"Why, this is wonderful!" exclaimed Myra, with an involuntary laugh.
"I never expected such luxuries in such a grim-looking, old-world
place. Tell me, are all the rooms like this?"
"This, señorita, is the most beautiful of all, but all the guests'
rooms are lovely," the maid answered. "The master himself designed and
planned them all. He is wonderful."
"He certainly is, and I must congratulate him," said Myra. "Is it
true, by the way, that there is a daring brigand lurking about in the
mountains around here?"
"You mean El Diablo Cojuelo, señorita?" the maid responded, and
instinctively crossed herself. "He has not been seen for months, but
his very name still terrifies. He is daring beyond belief, señorita,
and no woman is safe from him. The saints forbid that El Diablo
Cojuelo should come back while you are here!"
Myra had mentally discounted Don Carlos's tales about the bandit, just
as she had discounted his passionate avowals of love, and she began to
feel that she had been doing him an injustice--at least as far as El
Diablo Cojuelo was concerned.
"Well, he promised me romance, and he certainly seems to have provided
the right setting," she reflected, as she leisurely bathed and changed.
"A sort of Aladdin's palace among the hills of Spain, but fitted up in
a way more wonderful than any genii could have contrived. Pigs and
fowls and people who look like barbarians outside; all the luxuries of
civilisation inside, including an English-speaking maid. And a real
live daring brigand apparently lurking about in the mountains. I feel
that anything might happen at any minute. This is more like a romantic
novel than real life."
Myra went down to the great hall to find the rest of the guests as
enthusiastic as herself about the appointments of the castle.
"You should see my room, my dear," exclaimed Lady Fermanagh. "It is an
exquisite harmony in primrose and pale green that gives one the
impression of sunlight and Spring."
"Mine is decorated in Japanese style," chimed in Tony. "There are some
priceless lacquers on the walls, some exquisite old Japanese prints,
and some of the fittings of the dressing-table are of old jade.
Actually, I believe Don Carlos must have had the place specially fitted
up for me, knowing how keen I am on Japanese things."
Congratulations were showered on Don Carlos, who shrugged his shoulders
and smilingly tried to make light of the whole matter.