Myra found herself compelled to look into his glittering dark eyes,
felt as if she were being hypnotised, and it was only by an effort of
will that she broke the spell he seemed to be casting on her.

"It isn't fair to take advantage of your position as host to make love
to me again," she protested, annoyed to find her heart throbbing
tumultuously and her cheeks burning. "You are quite a wonderful
person, but I do not intend to give you the opportunity to justify your
boasts."

"Who knows but what I may make the opportunity, Myra, and take you in
spite of yourself?" Don Carlos responded. "Here I am a king, and none
dares dispute my authority, save El Diablo Cojuelo."

"If you persist in talking like that, I shall not feel safe in your
house," said Myra. "That sounded like a veiled threat, Don Carlos, and
you are not playing the game."

"There are no set rules to the game of love, dear lady, and I am
playing to win," retorted Don Carlos, scarcely above a whisper.
"Listen for your lover at midnight."

At heart Myra was a little scared, although her pride would not permit
her to acknowledge the fact. She remembered how she had been awakened
at dead of night at Auchinleven, with the impression strong upon her
that someone had touched her, and had found Don Carlos's note on her
pillow. She remembered his threats or promises to take her in spite of
everything...