Bandit Love

"Sweet lady, I would perjure my soul for the privilege and pleasure of

dancing with you," Don Carlos responded, smiling down into her blue

eyes. "It is an honour and a delight to have for partner the most

beautiful and charming girl in England. You dance divinely, señorita,

and are light as thistledown in my arms. My soul is enchanted,

enraptured!"

"Away with your blarney!" exclaimed Myra, half-laughingly,

half-impatiently, but conscious of a queer little thrill as she met his

smiling glance. "Do you pay every woman you meet such fulsome and

extravagant compliments, señor?"

"No, señorita, I am a connoisseur," answered Don Carlos, his tone quite

serious but his black eyes twinkling. "And no compliment could be

extravagant if applied to you, dear lady. One would have to be a great

poet to find words to do justice to your beauty and charm."

He had a deep, musical voice which was infinitely attractive, and Myra

found herself more than a little fascinated, and felt that she could

listen to him all evening. But she tossed her red-gold head and

laughed lightly.

"Should I respond by telling you in honeyed words that you dance as

well as you play polo, and congratulate you on being a most delightful

conversationalist?" she inquired in bantering tones. "Please don't be

absurd!"

"Absurd?" repeated Don Carlos. "Sweet señorita, I am but speaking what

is in my heart. Never have I seen any woman to compare with you. You

are wonderful--my ideal! Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"It's surely daft the man is!" remarked Myra to the ceiling, before

looking again into the bright eyes of her partner. "Pardon me, Don

Carlos, but you are carrying your extravagant nonsense too far," she

added.

Don Carlos raised his dark eyebrows in mock-surprise and sighed heavily.

"How have I offended, señorita? I have but asked a question which you

have not answered. Let me explain that I have known women to fall in

love with me at first sight, but never before have I myself been a

victim."

"Sure, and it's a good conceit of himself the Don has, and he needs

taking down a peg or two," said Myra to herself. "I am afraid I don't

believe in love at first sight, Don Carlos, and the idea of any woman

falling in love with you at first sight only makes me feel inclined to

laugh," she said aloud. "Of course, the English conception of what

love is and means may be totally different from the Spanish."