"No, never. Not even if I were dying of hunger, and this despite the fact that they've often offered to help me. Before coming to Madrid I sailed almost around the world in a yacht belonging to Fanny's brother."
"And this fortune that you expect to own, is it also on some island?" asked Manuel.
"It seems to me that you're of the kind that have no faith," answered Roberto. "Before the crowing of the cock you would deny me three times."
"No. I know nothing of your affairs; but if you should ever need me,
I'll be ready to serve you, and gladly."
"But you doubt my destiny, and are wrong to do so. You imagine that
I'm a bit daft."
"No, no, sir."
"Bah! You think that this fortune that I'm to inherit is all a hoax."
"I don't know."
"Well, it isn't. The fortune exists. Do you remember I was once talking with Don Telmo, in your presence, about a conversation I had with a certain book-binder in his house?"
"Yes, sir. I remember."