I shall serve them with tomatoes and olives , which I hope you will enjoy .sx " " I'm sure I shall .sx Your cooking's wonderful .sx " Julia lingered on in the room for another few minutes , then she ventured cautiously downstairs again .sx Adrian was now sitting with the Portuguese engineer and his silent wife , and another man , discussing seafaring matters in English .sx Julia attached herself to Lieutenant Robson , reminding him he had promised to play dominoes with her again .sx Their game lasted till nearly ten o'clock when Sen@4ora Gonzalez commanded everybody inside for dinner .sx Adrian excused himself , said " goodnight " with a meaningful glance which Julia chose to ignore , and drove off in the jeep .sx Julia felt depressed and a trifle sad as Luis conveyed her to Don Felipe's house on Saturday morning .sx Just before she left the Tafira , a message had been delivered from the shipping company , instructing her to be at their offices on the quay at seven o'clock on Monday morning ready to embark in the Juno for Southampton , sailing punctually at ten .sx As she looked out at the white sunlit streets , and the palms and the flowers , with glimpses of the blue sea and the golden beaches between the buildings , Julia knew she did not want to leave all this so soon .sx Yet in another forty-eight hours her holiday would be over , and she would be on her way back to the grey English winter and all the worries of finding a new job and a roof over her head .sx She sighed , thinking how unkind fate could be at times .sx The morning began just the same as the others .sx The old flower-woman sat in her usual place , and as Julia mounted the steps to the house , Alvaro opened the door and made his bow to her .sx Pepita was wheeling a little wicker cart round the pool today , the white cat sitting inside on a cushion .sx She rushed to meet her friend eagerly .sx " Yoo-li-ah !sx Yoo-li-ah !sx " When she had swept her curtsey , and held out the lace-trimmed flounce of her frock for admiration , Pepita led Julia off to help her push the cart .sx Soon they were chattering away gaily .sx " El helado , " gurgled Pepita as the maid brought out two glass dishes .sx " Ice-cream , " Julia insisted .sx They both thought it quite funny when they discovered chocolate was the same in both languages .sx Suddenly Julia realised she was going to miss this little Spanish child , so full of affection and the simple joy of life .sx It was impossible to feel dull when Pepita was there .sx Julia said as much to Don Felipe when he came home .sx " I haven't the heart to say goodbye , " she remarked as they watched the maid pick up the little girl ready to carry her off to the nursery .sx " I've enjoyed Pepita so much .sx " " Ah , yes .sx You propose to sail home in the Juno , do you not ?sx " " That's right , alas .sx And you won't want me here tomorrow , as it's Sunday , of course .sx " " I must tell Pepita then , " he said firmly .sx " You cannot be allowed to part without exchanging your farewells .sx It would not be courteous .sx " He spoke rapidly in Spanish and the result was extraordinary .sx Hastily the maid set the child down again and retreated into the background .sx Pepita stood there staring at Julia with all the happiness draining out of her pretty little face .sx Her black eyes filled with anguish , the tears brimming over and coursing down her cheeks .sx Without speaking a word , she flung herself upon Julia , seizing the girl round the knees .sx When Julia bent to try and comfort her , Pepita uttered a heartrending wail and then broke into a torrent of excited Spanish punctuated by screams and sobs .sx " Pepita does not wish you to leave her , " Don Felipe said quietly .sx " She is desolate , as indeed I am myself .sx " " This is awful , " Julia exclaimed in consternation .sx " Do please tell her to stop crying , Don Felipe .sx I can't bear it .sx If you could explain it isn't that I really want to go home .sx I just have to .sx " Her father spoke to the child , but she went on weeping .sx " Yoo-li-ah !sx Yoo-li-ah !sx " she moaned beseechingly , still clinging to the girl's knees and refusing to be lifted up .sx " Oh , dear !sx " Julia exclaimed .sx " Whatever can I do ?sx " " You could remain in Las Palmas , " Don Felipe pointed out .sx " That would make my Pepita so happy again .sx It is rarely she finds a companion who is as congenial to her as you obviously are .sx " " But how can I stay ?sx " Julia began .sx " I only wish I could .sx " " I should be only too delighted to engage you as governess for Pepita , " he answered .sx " You would soon acquire sufficient Spanish to be able to help her with her first lessons .sx You could read to her , and sing with her and so on .sx Enlarge her knowledge of English still more .sx It would not be arduous , and naturally I would pay you an ample salary .sx So will you not agree to spend the winter in Las Palmas , Miss Barclay , and dry Pepita's tears ?sx " Julia hesitated .sx It was certainly an exciting offer , far more attractive than going back to London .sx She might continue to live at the Hotel Tafira for the next few months , enjoying the climate and the friendly beach and cafe@2 life .sx And there was Don Felipe himself , the handsome man watching her now with an unaccustomed trace of anxiety in his eyes .sx Feminine intuition told Julia he wanted her to stay on for his own sake as well as Pepita's .sx It was flattering to know a man like this one considered you important to him .sx She realised she was weakening , but then all at once she remembered what she had heard the previous evening .sx Yet it was probably no more than gossip that Mrs Henderson had repeated , and what Sen@4ora Gonzalez had told her cast no reflection on Don Felipe either .sx He could not be blamed for his father's state of mind .sx Adrian had said she might be running into danger with him , but Adrian could be wrong , and anyway it was no business of his