"Anita is far too fine a woman for such a sacrifice. I've always
entertained a very great affection for her and she for me. There's
only one small bug in our amber."

"And that--"

"We aren't the least bit in love with each other. We're children of a
later day and we object to the old-fashioned method of a marriage
arranged by papa and mama. I know there must be something radically
wrong with me; otherwise I never could resist Anita."

"But you are going to marry her, are you not?"

"I am not. She wouldn't marry me on a bet. And of course I didn't
accept her dear old mother's offer of financial aid. Couldn't, under
the circumstances, and besides, it would not be kind of me to transfer
my burden to them. I much prefer to paddle my own canoe."

He noticed a rush of color to the face as she turned abruptly toward
him now. "What a heritage of pride you have, Miguel. But are you
quite certain Anita does not love you? You should have heard all the
nice things she said about you to-day."

"She ought to say nice things about me," he replied casually. "When
she was quite a little girl she was given to understand that her
ultimate mission in life was to marry me. Of course I always realized
that it would not be a compliment to Anita to indicate that I was not
head over heels in love with her; I merely pretended I was too bashful
to mention it. Finally one day Anita suggested, as a favor to her and