"They are easy to learn. You will watch us dance the contra-danza after this." "With whom do you dance it?" Her black eyelashes were very thick; he barely caught the glance she shot him. "The Russian bear growls," she said lightly. "Did you expect to dance every dance with me?" "I came for no other purpose." "You would have several duels to fight to-morrow." "I have no objection." "You have fought others, then?" Her voice was the softer with the effort to turn its edge. "No more than most men, I suppose. May I ask how many have been fought for you?" "My memory is no better than yours. Why should I burden it with trifles?" "True. It doubtless is charged with matters far more serious than the desires of mere men. Tell me, senorita, what is your dearest wish?" He had bent his head and fixed his powerful gaze on her stubborn lashes. As he hoped, she raised startled eyes in which an angry glitter dawned. "My dearest wish? If I had one should I tell you? Why do you ask me such a question?" "Because I lit a candle at the Mission to-day that you might realize it," he answered, smiling. To his surprise he saw a flash of terror in her eyes before she dropped them, and felt her shiver. But she answered coldly: "You have wasted a candle, senor. I have never had a wish that was not instantly gratified. But I thank you for the kind thought. Will you finish this waltz with my friend, and the fiancee of Luis, Rafaella Sal? She has quarrelled with Luis, I see; Don Weeliam is dancing with Carolina Xime'no, and she cares to waltz with no one else. Pardon me if I say that no one has ever waltzed as well as your excellency, and I must not be selfish." "I will release you if you are tired, but otherwise I shall do myself the honor to waltz with your friend later." "I must look after my other guests," she said coldly; and he was led with what grace he could summon to the fair but sulky Rafaella. "How am I to help flirting with that girl?" he thought as he mechanically guided another light and graceful partner through the crowded room. "If she were one girl I might resist. But since eleven o'clock yesterday morning she has been three. And if she was twenty yesterday, twelve this morning, she is twenty-eight to-night, and this might be a court ball in Madrid. I shall leave the day after I bring the Governor to terms."