"And for the honour of our name, sister—do not forget that—in order to restore to an illustrious coat of arms its now tarnished splendour; but enough of this, here is my niece; of all this conversation, remember but one word, which I repeat to you—hope!"
"Oh! Oh! Thanks, brother," she said, embracing him for the last time.
At this moment a door opened, and a young lady appeared.
"Ah, my uncle, my dear uncle!" she exclaimed eagerly approaching him and offering him her cheek, which he kissed several times; "At last you have arrived, and are most welcome."
"What is the matter, Carmen, my child?" he asked affectionately; "Your eyes are red, you are pale, you have been crying again."
"It is nothing, uncle—the folly of a nervous and anxious woman, that is all; have you not brought don Estevan back with you?"
"No," he replied lightly, "he will not return for some days; but he is perfectly well," he added, exchanging a significant look with doña María.
"Have you seen him?"
"Yes, only two days ago. I am slightly the cause of the delay, as I insisted on his not yet returning, as I wanted him down there; but are we not going to breakfast? I am literally dying of hunger," he said to turn the conversation.
"Yes, directly, we were only waiting for Carmen: now she is here, let us sit down," and she rang a bell.