And his Aunt Elena had stationed herself at the door with a dramatic air, like a stage heroine resolved to plunge a dagger into the tyrant who should dare to cross the threshold.

The entire family was accustomed to submit to the rigid authority of Don Marcelo Desnoyers.

"Oh, that old man!" exclaimed Julio, referring to his father.

"He may live many years yet, but how he weighs upon us all!" His mother, who had never wearied of looking at him, finally had to bring the interview to an end, frightened by certain approaching sounds.
"Go, he might surprise us, and he would be furious." So Julio had fled the paternal home, caressed by the tears of the two ladies and the admiring glances of Chichi, by turns ashamed and proud of a brother who had caused such enthusiasm and scandal among her friends.
Marguerite also spoke of Senor Desnoyers.

A terrible tyrant of the old school with whom they could never come to an understanding.
The two remained silent, looking fixedly at each other.