The tea tray had meanwhile arrived, and soon both the young ladies were busy attending to their guests. While he sipped his tea, Munson completed his inspection of Merle Farnsworth--dispassionately, for the brunette type of beauty had never yet made his pulses beat faster. But he could none the less admire. She was a stately girl, taller than Grace Darlington, with fine, regular features and brown eyes that matched the dark heavy braids of her hair. Her manner was alert and vivacious, yet there was the quiet dignity of gentle breeding even in her smile.
After half an hour of general conversation, Mr. Robles arose to take his leave, notwithstanding Mrs. Darlington's pressing invitation that he should remain and join the dinner party.
"My home is not far away," he said when shaking hands with Munson, "up in the woods yonder. Perhaps you may have seen it as you came along the road."
"Yes," observed Dick, "I pointed it out to the lieutenant."
"Well, both you gentlemen are cordially invited to pay me a visit any time you are riding through this part of the country. Although I live far away from the busy world, and am a recluse by choice, I have some things that may interest you--pictures, old manuscripts and books of the Spanish days."
"Pictures?" interposed Dick, inquiringly.
"Yes, a few that I picked up during several visits to Europe."
"If people only knew it," remarked Mrs. Darlington, "Mr. Robles has perhaps one of the finest private picture galleries in America."
"Then I'm certainly coming to see you," said Dick, eagerly.
"Me or my pictures?" asked Mr. Robles with a quizzical smile.
"Both," and the young fellow showed he meant it by a cordial hand grip.
"You will pass our door, Mr. Willoughby?" exclaimed Merle in half-laughing reproachfulness. "You will dare to give the go-by to La Siesta?"
"Well, art is art," replied Dick sturdily, although he did not trust himself to look at Merle while he answered.
"But perhaps the young ladies will show you the way through the oak forest," suggested Mr. Robles.
"That would be great," said Lieutenant Munson, with his eyes fixed on Grace Darlington.
"Well, arrange it among yourselves. For the present, _adios_." And with a sweeping bow the senor took his departure.