Eulogia came rather late. At the last moment her mother had wavered in her part of the contract, and it was not until Eulogia had sworn by every saint in the calendar that she would not leave the sala, even though she stifled, that Doña Pomposa had reluctantly consented to take her. Eulogia's perfect little figure was clad in a prim white silk gown, but her cold brilliant eyes were like living jewels, her large mouth was as red as the cactus patches on the hills, and a flame burned in either cheek. In a moment she was surrounded by the young men who had been waiting for her. It might be true that twenty girls in the room were more beautiful than she, but she had a quiet manner more effective than animation, a vigorous magnetism of which she was fully aware, and a cool coquetry which piqued and fired the young men, who were used to more sentimental flirtations. She danced as airily as a flower on the wind, but with untiring vitality. "Señorita!" exclaimed Don Carmelo Peña, "thou takest away my breath. Dost thou never weary?" "Never. I am not a man." "Ay, señorita, thou meanest--" "That women were made to make the world go round, and men to play the guitar." "Ay, I can play the guitar. I will serenade thee to-morrow night." "Thou wilt get a shower of ashes for thy pains. Better stay at home, and prepare thy soul with three-card _monte_" "Ay, señorita, but thou art cruel! Does no man please thee?" "_Men_ please me. How tiresome to dance with a woman!" "And that is all the use thou hast for us? For us who would die for thee?" "In a barrel of aguardiente? I prefer thee to dance with. To tell the truth, thy step suits mine." "Ay, señorita mia! thou canst put honey on thy tongue. God of my life, señorita--I fling my heart at thy feet!" "I fear to break it, señor, for I have faith that it is made of thin glass. It would cut my feet. I like better this smooth floor. Who is that standing by the window? He has not danced to-night?" "Don Pablo Ignestria of Monterey. He says the women of San Luis are not half so beautiful nor so elegant as the women of Monterey; he says they are too dark and too small. He does not wish to dance with any one; nor do any of the girls wish to dance with him. They are very angry." "I wish to dance with him. Bring him to me." "But, señorita, I tell thee thou wouldst not like him. Holy heaven! Why do those eyes flash so? Thou lookest as if thou wouldst fight with thy little fists." "Bring him to me." Don Carmelo walked obediently over to Don Pablo, although burning with jealousy. "Señor, at your service," he said. "I wish to introduce you to the most charming señorita in the room." "Which?" asked Ignestria, incuriously. Don Carmelo indicated Eulogia with a grand sweep of his hand. "That little thing? Why, there are a dozen prettier girls in the room than she, and I have not cared to meet any of them!"