Valentine bowed.
"Well, caballero," the general continued, "the affair I wished to discuss with your friend is certainly important; but if your full powers extend to commercial transactions, I do not see why I should not treat with you as well as with him."
"Speak openly, then, general, for I am Don Louis' partner."
"This is the affair in two words—"
"Pardon me," Doña Angela suddenly said, with a little air of resolution, which even imposed on the general himself; "before you begin talking about trade, I should like to ask this gentleman a few questions."
The general turned in surprise, and bent an inquiring glance on his daughter.
"What can you have to ask this caballero?" he said.
"You will soon know, my dear papa," she replied with a slight tone of sarcasm, "if you will permit me to ask him two or three questions."
"Speak, then, you little madcap," the general exclaimed with a shrug of his shoulders; "speak, and make a finish as soon as you can."
"Thank you, papa. Your permission is, perhaps, not very graciously granted, but I shall not bear you malice on that account."