"Let us not talk further of this bloodthirsty Señor Zorro," he begged. "There are other things fit for conversation. Have you been thinking, _señorita_, on the object of my visit earlier in the day?"
Señorita Lolita thought of it now. She remembered again what the marriage would mean to her parents and their fortunes, and she recalled the highwayman, too, and remembered his dash and spirit, and wished that Don Diego could be such a man. And she could not say the word that would make her the betrothed of Don Diego Vega.
"I--I have scarcely had time to think of it, _caballero_," she replied.
"I trust you will make up your mind soon," he said.
"My father was at me again this afternoon. He insists that I should take a wife as soon as possible. It is rather a nuisance, of course, but a man must please his father."
Lolita bit her lips because of her quick anger. Was ever girl so courted before? she wondered.
"I shall make up my mind as soon as possible, _señor_," she said finally.
"Does this Captain Ramón remain long at the _hacienda_?"
A little hope came into Lolita's breast. Could it be possible that Don Diego Vega was jealous? If that were true, possibly there might be stuff in the man, after all. Perhaps he would awaken, and love and passion come to him, and he would be as other young men.
"My father has asked him to remain until he is able to travel to the _presidio_," she replied.
"He is able to travel now. A mere scratch!"
"You will not return to-night?" she asked.
"It probably will make me ill, but I must return. There are certain things that must engage my interest early in the morning. Business is such a nuisance!"
"Perhaps my father will offer to send you in the carriage."
"Ha! It were kindness if he does. A man may doze a bit in a carriage."
"But, if this highwayman should stop you?"
"I need not fear, _señorita_. Have I not wealth? Could I not purchase my release?"
"You would pay ransom rather than fight him, _señor_?"
"I have lots of money, but only one life, _señorita_. Would I be a wise man to risk having my blood let out?"
"It would be the manly part, would it not?" she asked.
"Any male can be manly at times, but it takes a clever man to be sagacious," he said.
Don Diego laughed lightly, as if it cost him an effort, and bent forward to speak in lower tones.