“Whothen?“
“Pretendyoudon\'tunderstand！Don\'tyouknowthatmynephewandthebrigadierwhocommandsthataccursedtroophavebeenconfabulating?“
“Confabulating！“repeatedCaballuco，asifpuzzledbytheword。
“Thattheyarebosomfriends，“saidLicurgo。“Confabulatemeanstobelikebosomfriends。Ihadmysuspicionsalreadyofwhatthemistresssays。”
“Itallamountstothis——thatthebrigadierandtheofficersarehandandglovewithDonJose，andwhathewantsthosebravesoldierswant；
andthosebravesoldierswillcommitallkindsofoutragesandatrocities，becausethatistheirtrade。”
“Andwehavenoalcaldetoprotectus。”
“Norjudge。”
“Norgovernor。Thatistosaythatweareatthemercyofthatinfamousrabble。”
“Yesterday，“saidVejarruco，“somesoldiersenticedawayUncleJulian\'syoungestdaughter，andthepoorthingwasafraidtogobackhome；theyfoundherstandingbarefootedbesidetheoldfountain，cryingandpickingupthepiecesofherbrokenjar。”
“PoorDonGregorioPalomeque，thenotaryofNaharillaAlta！“saidFrasquito。“Thoserascalsrobbedhimofallthemoneyhehadinhishouse。Andallthebrigadiersaid，whenhewastoldaboutit，wasitwasalie。”
“Tyrants！greatertyrantswereneverborn，“saidtheother。“WhenIsaythatitisthroughpunctiliothatIamnotwiththeAceros！“
“AndwhatnewsisthereofFranciscoAcero?“askedDonaPerfectagently。“Ishouldbesorryifanymischanceweretohappentohim。Tellme，DonInocencio，wasnotFranciscoAceroborninOrbajosa?“
“No；heandhisbrotherarefromVillajuan。”
“Iamsorryforit，forOrbajosa\'ssake，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Thispoorcityhasfallenintomisfortune。DoyouknowifFranciscoAcerogavehiswordtothegovernornottotroublethepoorsoldiersintheirabductions，intheirimpiousdeeds，intheirsacrilegiousacts，intheirvillanies?“
Caballucosprangfromhischair。Hefelthimselfnownotstung，butcuttothequickbyacruelstroke，likethatofasabre。Withhisfaceburningandhiseyesflashingfirehecried:
“Igavemywordtothegovernorbecausethegovernortoldmethattheyhadcomeforagoodpurpose。”
“Barbarian，don\'tshout！Speaklikeotherpeople，andwewilllistentoyou。”
“IpromisedthatneitherInoranyofmyfriendswouldraiseguerillasintheneighborhoodofOrbajosa。TothosewhowantedtotakeuparmsbecausetheywereitchingtofightIsaid:\'GototheAceros，forherewewon\'tstir。\'ButIhaveagoodmanyhonestmen，yes，senora；andtruemen，yes，senora；andvaliantmen，yes，senora；scatteredaboutinthehamletsandvillagesandinthesuburbsandthemountains，eachinhisownhouse，eh?AndsosoonasIsayaquarterofawordtothem，eh?theywillbetakingdowntheirguns，eh?andsettingoutonhorsebackoronfoot，forwhateverplaceItellthem。Anddon\'tkeepharpingonwords，forifIgavemyworditwasbecauseIdon\'twishtofight；andifIwantguerillastherewillbeguerillas；andifIdon\'ttherewon\'t，forIamwhoIam，thesamemanthatIalwayswas，aseveryoneknowsverywell。AndIsayagaindon\'tkeepharpingonwords，eh?anddon\'tletpeoplesayonethingtomewhentheymeananother，eh?andifpeoplewantmetofight，letthemsaysoplainly，eh?forthatiswhatGodhasgivenustonguesfor，tosaythisthingorthat。
ThemistressknowsverywellwhoIam，asIknowthatIowetohertheshirtonmyback，andthebreadIeatto-day，andthefirstpeaI
suckedafterIwasweaned，andthecoffininwhichmyfatherwasburiedwhenhedied，andthemedicinesandthedoctorthatcuredmewhenIwassick；andthemistressknowsverywellthatifshesaystome，\'Caballuco，breakyourhead，\'Iwillgotheretothecorneranddashitagainstthewall；themistressknowsverywellthatifshetellsmenowthatitisday，althoughIseethatitisnight，IwillbelievethatI
ammistaken，andthatitisbroadday；themistressknowsverywellthatsheandherinterestsareformebeforemyownlife，andthatifamosquitostingsherinmypresence，Ipardonit，becauseitisamosquito；themistressknowsverywellthatsheisdearertomethanallthereisbesidesunderthesun。Toamanofheartlikemeonesays，\'Caballuco，youstupidfellow，dothisordothat。\'Andlettherebeanendtosarcasms，andbeatingaboutthebush，andpreachingonethingandmeaninganother，andastabhereandapinchthere。”
“There，man，calmyourself，“saidDonaPerfectakindly。“Youhaveworkedyourselfintoaheatlikethoserepublicanoratorswhocameheretopreachfreereligion，freelove，andIdon\'tknowhowmanyotherfreethings。Letthembringyouaglassofwater。”
Caballuco，twistinghishandkerchiefintoaball，wipedwithithisbroadforeheadandhisneck，whichwerebathedinperspiration。Aglassofwaterwasbroughttohimandtheworthycanon，withahumilitythatwasinperfectkeepingwithhissacerdotalcharacter，tookitfromtheservant\'shandtogiveittohimhimself，andheldtheplatewhilehedrank。Caballucogulpeddownthewaternoisily。
“Nowbringanotherglassforme，SenoraLibrada，“saidDonInocencio。
“Ihavealittlefireinsidemetoo。”
CHAPTERXXII
“DESPERTA！“
“Withregardtotheguerillas，“saidDonaPerfecta，whentheyhadfinisheddrinking，“allIwillsayis——doasyourconsciencedictatestoyou。”
“Iknownothingaboutdictations，“criedRamos。“Iwilldowhateverthemistresspleases！“
“Icangiveyounoadviceonsoimportantamatter，“answeredDonaPerfectawiththecautiousnessandmoderationwhichsowellbecameher。
“Thisisaveryseriousbusiness，andIcangiveyounoadviceaboutit。”
“Butyouropinion——“
“Myopinionisthatyoushouldopenyoureyesandsee，thatyoushouldopenyourearsandhear。Consultyourownheart——Iwillgrantthatyouhaveagreatheart。Consultthatjudge，thatwisecounsellor，anddoasitbidsyou。”
Caballucoreflected；hemeditatedasmuchasaswordcanmeditate。
“WecountedourselvesyesterdayinNaharillaAlta，“saidVejarruco，“andwewerethirteen——readyforanylittleundertaking。Butaswewereafraidthemistressmightbevexed，wedidnothing。Itistimenowfortheshearing。”
“Don\'tmindabouttheshearing，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Therewillbetimeenoughforit。Itwon\'tbeleftundoneforthat。”
“Mytwoboysquarrelledwitheachotheryesterday，“saidLicurgo，“becauseoneofthemwantedtojoinFranciscoAceroandtheotherdidn\'t。\'Easy，boys，easy，\'Isaidtothem；\'allingoodtime。Wait；weknowhowtofighthereaswellastheydoanywhereelse。\'“
“Lastnight，“saidUnclePasoLargo，“RoquePelosmalostoldmethatthemomentSenorRamossaidhalfawordtheywouldallbeready，withtheirarmsintheirhands。WhatapitythatthetwoBurguillosbrotherswenttoworkinthefieldsinLugarnoble！“
“Goforthemyou，“saidthemistressquickly。“SenorLucas，doyouprovideUnclePasoLargowithahorse。”
“Andifthemistresstellsmetodoso，andSenorRamosagrees，“saidFrasquitoGonzalez，“IwillgotoVillahorrendatoseeifRobustiano，theforester，andhisbrotherPedrowillalso——“
“Ithinkthatisagoodidea。RobustianowillnotventuretocometoOrbajosa，becauseheowesmeatrifle。YoucantellhimthatIforgivehimthesixdollarsandahalf。Thesepoorpeoplewhosacrificethemselveswithsolittle。Isitnotso，SenorDonInocencio?“
“OurgoodRamosheretellsme，“answeredthecanon，“thathisfriendsaredispleasedwithhimforhislukewarmness；butthat，assoonastheyseethathehasdecided，theywillallputthecartridge-boxintheirbelts。”
“What，haveyoudecidedtotaketotheroads?“saidthemistress。“I
havenotadvisedyoutodoanysuchthing，andifyoudoit，itisofyourownfree-will。NeitherhasSenorDonInocenciosaidawordtoyoutothateffect。Butifthatisyourdecision，youhavenodoubtstrongreasonsforcomingtoit。Tellme，Cristobal，willyouhavesomesupper?Willyoutakesomething——speakfrankly。”
“AsfarasmyadvisingSenorRamostotakethefieldisconcerned，“
saidDonInocencio，lookingoverhisspectacles，“DonaPerfectaisquiteright。I，asanecclesiastic，couldadvisenothingofthekind。I
knowthatsomepriestsdoso，andeventhemselvestakeuparms；butthatseemstomeimproper，veryimproper，andIforonewillnotfollowtheirexample。IcarrymyscrupulositysofarasnottosayawordtoSenorRamosaboutthedelicatequestionofhistakinguparms。IknowthatOrbajosadesiresit；Iknowthatalltheinhabitantsofthisnoblecitywouldblesshimforit；Iknowthatdeedsaregoingtobedonehereworthyofbeingrecordedinhistory；butnotwithstanding，letmebeallowedtomaintainadiscreetsilence。”
