The Indian surprised, murmured: "Oh! yes; they say that I am an ass, and it is true."
"And what do you feel. Come let us see. What do you feel? Explain yourself."
"I, what?" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, what do you feel when you see me? What do you feel when another man comes near me? Take the count for instance. What do you feel at this instant with my arm in yours? Describe me your sensations; what passes in your mind."
"I, señorita.... I don't know how to describe it. ....Your word is my law as much as if I were one of your family ... and it is the same with Don Juan your father, although he may be a bit cantankerous.... What does it signify to me if he be cantankerous or not? If I married you, I have a house thank God.... Yes, and it is not because I say it, but my house is worth more than his, as you know. But we would travel first, in France, Italy, England, whereever you like.... And if it cost us five thousand dollars, what would that matter?"
Garnet held forth for some time in this strain, and Fernanda turned a deaf ear to him. At last the boasting tone bored her, and she said, with a touch of anger:
"Will you be quiet, sir?"
Poor Don Santos was quite crushed, and they went on in silence for some time.
"How ugly all this is!"
"What?"