to tell me that you want to get married and chosen the one you wish to marry. I knew it would happen sooner or later. But why should you shut yourself up in a convent or bury yourself alive? I have always intended to allow you to marry when you chose to, but we must observe the conventionalities of society. Let that happy mortal come forward to ask for your hand, and we will then talk over the subject."
"Promise me that you will not refuse him; for it would be his death-blow and I would quickly follow him to the grave."
"Well, I give you my word not to do so," said her father.
A few days after Simon came to the house, and the affair was happily settled, so Simon left the house with his head erect, feeling proud and happy.
Señor Albamonte did not appear to feel dissatisfied, either, as he paced up and down his room.
"It is true that he is not well known and is not as rich as Crœsus," he reflected, "but he seems to be a sensible young man, and may make a good husband. I was not very wealthy when I married, but nevertheless my poor Cecilia, who was very rich, fell in love with me, we were married, and were very happy. He may dispel Ernestina's romantic notions, and may make her happy."
So the preparations for the wedding went on.
Simon considered that he had foiled No. 13 at last, although it had cost him a duel. However, by that he had won Ernestina's hand.