“Verywellsaid，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Idon\'tapproveofecclesiasticstakinganypartinsuchmatters。Thatisthewayanenlightenedpriestoughttoact。Ofcourseweknowthatonseriousandsolemnoccasions，aswhenourcountryandourfaithareindanger，forinstance，itiswithintheprovinceofanecclesiastictoincitementotheconflictandeventotakeapartinit。SinceGodhimselfhastakenpartincelebratedbattles，undertheformofangelsandsaints，hisministersmayverywelldosoalso。DuringthewarsagainsttheinfidelshowmanybishopsheadedtheCastiliantroops！“
“Agreatmany，andsomeofthemwereillustriouswarriors。Butthesetimesarenotlikethosesenora。Itistruethat，ifweexaminethematterclosely，thefaithisingreaterdangernowthanitwasthen。
Forwhatdothetroopsthatoccupyourcityandthesurroundingvillagesrepresent?Whatdotheyrepresent?AretheyanythingelsebutthevileinstrumentsofwhichtheatheistsandProtestantswhoinfestMadridmakeusefortheirperfidiousconquestsandtheexterminationofthefaith?Inthatcentreofcorruption，ofscandal，ofirreligionandunbelief，afewmalignantmen，boughtbyforeigngold，occupythemselvesindestroyinginourSpainthedeedsoffaith。Why，whatdoyousuppose?Theyallowustosaymassandyoutohearitthroughtheremnantofconsideration，forshame\'ssake——but，thedayleastexpected——Formypart，Iamtranquil。Iamnotamantodisturbmyselfaboutanyworldlyandtemporalinterest。DonaPerfectaiswellawareofthat；allwhoknowmeareawareofit。Mymindisatrest，andthetriumphofthewickeddoesnotterrifyme。Iknowwellthatterribledaysareinstoreforus；thatallofuswhowearthesacerdotalgarbhaveourliveshangingbyahair，forSpain，doubtitnot，willwitnesssceneslikethoseoftheFrenchRevolution，inwhichthousandsofpiousecclesiasticsperishedinasingleday。ButIamnottroubled。Whenthehourtokillstrikes，Iwillpresentmyneck。Ihavelivedlongenough。
OfwhatuseamI?None，none！“
“MayIbedevouredbydogs，“exclaimedVejarruco，shakinghisfist，whichhadallthehardnessandthestrengthofahammer，“ifwedonotsoonmakeanendofthatthievishrabble！“
“Theysaythatnextweektheywillbegintopulldownthecathedral，“
observedFrasquito。
“Isupposetheywillpullitdownwithpickaxesandhammers，“saidthecanon，smiling。“Thereareartificerswho，withoutthoseimplements，canbuildmorerapidlythantheycanpulldown。Youallknowthat，accordingtoholytradition，ourbeautifulchapeloftheSagrariowaspulleddownbytheMoorsinamonth，andimmediatelyafterwardrebuiltbytheangelsinasinglenight。Letthempullitdown；letthempullitdown！“
“InMadrid，asthecurateofNaharillatoldustheothernight，“saidVejarruco，“therearesofewchurchesleftstandingthatsomeofthepriestssaymassinthemiddleofthestreet，andastheyarebeatenandinsultedandspatupon，therearemanywhodon\'twishtosayit。”
“Fortunatelyhere，mychildren，“observedDonInocencio，“wehavenotyethadscenesofthatnature。Why?Becausetheyknowwhatkindofpeopleyouare；becausetheyhaveheardofyourardentpietyandyourvalor。Idon\'tenvythefirstoneswholayhandsonourpriestsandourreligion。Ofcourseitisnotnecessarytosaythat，iftheyarenotstoppedintime，theywillcommitatrocities。PoorSpain，soholyandsomeekandsogood！Whowouldhavebelievedshewouldeverarriveatsuchextremities！ButImaintainthatimpietywillnottriumph，no。
Therearecourageouspeoplestill；therearepeoplestilllikethoseofold。AmInotright，SenorRamos?“
“Yes，senor，thatthereare，“answeredthelatter。
“IhaveablindfaithinthetriumphofthelawofGod。Someonemuststandupindefenceofit。Ifnotone，itwillbeanother。Thepalmofvictory，andwithiteternalglory，someonemustbear。Thewickedwillperish，ifnotto-day，to-morrow。ThatwhichgoesagainstthelawofGodwillfallirremediably。Letitbeinthismannerorinthat，fallitmust。Neitheritssophistries，noritsevasions，noritsartificeswillsaveit。ThehandofGodisraisedagainstitandwillinfalliblystrikeit。Letuspitythemanddesiretheirrepentance。Asforyou，mychildren，donotexpectthatIshallsayawordtoyouaboutthestepwhichyouarenodoubtgoingtotake。Iknowthatyouaregood；Iknowthatyourgenerousdeterminationandthenobleendwhichyouhaveinviewwillwashawayfromyouallthestainofthesinofsheddingblood。IknowthatGodwillblessyou；thatyourvictory，thesameasyourdeath，willexaltyouintheeyesofmenandintheeyesofGod。I
knowthatyoudeservepalmsandgloryandallsortsofhonors；butinspiteofthis，mychildren，mylipswillnotinciteyoutothecombat。
Theyhaveneverdoneit，andtheywillnotdoitnow。Actaccordingtotheimpulseofyourownnoblehearts。Iftheybidyoutoremaininyourhouses，remaininthem；iftheybidyoutoleavethem——why，then，leavethem。Iwillresignmyselftobeamartyrandtobowmynecktotheexecutioner，ifthatvilearmyremainshere。ButifanobleandardentandpiousimpulseofthesonsofOrbajosacontributestothegreatworkoftheextirpationofourcountry\'sills，Ishallholdmyselfthehappiestofmen，solelyinbeingyourfellow-townsman；andallmylifeofstudy，ofpenitence，ofresignation，willseemtomelessmeritorious，lessdeservingofheaven，thanasingleoneofyourheroicdays。”
“Impossibletosaymoreortosayitbetter！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，inaburstofenthusiasm。
Caballucohadleanedforwardinhischairandwasrestinghiselbowsonhisknees；whenthecanonendedhetookhishandandkisseditwithfervor。
“Abettermanwasneverborn，“saidUncleLicurgo，wiping，orpretendingtowipeawayatear。
“LonglifetotheSenorPenitentiary！“criedFrasquitoGonzalez，risingtohisfeetandthrowinghiscapuptotheceiling。
“Silence！“saidDonaPerfecta。“Sitdown，Frasquito！Youareoneofthosewithwhomitisalwaysmuchcryandlittlewool。”
“BlessedbeGodwhogaveyouthateloquenttongue！“exclaimedCristobal，inflamedwithadmiration。“WhatapairIhavebeforeme！
Whilethesetwolivewhatneedisthereofanyoneelse?AllthepeopleinSpainoughttobelikethem。Buthowcouldthatbe，whenthereisnothinginitbutroguery！InMadrid，whichisthecapitalwherethelawandthemandarinscomefrom，everythingisrobberyandcheating。
Poorreligion，whatastatetheyhavebroughtitto！Thereisnothingtobeseenbutcrimes。SenorDonInocencio，SenoraDonaPerfecta，bymyfather\'ssoul，bythesoulofmygrandfather，bythesalvationofmyownsoul，IswearthatIwishtodie！“
“Todie！“
“ThatIwishthoserascallydogsmaykillme，andIsaythatIwishtheymaykillme，becauseIcannotcuttheminquarters。Iamverylittle。”
“Ramos，youaregreat，“saidDonaPerfectasolemnly。
“Great?Great?Verygreat，asfarasmycourageisconcerned；buthaveIfortresses，haveIcavalry，haveIartillery?“
“Thatisathing，Ramos，“saidDonaPerfecta，smiling，“aboutwhichI
wouldnotconcernmyself。Hasnottheenemywhatyoulack?“
“Yes。”
“Takeitfromhim，then。”
“Wewilltakeitfromhim，yes，senora。WhenIsaythatwewilltakeitfromhim——“
“MydearRamos，“exclaimedDonInocencio，“yoursisanenviableposition。Todistinguishyourself，toraiseyourselfabovethebasemultitude，toputyourselfonanequalitywiththegreatestheroesoftheearth，tobeabletosaythatthehandofGodguidesyourhand——oh，whatgrandeurandhonor！Myfriend，thisisnotflattery。Whatdignity，whatnobleness，whatmagnanimity！No；menofsuchatempercannotdie。
TheLordgoeswiththem，andthebulletandthesteeloftheenemyarearrestedintheircourse；theydonotdare——howshouldtheydare——totouchthem，comingfromthemusketandthehandofheretics?DearCaballuco，seeingyou，seeingyourbraveryandyournobility，therecometomymindinvoluntarilytheversesofthatballadontheconquestoftheEmpireofTrebizond:
“\'CamethevaliantRolandArmedateverypoint，Onhiswar-horsemounted，ThegallantBriador；
HisgoodswordDurlindanaGirdedtohisside，Couchedfortheattackhislance，Onhisarmhisbucklerstout，Throughhishelmet\'svisorFlashingfirehecame；
