He turned to the door, where a man was standing. Pepa, with a piercing shriek, fell senseless. Don Pedro threw his strong arms round Leon to hold him back, and the older gentleman rushed forward indignantly to check his nephew’s further advance.
“For mercy’s sake!—in the name of all the Saints!” exclaimed Don Pedro.
“Stand back!” said Don Justo. “Do not stir a step forward.”
“What business have you here?” cried Leon with contemptuous insolence.
“Go,” said the magistrate. “Have you forgotten our agreement?”
“No. The agreement is not yet in force,” replied Cimarra, not moving an inch, and fixing his eyes on Leon with the glare of a wild tiger. “I came to see my little girl for the last time. I will not contravene the compromise, if others adhere to it. I have no desire to come here unless you are here.”
“I entreat you to go away,” said Don Pedro to Federico.
“He must go first.”
But the gloomy, surly figure in the door-way made no sign of moving.
“He must go first,” echoed Cimarra.