"What an idea! Don't worry about that, as if we don't know who is the prettiest!" said the other, with evident pique.
"Gently, gently, señoras," exclaimed Gonzalo. "It is true that Pablo began by talking of the perfections of Nieves, but it is certain that he had meant to go on to those of all the rest, if he had not been interrupted. Is it not so, Pablo?"
"Yes, I meant to go on to Valentina."
Whereupon the girl referred to raised her head and looked at him with the half-frowning, half-roguish look that was peculiar to her.
"Take care, Nieves, that these young men don't forget themselves."
Pablo, without heeding the interruption, proceeded:
"And then from Teresa and Encarnacian, Elvira, and Generosa, I should have gone on to Venturita, for of course all men are at her feet; to Cecilia, no, for she is engaged; and then I should have said something about Señora Doña Paula, who, be it said without offense to anybody, is the most beautiful of all."
"What a humbug!" exclaimed the lady, pleased at her son's flattery.
Then Pablo rose from his armchair and embraced his mother affectionately.
"Get away, get away, flatterer!" she said, laughing.