Gilbert intervened. He could not stand this. "I don't know what you're getting at," he said to Lopez, "nor how you're going to get it. But you must see that you can't discuss a thing like this here. It's impossible—utterly impossible." He was suffering vicariously for Lucia.
Pell sneered. "Your delicacy is somewhat delayed," he murmured.
"I don't mind business discussions. But there's been too much insinuation to-day. I won't have any more of it," Jones said.
Lopez looked affectionately at the young fellow, "But if I would make you 'appy...." he said.
"I don't want to be made happy at a cost so great," Gilbert affirmed.
Lucia's lovely head drooped, and she moved to the window.
"It shall be but a moment," the bandit promised. Gilbert walked to the fireplace so that his face would not be seen. Lopez went over to Lucia. "Señora, you do not wish to speak of love. Why?"
"I am married," was the answer.
"And because you are marry, you cannot speak of love?... Eet is strange customs. Tell me, señora, what does your marriage service say?"