"It may be; but put it back, put it back for Heaven's sake!"
The young man threw it violently into the drawer again, with a gesture of scorn and disgust,—
"Maria has become crazy. It is an abomination, and there's no good in it."
"Don't say that; it's wrong. Maria is very religious,—"
"Religious! religious!" muttered the young fellow, angrily. "So are you, and you don't have to perform these penances—"
"Don't compare me with Maria!"
Ricardo began to pace up and down the room excitedly and without speaking. Then he returned to the chamber, and pulled out the leather cross once more, examining it with more care.
"It seems to me that these nails form letters. Look! Can you make out what they say?"
"No; I don't see anything; it's your imagination."
"Yes, yes; there is an inscription on it. But, however, I don't care to bother with deciphering it. All these things are only absurdities. Come, child, come along! Let every fool have his folly!"