Wilhelm felt decidedly drawn to the slender, healthy-
looking boy.
But in the course of the afternoon another--a third child--appeared
upon the scene; a lovely, brown, four-year-old boy, with bold black
eyes and long raven curls, whom a maid-servant brought to Pilar that
he might kiss his mamma.
Wilhelm was much surprised. "Three? You never told me that," he
whispered.
"This is little Manuel, my sweet little Manuelito," she answered in
a low voice, and buried her face in the child's black curls that she
might not have to look at Wilhelm. She covered little Manuelito with
kisses, and then pushed him gently over to Wilhelm, in whom the most
conflicting emotions were struggling for the mastery. It was
impossible to feel any ill-will toward this captivating mite with
the dark Bronzino face, and yet to Wilhelm he seemed to represent a
distinct act of treachery. How could she have been so underhand as
to hide the fact from him that her connection with the fashion-plate
diplomat had not been without results! He made as if to draw away
from the boy, who stood staring nervously at him, but the next
moment his natural love of children prevailed, and he clasped the
sweet little fellow to his breast.
"Such a lovely child!" he said, "and so young, and in need of a
mother's care.
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