Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05
The Car of Destiny

COlluS1On between " DOnnel family ana
Casa Triana. l hoped he also soothed his
anxiety by reminding himself that in all prob
ability Casa Triana, in the blue Gloria car once
seen by his chauffeur, finally forgetting
Monica Vale in some distant part of Europe.
Carmona had admitted one mistake yesterday;
day.
Lady Vale Avon was also gazing somewhat
sharply at the young Spanish officer, a brother
of those old acquaintance of the Dukes. But
now she coaxed her eyesight by lifting a
lorgnette, which, as Mary Stuart, she had not
been able to carry on the night of Our former
meeting; and when questioning glance at
Carmona met with no alarming answer, the
suspicious frown faded from her forehead.
After few words, we all, as if with one
accord, began to move on upon the tour of
inspection; and still there was no sign of Dick.
I would defy anyone to hold out for more
than five minutes against the charm of the
Cherub. Without raising his voice above a
honeyed murmur. and with nothing particular
to say, by sheer force of cherubic, Andalusian
charm of manner, he fascinated the Duchess of |
Carmona, and even Lady Vale Avon, to whom |
he was new type. She had been studying |
Spanish with an eye to the future, for she |
understood and answered Colonel O'Donnel
but with apparent innocence and real subtlety |
he contrived to keep the Duke busy explain |
ing, and murmured so many funny things that !
even Carmona was obliged occasionally to
burst out laughing.
MednWn1le, MONICA, fIdI, anu i WeIe lcIC 10
follow behind, greatly against the will of the |
Duke, as guessed by the sulky set of his
shoulders.
Quick, quick! Into this chapel whis-
pered Pillar, before they look round! Then
they won't know where we have disappeared, |
and you'll have five minutes grace" As she
spoke, she caught Monica by the arm, and
whisked her into the Capilla del Condestab1e. |
Once behind the iron lattice, she darted away
as if moved by a sudden passion to gaze at |
A. la ~.@s1o
"How wonderful" said Monica. I caught |
her hands, which she held out to me and then |
we laughed into each others eyes, In sheer
happiness and triumph over fate. ITO think |
that you are here, after all !"
Wherever you are, am going to be, while |
you want me-" said l, and until we know
whether shall have to take you away"
II might have known you wouldn't fail
me-" she said. But was so unhappy yester-
day When / saw that handkerchief knew
have guessed, with those awful goggles, and /
couldn't help giving jump, and getting red.
But / shall never be SO stupid again. I'll be
prepared for anything. Just whisper from
While we shook hands she said, Something's
going to happenr So was ready. Only it
does seem too good to be true"
Here are the glove and the rose you threw
me-" / said, showing them inside my coat.
Here's the music you played to me" she
given year of my life to kiss her.) "Is Miss
O'Donnel any relation to you, really?"
"Only a very good and clever friend" said
l, for there was not much time to waste in
explaining things more or less irrelevant. All
this was her idea, to give me chance of getting
near you. And as Cristoval is my name too,
as we'll as her brothers, the thing has been
managed without fb. Brother Cristova1 has
leave. Friend Cristoval will spend it wit Il the
family; that is, they are all going in that red
car you saw observation-disclosures you 60. It
would save a lot Of anxiety if you could tell
where that will be-
81 can't" said Monica. 81 fancy mother is
afraid might find some way of letting you
know. Anyway, the Duke is always talking
about how pleasant it is not to make plans
beforehand, but to let each day arrange itself.
don't know how or where we are to spend
the time before we get to Seville; but for Holy
Week we are to be at the Dukes house. !
am not afraid of anything, though, now you
are near; and / think / shall let myself be
happy, in spite of the Duke; for your Spain
is glorious, and ! love it. ! wish it wasn't the
Dukes Spain too!'
He thinks it is ali his" said 1. "Is he
bothering you much?"
mo. He is being nice to me. You know,
refused him IN Biarritz; but mother came in
while / was doing it, and told him that ! was
too young to know my own mind; that he
must be patient, and she could almost prom
Use / would change it. ! said wouldn't; but
that made no difference. And as mother
wanted to come on this trip, had to come too.