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"There was a young man, a Spainard that my father hired one season We found out that he was from a very old fah up on one of the hills that overlooked the orchards I thought him to be very cold and aloof, when Papa found that he was fond of me, Papa did his best to keep us apart Well you knohat happens when you tell a stubborn young girl she can't do soot"

Alannah let out a low chuckle, and continued sipping her tea and listening to the tale the Señora was telling her

"One day I found ht in the most ferocious rainstoro I was ns in the weather, and therefore I was too proud to ask for anyone's help as I struggled all the way home

"Victor, was his na, fancy thing that looked like a box on wheels being pulled by his horse I heard it approaching from behind ot closer to me he slowed the horse to keep pace with , picking up speed as I was going along, he got upset and spoke to h of this foolishness! Get in the wagon I a you home'

"Well, I thought nothing of it as he tookvery old-fashioned, were absolutely beside theer Yet to everyone's astonishment - even mine, Victor announced that he and I would be wed He asked for my fathers permission to marry me, and ed by the next harvest

"And the rest, as they say, is history Victor brought me here where we built this marvelous Chateau, we had a fine son and three very beautiful daughters For long we had what many would call an perfect life'

Surprised at what the Señora had just said, Alannah said, "three daughters? Where is she now?"

"Ohsince married and ret in her voice "The oldest lives in Valencia Spain with her husban, the est well she ood husbands and lots of children, but we hear from them so seldom that it breaks my heart to have the Alannah a speculative look, "would you ever consider livingin a place like this?"