“She forgot something?” asked Cæsar stupidly.
“Yes,” replied Amparito; and added, addressing the old woman:
“Go see if there is a little glass box in Señorita Laura’s room.”
The old woman went out, and Amparito, looking at Cæsar, who was on his feet watching her nervously, said:
“Do you still hate me?”
“I?” exclaimed Cæsar.
“Yes, you do hate me.”
“I! I have never hated you.... Quite the contrary.”
“Whenever you see me you get away, and just now you looked at me as if you were terrified. Have you such a grudge against me for a joke I played on you long ago?”
“I, a grudge! No. It is because I have the impression, Amparito, that you want to upset my plans, to make game of me. Why do you?”