rita Isolda, although the young lady is
only about sixteen years of age, I believe; and Don Hermoso, very
rightly, would not hear of it, refused the fellow point-blank, I
understood, and forbade him the house."

"Phew!" whistled Don Ramon, with some show of consternation; "is that
so? Caramba! I am sorry to hear that. What you have just said is
amply sufficient to account for everything. I know a good deal about
Don Sebastian Alvaros, enough to assure you, Senor Singleton, that he
is, as you English say, `a thorough bad egg'; and, worse than that, he
is also a man of some standing and importance in official circles. Now
that you come to mention it, I remember that he was stationed, with his
company, at Pinar del Rio not so very long ago; but within the last two
months he has been made governor of the prison of La Jacoba. Poor Don
Hermoso; I am sorry for him! Of course, knowing Alvaros, as he must
have done, to refuse him was the only thing possible; but it is a bitter
misfortune for him and all his family that the fellow should ever have
had an opportunity to see Dona Isolda. And, of course, he was also
after Don Hermoso's money, knowing, as he doubtless did, that the son-
in-law of Senor Montijo will be an exceedingly lucky man in every
respect. Now, Senor Singleton, have you anything else to tell me?
Because, if not, I will dispense with ceremony and bid you good evening.
Under other circumstances it would have afforded me the greatest
possible pleasure if you would have stayed to dine with me: but after
what you have told me I shall dine at a restaurant not very far from
here, which is largely patronised by officers and Government officials;
possibly I may meet someone there from whom I may be fortunate enough to
extract a little information. And I will not ask you to accompany me,
because it is very desirable that you and I should not be seen together,
and that it should not be known that we are acquainted. For which
reason it will also be advisable that, in the event of our meeting each
other in the street, we should behave as strangers, taking no notice of
each other. But you will naturally be anxious to know how I am
progressing with my enquiries; and it is also desirable that we should
meet and confer together from time to time: therefore our meeting-place
had better be here. But do not enter by the front door, as you did this
evening, lest someone, knowing you by sight, and aware of your
friendship