When he felt that the right moment had arrived, the wily seducer went to take his hat which he had laid on the piano, and returning to the girl, and holding out his hand, he said in a trembling voice:—
"Adiós, Julia!"
She retained it a moment, and then, giving him a desperate look, her face being now livid, said:—
"Don't go, Alfonso. Do with me what you please. I am ready to follow you."
The caballero, after assuring himself that his aunt could not see them, long held her tightly enfolded in his arms.
XXV.
"Boy, bring me a glass of límon.... Bring me two, do you hear?"
The banker was choking. He was a short, stout man, with extremely red cheeks. He unbuttoned his shirt collar and went on shuffling the cards, all the time snorting furiously, as though he were threatened by some apoplectic attack.
"Game."
The players made their play, laying their stakes beside the cards. A gloved hand placed a package of bills on one of them.