"No; I have not played billiards to-day. But I am worried and upset, and I want to speak to you about an important matter; in fact I want your advice."
Don Melchor looked at him in surprise.
"An important matter?"
"Yes—look here, uncle; would you marry a woman you did not love?"
"What a question! Matrimony at my age is a thing of the past, my boy."
"But if you were young, would you marry like that?"
"Never."
"Very well, uncle—I do not love Cecilia."
"You do not love Cecilia?" exclaimed the old gentleman in horror.
It must be said that Don Melchor had a blind affection, almost adoration, for his nephew's betrothed—the girl was sacred to him. From the time that he knew Gonzalo's affections were set in that quarter he inspected her as carefully as if he were examining the hulk of a ship before masting her. He had considered her kind, quiet, intelligent, and capable, and his delight at the marriage was only embittered by hearing that the engaged couple were not going to live with him.