"Insulted! A lady insulted by that fellow!" exclaimed Caballuco. "Come
that must not be."

"If you had not something to do--bah! I should be quite easy in my mind,
then."

"I have something to do," said the Centaur, rising from the table, "but
if you wish it----"

There was a pause. The Penitentiary had closed his eyes and was
meditating.

"I wish it, Senor Ramos," he said at last.

"There is no more to be said then. Let us go, Senora Dona Maria."

"Now, my dear niece," said Don Inocencio, half seriously, half
jestingly, "since we have finished supper bring me the basin."

He gave his niece a penetrating glance, and accompanying it with the
corresponding action, pronounced these words:

"I wash my hands of the matter."



CHAPTER XXVIII

FROM PEPE REY TO DON JUAN REY