The General hesitated for a moment, but seemed at length determined.
"Good heavens, sir!" said he, "I am an old soldier, unacquainted with diplomacy; I had a friend, almost a brother, and I am a prey to mortal uneasiness on his account."
"And that friend?"
"Is General Bustamente. You must know," he added, warmly, "that we have been fellow soldiers thirty years; and I should wish—" here he stopped, as if in doubt, looking earnestly at the person he was addressing.
"You would like?" said Don Tadeo, quietly.
"To know the fate that is reserved for him."
Don Tadeo gave the General a melancholy glance.
"To what purpose?" he murmured.
"I beg of you."
"You insist on knowing?"