"The devil!" exclaimed the latter; "It is fortunate that you have at last consented to answer me. For more than quarter of an hour I have been speaking to you without getting a word out of you. It seems as if you had been sound asleep, companion."
"Pardon me, Señor, I was not asleep; I was reflecting, which is often much about the same."
"¡Demonio! I will not quibble about that; but as you now consent to listen to me, will you be so good as to answer me?"
"I am quite agreeable; but that I may do so, it will be necessary, my dear Don Santiago, to repeat your question, of which I assure you I have not heard a word."
"I will do so, although, without exaggeration, I have done so at least ten times to no purpose."
"I have already begged you to excuse me."
"I know it, and I therefore will not be offended at your inattention. This is what I have to say: it is at least six o'clock; the sun is setting amidst coppery clouds of the worst kind; I fear a storm tonight."
"Oh! Oh!" exclaimed the young man; "Are you sure of that?"
"I have too much acquaintance with these mountains to be deceived."
"Hum! And what do you intend to do?"