QuiveringlikeaslenderreedShakenbythewindhislance，AndallthehostunitedDefyinghaughtily。\'“
“Verygood，“exclaimedLicurgo，clappinghishands。“AndIsaylikeDonRenialdos:
“\'LetnonethewrathofDonRenialdosDarebraveandhopetoescapeunscathed；
Forhewhoseekswithhimaquarrel，ShallpaysodearlyforhisrashnessThathe，andallhiscausewhochampion，ShallatmyhandormeetdestructionOrchastisementsevereshallsuffer。\'“
“Ramos，youwilltakesomesupper，youwilleatsomething；won\'tyou?“
saidthemistressofthehouse。
“Nothing，nothing；“answeredtheCentaur。“Orifyougivemeanything，letitbeaplateofgunpowder。”
Andburstingintoaboisterouslaugh，hewalkedupanddowntheroomseveraltimes，attentivelyobservedbyeveryone；then，stoppingbesidethegroup，helookedfixedlyatDonaPerfectaandthunderedforththesewords:
“Isaythatthereisnothingmoretobesaid。LongliveOrbajosa！deathtoMadrid！“
Andhebroughthishanddownonthetablewithsuchviolencethatthefloorshook。
“Whatavaliantspirit！“saidDonInocencio。
“Whatafistyouhave！“
Everyonewaslookingatthetable，whichhadbeensplitintwobytheblow。
Thentheylookedatthenever-enough-to-be-admiredRenialdosorCaballuco。Undoubtedlytherewasinhishandsomecountenance，inhisgreeneyesanimatedbyastrange，felineglow，inhisblackhair，inhisherculeanframe，acertainexpressionandairofgrandeur——atrace，orratheramemory，ofthegrandracesthatdominatedtheworld。Buthisgeneralaspectwasoneofpitiabledegeneration，anditwasdifficulttodiscoverthenobleandheroicfiliationinthebrutalityofthepresent。HeresembledDonCayetano\'sgreatmenasthemuleresemblesthehorse。
CHAPTERXXIII
MYSTERY
Theconferencelastedforsometimelonger，butweomitwhatfollowedasnotbeingnecessarytoaclearunderstandingofourstory。Atlasttheyseparated，SenorDonInocencioremainingtothelast，asusual。
BeforethecanonandDonaPerfectahadhadtimetoexchangeaword，anelderlywoman，DonaPerfecta\'sconfidentialservantandherrighthand，enteredthedining-room，andhermistress，seeingthatshelookeddisturbedandanxious，wasatoncefilledwithdisquietude，suspectingthatsomethingwrongwasgoingoninthehouse。
“Ican\'tfindthesenoritaanywhere，“saidtheservant，inanswertohermistress\'questions。
“GoodHeavens——Rosario！Whereismydaughter?“
“VirginofSuccorprotectus！“criedthePenitentiary，takinguphishatandpreparingtohurryoutwithDonaPerfecta。
“Searchforherwell。Butwasshenotwithyouinherroom?“
“Yes，senora，“answeredtheoldwoman，trembling，“butthedeviltemptedme，andIfellasleep。”
“Acurseuponyoursleep！Whatisthis?Rosario，Rosario！Librada！“
Theywentupstairsandcamedownagain，theywentupasecondtimeandcamedownagain；carryingalightandlookingcarefullyinalltherooms。AtlastthevoiceofthePenitentiarywasheardsayingjoyfullyfromthestairs:
“Heresheis，heresheis！Shehasbeenfound。”
Amomentlatermotheranddaughterwerestandingfacetofaceinthehall。
“Wherewereyou?“askedDonaPerfecta，inaseverevoice，scrutinizingherdaughter\'sfaceclosely。
“Inthegarden，“answeredthegirl，moredeadthanalive。
“Inthegardenatthishour?Rosario！“
“Iwaswarm，Iwenttothewindow，myhandkerchiefdroppedout，andI
camedownstairsforit！“
“Whydidn\'tyouaskLibradatogetitforyou?Librada！Whereisthatgirl?Hasshefallenasleeptoo?“
Libradaatlastmadeherappearance。Herpalefacerevealedtheconsternationandtheapprehensionofthedelinquent。
“Whatisthis?Wherewereyou?“askedhermistress，withterribleanger。
“Why，senora，Icamedownstairstogettheclothesoutofthefrontroom——andIfellasleep。”
“Everyonehereseemstohavefallenasleepto-night。Someofyou，I
fancy，willnotsleepinmyhouseto-morrownight。Rosario，youmaygo。”
Comprehendingthatitwasnecessarytoactwithpromptnessandenergy，DonaPerfectaandthecanonbegantheirinvestigationswithoutdelay。
Questions，threats，entreaties，promises，wereskilfullyemployedtodiscoverthetruthregardingwhathadhappened。Noteventheshadowofguiltwasfoundtoattachtotheoldservant；butLibradaconfessedfranklybetweentearsandsighsallherdelinquencies，whichwewillsumupasfollows:
ShortlyafterhisarrivalinthehouseSenorPinzonhadbeguntocastlovingglancesatSenoritaRosario。HehadgivenmoneytoLibrada，accordingtowhatthelattersaid，tocarrymessagesandlove-letterstoher。Theyoungladyhadnotseemedangry，but，onthecontrary，pleased，andseveraldayshadpassedinthismanner。Finally，theservantdeclaredthatRosarioandSenorPinzonhadagreedtomeetandtalkwitheachotheronthisnightatthewindowoftheroomofthelatter，whichopenedonthegarden。Theyhadconfidedtheirdesigntothemaid，whopromisedtofavorit，inconsiderationofasumwhichwasatoncegivenher。IthadbeenagreedthatSenorPinzonwastoleavethehouseathisusualhourandreturntoitsecretlyatnineo\'clock，gotohisroom，andleaveitandthehouseagain，clandestinelyalso，alittlelater，toreturn，withoutconcealment，athisusuallatehour。
Inthiswaynosuspicionwouldfalluponhim。LibradahadwaitedforPinzon，whohadenteredthehousecloselyenvelopedinhiscloak，withoutspeakingaword。Hehadgonetohisroomatthesamemomentinwhichtheyoungladydescendedtothegarden。Duringtheinterview，atwhichshewasnotpresent，LibradahadremainedonguardinthehalltowarnPinzon，ifanydangershouldthreaten；andattheendofanhourthelatterhadleftthehouseenvelopedinhiscloak，asbefore，andwithoutspeakingaword。WhentheconfessionwasendedDonInocenciosaidtothewretchedgirl:
“AreyousurethatthepersonwhocameintoandwentoutofthehousewasSenorPinzon?“
Theculpritanswerednothing，butherfeaturesexpressedtheutmostperplexity。
Hermistressturnedgreenwithanger。
“Didyouseehisface?“
“Butwhoelsecoulditbebuthe?“answeredthemaid。“Iamcertainthatitwashe。Hewentstraighttohisroom——heknewthewaytoitperfectlywell。”
“Itisstrange，“saidthecanon。“Livinginthehousetherewasnoneedforhimtousesuchmystery。Hemighthavepretendedillnessandremainedinthehouse。Doesitnotseemsotoyou，senora?“
“Librada，“exclaimedthelatter，inaparoxysmofanger，“Ivowthatyoushallgotoprison。”
Andclaspingherhands，shedugthenailsoftheoneintotheotherwithsuchforceasalmosttodrawblood。
“SenorDonInocencio，“sheexclaimed，“letusdie——thereisnoremedybuttodie。”
Thensheburstintoafitofinconsolableweeping。
“Courage，senora，“saidthepriest，inamovedvoice。“Courage——nowitisnecessarytobeverybrave。Thisrequirescalmnessandagreatdealofcourage。
“Mineisimmense，“saidSenoradePolentinos，inthemidstofhersobs。
“Mineisverysmall，“saidthecanon；“butweshallsee，weshallsee。”
CHAPTERXXIV
THECONFESSION
MeanwhileRosario——withherhearttornandbleeding，unabletoshedtears，unabletobeatpeaceorrest，transpiercedbygriefasbyasharpsword，withherthoughtspassingswiftlyfromtheworldtoGodandfromGodtotheworld，bewilderedandhalf-crazed，herhandsclasped，herbarefeetrestingonthefloor——waskneeling，lateintheevening，inherownroom，besideherbed，ontheedgeofwhichsherestedherburningforehead，indarkness，insolitude，andinsilence。
Shewascarefulnottomaketheslightestnoise，inordernottoattracttheattentionofhermother，whowasasleep，orseemedtobeasleep，intheadjoiningroom。SheliftedupherdistractedthoughtstoHeaveninthisform:
“Lord，myGod，whyisitthatbeforeIdidnotknowhowtolie，andnowIknow?WhydidInotknowbeforehowtodeceive，andnowIdeceive?AmIavilewoman?IsthisthatIfeel，isthisthatishappeningtome，afallfromwhichtherecanbenoarising?HaveIceasedtobevirtuousandgood?Idonotrecognizemyself。IsitIorisitsomeoneelsewhoisinthisplace?Howmanyterriblethingsinafewdays！Howmanydifferentsensations！Myheartisconsumedwithallithasfelt。Lord，myGod，dostthouhearmyvoice，oramIcondemnedtoprayeternallywithoutbeingheard?Iamgood，nothingwillconvincemethatIamnotgood。Tolove，toloveboundlessly，isthatwickedness?Butno——itisnoillusion，noerror——Iamworsethantheworstwomanonearth。A
