"Hands off!" cried the young man, savagely striking at Pedro.
"What! You dare!" said the other furiously. "I am not too old to deal with such a stripling. Begone, I say, quicker than that!" and Tio Pedro pushed Benito towards the door.
There was a struggle, but it was of short duration. Within a few seconds Benito was ejected into the street.
By-and-by, when the coast was clear, and Mariquita felt safe from the intrusion of the man she loathed, she came out into the shop.
By this time the place was quiet. Tio Pedro had gone off to a neighbouring wine-shop to exaggerate his recent prowess, and La Zandunga sat alone behind the counter.
"Where is Benito? Has he gone?" asked Mariquita, nervously.
"Yes. Did he frighten my sweet bird?" said her aunt, soothing her. "He is an indecent, ill-mannered rogue, and we shall be well rid of him."
"Well rid of him? He really leaves us, then? For the Crimea?"
"You have guessed it. Yes. He thinks there is a chance of finding fortune there."
Was that his only reason? Mariquita put her hand upon her heart, which had almost ceased beating. She was sick with apprehension. Did not Benito's departure forebode evil for her lover?