Bandit Love

Lady Fermanagh wagged a finger at him.

"My Spanish is getting rusty, señor," she said, "but I think I remember

one of the proverbs of your country: 'Haceos miel y comeras han

moscas', which means, 'Make yourself honey and the flies will eat

you.' Am I right?"

"Always you are right, dear lady," responded Don Carlos smilingly; "but

you leave me undetermined as to whether I am your fly or your honey.

Incidentally, we have another proverb, 'En casa del moro no hables

algaravia.' Can your ladyship translate that?"

"Yes, señor," Lady Fermanagh answered, after a moment of thought. "It

means, 'Do not speak Arabic in the house of a Moor,' but I don't know

what the application is where we are concerned, unless you are

suggesting I have misinterpreted your perfect English, or else you are

subtly criticising my imperfect Spanish. You are too deep for me, Don

Carlos, and I will leave Myra to try and fathom you. Beware of him,

Myra!" she added smilingly, as she moved away.

"I assure you I am absolutely sincere when I tell you, sweet lady, that

I am more than charmed to know that you are coming to Spain as my

guest, and I promise you I shall do everything that lies in my power to

make your visit interesting," said Don Carlos to Myra. "But let me

warn you that if El Diablo Cojuelo learns that the most beautiful,

adorable, and wholly desirable girl in the world is going to visit El

Castillo de Ruiz, he will assuredly make an attempt to kidnap you."

"Is the most beautiful, adorable, and wholly desirable girl in the

world going to be one of the party?" inquired Myra, assuming an

innocent expression. "How interesting and exciting! Who is she? A

film star?"

"She is you, señorita," Don Carlos responded, "and let me remind you

that El Diablo Cojuelo almost makes a hobby of kidnapping beautiful

women. So you will be in danger all the time you are in Spain."

"I refuse to be dismayed--and I don't believe a word of it!" responded

Myra, with a silvery laugh. "I don't believe you keep a pet brigand

and outlaw on your estate, but even if you do, the prospect of being

kidnapped does not dismay me. The risk, if any, will add a spice of

adventure to the visit. But I can't believe you would let any brigand

steal me from your castle, Don Carlos, although you have threatened to

steal me yourself. Would you?"