“Where did you find that out?”
“You see, it’s the truth! And now you are tired of her and have come back here. Well, son, you can clear out; for there’s no more meat on the hook for lack of a cat, and I want nothing more to do with you. I have more than enough men who are better than you are, who have more money than you have, and more heart.”
“I don’t deny it,” replied Quentin coldly.
“Ah! You don’t deny it? You don’t deny it?” she shouted, raising her voice in her fury. “But what do you think I am? What do you think?”
“Come, don’t shriek so,” said Quentin gently.
“I’ll shriek if I want to. Tell me, you evil-blooded scoundrel; what did you take me for? Do you think you can laugh at me like this?”
“That is admirable logic!” replied Quentin. “One believes here that his life is the axle of the universe; other people’s lives have no importance.”
“Why—”
“Please; I am talking. I left the café the other night, and thanks to the influence of Señor Gálvez, with whom you were....”
“I!” said María. “That’s not true.”