"Begone," he said coldly, "for no one will touch your person, which is sacred to all in this camp, our two families no longer reckon insults and wrongs, Don Juan, and this one will be requited with the rest."
During this time poor Inez, apparently not noticing what was going on, was crouching in a corner, and with her head in her hands and her long hair covering her face, was humming in a low voice a hymn to the Virgin. Without making any reply to Diego the young men walked up to Inez and made her rise. She offered no resistance, but continued to sing—
"'The birds in the sky,
The fishes of the sea,
The wild beasts of the forests,
Celebrate her glory.'"
"What is the matter, Señor Caballero?" she suddenly asked, as she broke off her chant and looked at her brother, "you appear sad. Would you like me to sing you a pretty sequidilla?"
"'Señorita, señorita,
Raise your little foot.'"
"Oh," said Don Juan, "what madness! Inez, my sister, recognise me. I am Juanito, your brother, whom you love so dearly."
A flash of intelligence passed into the maiden's eyes, and a smile played round her lips.
"Juanito!" she said. "Yes, yes," she exclaimed clapping her hands, "listen—"
"'Juanito is a brave,
A brave whom I love,
A handsome fellow dressed,
All in cloth—"
A hoarse burst of laughter interrupted the song.