“Ah-h!” Patty sprang from the bed, turned Paulette’s face toward the light and regarded her fixedly, then she smiled. “Well, my dear, all I know is you won’t have to live in a hovel. With your income you could even afford something approaching what they call a palace in this land. Yet, I hate to see the coach and four and the gold dishes go to waste.” “Zen vy not take zem yourself, if zey are so easy to be procured?” “Ah, why? That is what I don’t know. I rather imagine it is because like yourself, love in a cottage appeals to my youthful fancy more forcibly. However, one can never tell. I may fall on my knees and adore when I see the twelfth century palace. I almost wish you had a decided yearning for it. A real well-established rivalry would be most exciting, and might spur me on to use my most fetching blandishments.” “What nonsense are you girls talking?” said Doña Martina, putting her head in at the door. “Oh, we’re only discussing Don Felipe.” “Quarreling already over the possession of him?” “Yes, but not exactly in a way which would flatter his don-ship. Each is trying to sacrifice herself for the good of the other; I want to give him to Paulette with my blessing while she insists that I shall take him. Queer, isn’t it?” “You certainly must have great confidence in your own charms. A man who has withstood the attractions of women, young and old, for half a century isn’t likely to succumb to two chits like you,” returned Doña Martina, “and you might as well spare yourself further argument.” “Now since you say that I believe I have received the necessary impetus,” said Patty. “Conceive of the glory it would be to storm a fort which has held out against all former assaults and to have it surrender to you. I have decided, Polly; you can’t have him. Mine be the palaces, the coaches, the gold and silver, the jewels rare. ‘They say I may marry the laird if I will,’” she sang, dropping into a Spanish dance. “Isn’t she silly?” asked Doña Martina. “We know just how much of what she is saying she means.” “Wait till this afternoon,” said Patty, pausing in her dance. “I am going to find Juan, you two can entertain one another till I get back.” “She is not half so frivolous as she seems,” remarked Doña Martina, when Patty left the room. “She has much good sense and you should see her rise to an emergency.” “She is so glad to be free of convent life; I sink it zat reason which makes her volatile,” returned Paulette, “but I know her serious and earnest, too. I see zat side at times. She says many sings to be talking. As you Americans say, she speaks by ze hat.” Doña Martina laughed. “That is quite true, Paulette.” “She is so good company. All ze girls like her, and ze sisters look over many sings zey will not excuse in ozzers, for she is so studious, so alert. Zey say, ‘Ah, zat Mademoiselle Blake, she is American, she does not know better,’ and we all smile for we understand. It is Patty and zat is sufficient for us.”