"He told me about it," Miss Norvell continued more calmly. "He is having trouble with those people out there. There is something wrong, and he is afraid of exposure. You remember the young man who walked home with me last night: Well, he is a mining engineer. He has agreed to examine into the claims of the 'Little Yankee' people, and this--this Farnham wants him stopped. You understand? He sent for me to use my influence and make him go away. I refused, and then this--this creature threatened to kill Mr. Winston if he remained in camp, and--and I know he will." The Mexican's great black eyes widened, but not with horror. Suddenly in the silent pause she laughed. "Si, si; now I know all--you lofe dis man. _Bueno_! I see eet as eet vas." The telltale red blood swept to the roots of Miss Norvell's hair, but her indignant reply came swift and vehement. "No, stop! Never dare to speak such words. I am not like that! Can you think of nothing except the cheap masquerade of love? Have you never known any true, pure friendship existing between man and woman? This mining engineer has been good to me; he has proved himself a gentleman. It is not love which makes me so anxious now to serve him, to warn him of imminent danger--it is gratitude, friendship, common humanity. Is it impossible for you to comprehend such motives?" The other touched her for the first time with extended hand, her face losing much of its previous savagery. "I know so ver' leettle 'bout such kinds of peoples, senorita," she explained regretfully, her voice low, "de kind vat are good and gentle and vidout vantin' somting for eet. Eet ees not de kinds I meet vis ver' much. Dey be all alike vis me--lofe, lofe, lofe, till I get seek of de vord--only de one, an' I not know him ver' vell yet. Maybe he teach me vat you mean some day. He talk better, not like a fool, an' he not try to make me bad. Is dat eet, senorita?" "Yes; who is it you mean?" "He? Oh! it vas most odd, yet I do not laugh, senorita, I know not vy, but he make me to feel--vat you calls eet?--si, de respect; I tink him to be de good man, de gentle. He was at de 'Little Yankee' too. I vonder vas all good out at de 'Little Yankee'? _Sapristi_! he vas such a funny man to talk--he sputter like de champagne ven it uncorked. I laugh at him, but I like him just de same, for he act to me like I vas de lady, de ver' fine lady. I never forget dat. You know him, senorita? So big like a great bear, vis de beautiful red hair like de color of dis dress. No? He so nice I just hate to have to fool him, but maybe I get chance to make eet all up some day--you tink so? Merciful saints! Ve are queer, ve vomens! Eet vas alvays de voman vat does like de vay you do, hey? Ve vas mooch fools all de time."