Lady Fermanagh wagged a finger at him.
"My Spanish is getting rusty, señor," she said, "but I think I remember
one of the proverbs of your country: 'Haceos miel y comeras han
moscas', which means, 'Make yourself honey and the flies will eat
you.' Am I right?"
"Always you are right, dear lady," responded Don Carlos smilingly; "but
you leave me undetermined as to whether I am your fly or your honey.
Incidentally, we have another proverb, 'En casa del moro no hables
algaravia.' Can your ladyship translate that?"
"Yes, señor," Lady Fermanagh answered, after a moment of thought. "It
means, 'Do not speak Arabic in the house of a Moor,' but I don't know
what the application is where we are concerned, unless you are
suggesting I have misinterpreted your perfect English, or else you are
subtly criticising my imperfect Spanish. You are too deep for me, Don
Carlos, and I will leave Myra to try and fathom you. Beware of him,
Myra!" she added smilingly, as she moved away.
"I assure you I am absolutely sincere when I tell you, sweet lady, that
I am more than charmed to know that you are coming to Spain as my
guest, and I promise you I shall do everything that lies in my power to
make your visit interesting," said Don Carlos to Myra. "But let me
warn you that if El Diablo Cojuelo learns that the most beautiful,
adorable, and wholly desirable girl in the world is going to visit El
Castillo de Ruiz, he will assuredly make an attempt to kidnap you."
"Is the most beautiful, adorable, and wholly desirable girl in the
world going to be one of the party?" inquired Myra, assuming an
innocent expression. "How interesting and exciting! Who is she? A
film star?"
"She is you, señorita," Don Carlos responded, "and let me remind you
that El Diablo Cojuelo almost makes a hobby of kidnapping beautiful
women. So you will be in danger all the time you are in Spain."
"I refuse to be dismayed--and I don't believe a word of it!" responded
Myra, with a silvery laugh. "I don't believe you keep a pet brigand
and outlaw on your estate, but even if you do, the prospect of being
kidnapped does not dismay me. The risk, if any, will add a spice of
adventure to the visit. But I can't believe you would let any brigand
steal me from your castle, Don Carlos, although you have threatened to
steal me yourself. Would you?"