A handsome woman, about thirty years of age, with a fair complexion and black eyes, her splendid proportions showing to advantage, in a blue merino gown, now entered, carrying a silver tray, on which were placed glasses, a bottle of cognac, and another of Curaçao.
“A handsome woman!” murmured Alves, with a flushed countenance.
Julião placed his finger on his lips, and said in an undertone, glancing at the counsellor,—
“Darest thou, madman, raise thine eyes
To Cæsar’s wife!”
While they were sipping the Curaçao, Julião went softly into the study, and raised the cloth that concealed the object of his curiosity. Under it were rows of bound books tied together with twine,—the works of the counsellor intact!
CHAPTER XX.
THE DREGS IN THE CUP.
WHEN Jorge reached home at eleven o’clock he found Luiza up, waiting for him, with a book in her hand.
She asked him how the counsellor’s dinner had passed off.
“Excellently,” replied Jorge. “A great deal of wine was drunk, toasts were proposed—” And suddenly interrupting himself, “By the bye, what took you every day to the Arroios?” he said.