"You have not had your fees," I said, pulling out my purse to pay him.
"And don't want any, if you please."
"You explained, of course, that I had retained you?"
"I told him everything that had passed, and thank my patron saint I got out of the place without a police escort."
I made such apology to him as I could, and left him, quite unappeased and still full of indignation, and drove in all haste to Quesada's house, feeling very anxious. Matters were moving very fast, much faster than I had anticipated, and I saw that I must play my card boldly.
I half expected he would deny himself, but I was shown in without hesitation, and his sister came to me. She was looking very troubled and pale, I thought; but she greeted me with her customary warmth and cordiality.
"You have not been to see us since your return from England, Senor Carbonnell. That is not how we interpret friendship in Spain."
"I have been back only two days, senorita, and they have been very full ones. I pray you to excuse me. And even now I have come to see your brother on business."
"That is engagingly frank, at any rate," and she tossed her head.
"I am very clumsy in my phrase, I fear; but very anxious. Do not think it is not a pleasure to me to see you."