"A man like myself, caballero, has no friends, only customers."
"Friends or customers, you are betraying them."
"Pooh! We have settled our accounts. They owe me nothing, nor I them. We are quits. Look ye, caballero: in every business there are two sides, which a skilful man can work equally well. I have drawn all I could from the first, so I am going to try the other now."
The count heard the lepero develope this strange theory with an amazement mingled with terror. A cynicism so ripe and shameless terrified him and yet the count was not excessively thin-skinned.
"We will agree, then, that you have come to do me a service."
The lepero smiled.
"Let us understand one another," continued he. "I say so not to startle the consciences of the gentlemen who were present on my entrance; but between ourselves, I will be more frank."
"Which means?"
"That I have come to sell it to you."
"Be it so!"