"Let us understand each other, Gonzalo. What have I done?" she asked in an injured tone.
The young man was silent as he looked at her sternly. Then after some minutes he said slowly:
"You know too well. Repeating it degrades me."
There was another pause of silence, and then Ventura said somewhat impatiently:
"Well, what do you want?"
"I am going to tell you," returned the young man, restraining himself with difficulty. "I want this objectionable friendship to cease, as you see it is most derogatory to me. I want you not to think any more of the Duke of Tornos, nor to take any notice of his suave smile nor of his generally compromising flirting manners. I want to resume the calm tenor of our lives, such as it was before his arrival; and as that is my wish, I intend to have it done at all costs."
He was silent for a minute, and then, with a vehemence beyond what the occasion required, he added:
"This very day the duke shall leave the house."
Ventura looked at him in amazement. She turned suddenly livid, and with her lips trembling with rage she exclaimed:
"What do you mean? You will have to be taken to Leganes. Come, come," she added in a more conciliatory tone, "do me the kindness to leave me in peace, and go and calm yourself, for you really require it."