"How?" said the count, approaching.
"Ask Amalia."
Then the smile suddenly left the lips of the nobleman.
"What? What do you mean?" he exclaimed with undisguised confusion.
Amalia also looked upset, and her pale cheeks grew red.
"We have been grumbling at you, my man, and a pretty character we gave you. Yes, Manuel Antonio has been saying that you are a dog in the manger," said Amalia.
"No, you were the one who said so."
"I?" exclaimed the lady.
"And why am I the dog in the manger?" said the count. "Let us hear."
"Because Amalia says you do not want to eat the meat yourself, and you will not let Don Santos eat it."