The maid rose and left her.
"As he knows him," said Hermosa, as soon as she was alone, "I will make him speak, and teach me what I want to learn."
So she awaited impatiently the return of her messenger.
The latter seemed to have divined the anxiety of her mistress, and made such haste to execute her commission that scarcely ten minutes elapsed before she announced Don Estevan.
We have already said that Don Estevan was a handsome man; he had the heart of a lion, the eye of an eagle; his carriage full of grace and suppleness, betrayed his race. He entered, saluting the lady with a winning familiarity authorised by his long and intimate connection with one whom he had known from her cradle.
"Dear Estevan," said she, stretching out her hand gaily, "how happy I am to see you! Sit down here and let us talk."
"Yes; let us have some chat," answered Don Estevan, gladly entering into the spirit of Hermosa's gaiety.
"Give Estevan a chair, chica, and then go; I do not want you any longer."
The maid obeyed without replying.
"What a number of things I have to tell you, my friend!" resumed the doña. "But first excuse me for running away from you. My sole thought was to be alone, and put my ideas into a little order."