Part 70 (2/2)
”Pshaw! You could arrange that wonderfully. You would get married and live here like a prince.”
”Get married?”
”Yes. To Amparito. That young thing is enchanting.
”She will make a splendid little wife. Even for your respectability as a Deputy, it would be fitting to marry. A bachelor politician has a poor look.”
Caesar paid no attention to these suggestions and continued to lead an unsocial life. He covered the environs on horseback, found out everything that was going on and settled it. In this he set himself an enormous task, which was not notable for results; but he hoped to succeed in conquering the district completely, and then to extend his sphere of action to others and yet others.
After being a fortnight in Castro Duro, Laura went to Biarritz, as was her custom every year.
AMPARITO AND CaeSAR
Caesar was left alone. He had seen Amparito with his sister many times but had scarcely ever exchanged more than a few words with her. One afternoon Caesar was in the gallery in an arm-chair, with his feet high.
He felt melancholy and lazy, and was watching the clouds move across the sky. Soon he heard steps, and saw Amparito with an old servant who had been her nurse.
Caesar jumped up.
”What's the matter?” he exclaimed.
”I came to get something Laura forgot,” said Amparito.
”She forgot something?” asked Caesar stupidly.
”Yes,” replied Amparito; and added, addressing the old woman:
”Go see if there is a little gla.s.s box in Senorita Laura's room.”
The old woman went out, and Amparito, looking at Caesar, who was on his feet watching her nervously, said:
”Do you still hate me?”
”I?” exclaimed Caesar.
”Yes, you do hate me.”
”I! I have never hated you.... Quite the contrary.”
”Whenever you see me you get away, and just now you looked at me as if you were terrified. Have you such a grudge against me for a joke I played on you long ago?”
”I, a grudge! No. It is because I have the impression, Amparito, that you want to upset my plans, to make game of me. Why do you?”
”Do you think I try to amuse myself by worrying you?”
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