"Ah! It is you, Don Juan Armero?" said he, saluting the person in a friendly way; "What news? You return from a reconnoitering trip, do you not?"
"Just so, general," answered Don Juan, after having given a military salute to his chief; "I have just arrived, and I bring news."
"Speak without fear. Everyone is asleep."
"That may be, but if you will allow me, I will tell you the news in the open air—not here."
"How is that?" said Don Zeno; "We are, I think, in a very good position to talk here."
"Excuse me, general," said Don Juan Armero, "but these walls of canvas, which intercept the view, without preventing words from being heard, cause me a fear which I cannot surmount. I am afraid, though I may be deceived, that there may be a spy on the watch."
"Is what you have to say to me important, then?" asked Don Zeno.
"I think it is of some importance."
"Hum!" said Zeno, in a reverie; "Come then."
The night was calm; millions of stars glittered in the dark blue sky; the breeze gently agitated the leafy tops of the trees; the moon, on the wane, spread an uncertain light on the landscape.