Thebilletsofresidencebeingdistributedbytheauthorities，eachsoldierwenttoseekhisborrowedhome。Theywerereceivedbytheirhostswithaveryillgraceandassignedthemostatrociouslyuninhabitablepartsofthehouses。Thegirlsofthecitywerenotindeedamongthosewhoweremostdissatisfied，butastrictwatchwaskeptoverthem，anditwasconsiderednotdecenttoshowpleasureatthevisitofsuchrabble。Thefewsoldierswhowerenativesofthedistrictonlyweretreatedlikekings。Theotherswereregardedasinvaders。
　　Ateightinthemorningalieutenant-colonelofcavalryenteredthehouseofDonaPerfectaPolentinoswithhisbillet。Hewasreceivedbytheservants，byorderofitsmistress，who，beingatthetimeinadeplorablestateofmind，didnotwishtogodownstairstomeetthesoldier，andbythemhewasshowntotheonlyroominthehousewhich，itseemed，wasdisposable，theroomoccupiedbyPepeRey。
　　“Letthemsettlethemselvesasbesttheycan，“saidDonaPerfecta，withanexpressionofgallandvinegar。“Andiftheyhavenotroomenough，letthemgointothestreet。”
　　Wasitherintentiontoannoyinthiswayherdetestednephew，orwastherereallynootherunoccupiedroominthehouse?Thiswedonotknow，nordothechroniclesfromwhichthistruehistoryistakensayawordonthisimportantpoint。Whatweknowpositivelyisthat，farfromdispleasingthetwogueststobethusboxeduptogether，itgavethemgreatpleasure，astheyhappenedtobeoldfriends。Theyweregreatlysurprisedanddelightedwhentheymet，andtheywerenevertiredofaskingeachotherquestionsandutteringexclamations，dwellingonthestrangechancethathadbroughtthemtogetherinsuchaplaceandonsuchanoccasion。
　　“Pinzon——youhere！Why，whatisthis?Ihadnosuspicionthatyouwereinthisneighborhood。”
　　“Iheardthatyouwereinthispartofthecountry，Pepe；butIhadnoidea，either，thatIshouldmeetyouinthishorrible，thisbarbarousOrbajosa。”
　　“Butwhatafortunatechance！Forthischanceismostfortunate——
　　providential。Pinzon，betweenusbothwearegoingtodoagreatthinginthiswretchedtown。”
　　“Andweshallhavetimeenoughtoconsultaboutit，“answeredtheother，seatinghimselfonthebedinwhichtheengineerwaslying，“foritappearsthatwearebothtooccupythisroom。Whatthedevilsortofahouseisthis?“
　　“Why，man，itismyaunt's。Speakwithmorerespectaboutit。Haveyounotmetmyaunt?ButIamgoingtogetup。”
　　“Iamverygladofit，forthenIcanliedownandrest；andbadlyI
　　needit。Whataroad，friendPepe，whataroad，andwhatatown！“
　　“Tellme，haveyoucometosetfiretoOrbajosa?“
　　“Fire！“
　　“Iaskyoubecause，inthatcase，Imighthelpyou。”
　　“Whatatown！Butwhatatown！“exclaimedthesoldier，removinghisshako，andlayingasideswordandshoulder-belt，travellingcaseandcloak。“Thisisthesecondtimetheyhavesentushere。IsweartoyouthatthethirdtimeIwillaskmydischarge。”
　　“Don'ttalkillofthesegoodpeople！Butyouhavecomeinthenickoftime。ItseemsasifProvidencehassentyoutomyaid，Pinzon。Ihaveaterribleprojectonhand，anadventure，——aplot，ifyouwishtocallitso，myfriend，——anditwouldhavebeendifficultformetocarryitthroughwithoutyou。AmomentagoIwasindespair，wonderinghowI
　　shouldmanage，andsayingtomyselfanxiously，'IfIonlyhadafriendhere，agoodfriend！'“
　　“Aproject，aplot，anadventure！Oneoftwothings，SenorMathematician:itiseitherthediscoveryofaerialnavigation，orelsesomeloveaffair。”
　　“Itisserious，veryserious。Gotobed，sleepawhile，andafterwardwewilltalkaboutit。”
　　“Iwillgotobed，butIwillnotsleep。Youmaysayallyouwishtome。AllthatIaskisthatyouwillsayaslittleaspossibleaboutOrbajosa。”
　　“ItispreciselyaboutOrbajosathatIwishtospeaktoyou。Buthaveyoualsoanantipathytothiscradleofillustriousmen?“