greatserpentiswithinme，andhasfastenedhispoisonousfangsinmyheart。WhatisthisthatIfeel?MyGod，whydostthounotkillme?Whydostthounotplungemeforeverintothedepthsofhell?Itisfrightful，butIconfessittothepriest——Ihatemymother。Whyisthis?Icannotexplainittomyself。Hehasnotsaidawordtomeagainstmymother。Idonotknowhowthisiscometopass。HowwickedI
am！Thedemonshavetakenpossessionofme。Lord，cometomyhelp，forwithmyownstrengthaloneIcannotvanquishmyself。Aterribleimpulseurgesmetoleavethishouse。Iwishtoescape，toflyfromit。Ifhedoesnottakeme，Iwilldragmyselfafterhimthroughthestreets。
Whatdivinejoyisthisthatminglesinmybreastwithsocruelagrief?LordGod，myfather，illumineme。Idesireonlytolove。Iwasnotbornforthishatredthatisconsumingme。Iwasnotborntodeceive，tolie，tocheat。To-morrowIwillgooutintothestreetsandcryaloudtoallthepassers-by:\'Ilove！Ihate！\'Myheartwillrelieveitselfinthisway。Whathappinessitwouldbetobeabletoreconcileeverything，toloveandrespecteveryone！MaytheMostHolyVirginprotectme。Againthatterribleidea！Idon\'twishtothinkit，andIthinkit。Ah！Icannotdeceivemyselfinregardtothis。Icanneitherdestroyitnordiminishit——butIcanconfessit；andIconfessit，sayingtothee:\'Lord，Ihatemymother！\'“
Atlastshefellintoadoze。Inheruneasysleepherimaginationreproducedinhermindallshehaddonethatnight，distortingit，withoutalteringitinsubstance。Sheheardagaintheclockofthecathedralstrikingnine；shesawwithjoytheoldservantfallintoapeacefulsleep；andshelefttheroomveryslowly，inordertomakenonoise；shedescendedthestairssoftly，stepbystepandontiptoe，inordertoavoidmakingtheslightestsound。Shewentintothegarden，goingaroundthroughtheservants\'quartersandthekitchen；inthegardenshepausedforamomenttolookupatthesky，whichwasdarkandstuddedwithstars。Thewindwashushed。Notabreathdisturbedtheprofoundstillnessofthenight。Itseemedtomaintainafixedandsilentattention——theattentionofeyesthatlookwithoutwinkingandearsthatlistenattentively，awaitingagreatevent。Thenightwaswatching。
Shethenapproachedtheglassdoorofthedining-roomandlookedcautiouslythroughit，fromalittledistance，fearingthatthosewithinmightperceiveher。Bythelightofthedining-roomlampshesawhermothersittingwithherbacktowardher。ThePenitentiarywasonherright，andhisprofileseemedtoundergoastrangetransformation，hisnosegrewlargerandlarger，seeminglikethebeakofsomefabulousbird；andhiswholefacebecameablacksilhouettewithangleshereandthere，sharpderisive，irritating。InfrontofhimsatCaballuco，whoresembledadragonratherthanaman。Rosariocouldseehisgreeneyes，liketwolanternsofconvexglass。Thisglow，andtheimposingfigureoftheanimal，inspiredherwithfear。UncleLicurgoandtheotherthreemenappearedtoherimaginationlikegrotesquelittlefigures。
Shehadseensomewhere，doubtlessinsomeoftheclayfiguresatthefairs，thatfoolishsmile，thosecoarsefaces，thatstupidlook。Thedragonmovedhisarmswhich，insteadofgesticulating，turnedround，likethearmsofawindmill，andthegreenglobes，likethelightsofapharmacy，movedfromsidetoside。Hisglancewasblinding。Theconversationappearedtobeinteresting。ThePenitentiarywasflappinghiswings。Hewasapresumptuousbird，whotriedtoflyandcouldnot。
Hisbeaklengtheneditself，twistingroundandround。Hisfeathersstoodout，asifwithrage；andthen，collectinghimselfandbecomingpacified，hehidhisbaldheadunderhiswings。Thenthelittleclayfiguresbegantomove，wishingtobepersons，andFrasquitoGonzalezwastryingtopassforaman。
Rosariofeltaninexplicableterror，witnessingthisfriendlyconference。Shewentawayfromthedoorandadvanced，stepbystep，lookingaroundhertoseeifshewasobserved。Althoughshesawnoone，shefanciedthatamillioneyeswerefasteneduponher。Butsuddenlyherfearsandhershameweredispelled。AtthewindowoftheroomoccupiedbySenorPinzonappearedaman，dressedinblue；thebuttonsonhiscoatshonelikerowsoflittlelights。Sheapproached。Atthesameinstantshefeltapairofarmswithgalloonsliftherupasifshewereafeatherandwithaswiftmovementplaceherintheroom。Allwaschanged。Suddenlyacrashwasheard，aviolentblowthatshookthehousetoitsfoundations。Neitherknewthecauseofthenoise。Theytrembledandweresilent。
Itwasthemomentinwhichthedragonhadbrokenthetableinthedining-room。
CHAPTERXXV
UNFORESEENEVENTS——APASSINGDISAGREEMENT
Thescenechanges。Weseebeforeusahandsomeroom，bright，modest，gay，comfortable，andsurprisinglyclean。Afinemattingcoversthefloor，andthewhitewallsarecoveredwithgoodprintsofsaintsandsomesculpturesofdoubtfulartisticvalue。TheoldmahoganyofthefurnitureshineswiththepolishofmanySaturdayrubbings，andthealtar，onwhichamagnificentVirgin，dressedinblueandsilver，receivesdomesticworship，iscoveredwithinnumerableprettytrifles，halfsacred，halfprofane。Thereareonit，besides，littlepicturesinbeads，holy-waterfonts，awatch-casewithanAgnesDei，aPalmSundaypalm-branch，andnotafewodorlessartificialflowers。Anumberofoakenbookshelvescontainarichandchoicelibrary，inwhichHorace，theEpicureanandSybarite，standssidebysidewiththetenderVirgil，inwhoseversesweseetheheartoftheenamoredDidothrobbingandmelting；Ovidthelarge-nosed，assublimeasheisobsceneandsycophantic，sidebysidewithMartial，theeloquentandwittyvagabond；Tibullustheimpassioned，withCicerothegrand；thesevereTitusLiviuswiththeterribleTacitus，thescourgeoftheCaesars；
Lucretiusthepantheist；Juvenal，whoflayedwithhispen；Plautus，whocomposedthebestcomediesofantiquitywhileturningamill-wheel；
Senecathephilosopher，ofwhomitissaidthatthenoblestactofhislifewashisdeath；Quintiliantherhetorician；theimmoralSallust，whospeakssoeloquentlyofvirtue；thetwoPlinys；SuetoniusandVarro——inaword，alltheLatinlettersfromthetimewhentheystammeredtheirfirstwordwithLiviusAndronicusuntiltheyexhaledtheirlastsighwithRutilius。
Butwhilemakingthisunnecessarythoughrapidenumeration，wehavenotobservedthattwowomenhaveenteredtheroom。Itisveryearly，buttheOrbajosansareearlyrisers。Thebirdsaresingingtobursttheirthroatsintheircages；thechurch-bellsareringingformass，andthegoats，goingfromhousetohousetobemilked，aretinklingtheirbellsgayly。
Thetwoladieswhomweseeintheroomthatwehavedescribedhavejustcomebackfromhearingmass。Theyaredressedinblack，andeachofthemcarriesinherrighthandherlittleprayer-book，andtherosarytwinedaroundherfingers。
“Yourunclecannotdelaylongnow，“saidoneofthem。“Welefthimbeginningmass；buthegetsthroughquickly，andbythistimehewillbeinthesacristy，takingoffhischasuble。Iwouldhavestayedtohearhimsaymass，butto-dayisaverybusydayforme。”
“Iheardonlytheprebendary\'smassto-day，“saidtheother，“andhesaysmassinatwinkling；andIdon\'tthinkithasdonemeanygood，forIwasgreatlypreoccupied。Icouldnotgetthethoughtoftheterriblethingsthatarehappeningtousoutofmyhead。”
“Whatistobedone?Wemustonlyhavepatience。Letusseewhatadviceyourunclewillgiveus。”
“Ah！“exclaimedtheother，heavingadeepandpatheticsigh；“Ifeelmybloodonfire。”
“Godwillprotectus。”
“Tothinkthatapersonlikeyoushouldbethreatenedbya——Andhepersistsinhisdesigns！LastnightSenoraDonaPerfecta，IwentbacktothewidowDeCuzco\'shotel，asyoutoldme，andaskedherforlaternews。DonPepitoandthebrigadierBatallaarealwaysconsultingtogether——ah，myGod！consultingabouttheirinfernalplans，andemptyingbottleafterbottleofwine。Theyareapairofrakes，apairofdrunkards。Nodoubttheyareplottingsomefinepieceofvillanytogether。AsItakesuchaninterestinyou，lastnight，seeingDonPepitohavingthehotelwhileIwasthere，Ifollowedhim——“
“Andwheredidyougo?“
“TotheCasino；yes，senora，totheCasino，“respondedtheother，withsomeconfusion。“Afterwardhewentbacktohishotel。AndhowmyunclescoldedmebecauseIremainedoutsolate，playingthespyinthatway！
