"Of course we will, Padré," we both answered. "What is it?"
The "Padré" and the "dear children" were now well established forms of address, and I think the old man delighted in them.
"I want you to promise me," he replied, "that you will spend some part of the year with me in Valoro."
"Of course we will," we chorused.
Dolores whispered a few words in my ear to which I readily nodded assent.
"Padré," she continued aloud, "we will come and spend Christmas and the
New Year with you, and we will bring Lord St. Nivel and Ethel with us.
I am sure they will come. Then," she added, turning to me, "we will
have all our courtship over again."
In such happy thoughts the time sped away. Don Juan, as an act of gratitude for what he called "a dutiful acquiescence" to his wishes, purchased a town house for us in Grosvenor Square.
"During the season," he added meditatively, "perhaps you will find a little room for me"—most of the best bedrooms measured about 25 by 40—"that is all I need. After consideration, I have decided that it would be too much to ask you to have any of my dear snakes. If I bring any with me, I shall board them out at the Zoo."
The tenant of my manor house by the Solent, when he heard I was going to be married, called upon me at my club.
"My dear fellow," he said, "I'm a sportsman; I couldn't think of keepin' on your house when I know you'll want it to settle down in. I've seen another across the water that'll suit me just as well, and you shall have your own again before the weddin'."