These Spaniards are not always over-honest, as you may learn to your sorrow." "I thank you for your good counsel," said Betty, shortly, "but I, who am older than you, know enough of men to be able to guard myself, and can keep them at a distance." "I am glad of it, Betty, only sometimes I have thought that the distance was scarcely wide enough," answered Margaret, and left the subject, for she was thinking of other things.
That afternoon, when Margaret was walking in the garden, Betty, whose face seemed somewhat flushed, ran up to her and said that the lord d'Aguilar was waiting in the hall.
"Very good," answered Margaret, "I will come.

Go, tell my father, that he may join us.

But why are you so disturbed and hurried ?" she added wonderingly.
"Oh!" answered Betty, "he has brought me a present, so fine a present--a mantle of the most wonderful lace that ever I saw, and a comb of mottled shell mounted in gold to keep it off the hair.

He made me wait while he showed me how to put it on, and that was why I ran." Margaret did not quite see the connection; but she answered slowly: "Perhaps it would have been wiser if you had run first.

I do not understand why this fine lord brings you presents." "But he has brought one for you also, Cousin, although he would not say what it was." "That I understand still less.