ButIcan\'thelpit，andtoseeapersonlikeyouthreatenedbysuchdangersmakesmewild。Forthereisnouseintalking；IforeseethatthedayweleastexpectitthosevillainswillattackthehouseandcarryoffRosarito。”
DonaPerfecta，forsheitwas，bendinghereyesonthefloor，remainedforalongtimewrappedinthought。Shewaspale，andherbrowsweregatheredinafrown。Atlastsheexclaimed:
“Well，Iseenowayofpreventingit！“
“ButIseeaway，“quicklysaidtheotherwoman，whowasthenieceofthePenitentiaryandJacinto\'smother；“Iseeaverysimpleway，thatI
explainedtoyou，andthatyoudonotlike。Ah，senora！youaretoogood。Onoccasionslikethisitisbettertobealittlelessperfect——
tolayscruplesaside。Why，wouldthatbeanoffencetoGod?“
“MariaRemedios，“saidDonaPerfectahaughtily，“don\'ttalknonsense。”
“Nonsense！You，withallyourwisdom，cannotmakeyournephewdoasyouwish。WhatcouldbesimplerthanwhatIpropose?Sincethereisnojusticenowtoprotectus，letusdoagreatactofjusticeourselves。
Aretherenotmeninyourhousewhoarereadyforanything?Well，callthemandsaytothem:\'Look，Caballuco，PasoLargo，\'orwhoeveritmaybe，\'to-nightdisguiseyourselfwell，sothatyoumaynotberecognized；takewithyouafriendinwhomyouhaveconfidence，andstationyourselfatthecorneroftheCalledeSantaFaz。Waitawhile，andwhenDonJoseReypassesthroughtheCalledelaTriperiaonhiswaytotheCasino，——forhewillcertainlygototheCasino，understandmewell，——whenheispassingyouwillspringoutonhimandgivehimafright。\'“
“MariaRemedios，don\'tbeafool！“saidDonaPerfectawithmagisterialdignity。
“Nothingmorethanafright，senora；attendwelltowhatIsay，afright。Why！DoyousupposeIwouldadviseacrime?GoodGod！theveryideafillsmewithhorror，andIfancyIcanseebeforemyeyesbloodandfire！Nothingofthesort，senora。Afright——nothingbutafright，whichwillmakethatruffianunderstandthatwearewellprotected。HegoesalonetotheCasino，senora，entirelyalone；andtherehemeetshisvaliantfriends，thoseofthesabreandthehelmet。Imaginethathegetsthefrightandthathehasafewbonesbroken，inaddition——
withoutanyseriouswounds，ofcourse。Well，inthatcase，eitherhiscouragewillfailhimandhewillleaveOrbajosa，orhewillbeobligedtokeephisbedforafortnight。Buttheymustbetoldtomakethefrightagoodone。Nokilling，ofcourse；theymusttakecareofthat，butjustagoodbeating。”
“Maria，“saidDonaPerfectahaughtily，“youareincapableofaloftythought，ofagreatandsavingresolve。Whatyouadvisemeisanunworthypieceofcowardice。”
“Verywell，Iwillbesilent。Poorme！whatafoolIam！“exclaimedthePenitentiary\'sniecewithhumility。“Iwillkeepmyfolliestoconsoleyouafteryouhavelostyourdaughter。”
“Mydaughter！Losemydaughter！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，withasuddenaccessofrage。“Onlytohearyouputsmeoutofmysenses。No，theyshallnottakeherfromme！IfRosariodoesnotabhorthatruffianasI
wishhertodo，sheshallabhorhim。Foramother\'sauthoritymusthavesomeweight。Wewilltearthispassion，orratherthiscaprice，fromherheart，asatenderplantistornoutofthegroundbeforeithashadtimetocastroots。No，thiscannotbe，Remedios。Comewhatmay，itshallnotbe！Noteventhemostinfamousmeanshecouldemploywillavailthatmadman。Ratherthanseehermynephew\'swife，Iwouldacceptanyevilthatmighthappentoher，evendeath！“
“Betterdead，betterburiedandfoodforworms，“affirmedRemedios，claspingherhandsasifsheweresayingaprayer——“thanseeherinthepowerof——ah，senora，donotbeoffendedifIsaysomethingtoyou，andthatis，thatitwouldbeagreatweaknesstoyieldmerelybecauseRosaritohashadafewsecretinterviewswiththataudaciousman。Theaffairofthenightbeforelast，asmyunclerelatedittome，seemstomeaviletrickonDonJosetoobtainhisobjectbymeansofascandal。
Agreatmanymendothat。Ah，DivineSaviour，Idon\'tknowhowtherearewomenwhocanlookanymaninthefaceunlessitbeapriest。”
“Besilent，besilent！“saidDonaPerfecta，withvehemence。“Don\'tmentiontheoccurrenceofthenightbeforelasttome。Whatahorribleaffair！MariaRemedios，Iunderstandnowhowangercanimperilthesalvationofasoul。Iamburningwithrage——unhappythatIam，toseesuchthingsandnottobeaman！Buttospeakthetruthinregardtotheoccurrenceofthenightbeforelast——Istillhavemydoubts。
LibradavowsanddeclaresthatPinzonwasthemanwhocameintothehouse。Mydaughterdenieseverything；mydaughterhasnevertoldmealie！Ipersistinmysuspicions。IthinkthatPinzonisahypocriticalgo-between，butnothingmore。”
“Wecomebacktothesamething——thattheauthorofallthetroubleistheblessedmathematician。Ah！myheartdidnotdeceivemewhenIfirstsawhim。Well，thensenora！resignyourselftoseesomethingstillmoreterrible，unlessyoumakeupyourmindtocallCaballucoandsaytohim，\'Caballuco，Ihopethat——\'“
“Thesamethingagain；whatasimpletonyouare！“
“Ohyes！IknowIamagreatsimpleton；buthowcanIhelpitifIamnotanywiser?Isaywhatcomesintomyhead，withoutanyart。”
“Whatyouthinkof——thatsillyandvulgarideaofthebeatingandthefright——iswhatwouldoccurtoanyone。Youhavenotanounceofbrains，Remedios；tosolveaseriousquestionyoucanthinkofnothingbetterthanapieceoffollylikethat。Ihavethoughtofameansmoreworthyofnoble-mindedandwell-bredpersons。Abeating！Whatstupidity！Besides，Iwouldnotonanyaccounthavemynephewreceiveevensomuchasascratchbyanorderofmine。Godwillsendhimhispunishmentthroughsomeoneofthewonderfulwayswhichheknowshowtochoose。AllwehavetodoistoworkinorderthatthedesignsofGodmayfindnoobstacle。MariaRemedios，itisnecessaryinmattersofthiskindtogodirectlytothecausesofthings。Butyouknownothingaboutcauses——youcanseeonlytrifles。”
“Thatmaybeso，“saidthepriest\'sniece，withhumility。“IwonderwhyGodmademesofoolishthatIcanunderstandnothingofthosesublimeideas！“
“Itisnecessarytogotothebottom——tothebottom，Remedios。Don\'tyouunderstandyet?“
“No。”
“Mynephewisnotmynephew，woman；heisblasphemy，sacrilege，atheism，demagogy。Doyouknowwhatdemagogyis?“
“SomethingrelatingtothosepeoplewhoburnedPariswithpetroleum；
andthosewhopulldownthechurchesandfireontheimages。SofarI
understandverywell。”
“Well，mynephewisallthat！Ah！ifhewerealoneinOrbajosa——butno，child。Mynephew，throughaseriesoffatalities，whicharetrials，thetransitoryevilsthatGodpermitsforourchastisement，isequivalenttoanarmy；isequivalenttotheauthorityofthegovernment；
equivalenttothealcalde；equivalenttothejudge。Mynephewisnotmynephew；heistheofficialnation，Remedios——thatsecondnationcomposedofthescoundrelswhogoverninMadrid，andwhohavemadethemselvesmastersofitsmaterialstrength；ofthatapparentnation——
fortherealnationistheonethatissilent，thatpaysandsuffers；
ofthatfictitiousnationthatsignsdecreesandpronouncesdiscoursesandmakesafarceofgovernment，andafarceofauthority，andafarceofeverything。Thatiswhatmynephewisto-day；youmustaccustomyourselftolookunderthesurfaceofthings。Mynephewisthegovernment，thebrigadier，thenewalcalde，thenewjudge——fortheyallprotecthim，becauseoftheunanimityoftheirideas；becausetheyarechipsofthesameblock，birdsofafeather。Understanditwell；wemustdefendourselvesagainstthemall，fortheyareallone，andoneisall；wemustattackthemalltogether；andnotbybeatingamanasheturnsacorner，butasourforefathersattackedtheMoors——theMoors，Remedios。Understandthiswell，child；openyourunderstandingandallowanideathatisnotvulgartoenterit——riseaboveyourself；
thinkloftythoughts，Remedios！“
DonInocencio\'sniecewasstruckdumbbysomuchloftinessofsoul。Sheopenedhermouthtosaysomethingthatshouldbeinconsonancewithsosublimeanidea，butsheonlybreathedasigh。
“LiketheMoors，“repeatedDonaPerfecta。“ItisaquestionofMoorsandChristians。Anddidyousupposethatbygivingafrighttomynephewallwouldbeended?Howfoolishyouare！Don\'tyouseethathisfriendssupporthim?Don\'tyouseethatyouareatthemercyofthatrabble?Don\'tyouseethatanylittlelieutenantcansetfiretomyhouse，ifhetakesitintohisheadtodoso?Butdon\'tyouknowthis?
