Page:Stories by Foreign Authors (Spanish).djvu/55

Rh "A proposal!" exclaimed Juana.

"Yes, that is what it was, a proposal. What do you suppose he wants?"

"What?"

"Oh!—"

"What is it?"

"He wants—"

He stopped, as if he found it necessary to make a great effort, and clasping his hands he cried:

"He wants to marry Berta!"

"To marry Berta!" repeated Juana, crossing herself again.

"Just as you hear.—He came very frankly to ask me for her hand."

"And you rated him soundly for his presumption, and the poor devil went away with a No as big as a house."

"Ah, Nurse Juana, one does n't say no to the devil so easily as that. I was unable to resist him, I could not defend myself, and he has got my word. What shall I do now! He is young, handsome, and rich, he has a sweet voice, but he says some things that terrify one—What is to become of her? No, I cannot reconcile myself to the thought of her marrying him. I have given my consent, but now I would say no to him a thousand times over—now, that he is not here; for you must know that his presence ties the hands and binds the tongue."