The Spectator., 1914-12-25


 Then he drew up little round table before the hearth, stirred the dying embers with fresh wood, threw an Arabian cloth over the table and pro- ceeded to lay the feast
 She sat up and allowed him to feed her. The solitary fork gave them much cause for mirth. for she insisted that they share 1t, and before the meal was finished they were playing like children.
 Pedro's moods wore generally irre- sistible, and he was determined that she forget and forgive his 'thoughtless- ness. As he sat opposite. seeing her cameo.like beauty, he thought for the hundredth time that Hill had chosen well. Small wonder that the latter had been driven to despair by her! And 'she--tdid she still care for the absent painter? She seldom spoke of him, and that argued well for Hills cause. And what had parted these two? Some silly, silly quarrel, he again assured himself. How we'll matched they were, how admirably suited to each other! But how about the girls atti- tude toward himself :? A subtle smile crept to the corners of his mouth at the thought, and he hastily took his eyes from her face, looking intently at the glowing cigarette between his fin gers instead.
 What Is the matter?" she asked. "A second ago you were merry Now you look quiet, wise-dangerous? How you change!"
 Dangerous! Far from it!" he ex- claimed, pushing back his chair, that is. unless you call overwhelming curi- osity dangerous. Personally l think 1t less dangerous than a lack of curl osity; to the individual. at least"
 And what makes you curious?" she asked
 Then Pedro, who did not know how to lead gently up to any subject, plunged in.
 Were you engaged to Hil?" he asked abruptly.
 Without answering. she arose and walked away to the window, where she stood for several moments before re- plying, her back turned.
 Yes" she said at last.
 And do you still care for him?'
 To her own intense surprise she found that she could not reply at once.
 "I beg your pardon, Madonna" said Pedro softly.
 "Oh. you don't understand" she cried wildly. throwing out her hands 'I don't care hate-oh! why did you ask me?'
 T think do understand" he said very distinctly. looking straight at her
 A wave of crimson flooded her cheeks. What did he mean? Unable to face him longer, she buried her face in her hands. He came toward her and stood where he could have touched her
 Sam Hill Is a great soul" said he softly. "He is generous and good. He is talented. he is ."
 He is nothing to mel" she gasped, Hooking up.
 He is my friend" finished Pedro firmly.
 She flung her arms wide, and turned to him with an appealing gesture, her face revealing an emotion she made no attempt to conceal, nor he to ignore.
 "PedYo!" she began passionately, you will think me mad for saying it, but ah! I cannot help it-you make me! Pedro, l love ."
 There was crash as his liquor glass fell to the floor.
 '"Hush!" said he.
 What Is it?" she asked, for the mo- ment startled into normality.
 ''Nothing!" said he. "only you are not to finish your sentence. Never mind the glass. 1t was done intention ally. Let us talk of other things"
 But. Pedro" she said hysterically, T cannot! am possessed! How can you be so cruel?"
 Please. please!" he begged her. Madonna, I am abtect: l am in tor ture, Have pity!"
 "lt is akin to pity" she replied. I
 Pedro walked to the hearth and stopped to mend the fire. Then he straightened up and spoke.
 Impossible" he said quietly. "Ut- terly impossible"
 And she, watching him intently, knew he had believed her. although he presented this denial She felt, too, that her cause was nearly hopeless.
 You do not care. then" she said in a low voice.
 Madonna Lady" he said sadly, T care for you great deal. but not as Hill does: not as . man should, to be your lover. You charm me beyond words; you are lovely e . dream, and if l could love any woman. it would be you--but you are not for mo-"
 Why notr" she asked sharply. be- tween her tortured breaths.
 "The reason is beyond my power to alter" said Pedro.
 Then" said she. "I suDnosA I haA