Don\'tyoucomprehendthatitisnecessarytogotothebottomofthings?Don\'tyoucomprehendhowvast，howtremendousisthepowerofmyenemy，whoisnotaman，butasect?Don\'tyoucomprehendthatmynephew，asheconfrontsmeto-day，isnotacalamity，butaplague?
Againstthisplague，dearRemedios，weshallhavehereabattalionsentbyGodthatwillannihilatetheinfernalmilitiafromMadrid。Itellyouthatthisisgoingtobegreatandglorious。”
“Ifitwereatlastso！“
“Butdoyoudoubtit?To-dayweshallseeterriblethingshere，“saidDonaPerfecta，withgreatimpatience。“To-day，to-day！Whato\'clockisit?Seven?Solate，andnothinghashappened！“
“Perhapsmyunclehasheardsomething；heisherenow，Ihearhimcomingupstairs。”
“ThankGod！“saidDonaPerfecta，risingtoreceivethePenitentiary。
“Hewillhavegoodnewsforus。”
DonInocencioenteredhastily。Hisalteredcountenanceshowedthathissoul，consecratedtoreligionandtothestudyoftheclassics，wasnotastranquilasusual。
“Badnews！“hesaid，layinghishatonachairandlooseningthecordsofhiscloak。
DonaPerfectaturnedpale。
“Theyarearrestingpeople，“addedDonInocencio，loweringhisvoice，asiftherewasasoldierhiddenundereverychair。“Theysuspect，nodoubt，thatthepeopleherewouldnotputupwiththeirhigh-handedmeasures，andtheyhavegonefromhousetohouse，arrestingallwhohaveareputationforbravery。”
DonaPerfectathrewherselfintoaneasychairandclutcheditsarmsconvulsively。
“Itremainstobeseenwhethertheyhaveallowedthemselvestobearrested，“observedRemedios。
“Manyofthemhave——agreatmanyofthem，“saidDonInocencio，withanapprovinglook，addressingDonaPerfecta，“havehadtimetoescape，andhavegonewitharmsandhorsestoVillahorrenda。”
“AndRamos?“
“Theytoldmeinthecathedralthatheistheonetheyarelookingformosteagerly。Oh，myGod！toarrestinnocentpeopleinthatway，whohavedonenothingyet。Well，Idon\'tknowhowgoodSpaniardscanhavepatienceundersuchtreatment。SenoraDonaPerfecta，whenIwastellingyouaboutthearrests，Iforgottosaythatyououghttogohomeatonce。”
“Yes，Iwillgoatonce。Havethosebanditssearchedmyhouse?“
“Itispossible。Senora，wehavefallenuponevildays，“saidDonInocencio，insolemnandfeelingaccents。“MayGodhavepityuponus！“
“Therearehalfadozenwell-armedmeninmyhouse，“respondedthelady，greatlyagitated。“Whatiniquity！Wouldtheybecapableofwantingtocarrythemofftoo?“
“AssuredlySenorPinzonwillnothaveneglectedtodenouncethem。
Senora，Irepeatthatwehavefallenuponevildays。ButGodwillprotecttheinnocent。”
“Iamgoingnow。Don\'tfailtostopinatthehouse。”
“Senora，assoonasthelessonisover——thoughIimaginethatwiththeexcitementthatthereisinthetown，alltheboyswillplaytruantto-day——ButinanycaseIwillgotothehouseafterclasshours。I
don\'twishyoutogooutalone，senora。Thosevagabondsoldiersarestruttingaboutthestreetswithsuchinsolentairs。Jacinto，Jacinto！“
“Itisnotnecessary。Iwillgoalone。”
“LetJacintogowithyou，“saidtheyoungman\'smother。“Hemustbeupbythistime。”
Theyheardthehurriedfootstepsofthelittledoctor，whowascomingdownthestairsinthegreatesthaste。Heenteredtheroomwithflushedfaceandpantingforbreath。
“Whatisthematter?“askedhisuncle。
“IntheTroyas\'house，“saidtheyoungman，“inthehouseofthose——
thosegirls——“
“Finishatonce！“
“Caballucoisthere！“
“Upthere?InthehouseoftheTroyas?“
“Yes，senor。Hespoketomefromtheterrace，andhetoldmehewasafraidtheywerecomingtheretoarresthim。”
“Oh，whatafool！Thatidiotisgoingtoallowhimselftobearrested！“
exclaimedDonaPerfecta，tappingthefloorimpatientlywithherfoot。
“Hewantstocomedownandletushidehiminthehouse。”
“Here?“
Thecanonandhisnieceexchangedaglance。
“Lethimcomedown！“saidDonaPerfectavehemently。
“Here?“repeatedDonInocencio，withalookofill-humor。
“Here，“answeredthelady。“Idon\'tknowofanyhousewherehewouldbemoresecure。”
“Hecanlethimselfdowneasilyfromthewindowofmyroom，“saidJacinto。
“Well，ifitisnecessary——“
“MariaRemedios，“saidDonaPerfecta，“iftheytakethatman，allislost。”
“Iamafoolandasimpleton，“answeredthecanon\'sniece，layingherhandonherbreastandstiflingthesighthatwasdoubtlessabouttoescapefromit；“buttheyshallnottakehim。”
DonaPerfectawentoutquickly，andshortlyafterwardtheCentaurwasmakinghimselfcomfortableinthearm-chairinwhichDonInocenciowasaccustomedtositwhenhewaswritinghissermons。
WedonotknowhowitreachedtheearsofBrigadierBatalla，butcertainitisthatthisactivesoldierhadhadnoticethattheOrbajosanshadchangedtheirintentions；andonthemorningofthisdayhehadorderedthearrestofthosewhominourrichinsurrectionallanguageweareaccustomedtocallmarked。ThegreatCaballucoescapedbyamiracle，takingrefugeinthehouseoftheTroyas，butnotthinkinghimselfsafetherehedescended，aswehaveseen，totheholyandunsuspectedmansionofthegoodcanon。
Atnightthesoldiers，establishedatvariouspointsofthetown，keptastrictwatchonallwhocameinandwentout，butRamossucceededinmakinghisescape，cheatingorperhapswithoutcheatingthevigilanceofthemilitary。ThisfilledthemeasureoftherageoftheOrbajosans，andnumbersofpeoplewereconspiringinthehamletsnearVillahorrenda；meetingatnighttodisperseinthemorningandprepareinthiswaythearduousbusinessoftheinsurrection。Ramosscouredthesurroundingcountry，collectingmenandarms；andastheflyingcolumnsfollowedtheAcerosintothedistrictofVillajuandeNahara，ourchivalrousheromadegreatprogressinaveryshorttime。
AtnightheventuredboldlyintoOrbajosa，employingstratagemsandperhapsbribery。Hispopularityandtheprotectionwhichhereceivedinthetownservedhim，toacertainextent，asasafeguard；anditwouldnotberashtoaffirmthatthesoldiersdidnotmanifesttowardthisdaringleaderoftheinsurrectionthesamerigorastowardtheinsignificantmenoftheplace。InSpain，andespeciallyintimeofwar，whichisherealwaysdemoralizing，theseunworthyconsiderationstowardthegreatareoftenseen，whilethelittlearepersecutedpitilessly。Favoredthenbyhisboldness，bybribery，orbyweknownotwhat，CaballucoenteredOrbajosa，gainednewrecruits，andcollectedarmsandmoney。Eitherforthegreatsecurityofhispersonorinordertosaveappearances，hedidnotsetfootinhisownhouse；heenteredDonaPerfecta\'sonlyforthepurposeoftreatingofimportantaffairs，andheusuallysuppedinthehouseofsomefriend，preferringalwaystherespecteddomicileofsomepriest，andespeciallythatofDonInocencio，wherehehadtakenrefugeonthefatefulmorningofthearrests。
MeanwhileBatallahadtelegraphedtotheGovernmenttheinformationthataplotoftherebelshavingbeendiscovereditsauthorshadbeenimprisoned，andthefewwhohadsucceededinescapinghadfledinvariousdirectionsandwerebeingactivelypursuedbythemilitary。
CHAPTERXXVI
MARIAREMEDIOS
Thereisnothingmoreentertainingthantosearchforthecauseofsomeinterestingeventwhichsurprisesoragitatesus，andnothingmoresatisfactorythantodiscoverit。When，seeingviolentpassionsinopenorconcealedconflict，andledbythenaturalintuitiveimpulsewhichalwaysaccompanieshumanobservationwesucceedindiscoveringthehiddensourcefromwhichthatturbulentriverhadderiveditswaters，weexperienceasensationverysimilartothedelightoftheexplorerorthediscovererofanunknownland。
