"I object to your calling me by my Christian name," Myra interposed
abruptly, intent on snubbing him. "May I remind you we met for the
first time yesterday. I can hardly imagine that in your own country
you would dare to call a girl 'Myra' a few hours after meeting her for
the first time."
"My dear Miss Rostrevor, I can lay my hand on my heart and assure you
on my word of honour that never in Spain have I ever called a girl
'Myra,' either within a few hours or a few years of our first meeting,"
said Don Carlos, his eyes beginning to twinkle again. "That may be
explained by the fact that I have never heard the name before. But I
think it is a charming name, which somehow fits you. Incidentally,
señorita, may I venture to point out that you have been addressing me
as 'Don Carlos,' instead of as 'Señor de Ruiz'? You have been calling
me by my Christian name."
"That was only because I thought 'Don' was a sort of Spanish equivalent
of 'Sir' in English," Myra responded, somewhat taken aback. "Here I
should address a Knight or a Baronet as 'Sir Charles' without the
slightest idea of being familiar, but I should not expect him to
respond by addressing me as 'Myra.' Do I make myself plain?"
"Dear lady, you could never make yourself plain, you who are so
beautiful, but you are explicit," answered Don Carlos with a radiant
smile that made him look quite boyish. "I stand rebuked, Myra, but I
am impenitent. Surely one is not committing a crime by calling the
girl one loves by her Christian name? I would prefer to call you cara
mia or querida, which are the Spanish equivalents for my beloved and
sweetheart, but, of course, as you seem to think I----"
"Señor de Ruiz, I have had enough of this nonsense!" Myra interrupted,
impatiently. "Your attempts at love-making are utterly distasteful,
and if you imagine you are going to add me to your list of conquests
you are a case for a mental specialist."
"Alas!" exclaimed Don Carlos, and again sighed heavily. "You seem to
think I am a sort of mountebank who makes a hobby of paying court to
women. You misjudge me, Myra. True, I have made love to women before,
true, many have fallen in love with me and thrown themselves at my
head--as you say in English. True----"