"Catch that dog, take him out of the town, and shoot him."
The man-servant was thunderstruck. He stood for some minutes in doubt, and then, cowed by the stern, imperious look of the duke, he bowed submissively and proceeded to execute the order.
He called the dog, put a chain on him, and taking his gun he left the house. How little the poor creature thought he was going to his death! He leaped for joy; he wriggled with delight, and lavished such licks of affection on the servant's face that the man's eyes filled with tears, and he cursed the course of action to which he was compelled, for the beautiful dog was a great favorite of his.
"Heaven's mercy on us! What should he say to Señor Gonzalo when he heard that his Polion had been killed?"
Just as he was thinking this, Gonzalo appeared round the corner of the street. He had arrived in the coach from Lancia, and was on his way home. Seeing the servant, he said with some surprise:
"Where are you off to, Ramon?"
The servant, abashed and frightened, hesitated a few seconds, and then said:
"To kill the dog."
This reply so astonished the young man that he was dumb with amazement.
"Kill the dog!"