ThisdelightProvidencehasnowbestoweduponus；for，exploringthehiddenrecessesoftheheartswhichbeatinthisstory，wehavediscoveredaneventthatisassuredlythesourceofthemostimportanteventsthatwehavenarrated；apassionwhichisthefirstdropofwateroftheimpetuouscurrentwhosecourseweareobserving。
Letusgoonwithourstory，then。Todoso，letusleaveSenoradePolentinos，withoutconcerningourselvesinregardtowhatmayhavehappenedtoheronthemorningofherconversationwithMariaRemedios。
Returningtoherhouse，fullofanxiety，shefoundherselfobligedtoenduretheapologiesandthecivilitiesofSenorPinzon，whoassuredherthatwhilehelivedherhouseshouldnotbesearched。DonaPerfectarespondedhaughtily，withoutdeigningtolookathim，forwhichreasonheaskedherpolitelyforanexplanationofhercoldness，towhichsherepliedrequestingSenorPinzontoleaveherhouse，deferringtoafutureoccasiontheexplanationwhichshewouldrequirefromhimofhisperfidiousconductwhileinit。DonCayetanoarrivingatthismoment，wordswereexchangedbetweenthetwogentlemen，asbetweenmanandman；
butaswearemoreinterestedatpresentinanothermatter，wewillleavethePolentinosandthelieutenant-coloneltosettlemattersbetweenthemasbesttheycan，andproceedtoexaminethequestionofthesourcesabovementioned。
LetusfixourattentiononMariaRemedios，anestimablewoman，towhomitisindispensablynecessarytodevoteafewwords。Shewasalady，areallady——for，notwithstandingherhumbleorigin，thevirtuesofheruncle，SenorDonInocencio，alsoofloworigin，butelevatedbyhislearningandhisestimablequalities，hadshedextraordinarylustreoverthewholefamily。
TheloveofRemediosforJacintowasoneofthestrongestpassionsofwhichthematernalheartiscapable。Shelovedhimwithdelirium；herson\'swelfarewasherfirstearthlyconsideration；sheregardedhimasthemostperfecttypeofbeautyandtalentevercreatedbyGod，andtoseehimhappyandgreatandpowerfulshewouldhavegivenherwholelifeandevenapartofthelifetocome。Thematernalsentimentistheonlyonewhich，becauseofitsnobilityanditssanctity，willadmitofexaggeration；theonlyonewhichthedeliriumofpassiondoesnotdebase。Neverthelessitisasingularphenomenon，frequentlyobserved，thatthisexaltationofmaternalaffection，ifnotaccompaniedwithabsolutepurityofheartandwithperfectuprightnessisapttobecomepervertedandtransformedintoalamentablefrenzy，whichmaylead，likeanyotherungovernedpassion，togreaterrorsandcatastrophies。
InOrbajosaMariaRemediospassedforamodelofvirtueandamodelniece——perhapsshewassoinreality。Sheservedwithaffectionallwhoneededherservices；shenevergaveoccasionforgossiporforscandal；
shenevermixedherselfupinintrigues。Shecarriedherreligiontotheextremeofanoffensivefanaticism；shepractisedcharity；shemanagedheruncle\'shousewiththeutmostability；shewaswellreceived，admiredandkindlytreatedeverywhere，inspiteofthealmostintolerableannoyanceproducedbyherpersistenthabitofsighingandspeakingalwaysinacomplainingvoice。
ButinDonaPerfecta\'shousethisexcellentladysufferedaspeciesof/capitisdiminutio/。IntimesfardistantandverybitterforthefamilyofthegoodPenitentiary，MariaRemediossinceitisthetruth，whyshoulditnotbetold?hadbeenalaundressinthehouseofPolentinos。AndletitnotbesupposedthatDonaPerfectalookeddownuponheronthisaccount——nothingofthekind。Shebehavedtoherwithoutanyhaughtiness；shefeltarealsisterlyaffectionforher；
theyatetogether；theyprayedtogether；theyconfidedtheirtroublestoeachother；theyaidedeachotherintheircharitiesandintheirdevotionsaswellasindomesticmatters；but，truthtosay，therewasalwaysasomething，therewasalwaysaline，invisiblebutwhichcouldnotbecrossedbetweentheimprovisedladyandtheladybybirthandancestry。DonaPerfectaaddressedMariaas“thou，“whilethelattercouldneverlayasidecertainceremonialforms。MariaRemediosalwaysfeltherselfsoinsignificantinthepresenceofheruncle\'sfriendthathernaturalhumilityhadacquiredthroughthisfeelingastrangetingeofsadness。ShesawthatthegoodcanonwasaspeciesofperpetualAuliccouncillorinthehouse；shesawheridolizedJacintillominglingontermsofalmostlover-likefamiliaritywiththeyounglady，andneverthelessthepoormotherandniecevisitedthehouseaslittleaspossible。ItistobeobservedthatMariaRemedios\'
dignityasaladysufferednotalittleinDonaPerfecta\'shouse，andthiswasdisagreeabletoher；forinthissighingspirit，too，therewas，asthereisineverylivingthing，alittlepride。ToseehersonmarriedtoRosarito，toseehimrichandpowerful；toseehimrelatedtoDonaPerfecta，tothesenora——ah！thiswasforMariaRemediosearthandheaven，thislifeandthenext，thepresentandthefuture，thesupremetotalityofexistence。Foryearshermindandherhearthadbeenfilledbythelightofthissweethope。Becauseofthishopeshewasgoodandshewasbad；becauseofitshewasreligiousandhumble，orfierceanddaring；becauseofitshewaswhatevershewas——forwithoutthisideaMaria，whowastheincarnationofherproject，wouldnotexist。
Inperson，MariaRemedioscouldnotbemoreinsignificantthanshewas。
Shewasremarkableforasurprisingfreshnessandrobustnesswhichmadeherlookmuchyoungerthanshereallywas，andshealwaysdressedinmourning，althoughherwidowhoodwasnowoflongstanding。
FivedayshadpassedsincetheentranceofCaballucointothePenitentiary\'shouse。Itwasevening。Remediosenteredheruncle\'sroomwiththelightedlamp，whichsheplacedonthetable。Shethenseatedherselfinfrontoftheoldman，who，foragreatpartoftheafternoon，hadbeensittingmotionlessandthoughtfulinhiseasychair。Hisfingerssupportedhischin，wrinklingupthebrownskin，unshavenforthepastthreedays。
“DidCaballucosayhewouldcomeheretosupperto-night?“heaskedhisniece。
“Yes，senor，hewillcome。Itisinarespectablehouselikethisthatthepoorfellowismostsecure。”
“Well，Iamnotaltogethereasyinmymind，inspiteoftherespectabilityofthehouse，“answeredthePenitentiary。“HowthebraveRamosexposeshimself！AndIamtoldthatinVillahorrendaandthesurroundingcountrythereareagreatmanymen。Idon\'tknowhowmanymen——Whathaveyouheard?“
“Thatthesoldiersarecommittingatrocities。”
“ItisamiraclethatthoseHottentotshavenotsearchedthehouse！I
declarethatifIseeoneofthered-trouseredgentryenterthehouse，Ishallfalldownspeechless。”
“Thisisaniceconditionofthings！“saidRemedios，exhalinghalfhersoulinasigh。“IcannotgetoutofmyheadtheideaofthetribulationinwhichSenoraDonaPerfectafindsherself。Uncle，yououghttogothere。”
“Gothereto-night?Themilitaryareparadingthestreets！Imaginethatsomeinsolentsoldiershouldtakeitintohisheadto——Thesenoraiswellprotected。Theotherdaytheysearchedthehouseandtheycarriedoffthesixarmedmenshehadthere；butafterwardtheysentthembacktoher。Wehavenoonetoprotectusincaseofanattack。”
“IsentJacintotothesenora\'s，tokeephercompanyforawhile。IfCaballucocomes，wewilltellhimtostopinthere，too。Noonecanputitoutofmyheadbutthatthoserascalsareplottingsomepieceofvillanyagainstourfriend。Poorsenora，poorRosarito！WhenonethinksthatthismighthavebeenavoidedbywhatIproposedtoDonaPerfectatwodaysago——“
“Mydearniece，“saidthePenitentiaryphlegmatically，“wehavedoneallthatitwasinhumanpowertodotocarryoutourvirtuouspurpose。
