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"A tin box? Yes; you had it in your hands when Manuel brought you out They could hardly pry your fingers froht to me, Miss Valdés? I want to be sure the present hasn't been injured by fire"

"Of course not I don't just knohere it is, but ittoward the door, with that fine reaching grace of a fawn that distinguished her, when his voice stopped her She stopped, delicate head poised and half turned, apparently waiting for further directions

"Not just thishere all day, with nobody but Steve Finally he got so restless I had to turn hiht hospitable to send you away so soon That box can wait till you have had all of , and I need it awful bad," he explained plaintively

"Has Mrs Corbett been neglecting you?"

"Mrs Corbett--no!" he shouted with a spirit indomitable, but a voice still weak "She's on earth merely to cookht eyes; in her cheeks the soft glow of beating color

"And ht you, is it not? But I can't do that till you are on your feet again, sir"

He gave her back her debonair sht with the weapons of their sex--and often win, I'm told"

"You mean, perhaps, tears and appeals for pity They are weapons I cannot use, sir I had liefer lose"

"I dare say there are other weapons in your arsenal I know you're too game to use those you've named"

"What others?" she asked quietly

He let his eyes rest on her, sweep over her, and co with hers But he did not nale of the subject

"You never knohen you are licked, do you? Why don't you ask rant business?"

"What sort of a compromise have you to offer, sir?" she said after a pause

"Have your lawyers told you yet that you have no chance?"

"Would it be wise for o to discuss the terms of the treaty?" she asked, and put it so innocently that he acknowledged the hit with a grin

"I thought that, if you knew you were going to lose, you ht be easier to deal with I'ains"