"Call me
what you like, you shall not abuse him--my affianced lover--the man to
whom I have given my troth!"
"What!" screamed the old crone, now furious with rage. "Do you dare
tell me that--to my face? Never, impudent huzzy--never, while I have
strength and spirit and power to say you no--shall you wed this hated
English mercenary--"
"I will wed no one else."
"That will we see. Is not your hand promised--"
"Not with my consent."
"--Promised, formally, to Benito Villegas--my husband's cousin?"
"I have not consented. Never shall I agree. Benito is a villain. I
hate and detest him!"
"Tell him so to his face, evil-tongued slut!--tell him if you dare! He
is now in the house. That is why I came to fetch you. I saw him
approaching."
"He knows my opinion of him, but if you wish it, aunt, he shall hear
it again," said the young girl, undaunted; and she walked on through
the workroom, straight into the little shop.
Benito was seated at the counter, talking confidentially, and in a
very low voice, with Tio Pedro.
"Are the bales ready, uncle? In two days from now we can run them
through like oil in a tube."
"Have you settled the terms?"
"On both sides. Here the inspectors were difficult, but I oiled their
palms. On the other side the Custom-house officers are my friends.
Pages:
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82