"He says nothing about it to me. I do not know whether he does to mamma."
"He would say nothing to her; he knows better than to put his foot in it. Have you seen the Mariani girls?"
"Yes; I met them in the Retiro Gardens a few days ago."
"Do you know that Maria is engaged?"
"She did not tell me."
"Yes. In the cavalry, a son of Brigadier Arcos. Such a queer-looking fellow; not ugly, but his legs tremble when he walks, as if he had just come out of the hospital. You see, as the brigadier is her mamma's most devoted—it is all in the family."
"And you? Do you keep it up with your cousin?"
"I really cannot tell you. On Monday he went off in a huff and has not been to the house since. My cousin is not what he seems; he is no simpleton, but a very presuming fellow; if you give him an inch he takes an ell. If I did not keep a very sharp look out there is no knowing to what lengths he would go at the pace he makes. Do you know that the other day he insisted on kissing me?"
Esperanza gazed at her, smiling and curious. Pacita put her mouth close to Esperanza's ear and whispered a few words.