They reached the Casa Carvalho. Doña Beatrice went with her niece up the stairs, and followed her to her chamber. Dominica had herself well in hand. Now for the battle! now for the setting up of wits against wits! Doña Beatrice sank down into a chair by the window. "So that is it!" she said, amused. "What a daring lover you have, my dear! Yes, I was hoodwinked. I must be getting old." She shook her head over it. "Heaven, señora, are you too besotted then?" asked Dominica scornfully. "Make no mistake, my dear," said Doña Beatrice placidly, "I wish him all success. Diego was in a rare taking, was he not. Yes, many of them there had a fine scare to-night. Cry Brava, El Beauvallet! But I think I will have you away into the country." She smiled. "A very charming romance, my dear. A pity it can come to naught." Dominica pressed her hands to her temples. "You make my head to reel!" she complained. "I love a pirate? God save you, señora, what next will you put on me?" Doña Beatrice nodded. "Very well played, my dear. You have more head than I gave you credit for. But you need not be so careful now. I have no wish to see your hero perish. No, none whatsoever, I assure you. I have nothing but respect for a man of such daring. I wonder how he contrived to come by those papers of his? It would make a rare tale, I do not doubt. Alack, I am not like to hear it." She sighed. "But for you, my child--you must be got away with all speed." "Why must I?" Dominica blinked at her. "Am I in peril, señora, because your infamous son accuses me of having a pirate for my lover?" "Yes, was it not foolish of him? Madness!" agreed her aunt. "He has no head. Enough, one would say, to bring the familiars of the Inquisition to our house to-morrow. That, my dear, is one reason why you should be got away, and swiftly wed. We shall give the lie to suspicion of heresy against you. No doubt, if his papers are in order, as I daresay they may be, El Beauvallet will be set at large. Faith, a man who would take his life in his hand right to the heart of Spain might even contrive to snatch you from under my nose! Well, child, all honour to him if he can compass it, but you shall not expect me to lend him my aid." "If his papers are in order," Dominica pointed out, "he will stand proved to be the man he says he is, so what fear?" "Ah, but I too have brain. I see much now that--I confess--was hidden from me before." She smoothed the heavy silk of her dress. She was still smiling, still imperturbable. "Such a personable man--to be a pirate. I do not blame you at all, my dear. You made rare work of it aboard that ship, did you not? It is all most enlivening. For you I admit a pang or two. It will pass, and you will remember that you have had more romance than comes to most women in this weary world. But we shall leave Madrid. Certainly we shall leave Madrid." "As you please, señora, but you give me no good reasons."