Lucy was delighted, clapped her hands, and declared it would be great fun--of course they would go. Repugnant to the idea but knowing that only one course was seemly, Miss Dent gave smiling acquiescence. As they talked, Curtis telling them of the great wealth of the Castleton brothers, the rivalry of the two ladies, the dash and beauty and vogue of Mrs. Turner, and the Spanish ancestry of Mrs. Ned, Lucy's eyes continually sought his face. Her spirits began to rise, and soon they were gayly tilting at each other after their usual custom, she all smiles and dimples and animation, and he beaming with admiration. They went to the conservatory to see the tanager and presently brought it back with them, telling Miss Dent that they were going to set it free. Lucy stood beside him as they watched it soar away through the sunlight, a flash of silvery pink flame, and it seemed to her that their mutual interest in the little creature had made a bond between them and given her an understanding of his character deeper and truer than any one else could have. Conrad went down the hill, whistling softly a merry little tune, his thoughts dwelling tenderly upon Lucy. He wished her to enjoy the barbecue and _baile_ even more than she expected--it was to be her first experience of that sort--and he began to plan little details that might add to her pleasure. So absorbed was he and so pleasant his thoughts that for a time he quite forgot the Delafield affair. But it came to mind again when Bancroft asked him, as they talked together at the door of the bank, if he had had any more trouble with José Gonzalez. "Oh, no; José's all right. He's the best cowboy I've got and as docile as a yearling. He's agreed to stay right on at the ranch with me. I'm glad to have such a smart, competent fellow to leave under Peters, for after the Fourth I expect to be away a good deal. I'll have some time for myself then and I'm going into this hunt after Delafield for all I'm worth; I don't think it will take me long to run him down now." Bancroft hesitated a moment, then, laying his hand on Conrad's arm he spoke earnestly: "For God's sake, Curt, give up this fool notion of yours. If you don't, you'll never get through alive. No sane man is going to let you get the drop on him, as you seem to think you can. He's undoubtedly watching you right along, ready to put an end to the business as soon as he thinks you're really dangerous. Let him pay you if he will; but stop this foolishness." Conrad laughed heartily and slapped Bancroft's shoulder. "Why, Aleck," said he, "the most satisfaction I've ever had comes out of knowing that I'm so hot on his tracks that I've got him buffaloed. Give it up? Not much! I'm going to lope down that trail at a two-minute gait, and Sumner L. Delafield is mighty soon going to wish he'd never been born."