"I doubt neither your courtesy nor your devotion, Don Melchior, and I think I have given you sufficient proof of that."
"Madam," the young man answered warmly, "your kindness to me has known no bounds. I feel for you the veneration I should have for a mother, for you have acted as such to me."
"I did what my religion commanded for an abandoned orphan. But enough on this head: tell me what there is new at the hacienda."
"When you left the house without warning me, contrary to your habit, madam, to get ready to accompany you, I was at first very sad, for I was afraid that I had displeased you; then, on reflection, and after seeking in my mind what the motive could be that urged you to exile me from your presence, I supposed that I should be more useful to you here than if I followed you."
"Quite right," she answered, with a smile. "Go on; but first sit down here by my side," she added, affectionately.
The young man bowed respectfully, and took the chair pointed out to him.
"I need not tell you, madam," he continued, "what is the motive of this day's meeting, or who the persons present are."
"No, pass over that."
"But among these persons there is one whose presence you are assuredly far from suspecting."
"Who is it?"