"I am not sure that I am doing right," resumed the Don, "in accepting such invitations, as it throws me into the society of heretics so often; and you know we cannot touch pitch without defilement."
"We cannot indeed handle pitch without being defiled, but in the line of duty."
"Nay, but hear me, my son; duty requires that you should see that his majesty's laws against unlawful trading are not violated."
"And there can be no better opportunity of ascertaining the real character of these foreigners than by a personal visit."
"Therefore, make yourself easy on the score of its sinfulness, for there is none in it."
"I don't see how there can be," said his excellency, who was thinking of the future punch and dinner.
"Oh, true! you will accompany us to-morrow?"
"And now, father, I wish to consult you upon another subject. You know that it is my wish to marry my niece to Don Gregorio Nunez."
"You have said something of this before."
"And she is most obstinately opposed to such a union."
"I can easily conceive it," said the priest drily.
"Riches and rank do not charm all women."
"The woman that marries Don Gregorio is not necessarily well married; besides, I believe you know his character."
"He is certainly rather weak in intellect."
"He is certainly very vain of his high birth and of his rank in the army: young men are apt to be in such cases."
"You would not consent to his marrying one of your daughters?"
"And yet you profess to love your niece as affectionately as your daughters."
"And loving her as you profess, you are striving to render that niece miserable for life by uniting her with one whom you admit to be a fool, a coward, and a vain fop."
The old Don, whose intellectuals were none of the brightest, had got himself, without perceiving it, completely into a _premunire_, by the Socratic mode of reasoning adopted by his more skilful antagonist, who at parting once more addressed him:--
"Take my advice, Signor de Luna, and leave your niece to herself on this subject: a young female heart cannot be made, like one of your soldiers, to march and countermarch at the word of command; it is, besides, of very frail materials, and, when once injured or broken, can never be repaired. The happiness of one so dear to you as your niece, may be destroyed forever, by forcing her into a match she detests; but it will then be too late to repair your fault, and it will always be to you a subject of the bitterest regret and unavailing remorse."