But neither thought anything amiss in this, and the manager
would, indeed, have asserted that it was quite the proper thing. Was
not he a Bernal, and superior to all at Sobrante? Even though he was,
for the time being, receiving wage instead of bestowing. Well, it was a
long lane that had no turning.

Pushing back from the table, Antonio had murmured the proverb in Spanish,
with a smile of satisfaction lighting his dark face, and Mrs. Trent had
failed to hear distinctly, though she was familiar enough with the
language so often in use about her.

"Beg pardon, I did not understand."

"Begging pardon, one's self, senora, it is seldom that you do. It is
the business was never made for the small brains of the women, no? 'Tis
the senora's place to be beautiful and let the business rest in the
capable hands of I, myself. _En verdad._"

Mrs. Trent colored and bit her lip. This man's insolence was becoming
insupportable, and she could scarcely recognize him for the obsequious
fellow who had been her husband's right-hand dependence. His brief
authority had turned his head, she reflected, and, again, that she must
in no wise offend him. The welfare of her children demanded this, and
forcing herself to smile as pleasantly as if his insult were a jest,
she remarked:

"The gentleman whom you met, as you came in, is a lawyer. A New York
lawyer. I--I would like to consult him about our--this business you
mention. I was born and reared in New York and have a feeling that
anything which comes from there must be all right. Even a lawyer, though
I'm not fond of the profession usually.

"The senor is not wont to waste so many words upon her most humble
servant, no. And as for the lawyers, have I not this day been to the
consulting of the most eminent, the wisest of his kind, no? But yes; and
the truth is, senora--believe me, it breaks my heart so to inform you,
but this barren rancho of Sobrante belongs not to the Dona Gabriella and
her children, but to one Antonio Bernal, even I, myself."

"To you! Belongs--to--you?" gasped the astonished woman.

The manager shrugged his shoulders and tossed another Spanish proverb
toward her: "What I have said, I have said."

Mrs. Trent felt her strength leaving her and sank into a chair, still
gazing incredulously at the other, who now lounged back in his own
chair and began to leisurely pick his teeth. It was a trivial action,
but one wholly disgusting to the gentlewoman's fastidious sense,