He himself had been born on one of their haciendas.

His name was Bonifacio, and Don Jose, crossing the street about five o'clock to call on Dona Emilia, always acknowledged his humble salute by some movement of hand or head.

The porters of both houses conversed lazily with him in tones of grave intimacy.

His evenings he devoted to gambling and to calls in a spirit of generous festivity upon the peyne d'oro girls in the more remote side-streets of the town.

But he, too, was a discreet man..