EUDOSIA. Do you realize that the premature death of your husband will be the subject of all the speakers? They will dwell on the bereavement which we have suffered through the loss of such an eminent man. How do you propose to take it? When people see you standing there, complacent and satisfied, alongside of that man, do you suppose they will ever believe that you are not reconciled? PAQUITA. What will your husband do while they are extolling the genius of our brother, and he knows that he never had any? CAROLINA. That was not your brother's opinion. He thought very highly of Florencio. EUDOSIA. Very highly. Our poor, dear brother! Among his other abilities he certainly had an extraordinary aptitude for allowing himself to be deceived. CAROLINA. That assumption is offensive to me; it is unfair to all of us. EUDOSIA. I hope you brought it with you, Paquita? PAQUITA. Yes; here it is. [_Taking out a book._] EUDOSIA. Just look through this book if you have a moment. It arrived to-day from Madrid and is on sale at Valdivieso's. Just glance through it. CAROLINA. What is the book? [_Reading the title upon the cover._] "Don Patricio Molinete, the Man and His Work. A Biography. Together with His Correspondence and an Estimate of His Life." Why, thanks-- PAQUITA. No, do not thank us. Read, read what our poor brother has written to the author of this book, who was one of his intimate friends. CAROLINA. Recaredo Casalonga. Ah! I remember--a rascal we were obliged to turn out of the house. Do you mean to say that scamp Casalonga has any letters? Merely to hear the name makes me nervous. EUDOSIA. But go on! Page two hundred and fourteen. Is that the page, Paquita? PAQUITA. It begins on page two hundred and fourteen, but before it amounts to anything turn the page. CAROLINA. Quick, quick! Let me see. What does he say? What are these letters? What is this? He says that I.... But there is not a word of truth in it. My husband could never have written this. EUDOSIA. But there it is in cold type. You don't suppose they would dare to print-- CAROLINA. But this is outrageous; this book is a libel. It invades the private life--the most private part of it! It must be stopped. EUDOSIA. It cannot be stopped. You will soon see whether or not it can be stopped. PAQUITA. Probably the edition is exhausted by this time. CAROLINA. Is that so? We shall see! We shall see!--Florencio! Florencio! Come quickly! Florencio! EUDOSIA. Perhaps he has not yet returned. PAQUITA. He seemed to be enjoying himself. CAROLINA. Nonsense! He was never out of the house. You are two old busybodies! EUDOSIA. Carolina! You said that without thinking. PAQUITA. I cannot believe my ears. Did you say busybody. CAROLINA. That is exactly what I said. Now leave me alone. I can't stand it. It is all your fault. You are insupportable! EUDOSIA and PAQUITA. Carolina! CAROLINA. Florencio! Florencio! [_Florencio enters._]