"No one; but Doña Josefina said one day——I don't know what she said, something, but what does it matter?"
"It is about time for me to think of finding a husband for you Chica."
"Oh! don't say that, please don't papa," said Magdalen, for the first time that evening showing any animation, "I don't want to marry."
"All girls say that," replied Don Alfonso, "but the most of them do marry for all that."
"Some don't," said Magdalen.
"And some find husbands for themselves, without waiting for their fathers to find them for them, as they ought to do. There is a gentleman comes here very often who does not come to see me. What do you think he comes here for, Chica?" said Don Alfonso, with something of tenderness in his tone.
"I don't know what you mean, papa," said Magdalen, flushing scarlet.
"Ah ha! Chica! You think that we old folks have not our eyes about us. You know who I mean, you need not tremble, for I am not angry, for he is a gallant soldier, and if you would like him for a husband I should be proud to call him my son. You must not expect me to get a rich husband for you, for I am poor, very poor."
"But, papa, he does not often come here now, and——" here Magdalen stopped in confusion for she hardly knew what she was saying.
"Not come here often!" said Don Alfonso, laughing; "why he was here three times last week and again to-day. Do you want him to come every day, Chica?"