"How do you know that? I will say to you in my turn, Master Paredes. Sufficient for you, for the present, to learn that I am aware of the cause of your journey. I think you said you had heard speak of me before we met?"
"That is true, Señor."
"What terms did the persons who spoke of me employ?"
"The best, I must allow. They represented you to me as a man of unspotted loyalty and dauntless courage."
"Good! Does that report satisfy you—have you confidence in me?"
"Yes; for I am convinced that you are an honest man."
"I hope that your opinion of me will not alter. I will soon prove to you that it is fortunate for you and the Marquis that we have met at the moment when you least expected it; for I was looking for you."
"Looking for me? I do not understand you."
"You do not require to understand me at the present moment; but set your mind at rest, everything will be explained ere long."
"I hope so."