_La brigadiera_ urged him persistently, like a woman accustomed to have her own way, and Don Alfonso resisted no less persistently, like a man whose determinations, though expressed politely, are irrevocably fixed.
Julia suddenly stopped singing, and half turning round, said, in a dry and impatient tone:--
"I am not going for my own pleasure, Julia," returned Don Alfonso, blandly; "you know too well that nowhere in the world am I more contented than I am here, and that I am perfectly satisfied to be with Aunt Angela and you; but I have duties toward my mother that I must fulfil, and I am obliged to be in Seville."
Julia listened to these words with her back turned, and once more began to play and sing, without making any reply.
The day set by Don Alfonso for his departure was a Wednesday; the two or three days preceding, Julia had been smiling and indifferent as before; but the circle under her eyes was darker and wider, and from time to time she would remain looking into vacancy.
Saavedra had determined to start in the morning, on an early train, with the idea of spending the day at Aranjuez with a friend who had a country place there.
He therefore arose very early, and after dressing he gave the last touches to his packing. His aunt also arose early, to see him off, and get him something to eat besides.
But Julia paid no heed, and remained shut in her room, much to the annoyance of _la brigadiera_, who had called her to say good by to their guest.
Taking advantage of a moment when she was busy in the dining-room, Saavedra slipped off to his cousin's room, gently raised the latch, and opened the door.
Julia was in bed; her eyes flashed angrily on the intruder.
"What have you come for?" she demanded, frowning severely. "Go away, go away immediately! This is a most atrocious thing to do!"
But Don Alfonso, not heeding her protest, calmly walked into the room, and said in a humble voice:--
"_Adiós!_" exclaimed the girl dryly, and dropping her eyes upon the bed-spread.
Don Alfonso came to her, and audaciously taking her face between his hands and imprinting a kiss upon it, he said at the same time:--
"In spite of all this disdain and severity, I know well that you love me...."
The girl, confused and enraged by his impudence and what he said, exclaimed:--