Carolina. But surely he has not heard it already?
Zurita. Yes, at the Club. Some one had the book; they were passing it around....
Florencio. At the Club?
Zurita. Don't be alarmed. Everybody thinks it is blackmail—a case of chantage. Don Patricio could never have written such letters.
Florencio. Ah! So they think that?
Zurita. Even if he had, they deal with private matters, which ought never to have been made public.
Florencio. Exactly my idea—with private matters; they are confidential.
Zurita. I lost no time, as you may be sure, of hurrying to Valdivieso's shop, where the books are on sale. I found him amazed; he was entirely innocent. He bought the copies supposing that the subject was of timely importance; that it was of a serious nature. He hurried at once to withdraw the copies from the window, and ran in search of the author.
Florencio. Of the author? Is the author in town?
Zurita. Yes, he came with the books; he arrived with them this morning.