"It makes no difference why they follow me. They are all mine, body and soul, just as you are mine, body and soul."
"Are you going to tell me why Rotiro came here to-day?" asked Raquel.
"Yes, that is what I came to tell you. I came purposely to tell you that. The Señor Silencio sent me a letter by the villain Rotiro."
"For me?" asked Raquel, breathless. "Oh, uncle! Let me see it, let me—"
"No, it was to me. But I will tell you its contents. I will tell you gladly. He offers you his hand in marriage."
"Oh, uncle!"
The girl's eyes were dancing. She blushed and paled alternately; then drew a long sigh, and waited for Escobeda to speak further.
"From your appearance, I should judge that you wish me to accept him for you."
"Oh, uncle!" Again the girl drew short, quick breaths. She gazed eagerly into Escobeda's face. "Can you think anything else? Now I need not go away. Now I need not be longer a burden upon you. Now I shall have a home! Now—I—shall—be—" The girl hesitated and dropped her voice, and then it died away in a whisper. But one meaning could be drawn from Escobeda's cunning screwed-up eyes, his look of triumph, his smile of wickedness.