"Why do you want to know?"
"Answer."
Cecilia made a negative gesture.
"Then I am going to take the liberty of speaking to you on behalf of one who has appealed to me. I mean my friend, Paco Flores, whom you know. He has begged me to intercede for him, and to ask you if you have found him objectionable the few times he has talked with you."
"Objectionable?" she asked in surprise. "Why? I do not dislike anybody as long as they behave well."
"Then he asked me if you would consent to his calling here."
"That is another matter," she returned, suddenly becoming serious. "I can not hinder his calling here, but if my consent thereto implies my liking his visits, I am not disposed to give it."
"It is not a question of your accepting him as a bridegroom," Gonzalo quickly said; "he only wants you to give him a little time, and then if you consider him worthy of your hand you can take him, and if not, you can refuse him."
"Well, it is refused now, and without need of any further talk," returned the girl with firmness.
"That is very sudden," said Gonzalo, smiling to conceal his vexation at her brusk refusal.