Manuel raised his two eyes in the greatest astonishment. Don Sergio pinched the boy’s none too rosy cheeks. Manuel stood there gazing at the floor, and after the baroness had given him permission, walked out of the room.
“He’s very shy,” explained the baroness.
“I was the same way myself when I was his age,” replied Don Sergio.
The lady smiled maliciously. Manuel went back to his place in the bed chamber and continued to spy upon them; the baroness bewailed her lack of means; Cromwell defended himself like a lion. At the conclusion of the conference the chalky old fellow drew out his wallet and deposited several banknotes upon the night table.
The baroness saw him to the door.
“So, Paquita, you are quite satisfied now?” he asked, before leaving.
“Ever so much!”
“And you’re not sorry that I came to see you?”
“Ay, Don Sergio! You deserted me so cruelly. And you—the only friend of my poor father!”