"And now
it is all arranged once more."
"Is it really signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered in the
presence of?"
"No, no; but 'Arco siempre armado'-"
"Of course. Is that a prescription?"
'"A bow long bent grows weak.' And there are so many reasons why I
should say yes."
"You haven't mentioned any that would be binding in law."
"My father's wish. Is not that sufficient?"
"You disregarded that once."
"That was but a flutter. All the time I knew I should be Ramon's
wife when the time arrived. But it made him so unhappy that I was
quite pleased. Only for those ugly blue dresses, I would have
greatly enjoyed my penance. Perhaps I could refuse to wed a man my
father chose for me, but no nice Spanish girl would dare to wed a
man her father did not like. Do you see?"
"But it's no cinch your father won't positively hunger for me,
once we get chummy."
"And I for Ramon? How sad that would be, eh?"
"Really, now, couldn't you bring yourself to marry a chap who
wasn't aristocratic, rich, and handsome? You know that's a tough
combination. Most aristocratic people are poor, and the rich ones
have dyspepsia."
"Oh no! I am quite certain."
"Suppose I should show you a family tree that you couldn't throw a
stone over?"
"It would not do at all.
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