The lady hesitated; and at last, in so low a voice as to be scarcely intelligible, she made shift to answer⁠—“No, señor.”

“Do you intend making a stay of any length?”

“Yes, señor.”

“I should esteem myself fortunate, were it in my power to contribute to making your abode agreeable. I am well known at Madrid, and my family has some interest at court. If I can be of any service, you cannot honour or oblige me more than by permitting me to be of use to you.”⁠—“Surely,” said he to himself, “She cannot answer that by a monosyllable; now she must say something to me.”

Lorenzo was deceived, for the lady answered only by a bow.

By this time he had discovered that his neighbour was not very conversible; but whether her silence proceeded from pride, discretion, timidity, or idiotism, he was still unable to decide.