"Ah! that is all!" she said, with a smile of satisfaction.
"Certainly, all! There is in this neighbourhood an exceedingly curious grotto. I was foolish enough to let some words slip concerning it this morning before Don Valentine, and that demon of a Frenchman," he added, with a smile, "insists upon my showing it to him; so that, in order to get rid of his importunities, I have been obliged to comply."
"You have done quite right," she said, eagerly; "we are under great obligations to those two French caballeros, and what he asked is such a trifle!"
"That it would have been uncourteous on my part to refuse him," Don Tadeo interrupted, "therefore I have not. We shall set off directly, in order to be the sooner back. Be as cheerful as you can during our absence, dear child."
"I will endeavour," she said, absently.
"Besides, I shall leave Don Louis to take care of you; you can chat together, and the time will quickly pass away."
The young girl blushed as she stammered—"Come back soon, dear friend."
"Time to go and return, that is all; adieu, then, darling!"
Don Tadeo left the tent, and rejoined the young men.
"Adieu, Don Louis!" he said. "Are you ready, Don Valentine?"