This time the senorita met my salute with a slight bow of recognition, and advanced toward me, followed closely by her duenna. Had there been no other ladies in the throng her passage would have been along an open lane of admiring gallants. But not until she was within arm's-length did I dare step down from my post of defence to meet her. We alike had the other ladies to face and avoid. Half a dozen beaux were already before me to proffer their assistance. I thrust aside the nearest and offered my hand. She placed her gloved fingers in my big palm and stepped up, without so much as a word or a glance. For all that I found myself in an exultant glow. Had I not had the forethought to procure the chair for her? and, what was far more, had I not exercised sufficient courage to retain it for her, despite the other ladies? The big Irishwoman gave me a glance as kindly as it was shrewd, and took up her position beside me, her coal-scuttle bonnet on a level with my curls. Having done the senorita a service, it seemed to me fitting that I should wait for her to speak before pressing her with further attentions. Accordingly I stood with unturned head, gazing across toward the Speaker's stand, and drinking in with appreciative ears the sonorous bars of "Columbia." With the last note of the national anthem ringing in my ears I became aware of a far more musical sound,--the low-pitched voice of the senorita: "There is space for one to stand beside the chair. Dr. Robinson has my permission to step up and discover for me if Mrs. Merry is present." "Dr. Robinson accepts the invitation of Senorita Vallois with pleasure," I replied, hoping to bring a smile to the scarlet lips. They did not bend, and I could see nothing but hauteur in her pale face and the drooping lashes of her eyes. I stepped up into the narrow space beside the chair, but it was not to stare about in search of Mrs. Merry. "You do not look," she said with a trace of impatience. "There is no need," I replied, my gaze downbent upon her cheek. "No need?" "The wife of the British Minister is not here." "You have heard that she is ill?" "No, senorita." "Then how should you know that she is not here?" "Because I have looked into the face of every lady present." She smiled with a touch of scorn. "I had not thought the American gentlemen so gallant!" "I looked into the faces of all, senorita, searching for one."