“’Tis an age! this very instant!”
“Ah!” said the doctor, “I can deny naught to a friend.”
Again the don embraced the doctor.
This second embrace was not so long as the first. The don ejected his friend from his arms, and said rapidly, “Go, go, go.”
Left to himself, it may be remarked the old don danced with glee. If you have not seen a gingerly old gentleman in such a situation, you have lost a sight. He was in the midst of this practice, when his nephew, Ernesto came running into the room.
“Good morning, nephew! You may sit down.”
“Surely, surely, uncle!”
“Don’t be afraid.”
“Surely, surely, uncle!”
“I am not going to scold you. Tell me, did I not, precisely two months ago, offer you the hand of a lady, as rich as beautiful, and as noble as both?”