　　“Thesegarlic-venders——wecallthemthegarlic-venders——maybeasillustriousasyouchoose，buttometheyareasirritatingastheproductofthecountry。Thisisatownruledbypeoplewhoteachdistrust，superstition，andhatredofthewholehumanrace。WhenwehaveleisureIwillrelatetoyouanoccurrence——anadventure，half-
　　comic，half-tragic——thathappenedtomeherelastyear。WhenItellittoyou，youwilllaughandIshallbefuming。But，infine，whatispastispast。”
　　“Inwhatishappeningtomethereisnothingcomic。”
　　“ButIhavevariousreasonsforhatingthiswretchedplace。Youmustknowthatmyfatherwasassassinatedherein'48byapartyofbarbarousguerillas。Hewasabrigadier，andhehadlefttheservice。
　　TheGovernmentsentforhim，andhewaspassingthroughVillahorrendaonhiswaytoMadrid，whenhewascapturedbyhalfadozenruffians。
　　Herethereareseveraldynastiesofguerillachiefs——theAceros，theCaballucos，thePelosmalos——aperiodicaleruption，assomeonehassaidwhoknewverywellwhathewastalkingabout。”
　　“Isupposethattwoinfantryregimentsandsomecavalryhavenotcomeheresolelyforthepleasureofvisitingthesedelightfulregions。”
　　“Certainlynot！Wehavecometosurveythecountry。Therearemanydepositsofarmshere。TheGovernmentdoesnotventure，asitdesires，toremovefromofficethegreaternumberofthemunicipalcouncilswithoutfirstdistributingafewcompaniesofsoldiersthroughthesetowns。Asthereissomuchdisturbanceinthispartofthecountry，astwooftheneighboringprovincesarealreadyinfested，andasthismunicipaldistrictofOrbajosahas，besides，sobrilliantarecordinallthecivilwars，therearefearsthatthebravosoftheplacemaytaketotheroadsandroballtheycanlayhandson。”
　　“Agoodprecaution！ButIamfirmlyconvincedthatnotuntilthesepeopledieandarebornoveragain，notuntiltheverystoneshavechangedtheirform，willtherebepeaceinOrbajosa。”
　　“Thatismyopiniontoo，“saidtheofficer，lightingacigarette。
　　“Don'tyouseethattheguerillachiefsarethepetsofthisplace?
　　Thosewhodesolatedthedistrictin1848andatotherepochs，or，ifnotthey，theirsons，areemployedinthemarketinspector'soffice，atthetowngates，inthetown-hall，inthepost-office；amongthemareconstables，sacristans，bailiffs。Somehavebecomepowerfulpartyleadersandtheyaretheoneswhomanagetheelections，haveinfluenceinMadrid，bestowplaces——inshort，thisisterrible。”
　　“Andtellme，istherenohopeoftheguerillachiefsperformingsomeexploitinthesedays?Ifthatshouldhappen，youcoulddestroythetown，andIwouldhelpyou。”
　　“Ifitdependeduponme——Theywillplaytheirusualpranksnodoubt，“saidPinzon，“fortheinsurrectioninthetwoneighboringprovincesisspreadinglikewildfire。Andbetweenourselves，friendRey，Ithinkthisisgoingtolastforalongtime。Somepeoplesmileandsaythatitwouldbeimpossiblethatthereshouldbeanotherinsurrectionlikethelastone。Theydon'tknowthecountry；theydon'tknowOrbajosaanditsinhabitants。Ibelievethatthewarthatisnowbeginningwillhaveseriousconsequences，andthatweshallhaveanothercruelandbloodystruggle，thatwilllastHeavenknowshowlong。Whatisyouropinion?“
　　“Well，inMadridIlaughedatanyonewhospokeofthepossibilityofacivilwaraslongandasterribleastheSevenYears'War；butsinceI
　　havebeenhere——“
　　“Onemustcometotheheartofthisenchantingcountry，seethepeopleathome，andhearthemtalk，toknowwhattherealstateofaffairsis。”
　　“Justso。WithoutknowingpreciselyonwhatIbasemyopinion，thefactisthathereIseethingsinadifferentlight，andInowbelievethatitispossiblethattheremaybealongandbloodywar。”
