"Señor! Pardon me, but the little lady is alone."
"Am I not a proper man?" the captain demanded.
"It—it is scarcely right for her to receive the visit of a gentleman when her dueña is not present."
"Who are you, to speak to me of the proprieties?" Captain Ramón demanded. "Out of my way, scum! Cross me, and you shall be punished. I know things concerning you!"
The face of the despensero went white at that, for the captain spoke the truth, and at a word could cause him considerable trouble and mayhap a term in cárcel. Yet he knew what was right.
"But, señor—" he protested.
Captain Ramón thrust him aside with his left arm, and stalked into the big living-room. Lolita sprang up in alarm when she saw him standing before her.
"Ah, señorita, I trust that I did not startle you," he said. "I regret that your parents are absent, yet must have a few words with you. This servant would deny me entrance, but I imagine you have naught to fear from a man with one wounded arm."
"It—it is scarcely proper, is it, señor?" the girl asked, a bit frightened.
"I feel sure no harm can come of it," he said.