On her side, Eulalia had no strong objection to the company of this eccentric American--all foreigners are Americans with the Cholacacans--and though he was a heretic, yet he spoke Spanish beautifully, and had no lack of pretty sayings at his command. Doña Eulalia would have flirted with a lepero in default of anything better; and as Don Felipe was a most desirable young man from every point of view, she lost no time in making herself agreeable. Philip, the cynic, enjoyed it greatly, thereby proving that a considerable portion of his misogamy was humbug. With the hour comes the eternal feminine. This was the hour--Eulalia the woman. It flashed across Philip's mind at that moment that he was playing with fire. Confident in his own imperviousness to fire, he went on playing. Then he burnt himself, and great was his outcry. "I always understood," said Cassim to his charming companion, "that Cholacacan ladies were shut up like nuns." "A great many of them are, Señor," replied Eulalia, demurely; "but my father is more liberal in his ideas. He delights in presenting us to his friends." "How charming--for the friends." "And how delightful--for us poor women. I assure you, Señor, that I would not care to be shut up at all; neither would my cousin Dolores!" "I have heard of Doña Dolores from Jack!" Eulalia flashed a glance at him from her glorious dark eyes, bit the top of her fan, and made an irrelevant observation. "My cousin admires fair people." "And Don Juan is fair. Oh, never fear, Señora, I know all." "All what, Don Filipe?" "All about fair people!" replied Philip, skilfully, "though, for my part, I prefer dark ladies." This last remark was too much even for the audacious coquetry of Eulalia, and she, glancing uneasily at her father, turned the conversation with a dexterity begotten by long practice. "My aunt, Doña Serafina, is dark. She is our duenna, you know. I am sure you will find her very charming." "Oh, certainly, Señora, on your recommendation I----" "And Tlatonac is charming, also," interposed the lady, smartly. "Do you stay long here, Señor?" "That depends on--shall we say--Señor Duval." His intention was to hint Dolores; but Doña Eulalia evidently thought the acquaintanceship was becoming too intimate, and entrenched herself behind her fan and a smile. "Rather does it depend on Don Hypolito." "Ah! Is there, then, to be a war?" "I do not know, Señor. My father thinks it likely. If there is, of course you will go?" "No! Why should I? Tlatonac has many attractions for me." "My father will show you all over it to-morrow," rejoined Eulalia, with a mischievous smile. She knew quite well what he meant, but was not going to betray such knowledge at such an early period of her acquaintance. The proprieties must be observed--even in Cholacaca. Mrs. Grundy is not indigenous to Britain only. She flourished at Tlatonac under the name of Doña Serafina. "You came in a steamer, did you not, Señor?"