"I don't think anyone I know is around, but I can't be sure," Diane said as she sat up. I paused again. "Are you that embarrassed of having a little ...un?" "I'm not embarrassed! But don't you think there would be a, a scandal?" "Oh, certainly." "And you don't care?" "I care. But I'd rather have a scandal than not be able to do this to you." I sat up and took her ankle, and I dragged her to the edge of the bed. She giggled as I picked her up again and gently set her in the overstuffed. " Oh, yes, yes!" Now as regards the second question." I am listening." Was there any person whose interest it was to prevent your marriage with Mercedes?" Yes; a young man who loved her." And his name was"--"Fernand." That is a Spanish name, I think?" He was a Catalan." You imagine him capable of writing the letter?" Oh, no; he would more likely have got rid of me by sticking a knife into me." That is in strict accordance with the Spanish character; an assassination they will unhesitatingly. The effects seemed to only last for a short while, because the children had disappointed looks on their faces as they floated or bounced back down to the ground for the last time. Some of the children were still high in the air when they stopped floating, and landed hard on the ground, but they picked themselves back up none the worse for wear.Vennoa followed the children whose magical effects had ended, and they all seemed to run in the same direction. No wonder, there was a long line of. You AREN'T a virgin anymore, courtesy of yours truly."Merrigan whimpered. With a smirk, he let go of her bag. She stuffed her hand immediately into the small side pocket and quickly latched onto the desired object. She said a silent prayer of gratitude that she kept Brianna's little tape recorder in that pocket and not in the big pocket, where her keys--including the small can of pepper spray that was attached--were lost in the abyss.Tyson saw her hand and his face went hard. "Get your hand out.