　　“Exactlyso。”
　　“ButatpresentmythoughtsareoccupiedlessbythepublicwarthanbyaprivatewarinwhichIamengagedandwhichIdeclaredashorttimeago。”
　　“Yousaidthiswasyouraunt'shouse。Whatishername?“
　　“DonaPerfectaReydePolentinos。”
　　“Ah！Iknowherbyreputation。Sheisanexcellentperson，andtheonlyoneofwhomIhavenotheardthegarlic-vendersspeakill。WhenIwasherebeforeIheardhergoodness，hercharity，herinnumerablevirtues，everywhereextolled。”
　　“Yes，myauntisverykind，veryamiable，“saidRey。
　　Thenhefellintoathoughtfulsilence。
　　“ButnowIremember！“exclaimedPinzonsuddenly。“Howonethingfitsinwithanother！Yes，IheardinMadridthatyouweregoingtobemarriedtoacousinofyours。Allisclearnow。IsitthatbeautifulandheavenlyRosario?“
　　“Pinzon，wemusthavealongtalktogether。”
　　“Iimaginethattherearedifficulties。”
　　“Thereissomethingmore；thereisviolentopposition。Ihaveneedofadeterminedfriend——afriendwhoisprompttoact，fruitfulinresource，ofgreatexperienceinemergencies，astuteandcourageous。”
　　“Why，thisisevenmoreseriousthanachallenge。”
　　“Agreatdealmoreserious。Itwouldbeeasytofightwithanotherman。
　　Withwomen，withunseenenemieswhoworkinthedark，itisimpossible。”
　　“Come，Iamallears。”
　　Lieutenant-colonelPinzonlaystretchedatfulllengthuponthebed。
　　PepeReydrewachairuptothebedsideand，leaninghiselbowonthebedandhisheadonhishand，beganhisconference，consultation，expositionofplan，orwhateverelseitmightbecalled，andcontinuedtalkingforalongtime。Pinzonlistenedtohimwithprofoundattentionandwithoutinterruptinghim，excepttoaskanoccasionalquestionforthepurposeofobtainingfurtherdetailsoradditionallightuponsomeobscurepoint。WhenPepeReyended，Pinzonlookedgrave。Hestretchedhimself，yawningwiththesatisfactionofonewhohasnotsleptforthreenights，andthensaid:
　　“Youplanisdangerousanddifficult。”
　　“Butnotimpossible。”
　　“Oh，no！fornothingisimpossible。Reflectwellaboutit。”
　　“Ihavereflected。”
　　“Andyouareresolvedtocarryitthrough?Considerthatthesethingsarenotnowinfashion。Theygenerallyturnoutbadlyandthrowdiscreditonthosewhoundertakethem。”
　　“Iamresolved。”
　　“Formypart，then，althoughthebusinessisdangerousandserious——
　　veryserious——Iamreadytoaidyouinallthingsandforallthings。”
　　“CanIrelyuponyou?“
　　“Tothedeath。”
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　ATERRIBLEBATTLE-STRATEGY
　　Theopeningofhostilitiescouldnotlongbedelayed。Whenthehourofdinnerarrived，aftercomingtoanagreementwithPinzonregardingtheplantobepursued，thefirstconditionofwhichwasthatthefriendsshouldpretendnottoknoweachother，PepeReywenttothedining-
　　room。Therehefoundhisaunt，whohadjustreturnedfromthecathedralwhereshehadspentthemorningaswasherhabit。Shewasalone，andappearedtobegreatlypreoccupied。Theengineerobservedthatonthatpaleandmarble-likecountenance，notwithoutacertainbeauty，thererestedamysteriousshadow。Whenshelookedupitrecovereditssinistercalmness，butshelookedupseldom，andafterarapidexaminationofhernephew'scountenance，thatoftheamiableladywouldagaintakeonitsstudiedgloom。
　　Theyawaiteddinnerinsilence。TheydidnotwaitforDonCayetano，forhehadgonetoMundogrande。WhentheysatdowntotableDonaPerfectasaid:
　　“AndthatfinesoldierwhomtheGovernmenthassentus，ishenotcomingtodinner?“
　　“Heseemstobemoresleepythanhungry，“answeredtheengineer，withoutlookingathisaunt。
　　“Doyouknowhim?“
　　“Ihaveneverseenhiminallmylifebefore。”
