“Only as she is announced on the bills, and having seen her dance from the front of the house.  She is certainly a true artist in her line, the most expert I recall ever having seen.  What has ever made her your enemy?”

“I am sure I do not know.  Her words were a complete surprise; I was too greatly astonished even to resent them.  I have never spoken to the girl until to-night, and then merely uttered a sentence of sincere congratulation.  She is extremely pretty, and it seems quite too bad she should be compelled to lead such a life.  She does not appear older than seventeen.”

He glanced about at her in surprise.

“Such a life,” he echoed, recklessly.  “So then you actually pity others while remaining totally unconcerned regarding yourself?”

“Oh, no; you greatly mistake, or else wilfully misconstrue.  I am not unconcerned, yet there is a very wide difference, I am sure.  This girl is at the Gayety from deliberate choice; she as much as told me so.  She is in love with that sort of life.  Probably she has never known anything better, while I am merely fighting out a bit of hard luck, and, within two weeks, at the longest, shall again be free.  Surely, you cannot hint that we stand upon the same level.”

“God forbid!” fervently.  “Yet just as sincerely I wish you did not deem it necessary to remain for even that brief length of time.  It is a shock to me to realize your intimate association with such depraved characters.  You are surely aware that my purse remains at your disposal, if you will only cut the whole thing.”

She lifted her eyes reproachfully to his face.

“Yes, I know; and possibly you are justified according to your code for feeling in that way.  But I do not believe I am becoming in the least contaminated by evil associations, nor do I feel any lowering of moral ideals.  I am doing what I imagine to be right under the circumstances, and have already given you my final decision, as well as my reason for it.  You say ‘such depraved characters.’  Can you refer to this Mercedes?  Strange as it may seem, I confess feeling an interest in this beautiful Mexican girl.  What is it you know regarding her?”

The young man impulsively started to speak, but as instantly paused.  An instinctive dread of uttering those plain words he would much prefer she should never hear served to soften his language.

“There is not a great deal of reserve about the Gayety,” he explained lightly, “and indiscriminate gossip is a part of its advertising equipment.  As to Senorita Mercedes, my only informant is common rumor out in front.  That connects her name quite familiarly with one of the proprietors of the gambling rooms.”

“You have no reason to know this?”

“None whatever.  As I say, it has come to me in the form of common rumor.  The man referred to is the special faro expert, a fellow named Farnham.”