Reginald Wright Kauffman

“ She was habited for the road, and her practical accouterments gave her a look absurdly youthful. He felt at first as if he were about to kidnap a child, but then his rapid gaze noted the black mantilla held in her white hands, symbol of the Spanish girl of marriageable age. ”

“ Every woman is definitely of two sorts: Either she is never ready—which is frequent—or else her celerity in anticipation outdistances that of the average man. When it is a question of dressing for the theater or a dance, she will let you wear out your shoes as they pace the reception room, but when there arises a real emergency, she is rarely found delaying—in the matter of clothes.
“Ready?” said the señorita. “But see!”
She stepped backward a pace. Dan could ill afford the time for inspection, but he ventured it. ”

“ Dan caught his breath. She was lovely, and he was about to lead her into danger.
“We've got Peña tied up, but there are guards at most of the doors, you know. They're armed, and they must have orders not to let us pass. We think we can find one way out of the house that isn't watched, only then there'll be the patio and the outer defense to negotiate.” ”