　　“WearenicelyoffwiththeguestswhomtheGovernmentsendsus。WehavebedsandprovisionsinordertokeepthemreadyforthosevagabondsofMadrid，whenevertheymaychoosetodisposeofthem。”
　　“Therearefearsofaninsurrection，“saidPepeRey，withsuddenheat，“andtheGovernmentisdeterminedtocrushtheOrbajosans——tocrushthem，togrindthemtopowder。”
　　“Stop，man，stop，forHeaven'ssake；don'tcrushus！“criedDonaPerfectasarcastically。“Poorwe！Bemerciful，man，andallowusunhappycreaturestolive。Andwouldyou，then，beoneofthosewhowouldaidthearmyinthegrandworkofcrushingus?“
　　“Iamnotasoldier。IwilldonothingbutapplaudwhenIseethegermsofcivilwar；ofinsubordination，ofdiscord，ofdisorder，ofrobbery，andofbarbarismthatexisthere，totheshameofourtimesandofourcountry，foreverextirpated。”
　　“AllwillbeasGodwills。”
　　“Orbajosa，mydearaunt，haslittleelsethangarlicandbandits；forthosewhointhenameofsomepoliticalorreligiousideasetoutinsearchofadventureseveryfourorfiveyearsarenothingbutbandits。”
　　“Thanks，thanks，mydearnephew！“saidDonaPerfecta，turningpale。“SoOrbajosahasnothingmorethanthat?Yettheremustbesomethingelsehere——somethingthatyoudonotpossess，sinceyouhavecometolookforitamongus。”
　　Reyfeltthecut。Hissoulwasonfire。Hefounditverydifficulttoshowhisaunttheconsiderationtowhichhersex，herrank，andherrelationtohimselfentitledher。Hewasonthevergeofaviolentoutbreak，andaforcethathecouldnotresistwasimpellinghimagainsthisinterlocutor。
　　“IcametoOrbajosa，“hesaid，“becauseyousentforme；youarrangedwithmyfather——“
　　“Yes，yes；itistrue，“sheanswered，interruptinghimquicklyandmakinganefforttorecoverherhabitualserenity。“Idonotdenyit。I
　　amtheonewhoisreallytoblame。Iamtoblameforyourill-humor，fortheslightsyouputuponus，foreverythingdisagreeablethathasbeenhappeninginmyhousesinceyouenteredit。”
　　“Iamgladthatyouareconsciousofit。”
　　“Inexchange，youareasaint。MustIalsogodownonmykneestoyourgraceandaskyourpardon?“
　　“Senora，“saidPepeReygravely，layingdownhisknifeandfork，“I
　　entreatyounottomockmeinsopitilessamanner。Icannotmeetyouonequalground。AllIhavesaidisthatIcametoOrbajosaatyourinvitation。”
　　“Anditistrue。YourfatherandIarrangedthatyoushouldmarryRosario。Youcameinordertobecomeacquaintedwithher。Iacceptedyouatonceasason。YoupretendedtoloveRosario——“
　　“Pardonme，“objectedPepe；“IlovedandIloveRosario；youpretendedtoacceptmeasason；receivingmewithdeceitfulcordiality，youemployedfromtheverybeginningalltheartsofcunningtothwartmeandtopreventthefulfilmentoftheproposalsmadetomyfather；youdeterminedfromthefirstdaytodrivemetodesperation，totiremeout；andwithsmilesandaffectionatewordsonyourlipsyouhavebeenkillingme，roastingmeattheslowfire；youhaveletlooseuponmeinthedarkandfrombehindanambushaswarmoflawsuits；youhavedeprivedmeoftheofficialcommissionwhichIbroughttoOrbajosa；youhavebroughtmeintodisreputeinthetown；youhavehadmeturnedoutofthecathedral；youhavekeptmeconstantlyseparatedfromthechosenofmyheart；youhavetorturedyourdaughterwithaninquisitorialimprisonmentwhichwillcauseherdeath，unlessGodinterposestopreventit。”
　　DonaPerfectaturnedscarlet。Buttheflushofoffendedpridepassedawayquickly，leavingherfaceofagreenishpallor。Herlipstrembled。
　　Throwingdowntheknifeandforkwithwhichshehadbeeneating，sheroseswiftlytoherfeet。Hernephewrosealso。
　　“MyGod！HolyVirginofSuccor！“shecried，raisingbothherhandstoherheadandpressingitbetweenthemwiththegestureindicativeofdesperation，“isitpossiblethatIdeservesuchatrociousinsults?
