‘Estella is of course jealous.’
The priest looked at her with a slow wise smile and said nothing.
‘She—’ began Julia, and then closed her lips—true to that esprit de sexe which has ruled through all the ages. Then Julia Barenna gave a sharp sigh as her mind reverted from Estella’s affairs to her own.
Sitting thus in silence, the two occupants of the quiet room heard the approach of steps and the clink of spurs in the corridor.
‘It is the reverendo who visits the señorita,’ they heard the voice of the sentinel explain deprecatingly.
The priest rose and went to the door, which he opened.
‘Only as a friend,’ he said. ‘Come in, General.’
General Vincente entered the room followed by Estella. He nodded to Concha and kissed his niece affectionately.
‘Still obdurate?’ he said, with a semi-playful tap on her shoulder. ‘Still obdurate? My dear Julia, in peace and war the greatest quality in the strong is mercy. You have proved yourself strong—you have worsted that unfortunate Alcalde—be merciful to him now, and let this incident finish.’
He drew forward a chair, the others being seated, and laid aside his gloves. The sword which he held upright between his knees, with his two hands resting on the hilt, looked incongruously large and reached the level of his eyes. He gave a little chuckling laugh.