I was ushered into Don Jose's presence just as he was sitting at table.
He greeted me with a rather distant nod, and thanked me civilly for the
present I had brought him. Having counted the cigars in the bundle I
had placed in his hand, he took out a certain number and returned me the
rest, remarking that he would not need any more of them.

I inquired whether by laying out a little money, or by applying to
my friends, I might not be able to do something to soften his lot. He
shrugged his shoulders, to begin with, smiling sadly. Soon, as by an
after-thought, he asked me to have a mass said for the repose of his
soul.

Then he added nervously: "Would you--would you have another said for a
person who did you a wrong?"

"Assuredly I will, my dear fellow," I answered. "But no one in this
country has wronged me so far as I know."

He took my hand and squeezed it, looking very grave. After a moment's
silence, he spoke again.

"Might I dare to ask another service of you? When you go back to your
own country perhaps you will pass through Navarre. At all events you'll
go by Vittoria, which isn't very far off."

"Yes," said I, "I shall certainly pass through Vittoria. But I may very
possibly go round by Pampeluna, and for your sake, I believe I should be
very glad to do it."