"I am bored. Some day I shall go away," she exclaimed at all these interviews.
Other times the imposing servant would receive the torero at the wicket and tell him the Señora was out, when he knew quite certainly that she was at home.
Gallardo told her one evening of a short excursion he was obliged to make to his farm of La Rinconada. He wanted to see some olive yards his manager had bought for him during his absence, and added to the property. He wanted also to look after the general work.
The idea of accompanying the espada on this expedition delighted Doña Sol. To go to that grange where Gallardo's family spent the greater part of the year! To enter with the startling scandal of irregularity and sin into the quiet atmosphere of that country house, where the poor fellow lived with his belongings!...
The absurdity of the wish decided her. She also would go. The idea of seeing La Rinconada interested her.
Gallardo felt afraid. He thought of all the farm people, of the gossips who would probably tell his family of this trip, but Doña Sol's glance beat down all his scruples. Who could tell? ... possibly this trip might bring on a return of their former intimacy.
All the same he wished to oppose one obstacle to this wish.
"How about El Plumitas?... According to what I hear, he is wandering round La Rinconada."
"Ah! El Plumitas!" Doña Sol's face, darkened by boredom, seemed to light up with an inward flame.
"How curious! I should be so delighted if you could present him to me."