"Don't try to deny it. Cayetano and I were speaking of that as we came
along. You are bored, and you are trying to hide it. It is not every
young man of the present day who would have the self-denial to spend
his youth, like Jacinto, in a town where there are neither theatres,
nor opera bouffe, nor dancers, nor philosophers, nor athenaeums,
nor magazines, nor congresses, nor any other kind of diversions or
entertainments."

"I am quite contented here," responded Pepe. "I was just now saying to
Rosario that I find this city and this house so pleasant that I would
like to live and die here."

Rosario turned very red and the others were silent. They all sat down
in a summer-house, Jacinto hastening to take the seat on the left of the
young girl.

"See here, nephew, I have a piece of advice to give you," said Dona
Perfecta, smiling with that expression of kindness that seemed to
emanate from her soul, like the aroma from the flower. "But don't
imagine that I am either reproving you or giving you a lesson--you are
not a child, and you will easily understand what I mean."

"Scold me, dear aunt, for no doubt I deserve it," replied Pepe, who was
beginning to accustom himself to the kindnesses of his father's sister.

"No, it is only a piece of advice. These gentlemen, I am sure, will
agree that I am in the right."

Rosario was listening with her whole soul.