　　Pepe，myson，isityouwhospeaktomeinthisway?IfIhavedonewhatyousay，Iamindeedverywicked。”
　　Shesankonthesofaandcoveredherfacewithherhands。Pepe，approachingherslowly，sawthathisauntwassobbingbitterlyandsheddingabundanttears。Inspiteofhisconvictionhecouldnotaltogetherconquerthefeelingofcompassionwhichtookpossessionofhim；andwhilehecondemnedhimselfforhiscowardicehefeltsomethingofremorsefortheseverityandthefranknesswithwhichhehadspoken。
　　“Mydearaunt，“hesaid，puttinghishandonhershoulder，“ifyouanswermewithtearsandsighs，youwillnotconvinceme。Proofs，notemotions，arewhatIrequire。Speaktome，tellmethatIammistakeninthinkingwhatIthink；thenproveittome，andIwillacknowledgemyerror。”
　　“Leaveme，youarenotmybrother'sson！Ifyouwere，youwouldnotinsultmeasyouhaveinsultedme。So，then，Iamanintriguer，anactress，ahypocriticalharpy，adomesticplotter?“
　　Asshespoke，DonaPerfectauncoveredherfaceandlookedathernephewwithamartyr-likeexpression。Pepewasperplexed。Thetearsaswellasthegentlevoiceofhisfather'ssistercouldnotbeinsignificantphenomenaforthemathematician'ssoul。Wordscrowdedtohislipstoaskherpardon。Amanofgreatfirmnessgenerally，anyappealtohisemotions，anythingwhichtouchedhisheart，convertedhimatonceintoachild。Weaknessesofamathematician！ItissaidthatNewtonwasthesame。
　　“Iwillgiveyoutheproofsyouask，“saidDonaPerfecta，motioninghimtoaseatbesideher。“Iwillgiveyousatisfaction。YoushallseewhetherIamkind，whetherIamindulgent，whetherIamhumble。DoyouthinkthatIamgoingtocontradictyou；todenyabsolutelytheactsofwhichyouhaveaccusedme?Well，then，no；Idonotdenythem。”
　　Theengineerwasastounded。
　　“Idonotdenythem，“continuedDonaPerfecta。“WhatIdenyistheevilintentionwhichyouattributetothem。Bywhatrightdoyouundertaketojudgeofwhatyouknowonlyfromappearancesandbyconjecture?Haveyouthesupremeintelligencewhichisnecessarytojudgejustlytheactionsofothersandpronouncesentenceuponthem?AreyouGod，toknowtheintentions?“
　　Pepewaseverymomentmoreamazed。
　　“Isitnotallowableattimestoemployindirectmeanstoattainagoodandhonorableend?Bywhatrightdoyoujudgeactionsofminethatyoudonotclearlyunderstand?I，mydearnephew，manifestingasinceritywhichyoudonotdeserve，confesstoyouthatIhaveindeedemployedsubterfugestoattainagoodend，toattainwhatwasatthesametimebeneficialtoyouandtomydaughter。Youdonotcomprehend?Youlookbewildered。Ah！yourgreatmathematician'sandGermanphilosopher'sintellectisnotcapableofcomprehendingtheseartificesofaprudentmother。”
　　“Iammoreandmoreastoundedeverymoment，“saidtheengineer。
　　“Beasastoundedasyouchoose，butconfessyourbarbarity，“saidthelady，withincreasingspirit；“acknowledgeyourhastinessandyourbrutalconducttowardmeinaccusingmeasyouhavedone。Youareayoungmanwithoutanyexperienceoranyotherknowledgethanthatwhichisderivedfrombooks，whichteachnothingabouttheworldorthehumanheart。Allyouknowishowtomakeroadsanddocks。Ah，myyounggentleman！onedoesnotenterintothehumanheartthroughthetunnelofarailroad，ordescendintoitsdepthsthroughtheshaftofamine。
　　Youcannotreadintheconscienceofanotherwiththemicroscopeofanaturalist，nordecidethequestionofanother'sculpabilitymeasuringideaswithatheodolite。”
　　“ForGod'ssake，dearaunt！“
　　“WhydoyoupronouncethenameofGodwhenyoudonotbelieveinhim?“
