ‘go at once. You don’t know the risk you are running. My mother suspects us, and she may be back in another moment. For _my_ sake, Henri, go.’ ‘Not unless you will tell me the cause of your grief. Is it because this burden is too heavy for you? If so, come with me, and let us share it, and fight the world together.’ ‘I cannot talk with you about it now, Henri,’ replied Maraquita, with a look of alarm; ‘it is impossible. You _must_ leave me. I see Jessica coming from the house.’ ‘Then where will you meet me, for I shall not rest until you have satisfied my curiosity; besides, I have important news for you about--it.’ This intelligence made Quita change her mind. She was intensely anxious to have the assurance of her own complete safety, and she could be cunning enough where her inclinations were concerned. ‘Have you done--what I asked you?’ she gasped. ‘I have made everything right, but I cannot explain the matter to you in a moment, nor where there is any fear of our being overheard.’ ‘Wait for me in the oleander thicket, then,’ cried Maraquita. ‘I will be there in five minutes.’ Henri de Courcelles nodded acquiescence, and disappeared as old Jessica came up to her young mistress. ‘Missus Courtney send me to ask if my missy like to have someting to eat and drink now; and will missy come back to de house, or will she have it brought out here under de trees?’ asked the negress.