The young man smiled and nodded.
"Who is she?"
"I had thought of Esperanza Calderón. What do you think of her?"
"Nothing could be better. She is very well brought up, attractive, and I love her as a child of my own. She has always been my Pacita's bosom friend, as you know. Your choice is a most happy one."
Castro smiled again with a gleam of mischief, as he went on:
"You see, aunt, I would rather have married a girl of our own rank, But, as you know, I am utterly ruined, and the daughters of good families are not apt to have fortunes in these days. Those who have, would not have anything to say to me, as I have nothing to offer but what they already possess—a noble name. It is for this reason that I have chosen one of no birth, but with a good fortune."
"Very wise. And though we are compromising our dignity a little, we must save the name from disgrace. And Esperanza is a thoroughly good girl. She has been brought up among ourselves. She will always be a perfect lady, and do you credit."
The young man's face still wore that strange sarcastic smile. For a minute or two he remained silent; then he said:
"Do you know what we young fellows call a marriage of this kind?"
"No—what?"