"Why did you not come home at once?"
"Because it would have been a cruel slight on this poor family in its deep affliction. They have been so kind to me."
"If that is so, you did well—but you ought to have told me—I don't forgive you for that."
"But why? The later you heard the bad news the better."
"That's not so! I am like your father, Gonzalo, and I can sympathize with you—They tell me you are going to have a duel with him—with that pirate. Is it so?"
"No—no such thing now—" returned the young man with some hesitation.
"Don't deceive me, Gonzalo! This duel can not take place. I have come determined to prevent it."
"There is nothing going on, uncle. Make yourself easy."
"It is useless for you to deceive me. I won't leave you for a moment. Here I will remain, I will sleep by your side so that you don't escape me, and I will keep guard over you from dawn to midday and till eve."
Gonzalo stood aghast, seeing that it was necessary to confess all, and to face the matter.