‘Estella is in the garden?’ he asked, and received no answer.
‘I know what you are thinking,’ said the General. ‘You are thinking that we should do well to tell Estella of these distressing suspicions.’
‘For you it does not matter,’ replied the priest. ‘It is a mere incident, as you say. Your life has been attempted before, and you killed both the men with your own hand, if I recollect aright.’
Vincente shrugged his shoulders and looked rather embarrassed.
‘But a woman,’ went on Concha, ‘cannot afford to trust a man against her better judgment.’
By way of reply the General rose and rang the bell, requesting the servant when he answered the summons to ask the señorita to spare a few moments of her time.
They exchanged no further words until Estella came hurrying into the room with a sudden flush on her cheeks and something in her dark eyes that made her father say at once—
‘It is not bad news that we have, my child.’
Estella glanced at Concha and said nothing. His wise old eyes rested for a moment on her face with a little frown of anxiety.
‘We have had a visit from the Señora Barenna,’ went on the General, ‘and she is anxious that we should invite Julia to go to Madrid with us. It appears that Esteban Larralde is still attempting to force his attentions on Julia, and is at present in Ronda. You will not object to her coming with us?’