"I do not see why it should be a secret at all," said Magdalen. "The Princess Carlota could not be queen without the consent of her brother. Did you see her when you were at Rio?" "Yes, Gordon took me with him to a ball at the British Embassy, and she was there for about half an hour." "What is she like?" asked Magdalen, but before Marcelino could answer Don Alfonso turned towards him and asked abruptly: "You were at the British Embassy, did you speak with Lord Strangford?" "Yes, he took me to one side and asked me a great many questions about this country and about Whitelock's affair." "Did he mention my name to you?" "Yes, and seemed curious to know what you were doing here. I told him as little as I could of you." "Right, quite right," replied Don Alfonso, turning back again to the fire. "You have been several times in the city while I was away," said Marcelino. "I make it a custom to go every Wednesday to see Doña Josefina," replied Magdalen, bending over her empty tea-cups and arranging them on a small tray. "To one person you give great pleasure by so doing," said Evaña, in a low voice. "And that one is myself," said Magdalen. "When are you going out again to your estancia, Don Carlos?" "Some time next month," replied Evaña. "Are you tired of giving me tea in your English fashion?" "Not at all, I like trying to civilize you proud Porteños, who suck mate through tubes one after the other, and yet think yourselves the most polished people on the face of the world." "You go often to your estancia, Don Carlos?" said Don Alfonso, rising from his chair. The playful smile vanished from Magdalen's face as she heard her father speak, there was something in the tone of his voice which she had seldom or never heard before. As she looked up at him she saw that his lips were white, and his face set as though he were a prey to some unseen terror. She had risen from her seat to summon her maid to remove the tray and urn, but as she looked at her father she sat down again, clasping her hands together. "Since I purchased the place I have spent nearly half my time there," replied Evaña. "You do well, but you would do better to spend all your time there," continued Don Alfonso. "I have heard that when you are there you pay more attention to men than to beasts, and think more of your horses than you do of your cattle." "Yet I have more cattle than either men or horses," replied Evaña evasively.