"Sit down, I tell you," said the girl in a fury, and at the same time putting her hands on his shoulders she pushed him down.
The duke at last sat down, and then Cecilia placed herself on his knees, and, throwing her arms around his neck, she put her lips on his cheek.
At that moment quick steps were heard in the corridor, the door was violently thrown open, and Gonzalo appeared with his drawn sword-stick. Cecilia, turning her head, uttered a cry; and the young man recognizing his sister-in-law, sheathed the arm which he carried, and, hastily reopening the door, he repaired in surprise and confusion to his old bridal chamber.
There Ventura was quietly reading by the light of a lamp. On seeing her husband before her she rose in surprise, saying:
"What is it? How is it you are here?"
An actress would gladly have bought from her that movement and tone of voice.
Gonzalo was taken aback, and knew not what to say; but he got out of the difficulty by exclaiming:
"Don't you know what scandal is going on in the house?"
"What is going on?" returned the girl, with a face so discomposed that if Gonzalo had been more observant by nature he would have seen that it could not have been solely due to his presence. He shut the door, and said in her ear:
"Your sister is in the Persian chamber with the duke! Don't you know anything about it? Tell the truth," he added, seizing her by the wrist.