Leonor looked steadily in his face, and making a sign of impatience which she was unable to restrain, proceeded—
"It is surprising that the Count has not informed you."
"Of what?" interrupted Gomez Arias, astonished. "In the name of heaven, explain yourself, Leonor."
"Now, do you not think," continued she, in an affected banter, "it was highly ridiculous in a man of so grave a deportment as the Count to play such boyish tricks? Can you really believe that, shortly after your departure, a message came from him, to announce his intention of surprising you by his attendance at your wedding."
"Certainly," replied Gomez Arias with visible marks of emotion, "the Count's conduct is strange; what his intention has been I really cannot conceive: but at all events, it ought in no manner to entail on me your noble father's displeasure."
"Why, Don Lope," said Leonor significantly, "you are not such a novice in knowledge of the world, as to expect that a man's displeasure should be strictly confined to the object by which it has been caused. Besides, Don Alonzo has other reasons: our fair guest, who was so sacredly beholden to him, is gone."
"What fair guest?" demanded Gomez Arias, with feigned curiosity.
"Did you never hear me speak of her?"
"If I did, I really do not remember."
"And what is become of Roque?" abruptly demanded Leonor: "he did not attend you upon your departure yesterday, and search has been made after him without effect. Is he ill?"