But, on reflection, he was persuaded that Yerba
would commit herself to no accomplice--of her own sex. She might
have dominated the girl, and would make her a firm partisan, while
the girl would be convinced of it herself, and believe herself a
free agent. He had had such experience with men himself.
"But why have you not spoken of it before--and to Colonel
Pendleton?"
"He did not choose to tell ME," said Yerba, with feminine
dexterity. "I have preferred to keep it myself a secret till I am
of age."
"When Colonel Pendleton and some of the other trustees have no
right to say anything," thought Paul quickly. She had evidently
trusted him. Yet, fascinated as he had been by her audacity, he
did not know whether to be pleased, or the reverse. He would have
preferred to be placed on an equal footing with Josita Castro. She
anticipated his thoughts by saying, with half-raised eyelids:--
"What do YOU think of it?"
"It seems to be so natural and obvious an explanation of the
mystery that I only wonder it was not thought of before," said
Paul, with that perfect sincerity that made his sympathy so
effective.
"You see,"--still under her pretty eyelids, and the tender promise
of a smile parting her little mouth,--"I'm believing that you tell
the truth when you say you don't know anything about it.
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