"
"Do not be so cruel. I implore you to let me speak to her."
"Be off!" said the old woman, angrily. "You are importunate and
ill-bred."
"I will not go; I will see her first."
"Put him out, Pedro; by force, if he will not go quietly."
Tio Pedro rose rather reluctantly and advanced towards Benito.
"Hands off!" cried the young man, savagely striking at Pedro.
"What! You dare!" said the other furiously. "I am not too old to deal
with such a stripling. Begone, I say, quicker than that!" and Tio
Pedro pushed Benito towards the door.
There was a struggle, but it was of short duration. Within a few
seconds Benito was ejected into the street.
By-and-by, when the coast was clear, and Mariquita felt safe from the
intrusion of the man she loathed, she came out into the shop.
By this time the place was quiet. Tio Pedro had gone off to a
neighbouring wine-shop to exaggerate his recent prowess, and La
Zandunga sat alone behind the counter.
"Where is Benito? Has he gone?" asked Mariquita, nervously.
"Yes. Did he frighten my sweet bird?" said her aunt, soothing her.
"He is an indecent, ill-mannered rogue, and we shall be well rid of
him."
"Well rid of him? He really leaves us, then? For the Crimea?"
"You have guessed it. Yes. He thinks there is a chance of finding
fortune there.
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