"You have been a long time in coming," he said.
"Do you think so?"
"If you knew how impatiently I expected you."
"I suppose so; but believe me, my friend, when you have heard all I have done, only one thing will astonish you—that I am here already."
"What do you mean?"
"Patience! Tell me first what you have been doing during our separation. But one word first—have you beds for us?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, as supper is over, through pity for Don Cornelio, who is asleep in that easy chair, let him be taken to a bed, where he can repose at his ease: he needs it, I assure you."
"The fact is," the Spaniard stammered, "that my eyes will close, in spite of all my efforts to keep them open."
Louis had risen. On a signal he gave, a servant took charge of Don Cornelio, and led him away. Curumilla had lighted his calumet, and was smoking silently.