what Julia Barclay did .sx He had no right to dictate to her , behaving in that high-handed fashion .sx She felt herself stiffening again as she remembered his voice and manner .sx She would show Adrian he was completely wrong , and stupidly old-fashioned at that .sx She found Don Felipe fascinating from every aspect .sx She lifted her eyes to smile at him now .sx " You make it sound too tempting , " she surrendered .sx " Very well , then , if you do really think I'm capable of being Pepita's teacher .sx I've never done anything of that sort before , you know .sx " " I am quite satisfied , " he replied .sx " So you will stay , Miss Barclay ?sx " " Yes , I will .sx And thank you .sx . Do please tell Pepita .sx I can't bear to see her like this .sx " She watched the child's expression change as her father spoke to her .sx She ceased to sob and the light stole back into her face again .sx For a few moments she gazed up at Julia doubtfully , incredulously .sx Then gradually the dark eyes grew bright once more , and even began to sparkle as was their wont .sx Julia lifted her up , and she immediately wound her small arms round the girl's neck , nuzzling her cheek , snuggling against her hair .sx Don Felipe smiled as he watched them .sx " Pepita is restored , " he said .sx " We are both most grateful to you .sx " There was a rustling sound behind them , and Julia half-turned to see Don@4a Beatriz standing on the tiles .sx It was the first time Julia had ever met the older woman outside the dining-room .sx One moment Don@4a Beatriz was in her vision , a tall black figure staring at the little scene .sx The next she was gone again .sx Julia was almost convinced her eyes must have deceived her .sx Pepita was finally carried off to the nursery , and as Don Felipe led the way indoors to luncheon , Don@4a Beatriz was already there , sitting in her accustomed chair at the foot of the long table .sx She bowed gravely to Julia , acknowledging the girl's greeting , and began to serve in her usual silence .sx Julia had already realised there was something quite off-beat about Don@4a Beatriz , so she was careful to address only Don Felipe at her side throughout the meal .sx They discussed the fiesta , which he waved aside as a trifling celebration in Las Palmas .sx " In the country it is much more important , " he said .sx " Harvest is something for which we offer gratitude indeed there .sx I shall be out at my own estate in the morning , marking the day with my workpeople .sx My land is around the village of San Bernardo , a beautiful valley with many foothills .sx I have a large house there beside the river .sx You must see it one day .sx " " Yes , I should like to .sx " " You have not penetrated the interior of the island yet ?sx No ?sx It will surprise you .sx The mountains are so majestic they take the breath away when they are viewed for the first time .sx " " You've another house at Tojeda , haven't you ?sx " Julia remembered .sx " On the cliffs- somebody was telling me- " Then she stopped abruptly , realising what she was saying .sx Don Felipe had begun to peel himself a peach .sx He completed the delicate operation before he answered .sx Then he laid down his silver knife and looked at Julia directly as he spoke .sx " So .sx People have talked about me .sx I wonder what else they said about Tojeda .sx No , do not trouble to tell me , Miss Barclay .sx I can guess .sx I know what scandal is tossed about in the cafe@2s and hotels .sx " Julia felt a trifle uncomfortable .sx " I didn't really pay great attention , " she began , but imperiously he cut her short .sx " We will discuss this matter later , " he said , " when we may be private .sx Now tell me , have you been to the aquariums yet ?sx .sx . " As soon as the meal ended , Don@4a Beatriz slipped away as usual and Don Felipe indicated that Julia was to follow him .sx " We will go to my study , " he decided .sx " I have to speak to you about Pepita's education among other things .sx " He led Julia to a wing of the house she had not seen before .sx Like all the rest , this room was richly furnished , with handsome red brocade curtains , and a carved mahogany desk and chairs .sx Don Felipe unlocked a drawer and handed Julia an envelope .sx " Your salary to date , " he explained .sx " On Monday we begin our new arrangement , of course .sx I had thought .sx . " He named a figure which Julia knew was generous in the extreme .sx " So you will be here at the same time then .sx The car will call for you as usual .sx " " Thank you very much , Don Felipe .sx I'll do my best .sx " She waited , thinking he was going to talk to her about his daughter , and what he wanted a governess to do , but Don Felipe made no mention of Pepita now .sx Instead he frowned to himself for a moment , as though lost in thought .sx Then he lifted his head and asked quietly :sx " I wonder what tales you have heard about me , Miss Barclay .sx Could you not repeat them to me ?sx " " Well , I don't quite know- " Julia hesitated .sx Don Felipe twisted his lips into a wry smile .sx " It was obviously unflattering to me , " he remarked .sx " But there is no need to be embarrassed , Miss Barclay .sx I know what is said on the island .sx Loose tongues wag here just as they do everywhere else .sx Gran Canaria is certainly a paradise , but it has its serpents too .sx " He paused to consider her .sx Julia returned his glance sympathetically , appreciating that it was not easy for this man to bare his innermost feelings .sx Don Felipe continued :sx " You have plainly heard uncharitable comments about me , so you must permit me to tell you the facts myself .sx Seven years ago I married the daughter of one of my fellow landowners , Don Miguel de Francia .sx We were deeply in love and very happy .sx After Pepita's birth , the doctors informed my wife that she could bear no more children .sx Naturally it was a tremendous grief .sx We had hoped for sons to carry on our name .sx