Morewecannotdo。Convinceyourselfofthis，anddonotbeobstinate。
RosaritocannotbethewifeofouridolizedJacintillo。Yourgoldendream，youridealofhappiness，thatatonetimeseemedattainable，andtowhichlikeagooduncle，Idevotedallthepowersofmyunderstanding，hasbecomechimerical，hasvanishedintosmoke。Seriousobstructions，thewickednessofaman，theindubitableloveofthegirl，andotherthings，regardingwhichIamsilent，havealteredaltogethertheconditionofaffairs。Wewereinafairwaytoconquer，andsuddenlyweareconquered。Ah，niece！convinceyourselfofonething。Asmattersarenow，Jacintodeservessomethingagreatdealbetterthanthatcrazygirl。”
“Capricesandobstinatenotions！“respondedMaria，withanill-humorthatwasfarfromrespectful。“That\'saprettythingtosaynow，uncle！
Thegreatmindsareoutshiningthemselves，now。DonaPerfectawithherloftyideas，andyouwithyourdoubtsandfears——ofmuchuseeitherofyouis。ItisapitythatGodmademesuchafoolandgavemeanunderstandingofbrickandmortar，asthesenorasays，forifthatwasn\'tthecaseIwouldsoonsettlethequestion。”
“You?“
“Ifsheandyouhadallowedme，itwouldbesettledalready。”
“Bythebeating?“
“There\'snooccasionforyoutobefrightenedortoopenyoureyeslikethat。Thereisnoquestionofkillinganybody。Whatanidea！“
“Beating，“saidthecanon，smiling，“islikescratching——whenonebeginsonedoesn\'tknowwhentoleaveoff。”
“Bah！saytoothatIamcruelandblood-thirsty。Iwouldn\'thavethecouragetokillafly；it\'snotverylikelythatIshoulddesirethedeathofaman。”
“Infine，child，nomatterwhatobjectionsyoumaymake，SenorDonPepeReywillcarryoffthegirl。Itisnotpossiblenowtopreventit。Heisreadytoemployeverymeans，includingdishonor。IfRosarito——howshedeceiveduswiththatdemurelittlefaceandthoseheavenlyeyes，eh！——ifRosarito，Isay，didnotherselfwishit，thenallmightbearranged，butalas！sheloveshimasthesinnerlovesSatan；sheisconsumedwithacriminalpassion；shehasfallen，niece，intothesnaresoftheEvilOne。Letusbevirtuousandupright；letusturnoureyesawayfromtheignoblepair，andthinknomoreabouteitherofthem。”
“Youknownothingaboutwomen，uncle，“saidRemedios，withflatteringhypocrisy；“youareaholyman；youdonotunderstandthatRosario\'sfeelingisonlyapassingcaprice，oneofthosecapricesthatarecuredbyasoundwhipping。”
“Niece，“saidDonInocenciogravelyandsententiously，“whenseriousthingshavetakenplace，capricesarenotcalledcaprices，butbyanothername。”
“Uncle，youdon\'tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，“respondedMariaRemedios，herfaceflushingsuddenly。“What！wouldyoubecapableofsupposingthatRosarito——whatanatrocity！Iwilldefendher；yes，I
willdefendher。Sheisaspureasanangel。Why，uncle，thosethingsbringablushtomycheek，andmakemeindignantwithyou。”
Asshespokethegoodpriest\'sfacewasdarkenedbyacloudofsadnessthatmadehimlooktenyearsolder。
“MydearRemedios，“hesaid，“wehavedoneallthatishumanlypossible，andallthatinconsciencewecanoroughttodo。NothingcouldbemorenaturalthanourdesiretoseeJacintilloconnectedwiththatgreatfamily，thefirstinOrbajosa；nothingmorenaturalthanourdesiretoseehimmasterofthesevenhousesinthetown，themeadowofMundogrande，thethreegardensoftheupperfarm，LaEncomienda，andtheotherlandsandhouseswhichthatgirlowns。Yoursonhasgreatmerit，everyoneknowsitwell。Rosaritolikedhim，andhelikedRosarito。Thematterseemedsettled。DonaPerfectaherself，withoutbeingveryenthusiastic，doubtlessonaccountofourorigin，seemedfavorablydisposedtowardit，becauseofhergreatesteemandvenerationforme，asherconfessorandfriend。Butsuddenlythisunluckyyoungmanpresentshimself。Thesenoratellsmethatshehasgivenherwordtoherbrother，andthatshecannotrejecttheproposalmadebyhim。Adifficultsituation！ButwhatdoIdoinviewofallthis?Ah，youdon\'tknoweverything！Iwillbefrankwithyou。IfI
hadfoundSenordeReytobeamanofgoodprinciples，calculatedtomakeRosariohappy，Iwouldnothaveinterferedinthematter；buttheyoungmanappearedtometobeawretch，and，asthespiritualdirectorofthehouse，itwasmydutytotakeahandinthebusiness，andItookit。YouknowalreadythatIdeterminedtounmaskhim。Iexposedhisvices；Imademanifesthisatheism；Ilaidbaretotheviewofalltherottennessofthatmaterialisticheart，andthesenorawasconvincedthatingivingherdaughtertohim，shewouldbedeliveringheruptovice。Ah，whatanxietiesIendured！Thesenoravacillated；I
strengthenedherwaveringmind；Iadvisedherconcerningthemeansshemightlawfullyemploytosendhernephewawaywithoutscandal。I
suggestedingeniousideastoher；andassheoftenspoketomeofthescruplesthattroubledhertenderconscience，Itranquillizedher，pointingouttoherhowfaritwasallowableforustogoinourfightagainstthatlawlessenemy。NeverdidIcounselviolentorsanguinarymeasuresorbaseoutrages，butalwayssubtleartifices，inwhichtherewasnosin。Mymindistranquil，mydearniece。ButyouknowthatI
struggledhard，thatIworkedlikeanegro。Ah！whenIusedtocomehomeeverynightandsay，\'Mariquilla，wearegettingonwell，wearegettingonverywell，\'youusedtobewildwithdelight，andyouwouldkissmyhandsagainandagain，andsayIwasthebestmanonearth。Whydoyouflyintoapassionnow，disfiguringyournoblecharacterandpeaceabledisposition?Whydoyouscoldme?Whydoyousaythatyouareindignant，andtellmeinplaintermsthatIamnothingbetterthananidiot?“
“Because，“saidthewoman，withoutanydiminutionofherrage，“becauseyouhavegrownfaint-heartedallofasudden。”
“Thethingisthateverythingisgoingagainstus，woman。Thatconfoundedengineer，protectedasheisbythearmy，isresolvedtodareeverything。Thegirlloveshim，thegirl——Iwillsaynomore。Itcannotbe；Itellyouthatitcannotbe。”
“Thearmy！Butdoyoubelieve，likeDonaPerfecta，thatthereisgoingtobeawar，andthattodriveDonPepefromthetownitwillbenecessaryforonehalfofthenationtoriseupagainsttheotherhalf?
Thesenorahaslosthersenses，andyouareinafairwaytoloseyours。”
“Ibelieveasshedoes。InviewoftheintimateconnectionofReywiththesoldiersthepersonalquestionassumeslargerproportions。But，ah，niece！iftwodaysagoIentertainedthehopethatourvalianttownsmenwouldkickthesoldiersoutofthetown，sinceIhaveseentheturnthingshavetaken，sinceIhaveseenthatmostofthemhavebeensurprisedbeforefighting，andthatCaballucoisinhidingandthattheinsurrectionisgoingtothedevil，Ihavelostconfidenceineverything。Thegooddoctrineshavenotyetacquiredsufficientmaterialforcetotearinpiecestheministersandtheemissariesoferror。Ah，niece！resignation，resignation！“
AndDonInocencio，employingthemethodofexpressionwhichcharacterizedhisniece，heavedtwoorthreeprofoundsighs。Maria，contrarytowhatmighthavebeenexpected，maintainedabsolutesilence。
Sheshowednowneitherangernorthesuperficialsentimentalityofherordinarylife；butonlyaprofoundandhumblegrief。Shortlyafterthegoodcanonhadendedhisperorationtwotearsrolleddownhisniece\'srosycheeks；beforelongwereheardafewhalf-suppressedsighs，andgradually，astheswellandtumultofaseathatisbeginningtobestormyrisehigherandhigherandbecomelouderandlouder，sothesurgeofMariaRemedios\'griefroseandswelled，untilitatlastbrokeforthinafloodoftears。