"I am very sorry for it, Jacinto. But according to what they tell me,
you accompany them sometimes in their frolics."

"I!" exclaimed the boy, turning scarlet. "Why, you know very well that
Tafetan never speaks a word of truth. But is it true, Senor de Rey, that
you are going away?"

"Is that the report in the town?"

"Yes. I heard it in the Casino and at Don Lorenzo Ruiz's."

Rey contemplated in silence for a few moments the fresh face of Don
Nominative. Then he said:

"Well, it is not true; my aunt is very well satisfied with me; she
despises the calumnies with which the Orbajosans are favoring me--and
she will not turn me out of her house, even though the bishop himself
should try to make her do so."

"As for turning you out of the house--never. What would your father
say?"

"Notwithstanding all your kindness, dearest aunt, notwithstanding the
cordial friendship of the reverend canon, it is possible that I may
myself decide to go away."

"To go away!"

"To go away--you!"