"The question now is not about your feelings. What I want to know this instant is, if the general is ready to pay this sum."
"I think that the general has no other desire...."
"Nor is the question about the general's desires. I want to know—do you hear?—I want to know if he will pay the thirty thousand duros, or will not pay them."
"I shall have to write him: you know he is in Germany just now."
"The point is, that if he does not pay it, I will take it into court. I have letters from him acknowledging the debt," said Miguel, striding in a state of excitement up and down the room.
Mendoza allowed him to do so for some time, and then replied:—
"It seems to me, Miguel, that you ought not to be in too great a hurry to do this or look on the dark side; you won't get ahead any that way."
"What makes you say that?" retorted the brigadier's son, halting.
"You would get nothing by taking it to court."
"Why so?"