"I, the silken hawk, came not to flutter your
nest of doves, senor. I came but for a little hour to meet a man who -
Ah, he is coming now. Sheriff Paul, I have that to tell you which - "
The sheriff offered his arm ceremoniously and they passed out of the
ballroom. Tender hearted Elena was conscience stricken. She dropped her
lover's arm and darted after them through the big doors.
"Oh, I am sorry, I did not mean - please, Sheriff Paul, she may have
the dress, poor thing! But for her, I should have had no man to marry on
my wedding day next week."
Sheriff Paul turned quickly. Elena, frightened, clapped two little hands
over her mouth. Rosa shrugged indifferently, and tipping back her small,
black head, listened to the music in the ballroom.
"Madam," to Rosa, "you sent for me, making strange promises which, for
the safety of this community, I hope that you are now pleased to keep."
Without lowering her chin she looked at him through sinister, narrowed
eyelids, and a smile of triumphant malice touched her face.
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