'Adios, Carmecita!' he remarks, as a young lady of that name sails by us.
'Au revoir, Manuelica!' he says to a dark beauty with remarkably large eyes and exaggerated eyelashes.
'A tus piés, lovely Teresita!' says he to another olive-complexioned damsel, whose chief attractions are a very perfect profile and an intelligent brow.
'Till we meet again, Marianita!' he observes, when Marianita, who has a pretty figure and small hands, passes our way.
'How bewitching you look to-night, my pretty Panchita!' he murmurs, as a charming young girl, with fair hair and a pink and white complexion, blushes and hurries on.
'Farewell, my fascinating Frasquita!' he ejaculates to an equally blonde Creole.
Tunicú's fair hearers apparently do not disapprove of these al fresco compliments, but occasionally acknowledge them by bestowing upon him a momentary smile or a graceful inclination of the head, as they do with scores of admirers, who, like Tunicú, venture to give voice to their sentiments.
Whenever I question my loquacious friend about anybody in whom I may feel interested, he positively overwhelms me with the most minute particulars respecting his or her antecedents.
For example: Fulana de Tal is a visitor at Don Benigno's, and for some mysterious reason Doña Mercedes has, on more than one occasion, offered her pecuniary assistance.
'Do you know that lady?' I inquire, as Fulana de Tal seats herself beside Doña Mercedes.