Ana listened. She heard distant cries, and the sound of the water as it churned underneath the propeller blades.
Ana shrank to the size of an ant as she answered, her face blanching: "Indeed! yes, I do hear the Señor, Señor. I have heard the Señor like that, Señor, many a time. And does the Señor think that the Señor can come here to the casa of Palmacristi?"
"Not for some time, I think, Ana," said Don Gil, smiling, though a faint wrinkle was discernible on his brow.
"It always seems to me as if the Señor Escobeda could get anywhere, Señor," said Ana, simply. "He has only to wish, the Señor, and the thing is done."
"That would be bad for us," said Silencio. "Ana, will you give this lady to me?"
"I? And what does the Señor think that I have to do with it?"
"Is the Señor Escobeda a nearer relative than you are, Ana?"
"Indeed, no! Señor," said Ana. "I was her mother's own cousin once removed, while the Señor Es--"
"Very well!" said Silencio, "that is all that I want. Come! padre, let us prepare for the wedding."
It was two or three days after this that Uncle Adan came in toward sunset with a fine piece of news.
"The Señor knows the hacienda of Palmacristi?" began Uncle Adan, more as a preface than as a question.
Don Beltran laughed. He had known the hacienda of Palmacristi as long as he had known anything; he had known the old Don Gil well, who, indeed, had been a distant relative of his own, and he had seen the young Don Gil grow up to manhood. Beltran was ten years older than Silencio. He had often envied the young fellow his independence and freedom in the way of money. He thought him hot-headed and likely to get into trouble some day, and now, from Uncle Adan's account, that day had arrived. He did not think it necessary to say this; Adan knew it as well as he.
"What has he been doing now?" asked Don Beltran.
"Only getting married, Señor," answered the old capitas.
"I did not dream that he would do anything so sensible," said Don Beltran, with a glance at Agueda.
Agueda bent her eyes low and blushed. How dear it was of him to think of her first of all, and always in that connection. But what was the haste? He loved her, of that she was sure. He would always love her. When he was ready, she would be, but it was not a pressing matter.