There was another pause. Luiza paced up and down the room with bent head and frowning brow; then, stopping before Sebastião, she said to him with an uneasy glance,—
“If Jorge were to hear of this, how it would annoy him!”
“There is no need for him to hear of it,” answered Sebastião quickly. “All this should remain between ourselves.”
“So as not to distress him; is it not so?”
“Of course. Then you are not angry with me?” he added, holding out his hand to her almost with timidity.
“I, Sebastião? What folly!”
“I am very glad. I thought it my duty; for, after all, my dear friend, you knew nothing of all this.”
“Far from it.”
“Just so. Good-by, then; I do not wish to trouble you further.” And he added, much moved, “I am always at your service.”
“Good-by, Sebastião. But what a hateful set of people they are! All for having seen that poor fellow enter the house three or four times.”