On seeing his wife, who had been compelled to withdraw from Buenos Aires in order to escape from the pursuit of Don Bernardo Pedrosa, Don Guzman, notwithstanding his resolve not to make himself known to her for the present, could not resist the temptation of pressing her to his heart.
The lady uttered a cry of joy on finding herself once more in her husband's arms.
Don Leoncio, a few months after the confession he had made to his brother, seemed to have forgotten his passion, and had espoused the second sister of Don Diego de Solis, four months prior to the day the events of which we are now recording.
So when Don Guzman was forced into a temporary separation from his wife, he had not hesitated to confide her to his brother, convinced that the latter's love for Doña Antonia had changed into honourable and lasting friendship.
"Why have you returned?" said Don Guzman, kissing his wife.
"It was necessary," she replied in a low voice, and suppressing a gesture of fear; "my sister herself recommended me to do so."
"It was very imprudent, my darling."
"Oh! I have no fears at your side. Will you not embrace your son, too?"
"Have you brought him with you?"
"I will not leave you again, whatever may happen." Then, bending to her husband's ear she whispered: "Your brother is as much in love with me as ever; his wife discovered his passion for me, and it is she and Don Diego who advised my return, as my position was growing intolerable."