　　saidDonaPerfecta，insolemnaccents。“Ifyoubelievedinhim，ifyouwereagoodChristian，youwouldnotdaretoformeviljudgmentsaboutmyconduct。Iamadevoutwoman，doyouunderstand?Ihaveatranquilconscience，doyouunderstand?IknowwhatIamdoingandwhyIdoit，doyouunderstand?“
　　“Iunderstand，Iunderstand，Iunderstand！“
　　“Godinwhomyoudonotbelieve，seeswhatyoudonotseeandwhatyoucannotsee——theintention。Iwillsaynomore；Idonotwishtoenterintominuteexplanations，forIdonotneedtodoso。NorwouldyouunderstandmeifIshouldtellyouthatIdesiredtoattainmyobjectwithoutscandal，withoutoffendingyourfather，withoutoffendingyou，withoutgivingcauseforpeopletotalkbyanexplicitrefusal——Iwillsaynothingofallthistoyou，foryouwouldnotunderstandit，either，Pepe。Youareamathematician。Youseewhatisbeforeyoureyes，andnothingmore；brutematterandnothingmore。Youseetheeffect，andnotthecause。Godisthesupremeintentionoftheworld。
　　Hewhodoesnotknowthismustnecessarilyjudgethingsasyoujudgethem——foolishly。Inthetempest，forinstance，heseesonlydestruction；intheconflagration，ruin；inthedrought，famine；intheearthquake，desolation；andyet，arrogantyoungman，inallthoseapparentcalamitieswearetoseekthegoodintentions——yes，senor，theintention，alwaysgood，ofHimwhocandonothingevil。”
　　Thisconfused，subtle，andmysticlogicdidnotconvincePepeRey；buthedidnotwishtofollowhisauntinthetortuouspathofsuchamethodofreasoning，andhesaidsimply:
　　“Well，Irespectintentions。”
　　“Nowthatyouseemtorecognizeyourerror，“continuedthepiouslady，withever-increasingconfidence，“Iwillmakeanotherconfessiontoyou，andthatisthatIseenowthatIdidwronginadoptingthecourseIdid，althoughmyobjectwasexcellent。Inviewofyourimpetuousdisposition，inviewofyourincapacitytocomprehendme，Ishouldhavefacedthesituationboldlyandsaidtoyou，'Nephew，Idonotwishthatyoushouldbemydaughter'shusband。'“
　　“Thatisthelanguageyoushouldhaveusedtomefromthebeginning，“
　　saidtheengineer，drawingadeepbreath，asifhismindhadbeenrelievedfromanenormousweight。“Iamgreatlyobligedtoyouforthosewords。Afterhavingbeenstabbedinthedark，thisblowonthefaceinthelightofdayisagreatsatisfactiontome。”
　　“Well，Iwillrepeattheblow，nephew，“declaredDonaPerfecta，withasmuchenergyasdispleasure。“Youknowitnow——IdonotwishyoutomarryRosario！“
　　Pepewassilent。Therewasalongpause，duringwhichthetworegardedeachotherattentively，asifthefaceofeachwasfortheotherthemostperfectworkofart。
　　“Don'tyouunderstandwhatIhavesaidtoyou?“sherepeated。“Thateverythingisatanend，thatthereistobenomarriage。”
　　“Permitme，dearaunt，“saidtheyoungman，withcomposure，“nottobeterrifiedbytheintimation。Inthestateatwhichthingshavearrivedyourrefusalhaslittleimportanceforme。”
　　“Whatareyousaying?“criedDonaPerfectaviolently。
　　“Whatyouhear。IwillmarryRosario！“
　　DonaPerfectarosetoherfeet，indignant，majestic，terrible。Herattitudewasthatofanathemaincarnatedinawoman。Reyremainedseated，serene，courageous，withthepassivecourageofaprofoundconvictionandanimmovableresolve。Thewholeweightofhisaunt'swrath，threateningtooverwhelmhim，didnotmakehimmoveaneyelash。
　　Thiswashischaracter。
　　“Youaremad。Marrymydaughter，you！Marryheragainstmywill！“
　　DonaPerfecta'stremblinglipsarticulatedthesewordsinatrulytragictone。
　　“Againstyourwill！Sheisofadifferentwayofthinking。”
　　“Againstmywill！“repeatedDonaPerfecta。“Yes，andIrepeatitagainandagain。Idonotwishit，Idonotwishit！“
　　“SheandIwishit。”
　　“Fool！Isnothingelseintheworldtobeconsideredbutherandyou?
