“It seems to me impossible that anyone would not wish to marry you, Hermione.”
“That is what I think myself,” Hermione said, smiling, “and I am sure it is only a question of time. Now I am going to be honest with you, Valeda, and tell you I was recently almost in despair of bringing him to the point.”
Her voice rose as she went on.
“But now he has asked me to visit his family in Spain and I feel certain there can be only one reason for that.”
“In Spain!” Valeda exclaimed. “Are you saying he is a foreigner?”
“He is a Spaniard,” Hermione replied, “and an extremely important one. The Marquis de Silvala has a position that is second only to that of the Royal Family.”
Valeda clasped her hands together.
“Oh, Hermione, how wonderful for you. And do you love him very much?”
“The question i
