"I tell you I did, man, not that I care if you have as many Romeos as you please. Is your friend Pinazo coming this evening?"
All understood the allusion; almost every one burst out laughing.
"No, no, he is not coming," replied Calderón, choking with laughter.
"What are they laughing at, Pacita?" asked Esperanza, in a low voice.
"I do not know," she replied with perfect sincerity, shrugging her shoulders; "Cobo has said something horrid no doubt. I will ask Julia by-and-bye; she will be sure to know."
They both looked at the eldest of the three sisters, but she sat unmoved and stiff, with downcast eyes as usual; nevertheless the corners of her mouth quivered with a faint smile of comprehension which showed that her youngest sister's confidence in her profound intuition was amply justified.
"Hallo! Ramoncillo!" said Cobo, going up to Maldonado, and patting him familiarly on the cheek. "Always the same sweet and seductive youth?"
The tone was half affectionate and half ironical, which the other took very much amiss.
"Not to compare with you; but getting on," replied Ramoncito.
"No, no, you are the beauty of the two—let these young ladies decide. You are a little too thin perhaps, especially of late, but you will double your weight as soon as you have got over this."