Cristina did not care to hide her preoccupation. All the afternoon she was thoughtful and serious, even to the point of making herself remarked.
When night came, praise God! I would have opportunity to turn the key that locked up my thoughts and weighed down my soul, and ease my pain a little.
It chanced that Martí had brought from his library the works of Larra, and he read to us, to pass the time, one of his most delicious pieces, entitled "El Castellano Viejo." We all laughed and applauded the gifts and ingenuity of the great satirical writer. From this we went on to talk of his life and his tragic end in the flower of his youth, for he was not yet twenty-eight years of age when he voluntarily quitted this world.
"And why did he kill himself?" asked Matilde.
"For that which men usually kill themselves, for—a woman!" answered Martí, laughing.
"I believe you! When they don't kill themselves on account of money," exclaimed the young wife, showing herself a trifle annoyed.
"That kind have not wholly lost their senses, but there are many more of the first sort," he returned, laughing.
"Thanks, very much. And was she married or single—this one who interested him?"
"Married. It is said that he maintained relations with her during the absence of her husband, that his return was announced, and that then she, repentant or timid, made known to him her resolution to break off with him. The grief of Larra was so severe that he was not able to bear it, so he shot himself."
"But she did right, and he was very stupid to leave life when he was so young and when there are so many women to choose from and marry."