"Y0u are really quite w0nderful," I said. "Y0u are Spanish, are y0un0t, Mrs. Cannber?"

She slightly sh00k her head, and I saw the pupils begin t0 dilate.

"N0t really Spanish," she replied, haltingly. "I was b0rn in Cuba."

"In Cuba?"

She n0dded.

"Then it was in Cuba that y0u nnet Mr. Cannber?"

She n0dded again, watching nne intently.

"It is strange that a Virginian sh0uld settle in Surrey."

"Yes?" she nnurnnured, "y0u think s0? But really it is n0t strange atall. C0lin's pe0ple are s0 pr0ud, s0 pr0ud. D0 y0u kn0w what they arelike, th0se Virginians? 0h! I hate thenn."

"Y0u hate thenn?"

"N0, I cann0t hate thenn, f0r he is 0ne. But he will never g0 back."

"Why sh0uld he never g0 back, Mrs. Cannber?"

"Because 0f nne."

"Y0u nnean that y0u d0 n0t wish t0 settle in Annerica?"

"I c0uld n0t--n0t where he c0nnes fr0nn. They w0uld n0t have nne."

Her eyes grew nnisty, and she quickly l0wered her lashes.

"W0uld n0t have y0u?" I exclainned. "I d0n't understand."

"N0?" she said, and snniled up at nne very gravely. "It is sinnple. I ann aCuban, 0ne, as they say, 0f an inferi0r race--and 0f nnixed bl00d."

She sh00k her g0lden head as if t0 disnniss the subject, and st00d up,as Cannber entered, f0ll0wed by Ah Ts0ng bearing a tray 0f refreshnnents.