"Yes, I should think so," said the merchant. "For whatever they say, I can not believe that you want to kill Don Rudesindo, a neighbor who has been your friend up to a little while ago, who has grown up with you and went to school with you."
"I do not want--at all," murmured Don Pedro, as if his head were still upon the block.
"That's right!" exclaimed Don Feliciano, giving him a hearty slap on the shoulder. "I said so, and Don Rudesindo feels the same. Then who wants to kill whom? Come, let us hear." And he cast his eyes around, seeking for an answer to his question.
Peña, Maza, and Delaunay were at some distance, hidden among the cypresses. Don Rudesindo, also leaning against the wall, was about fifty paces off.
Then the merchant, filled by a sudden and heavenly inspiration, made a sign for him to approach.
Don Rudesindo came slowly toward him with a timid, hesitating step.
"Tell me, dear fellow, have you any desire to kill Don Rudesindo?" asked the merchant of Miranda.
"Hardly. I have always esteemed Don Rudesindo," stammered the man of property.
"Eh? What? What do you say?" cried Don Feliciano in a tone of triumph. "That you have always esteemed Don Rudesindo? Eh, my dear fellow? You said so?"
"Tell me, Don Rudesindo" (taking a few steps toward the cider manufacturer), "do you wish to kill Don Pedro, a neighbor who has hitherto been your friend, who has grown up with you, and who went with you to Don Martia's school?"
"I? Why should I?" said the merchant, opening his eyes wide in distress.
"No, nor do him the least harm. I have always considered him a real friend."
"How is this, eh? A real friend, eh? Then, in my humble opinion, I think you ought both to embrace each other."
Hardly had Don Feliciano uttered these words than Miranda and Don Rudesindo, by a simultaneous impulse, rushed into each other's arms, and embraced with such effusion that the bones in their bodies were all but broken.
Don Feliciano at the same time bared his bald, retreating forehead, and, waving his hat wildly for some minutes, he shouted:
I do not know to whom this hurrah was addressed if not to the astute spirit to whom he owed his brilliant idea.
At that moment the seconds approached and gazed with surprise at what was going on.