An idea had entered Pepa’s head, and she did not hesitate to carry it out. She drove to Suertebella, crept into the house through the museum and the Incroyable drawing-room, whence she made her way through the long suites of apartments to the room she wanted to reach. As we have seen she realised her project; with regard to its issue we can only beg the reader to have patience and read on.
CHAPTER XVI.
AN EXCESS OF ZEAL.
Very early on the Wednesday morning Leon went out to take a walk in the garden. When he went in again, he sat down alone in the “Hall of Hymen,” where he was presently joined by Gustavo. Telleria had put on a face of stern severity and held his head high with an assumption of forensic dignity, and a certain ostentation and inflation of demeanour due apparently to the glow kept up inside him by the combustion of “laws human and divine;” so that he seemed ready to burst, but for the relief afforded by the crater of his mouth through which all this inflammatory ferment found an issue, mingled with the lava of his indignation. Leon saw at once that mischief was brewing.
“I have been anxiously awaiting daylight to have an opportunity of talking to you,” said Gustavo in dry tones that argued considerable annoyance.
“If you were so impatient,” replied Leon even more drily, “you might have struck a light and we could have talked at night.”
“At night? No. I feared I might disturb you in more agreeable society,” said the lawyer sarcastically.
“Then speak at once, and as briefly as you can. Forget, for once, that you are an orator, and that you spend your life among women who are never tired of talking.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, but I must tell you that I cannot be brief.”