"I ask nothing, Excellency; it does not concern me. I am here to carry out your orders, and not permit myself improper observations."
"This money has been lent me by a friend whose kindness is inexhaustible."
"Heaven grant that you are not mistaken, Excellency; and that the man from whom you have this money is really a friend."
"What do you mean, Don José? To what are you alluding?"
"I make no allusion, mi amo; I merely think that friends who lend fifty thousand piastres from hand to hand—pardon my frankness, Excellency—to a man whose affairs are in such a condition as yours, are very rare at present; and that, before forming a definite judgment about them, it would be wiser to wait and learn the cause of such singular generosity."
Don Hernando sighed. He shared his majordomo's opinions, though he would not allow it. Following the tactics of all men who have not good reasons to allege, he suddenly turned the conversation.
"You can take three or four persons with you," he said.
"What to do, Excellency?"
"Why, to act as escort on your return."
The majordomo began laughing.