"I think Don Carlos is the most exasperating man in the world, aunt,
and it is most annoying that Tony should make such a fuss of him after
what happened," responded Myra, half-petulantly. "It would serve Tony
right if I threw him over. It is exasperating that he is so sure of me
that he isn't a bit jealous of Don Carlos, and probably thinks I made a
fuss about nothing. Why didn't he half-kill the conceited Spaniard for
daring to make love to me? I should have loved him if he had done
that--yes, even if he got the worst of it, I should have loved him for
trying to give Don Carlos a hiding."

"Don't be absurd, my dear Myra!" protested Lady Fermanagh, laughingly.
"I told you that the love-making of men like Don Carlos should not be
taken seriously, and it was foolish of you to take offence."

"And now, I suppose, he is laughing up his sleeve at me for having
taken him seriously, and thinks he is punishing me by ignoring me for
being such a little prude!" said Myra. "Perhaps I did make rather a
fool of myself, but I intend to get even with him. Yes, I'll get even
with the conceited creature! Do you know what I have decided to do,
aunt? I am going to make love to Don Carlos and make him fall in love
with me in earnest, just to have the satisfaction of turning him down
afterwards and making him feel, and look, a fool."