The man looked at her helplessly, his mouth setting firm, his eyes becoming filled with sudden doubt.
"W-well, Mercedes," he stuttered, unable to restrain himself, "wh-what is it ?" She lifted her lowered head ever so slightly, so that he saw her profile, the flush on the cheek turned toward him.
"Maybe eet better you stay, senor.

Anyhow, I no vant you go just now." For once he proved the more swift of the two, clasping her instantly within his arms, drawing her slender form close against him with a strength he failed to realize in that sudden excess of passion.
Holding her thus in helpless subjection he flung aside the obstructing veil of hair, and covered the flushed cheeks with kisses.

The next moment, breathless, but not with indignation, the girl had pushed his burning face aside, although she still lay quivering within the remorseless clasp of his arms.
"I no said all dat, senor; I no said all dat.

You so ver' strong, you hurt Mercedes.

Please, senor--eet vas not dat I meant eet should be dis vay--no, no.