"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."