"You are the wife of Cojuelo, or, rather the widow of Cojuelo,
sweetheart," Carlos answered. "But now that poor Cojuelo is dead, you
are going to marry Don Carlos de Ruiz, who has decided to give up
playing at being an outlaw and devote his life to loving the most
beautiful, delicious, adorable woman in the world. Kiss me again,
beloved...."
"I don't know how to explain things, Carlos, to Lady Fermanagh, and
don't know what she will think of us," said Myra, a little later. "And
although it was nice of you to give credit to Tony for killing El
Diablo Cojuelo, I shall feel dreadful when I have to tell him I am
going to marry you."
"Don't worry, darling," said Don Carlos. "I have already told Lady
Fermanagh and Mr. Standish that you promised to marry me if I saved you
from El Diablo Cojuelo. Mr. Standish is leaving for home immediately,
but Lady Fermanagh will remain for our wedding."
"You seem to have taken a great deal for granted, you wretch!"
exclaimed Myra, dimpling into smiles. "As I know I am the wife of
Cojuelo, I shall feel I am committing bigamy when I marry you, Carlos."
"And I shall have the satisfaction of marrying a second time the
loveliest girl in the world," laughed Don Carlos happily, as he drew
her unresisting into his arms again.
"I don't know what to make of it all, Myra, but I suppose it will be
best not to ask too many questions," said Lady Fermanagh. "Rather odd,
isn't it, that the brigand Cojuelo should have married you when he was
mortally wounded, and that you should have promised to marry Don
Carlos, yet married the brigand although you were engaged to Tony?"
"Yes, perhaps it does seem rather odd, aunt," admitted Myra, her eyes
twinkling.
"Decidedly odd!" her aunt commented, with a wry smile. "I don't think
the matter will bear very close investigation, and I suppose it
concerns only Don Carlos and you. Incidentally, I don't know how Tony
will explain matters in England, but I suppose that does not matter
much either. Have you no regrets, Myra?"
"Yes," answered Myra, after a pause. "I think I rather regret losing
my first husband. But I feel quite sure Carlos will prove a good
substitute."