"While here," he said to them in a low whisper, "say but little, for you can never tell what neighbours you may have. If you want us, you know where we are; I now leave you."
His sister caught his arm and put her lips to his ear, and he went away without making any answer.
The two girls, when alone, threw themselves into each other's arms. When this outburst was over, they disguised themselves as Indian women. At the moment when their Spanish dresses were about to fall, they heard footsteps close to them, and turned like startled fawns.
"I was afraid," Doña Concha said, "lest it was Don Pedro; let us listen."
"Caray, Don Torribio, you are welcome," a man's voice said, hardly three yards from the girls; "I have been waiting for you for more than two hours."
"Always that man!" Concha murmured.
"My good fellow," Don Torribio replied, "it was impossible for me to come sooner."
"Well, here you are, that is the main point," the first speaker remarked.
At this moment Pedrito entered; Mercedes made him a sign to listen, and he came to her side.
"Are you satisfied with your position at Carmen?" Torribio continued.