Bandit Love

After what they had seen, it came as no great surprise to the guests of

Don Carlos to find themselves served with a dinner which would have

done credit to the Ritz or the Savoy, and with rare wines of the

choicest vintages.

"Would you care to dance after dinner, or merely to listen to a

wireless programme?" their host inquired during the meal. "Concealed

in the big antique cabinet in the hall there is a powerful wireless set

with which I can pick up any European station, and possibly you noticed

that the floor of the hall is really a spring dance-floor, stained to

make it seem as ancient as the panelling."

"Our host is a magician!" cried Lady Fermanagh.

"You certainly seem to be something of a magician, Don Carlos, and your

castle is something like Aladdin's cave," Myra remarked to her host as

she was dancing with him later in the evening in the great hall.

"Myra, darling, have I found the magic to make your heart respond to

the call of love?" asked Don Carlos in a low voice. "My castle lacks

nothing save a mistress, and all my heart is craving for you, its ideal

mate. I love you, love you, love you, mia cara, with all the strength

and passion of my being. Confess that you love me, darling, and say

you will be mine."

Myra found herself compelled to look into his glittering dark eyes,

felt as if she were being hypnotised, and it was only by an effort of

will that she broke the spell he seemed to be casting on her.

"It isn't fair to take advantage of your position as host to make love

to me again," she protested, annoyed to find her heart throbbing

tumultuously and her cheeks burning. "You are quite a wonderful

person, but I do not intend to give you the opportunity to justify your

boasts."

"Who knows but what I may make the opportunity, Myra, and take you in

spite of yourself?" Don Carlos responded. "Here I am a king, and none

dares dispute my authority, save El Diablo Cojuelo."

"If you persist in talking like that, I shall not feel safe in your

house," said Myra. "That sounded like a veiled threat, Don Carlos, and

you are not playing the game."

"There are no set rules to the game of love, dear lady, and I am

playing to win," retorted Don Carlos, scarcely above a whisper.

"Listen for your lover at midnight."