Don Pablo had taken the message to the office, and talked about it afterward downstairs.

Auguste hurried to retail the news to Wilhelm, who had no difficulty in understanding the motive.

In the first moment he thought he was glad of the approaching arrival of the Marquise de Henares.

For, distasteful as the idea might be that the mother should become a witness of the daughter's questionable relations, he hoped that her presence would have a quieting effect on Pilar, and help to bring her to reason.

But, on second thoughts, he was seized with afresh anxiety.