Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/20

6 me for refusing the most eligible young man in Lima.... Well, why don't you say something?"

"Forgive me, dear.... How is your father? and the kiddies?... I hardly know what I am saying, I am so glad."

"Father is very well, and very glad to hear that you were coming. To tell the truth though, he is far more interested in your uncle's visit. He has arranged a meeting at the Geographical Society for him. And for the past month he has been thinking and talking of nothing but archæology. They have been digging up all sorts of things."

"And so he has been angry with you?"

"He seems to think he has every reason to be. I am twenty-three and he already sees me an old maid.... It's awfully funny! Do you know what they call me in Lima now? The Virgin of the Sun!"

"What does that mean?"

"Aunt Agnes and Aunt Irene will explain better than I can. It's something like one of the Vestals—an old Inca legend."

"H'm, some superstitious rot.... But look here, Maria-Teresa, I'm an awful coward. Do you think your father ..."

"Of course! He'll do anything I like if he is asked at the right moment. We'll be married in