"Don't be foolish," continued his aunt, putting her hand on his shoulder and looking at him closely. "Don't imagine absurdities; convince yourself that your enemy, if you have one, is in Madrid, in that centre of corruption, of envy and rivalry, not in this peaceful and tranquil corner, where all is good-will and concord. Some one, no doubt, who is envious of your merit---- There is one thing I wish to say now--and that is, that if you desire to go there to learn the cause of this affront and ask an explanation of it from the Government, you must not neglect doing so on our account."
Pepe Rey fixed his eyes on his aunt's countenance, as if he wished to penetrate with his glance the inmost depths of her soul.
"I say that if you wish to go, do so," repeated Dona Perfecta, with admirable serenity, while her countenance expressed the most complete and unaffected sincerity.
"No, senora: I do not wish to go."
"So much the better; I think you are right. You are more tranquil here, notwithstanding the suspicions with which you are tormenting yourself.
Poor Pepillo! We poor rustics of Orbajosa live happy in our ignorance.
I am very sorry that you are not contented here. But is it my fault if you vex and worry yourself without a cause? Do I not treat you like a son? Have I not received you as the hope of my house? Can I do more for you? If in spite of all this you do not like us, if you show so much indifference toward us, if you ridicule our piety, if you insult our friends, is it by chance because we do not treat you well?"
Dona Perfecta's eyes grew moist.
"My dear aunt," said Pepe, feeling his anger vanish, "I too have committed some faults since I have been a guest in this house."
"Don't be foolish. Don't talk about committing faults. Among the persons of the same family every thing is forgiven."
"But Rosarito--where is she?" asked the young man, rising. "Am I not to see her to-day, either?"
"She is better. Do you know that she did not wish to come down stairs?"
"I will go up to her then."
"No, it would be of no use. That girl has some obstinate notions--to-day she is determined not to leave her room. She has locked herself in."
"What a strange idea!"
"She will get over it. Undoubtedly she will get over it. We will see to-night if we cannot put these melancholy thoughts out of her head. We will get up a party to amuse her. Why don't you go to Don Inocencio's and ask him to come here to-night and bring Jacintillo with him?"
"Jacintillo!"
"Yes, when Rosarito has these fits of melancholy, the only one who can divert her is that young man."
"But I will go upstairs----"
"No, you must not."
"What etiquette there is in this house!"
"You are ridiculing us. Do as I ask you."
"But I wish to see her."
"But you cannot see her. How little you know the girl!"
"I thought I knew her well. I will stay here, then. But this solitude is horrible."
"There comes the notary."
"Maledictions upon him!"
"And I think the attorney-general has just come in too--he is an excellent person."
"He be hanged with his goodness!"
"But business affairs, when they are one's own, serve as a distraction.
Some one is coming. I think it is the agricultural expert. You will have something to occupy you now for an hour or two."
"An hour or two of hell!"
"Ah, ha! if I am not mistaken Uncle Licurgo and Uncle Paso Largo have just entered. Perhaps they have come to propose a compromise to you."
"I would throw myself into the pond first!"
"How unnatural you are! For they are all very fond of you. Well, so that nothing may be wanting, there comes the constable too. He is coming to serve a summons on you."
"To crucify me."
All the individuals named were now entering the parlor one by one.
"Good-by, Pepe; amuse yourself," said Dona Perfecta.
"Earth, open and swallow me!" exclaimed the young man desperately.
"Senor Don Jose."
"My dear Don Jose."
"Esteemed Don Jose."
"My dearest Don Jose."
"My respected friend, Don Jose."
Hearing these honeyed and insinuating preliminaries, Pepe Rey exhaled a deep sigh and gave himself up. He gave himself up, soul and body, to the executioners, who brandished horrible leaves of stamped paper while the victim, raising his eyes to heaven with a look of Christian meekness, murmured:
"Father, why hast thou forsaken me?"
