"So you have only been making mock of me, playing a part as usual, to
flatter your own vanity!" she exclaimed. "I am sorry now that Tony's
aim was not truer, and that I prevented him from firing a second time."
"The result would have been just the same, Myra," Don Carlos responded.
"The pistol was loaded with blank cartridges. I deliberately left it
within the reach of Standish, to see if he would have the nerve to use
it, and to see how you would behave if he fired at me. You must admit,
Myra darling, that you showed more concern for me than for Standish,
thereby proving that you love me best. Dear heart, I shall treasure
the memory of the first kiss you gave voluntarily."
"I would kiss any ruffian who begged me to do so if I thought he was
dying," said Myra. "You have no reason to flatter yourself on the
success of your play-acting trickery."
"Myra, don't you think you have resisted me and the call of your heart
long enough?" countered Don Carlos. "Must I take still stronger
measures to induce you to surrender yourself voluntarily? What if I
tell you that I propose to have Antony Standish branded with hot irons
and scourged as a punishment for attempting to kill me, unless you give
yourself to me?"
"You are talking melodramatic nonsense again," Myra protested. "You
would surely not be guilty of such devilish cruelty!"
"El Diablo Cojuelo is capable of any devilry," Don Carlos retorted
grimly. "Would you sacrifice yourself to save Standish if he were
willing to accept your sacrifice?"
"I suppose I should have no alternative," replied Myra, after a pause.
"But Tony would not accept my sacrifice. He is an Englishman, and will
never be scared into surrendering me to one whom he believes to be a
Spanish brigand and outlaw. He loves me."
"Unless I am much mistaken, he has not even begun to know the meaning
of love," said Don Carlos. "Tell me, Myra, if my threat to have him
flogged and branded makes him offer to surrender you to El Diablo
Cojuelo in order to save himself, will you marry me?"
"If I thought he'd sacrifice me to an outlaw to save his own skin, I'd
marry you in his presence," exclaimed Myra impulsively.
"That is a promise," said Don Carlos quickly. "You shall marry me in
his presence if he proves himself a craven. I will see him again now
and discover what is in his heart and mind--and I shall have a priest
in readiness."