Margarita Spalding Gerry

“ Mendoza started, scrutinizing her keenly. Then he shrugged his shoulders. How difficult it was to understand American women—even this one.
"I wish I could tell you, but I can only tell you what you should see. It is the color of it all, the Southern warmth that forces the art spirit everywhere. If you could see, too, the vivid blues and whites and violet shadows of Tangier as I have seen them, and the rich, subdued half-tones of old Spain, hear the music, see the flowers everywhere, feel the glorious thrill of careless life that is in the air! ”

“ Bradley, whose tenderly nursed visiting-list occupied most of his waking hours, endeavored to assume a sympathetic air of masculine superiority.
"It is a duty one owes to society," he explained. "Our hostesses need to know who are to be considered in society each season. They know then where to turn for dancing men—otherwise they forget."
"Oh, they forget, do they, my friend?" Mendoza regarded the little man for a moment with a suppressed smile. "Well, well, it is a tribute to the greatness of this country that it does not yet know all its desired ones." ”

“ Mendoza, bareheaded in the chilling rain, watched them climb the steps slowly and vanish into the glow of the open door. Then he stepped into his brougham. For a long time he sat staring blankly in front of him. Still staring, he groped mechanically in his pockets for his cigarette-papers and tobacco-pouch, produced them and rolled a cigarette with infinite pains. Only when the first few puffs had filled the carriage with the fragrance he loved did his face relax. ”

“ Bradley turned hurriedly to the lady. "I am glad to see you again, Miss Talbot. No, thank you, no tea; we are due at Mrs. Page's. May I present my friend, Señor Mendoza?—of the Spanish legation, you know. Now shall we go?"
"My friend, I beg that you will go without me. Is a man to have no rest? I am fatigued beyond endurance. Will you not present my compliments to Mrs. Page? And tell her I was—detained?" with the faintest flicker of a glance toward Miss Talbot. ”

“ He appropriated a chair, happily left unclaimed, and settled himself by the tea-table with a serene assurance of enjoyment.
"Are you generous, that you laugh at me?" he demanded.
"You can't expect generosity from women, you know. Weakness is always cruel," she said, rearranging the tea-cups.
"Ah, but not in that way should women be weak," said Mendoza caressingly, "and not in that way should they be cruel."
She laughed again. "I shall certainly have to mind my phrases. There is Mr. Gordon-Bradley looking for somebody." ”

“ Mendoza!" Grace sat up straight and indignant. "You know that isn't the reason. Their work is wonderful."
"I was much mistaken. It is quite as you say," said the Spaniard, idly watching the color rise in her face. "It is the atmosphere of the Orient they catch; here you see all in a too clear light—it is hard. Could you but see the flower country of Japan!"
"Oh, if I could!" The girl pressed her hands together and her cheeks were crimson. "I might paint if I knew something of the world. If I were only a man!" she cried passionately. "But women are so helpless." ”

“ They're usually awfully pretty, and clever—too clever, sometimes, you know; but—well—Mrs. Delano rather makes a point of taking up girls who wouldn't otherwise have any footing in society—clerks' daughters, and that. They're attractive, but not quite comme il faut in the strictest sense. I thought I really ought to tell you of this; it may prevent complications, you know."
Mendoza was puzzled. The young ladies not comme il faut, and receiving with a lady in official life? And why were "clerks' daughters" beyond the pale in the United States? ”

“ Gordon-Bradley bowed. "But so far as men are concerned," he said significantly, "you will find enough of them at Mrs. Delano's. All the men in society—or out of it—go to her Thursdays."
"Then, am I to suppose that the Senator Delano is to be cherished, or is it that the lady has charms-not always possessed by the ladies of the great American reception phalanx?" Mendoza queried lightly.
Bradley looked wise. "You may suppose both things. But—men also go because of the young ladies who assist her." ”

“ Even as he enjoyed the aroma of his own sentiment he reflected on the proportion of debts in the fortune he, the champion of Spanish chivalry, could lay at any woman's feet, and smiled in inward appreciation of himself. ”