Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/204

 Baldomero will drive us all out in disgrace. He is determined. I irritate, I infuriate him.—I don't know whether as suitor to his daughter or as secretary to the Governor; but it is all the same.

. But have you anything to do in Madrid?

. Nothing. If I go, I abandon everything. I don't know what will become of me. I have struggled so long, so hard—yes, I am sure of it, these last days a pain has come over my heart… I do not feel well; yes, it is in my heart…

. Don't say that! It cannot be anything. Do you know, sometimes I feel as if I had an affection there myself? But you mustn't go! I won't let you go! I will explain to Santiago

. Don Santiago? Do you know that Don Baldomero has a letter of yours in his pocket?

. A letter of mine? What letter?

. A letter which you directed to me.

. But there never was anything in any letter which I directed to you.

. That depends upon what you call anything. Don't you remember? You had to pay some bills in Madrid which your husband knew nothing about, and it was necessary to obtain money at once. There was only one way to get it. Reinosa demanded a guarantee. Though Don Santiago doesn't count, there was no reason why anybody should trust me; so we agreed that you should write me a letter, and that letter

. You didn't let that letter get out of your possession?

. You insult me. Do you suppose that it was I who wanted the guarantee?

. But why didn't you tell me that you were going to give up that letter?