Luiza was silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. He stood up, went and placed his cane beside the jardinière, and then returned to his seat beside her. Seeing her confusion he begged her not to distress herself. It was not worth while where only money was concerned. It gave him the greatest pleasure to be able to be of use to so charming a woman. She had done right in addressing herself to him. He knew of ladies who, in similar cases, had applied to money-brokers, who got all they could out of them, and were besides indiscreet.
And thus speaking, he caught her hand in his. Seeing that Luiza did not withdraw it, he went on, in an agitated voice, to promise her whatever she wanted.
“Six hundred thousand reis—what you wish.”
“And when?” asked Luiza, in confusion.
“Now!” he exclaimed, passing his arm around her waist, and pressing his lips to hers.
Luiza sprang from her chair at a bound.
“I will give you whatever you wish; but sit down,” he said. “Listen to me—”
Luiza shrank back from him in terror.
“Leave me! leave me!” she cried, in a voice of anguish.
With set teeth and wide-open eyes he approached her again, as if to embrace her. Luiza, indignant, mechanically caught the cane which he had placed beside the jardinière, and struck him violently on the hand.