"Then yes, yes; a thousand times yes. But I can not treat Cecilia in a cold, indifferent manner. That would be very ugly. I prefer to tell her plainly and end the matter once for all."
"Then don't tell her, and you and I will have done with each other. Better so," returned the girl with impatience.
"For God's sake, don't speak like that, Ventura! I shall think you don't love me. You must understand that my position is awkward, strange, and terrible. To be on the eve of marrying an excellent girl; then without any quarrel whatever, without any warning of any kind, to suddenly say to her: 'It is all over. I can not marry you because I do not love you, and I never have loved you,' is the most brutal and hateful thing that has ever been known. Besides, I don't know how your parents will take my behavior. It is most probable that, justly indignant on her behalf, they will load me with reproaches and forbid me the house."
"Very well; marry her--and go in peace!" said Venturita, turning somewhat pale.
"That I'll never do. I marry you, or nobody."
"I don't know," returned the youth, hanging his head in distress.
Both remained silent for some seconds. Then Venturita, placing her hand on his head, said:
"You can't manage it. Come, then; go along, and leave it to me. I will speak to mama; but you must write a letter to Cecilia."
"Oh, my God! Ventura!" he exclaimed, full of anguish.
"Then what do you want--say?" asked the girl, now in a rage. "Do you think I am going to be made a plaything of?"
"If we could only manage without this letter," returned Gonzalo humbly. "You can't imagine the effort it will be for me. Would it not do if I left off coming to the house for some days?"
"Yes, yes; be off and don't come back!" she replied, taking a step to the door.
But the youth caught her by the tresses of her hair.
"Come, don't be cross, beautiful one; you well know that you have completely conquered and fascinated me, and that I will obey your every command, even to casting myself into the sea. I only told you my opinion--if you don't like it, I have nothing more to say. I only want to avoid hurting Cecilia."
"It is like your conceit!" exclaimed the girl, without turning round. "Do you think Cecilia is going to die of grief?"