“It shall be exactly as you wish,” I replied, and having arranged that the launch was to be ready for them at noon, I went off delighted at the prospect of having Miralda and her mother to myself, for some hours. CHAPTER VIII MIRALDA’S MASK The next morning was gloriously fine, and I was on the _Stella_ in good time to see that all was in readiness. Old Bolton, my skipper, muttered something about the wind shifting and that we should probably have a change in the weather, but for once I didn’t believe him, and just before noon I jumped into the launch and went off in high spirits to fetch Miralda and her mother. Then came a decidedly disagreeable surprise. As I stepped on to the quay, Inez was waiting for me, her servant standing by with wraps. With one of her most radiant smiles she gave me her hand and reminded me that I had invited her to see the yacht. “So when I heard Miralda and the viscontesse were going to-day, I thought this would be just a chance of chances.” “Of course, delighted,” I replied very cordially. I couldn’t very well tell her she wasn’t wanted; so I buttoned up my chagrin and made the best of it. “We’re going to have a little run out to sea.” “You’re quite sure I shall not upset your plans?” she asked, knowing quite well that that was precisely what she was doing. “My dear lady, what plans do you think I have that could be spoilt? There’s heaps of room on the _Stella_ for us all.” “I mean with regard to Miralda, Mr. Donnington,” she said, dropping her light tone and fixing those queer eyes of hers on me. “I hope to give both the viscontesse and her daughter a pleasant day’s outing. You don’t consider that a very deadly plan, I hope.” “You may remember my warning?” “I try to make it a rule to remember only the pleasant things which are said to me by beautiful ladies, contesse.” “You mean you refuse to be warned?” “Against what?” “Ah, you pretend you do not know,” she retorted impatiently. “I don’t think you quite grasp the position. I am in Lisbon on business which will detain me some little time. Meanwhile, I am fortunate in having met some old friends and made some new ones, and I am delighted to have an opportunity of welcoming them on my yacht. That is how matters stand. And any warning against doing that, however well meant and by whomsoever given, is really as little needed as if you or I were to go to the _Stella’s_ captain and warn him against hidden reefs out there on the open sea.” “It is against a hidden reef in an apparently open sea that I am warning you.” “Well, Captain Bolton is a splendid seaman and knows his charts, but a man of very few words, and he would--just smile.” “You may smile if you will; but do you think I should have forced myself upon you in this way without reason?” “The man is fortunate indeed upon whom such pleasure is thus thrust.”