"Certainly not," she replied. "There are many girls who would be proud to wed you, Don Diego."
"Certainly, I would be proud. But can a girl help it if her heart does not speak? Would you wish a wife who did not love you? Think of the long years you would have to spend beside her, and no love to make them endurable."
"You do not think, then, that you ever could learn to love me, _señorita_?"
Suddenly the girl faced him and spoke in lower tones, and earnestly.
"You are a _caballero_ of the blood, _señor_. I may trust you?"
"Then I have something to tell you. And I ask that you let it remain your secret. It is an explanation in a way."
"If my heart bade me do so, nothing would please me more than to become your wife, _señor_, for I know that it would mend my father's fortunes. But perhaps I am too honest to wed where I do not love. There is one great reason why I cannot love you."
"You have guessed it, _señor_. My heart is filled with his image. You would not want me for wife in such case. My parents do not know. You must keep my secret. I swear by the saints that I have spoken the truth."
"I feel sure that he is, _caballero_. Did he prove to be otherwise, I should grieve my life away, yet I never could love another man. You understand now?"
"I understand fully, _señorita_. May I express the hope that you will find him worthy and in time the man of your choice?"
"I knew you would be the true _caballero_!"
"And if things should go amiss, and you need a friend, command me, _señorita_."
"My father must not suspect at the present time. We must let him think that you still seek me, and I will pretend to be thinking more of you than before. And gradually you can cease your visits--"
"I understand, _señorita_. Yet that leaves me in bad case. I have asked your father for permission to woo you, and if I go to wooing another girl now, I will have him about my ears in just anger. And if I do not woo another girl, I shall have my own father upbraiding me! It is a sorry state!"
"Perhaps it will not be for long, _señor_."
"Ha! I have it! What does a man do when he is disappointed in love? He mopes, he pulls a long face, he refuses to partake of the actions and excitements of the times!
"_Señorita_, you have saved me in a way. I shall languish because you do not return my love. Then men will think they know the reason when I dream in the sun and meditate instead of riding and fighting like a fool! I shall be allowed to go my way in peace, and there shall be a romantic glamour cast about me. An excellent thought!"