"How do you do, Laura?" he said, passing her. Then turning quickly, he said in a careless sort of way:
"How is your master?"
"The señor is not ill."
"Ah! But I was told—well, have not seen him for two days. Are you going shopping for the señora?"
"They are shirts for the señor conde."
"From Ramiro's? Let me see them, as I have to get some too."
The maid opened the box, and the Chatterbox examined the contents.
"They are very fine; they would be too dear for me."
"Yes, señor, they are dear, and yet the señor does not think they are good enough. He wants them of silk, at whatever cost, and although I have been to every shop I can't get them. There is nothing for it but to order them."
"Of silk? Madre! Then he is going to be married!"