Chapter
4
HESITATIONMANOEL WAS IN LOVE with the sister of his friend Benito, and she was in love with him. Each was sensible of the other's worth, and each was worthy of the other.
When he was no longer able to mistake the state of his feelings toward Minha, Manoel had opened his heart to Benito.
"Manoel, my friend," had immediately answered the enthusiastic young fellow, "you could not do better than wish to marry my sister. Leave it to me! I will commence by speaking to the mother, and I think I can promise that you will not have to wait long for her consent."
Half an hour afterward he had done so.
Benito had nothing to tell his mother which she did not know; Yaquita had already divined the young people's secret.
Before ten minutes had elapsed Benito was in the presence of Minha.
