"Stop, do not dare to mention her to me, sir. I refuse to hear even her name."
She had thrown back her veil, showing her indignant face, her blazing midnight eyes and Roderic, who had never yet seen her in this mood was appalled.
"Since you command it I shall say no more. Once I condemned you unheard and God knows I paid dearly for the error. Now, with even less reason you have accused me, and refuse to let me explain. Very good, senorita, I too can be proud—it must be you who bridges over this abyss if it is ever accomplished. Meanwhile I shall go my way and find Leon, thanks to the lady you have so bitterly condemned."
He turned with a bow and left her there.
Roderic was cut to the quick to think that she could suspect him of being unfaithful after all he had given up for her sake.
It might seem as though he would have great patience with one whom he loved and who was passing through the same bitter error that had once engulfed him.
Alas! human nature is not so constituted.
His pride was touched and he believed he had gone far enough to explain.
Ten words, had she allowed him to say them, would have removed the cause for doubt and suspicion; but as imperiously as a young queen, she had forbidden him to speak, and therefore like a lamb led to the altar he would not open his mouth again to plead his cause.