what you say, you are right."

"Rosario," exclaimed the young man, "the moment I saw you my soul was
filled with gladness; I felt at the same time a regret that I had not
come before to Orbajosa."

"Now, that I am not going to believe," she said, affecting gayety
to conceal her emotion. "So soon? Don't begin to make protestations
already. See, Pepe, I am only a country girl, I can talk only about
common things; I don't know French; I don't dress with elegance; all I
know is how to play the piano; I----"

"Oh, Rosario!" cried the young man, with ardor; "I believed you to be
perfect before; now I am sure you are so."

Her mother at this moment entered the room. Rosarito, who did not
know what to say in answer to her cousin's last words, was conscious,
however, of the necessity of saying something, and, looking at her
mother, she cried:

"Ah! I forgot to give the parrot his dinner."

"Don't mind that now. But why do you stay in here? Take your cousin for
a walk in the garden."

Dona Perfecta smiled with maternal kindness at her nephew, as she
pointed toward the leafy avenue which was visible through the glass
door.

"Let us go there," said Pepe, rising.