Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/323

 most that I could have done would have been to have presented an outward appearance of courtesy in public, but genuine, unreserved friendship, friendship such as that which unites me with Carmen, friendship which is of the heart, because I am convinced of her loyalty, as you must be convinced of it… However anxious a jealous woman may be to pretend, she is incapable of pretending to such an extent; in itself that should be enough to convince you. I could not pretend with Josefina. Neither policy nor courtesy availed for one moment, and I refused to receive her in my house. When you imagine that I have pretended to love Carmen all these years… I appreciate the compliment, Ramón, but either you have too sublime an idea of me, or else you know very little about women, when you persuade yourself that however discreet a woman may be, she is capable of admitting another woman to her house, as I admit Carmen, if a suspicion, even, has crossed her mind that now or ever… although Gonzalo's reputation might make any suspicion seem plausible. But we insult Carmen when we deny what there never was any reason to believe. Neither in my heart, nor in hers, nor in yours is there warrant to do so. Nonsense, Ramón, these are evil thoughts. I do not know how I shall punish you, unless having had them, indeed, is riot the worst of all punishments.

. My dear Isabel… Don Ramón!

. This is an unexpected pleasure. I should have been obliged to send for you had you remained away another day.

. I was about to leave as you came. Isabel, surely Gonzalo has signed those papers by this time. Good day.—Good day…

. Good day to you.

. Is it all over? Not a shadow of an evil thought remains?