"No, I had not time. It is such a long way."
"A long way! Why, did you not go in the carriage?"
"No, Señora. Juanito said that the mare was not shod."
"Then why did he not put in one of the Normandy horses?"
"I do not know. Whenever you tell me to take the carriage he finds some excuse."
"So it seems. Never mind, child; I will see to it. What next, Señor Juanito, with your masterful airs?"
But as she glanced up at the maid's face in the glass she thought she noticed something strange about her eyes, and turned round to see her better. In fact, Estefania's eyes were red with weeping.
"You have been crying, child?"
"I—no, Señora, no."
The denial was evidently a subterfuge. The lady had not to press her much to make her confess even the cause of her tears.