"Well, the business is, your lordship, that I engaged myself to you for two months at Rio Janeiro, in order to serve you as a guide, for four Spanish ounces per month, or, if you prefer it, 106,000 reis.[3] Is it not true, your lordship?" "Perfectly; only you forget that you received before leaving Rio Janeiro--" "One month in advance," interrupted the mameluco; "on the contrary, I remember it very well." "What do you want, then?" "I want the remainder for a simple reason, your lordship; because, our bargain expiring at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, I prefer to settle with you this evening, rather than cause you any trouble during the march." "What, is it so long since we began the journey?" "Calculate, your lordship." "Just so, quite as long," replied he, pensively. There was a long silence. "So you wish to quit me, Malco Diaz," said the young man abruptly, in a more friendly tone than that which he had employed just before. "Has not my engagement terminated, your lordship?" "Just so; but you can renew it." The mameluco hesitated; his master did not take his eye off him. "Will your lordship allow me to speak frankly?" "Speak." "Well, you are a great lord, a marquis, it is true; as for me, I am but a poor devil, compared with you, very little and of no account. However, miserable as you suppose me, there is something invaluable in my estimation." "And that is--" "My liberty, your lordship; my independence, the right of going and of coming, without rendering anyone an account of my proceedings. I humbly submit that I am not born to be a servant." "Have you said all?" "Yes, all, your lordship." "But you are not a servant, only a guide." "That is true, your lordship; but often, spite of yourself, you forget the guide, to think only of the servant; and as to me, I cannot get used to be treated in that fashion. My pride revolts in spite of myself." A scornful smile played upon the lips of the young man. "So," answered he, "the motive that you give me is the only one that induces you to leave me?" "It is the only one, your lordship." "But if, quite satisfied with your service, I propose to you five quadruplet instead of four, you would accept it without doubt." "Pardon me, your lordship," said he, "I should refuse." "Even if I offered you six?" "Even if you offered me ten." "Ah!" said the marquis, biting his lip; "When do you intend to leave us?" "When your lordship will permit me." "But if I insisted that you should remain with us until tomorrow at ten o'clock?" "I should remain, my lord." "Good," said the young man in a tone of indifference, "I see that your mind is made up." "Oh, decidedly, my lord." "I am going now to pay the remainder that I owe you; you shall then be free to go away immediately." The young man drew several pieces of gold from a purse, and presented them to the mongrel. "Take it," said he. Malco held out his hand, but soon thinking better of it--