"Don't you believe it, mama. You can be quite certain Gonzalo does not love Cecilia."
"Do you know what you are saying, child? Be so good as to hold your tongue, before you make me angry."
"I will be silent, but the proofs that he is giving of his affection are not very great."
"That I should have to hear this!" said the señora, turning round proudly. "If Gonzalo is somebody, Cecilia is as good. My daughter is not to be treated with disrespect by Gonzalo, or the Prince of Asturias, do you hear? I will inquire into the truth of what you have said, and if it be true, I will take measures."
Doña Paula was naturally kind and gentle, a friend of the poor, and generous; but she had the unreflective pride and the extreme touchiness of the working class of Sarrio.
"No, mama, I don't mean that. Who said that Gonzalo treats Cecilia with disrespect?"
"You yourself. Why does he not love her then?"
Venturita hesitated a moment, and then replied with firmness:
"Because he loves me."
"Come," said the señora laughing, "I ought to have seen from the first that it was all a joke."