"¡Viva Dios!" the worthy man exclaimed, "Where on earth are you going, Don Melchior?"
The young man looked at him haughtily.
"Am I your master's prisoner?" he replied, drily.
"Not at all, señor," the peon said, with the greatest politeness.
"In that case, by what right do you ask me such a question? Am I not at liberty to do what I please?"
"I do not say the contrary."
"If that is the case, what do you want with me?"
"Caballero, I beg you not to take in ill part what I am so free as to say to you. The Señor Conde feels a very lively interest in you; before leaving the hacienda, he ordered me to pay the greatest attention to you."
"Admitted."
"On seeing you mount your horse at so advanced an hour, and take provisions with you, I assumed that it was your intention to leave the hacienda."