Doubtless, however, what is loss to you would be priceless gain to one like me." Castell made no answer, but waited, feeling that his visitor had not come to speak with him of his trading ventures.
"Senor Castell," said d'Aguilar, with a note of nervousness in his voice, "I am here to ask you for something." "If it be a loan, Senor, I fear that the time is not opportune." And he nodded towards the sheet of figures.
"It is not a loan; it is a gift." "Anything in my poor house is yours," answered Castell courteously, and in Oriental form.
"I rejoice to hear it, Senor, for I seek something from your house." Castell looked a question at him with his quick black eyes.
"I seek your daughter, the Senora Margaret, in marriage." Castell stared at him, then a single word broke from his lips.
"Impossible." "Why impossible ?" asked d'Aguilar slowly, yet as one who expected some such answer.

"In age we are not unsuited, nor perhaps in fortune, while of rank I have enough, more than you guess perhaps.

I vaunt not myself, yet women have thought me not uncomely.

I should be a good friend to the house whence I took a wife, where perchance a day may come when friends will be needed; and lastly, I desire her not for what she may bring with her, though wealth is always welcome, but--I pray you to believe it--because I love her." "I have heard that the Senor d'Aguilar loves many women, yonder in Granada." "As I have heard that the _Margaret_ had a prosperous voyage, Senor Castell.

Rumour, as I said but now, is a lying jade.