“My lord duke,” he said, “I will no doubt astonish you: I come to take your orders, to thank you for all your goodness, and to announce to you my immediate departure.”
“Your departure?” said the duke, overcome with astonishment.
“Yes, señor, to-day.”
“And Maria?”
“She does not go with me.”
“Come, Don Frederico, this must be a piece of fun; this cannot be.”
“That which cannot be, duke, is that I remain an instant longer in Madrid.”
“What motive?”
“Do not ask me, I cannot tell you.”
“I cannot imagine even the motive of such folly.”