　　Aretherenotparents；istherenotsociety；istherenotaconscience；
　　istherenotaGod?“
　　“Becausethereissociety，becausethereisaconscience，becausethereisaGod，“affirmedReygravely，risingtohisfeet，andpointingwithoutstretchedarmtotheheavens，“IsayandIrepeatthatIwillmarryher。”
　　“Wretch！arrogantman！Andifyouwoulddaretotrampleeverythingunderyourfeet，doyouthinktherearenotlawstopreventyourviolence?“
　　“Becausetherearelaws，IsayandIrepeatthatIwillmarryher。”
　　“Yourespectnothing！“
　　“Nothingthatisunworthyofrespect。”
　　“Andmyauthority，mywill，I——amInothing?“
　　“Formeyourdaughteriseverything——therestisnothing。”
　　PepeRey'scomposurewas，sotosay，thearrogantdisplayofinvincibleandconsciousstrength。Theblowshegavewerehardandcrushingintheirforce，withoutanythingtomitigatetheirseverity。Hiswords，ifthecomparisonmaybeallowed，werelikeapitilessdischargeofartillery。
　　DonaPerfectasankagainonthesofa；butsheshednotears，andaconvulsivetremoragitatedherframe。
　　“Sothatforthisinfamousatheist，“sheexclaimed，withfrankrage，“therearenosocialconventionalities，thereisnothingbutcaprice。
　　Thisisbaseavarice。Mydaughterisrich！“
　　“Ifyouthinktowoundmewiththattreacherousweapon，evadingthequestionandgivingadistortedmeaningtomysentimentsinordertooffendmydignity，youaremistaken，dearaunt。Callmemercenary，ifyouchoose。GodknowswhatIam。”
　　“Youhavenodignity！“
　　“Thatisanopinion，likeanyother。Theworldmayholdyoutobeinfallible。Idonot。IamfarfrombelievingthatfromyourjudgmentsthereisnoappealtoGod。”
　　“Butiswhatyousaytrue?Butdoyoupersistinyourpurpose，aftermyrefusal?Yourespectnothing，youareamonster，abandit。”
　　“Iamaman。”
　　“Awretch！Letusendthisatonce。Irefusetogivemydaughtertoyou；Irefusehertoyou！“
　　“Iwilltakeherthen！Ishalltakeonlywhatismine。”
　　“Leavemypresence！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，risingsuddenlytoherfeet。“Coxcomb，doyousupposethatmydaughterthinksofyou?“
　　“Shelovesme，asIloveher。”
　　“Itisalie！Itisalie！“
　　“Sheherselfhastoldmeso。Excusemeif，onthispoint，Iputmorefaithinherwordsthaninhermother's。”
　　“Howcouldshehavetoldyouso，whenyouhavenotseenherforseveraldays?“
　　“Isawherlastnight，andshesworetomebeforethecrucifixinthechapelthatshewouldbemywife。”
　　“Oh，scandal；oh，libertinism！Butwhatisthis?MyGod，whatadisgrace！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，pressingherheadagainbetweenherhandsandwalkingupanddowntheroom。“Rosarioleftherroomlastnight?“
　　“Sheleftittoseeme。Itwastime。”
　　“Whatvileconductisyours！Youhaveactedlikeathief；youhaveactedlikeavulgarseducer！“
　　“Ihaveactedinaccordancewiththeteachingsofyourschool。Myintentionwasgood。”
　　“Andshecamedownstairs！Ah，Isuspectedit！ThismorningatdaybreakIsurprisedher，dressed，inherroom。Shetoldmeshehadgoneout，I
　　don'tknowforwhat。Youweretherealcriminal，then。Thisisadisgrace！Pepe，Iexpectedanythingfromyouratherthananoutragelikethis。Everythingisatanend！Goaway！Youaredeadtome。I
　　forgiveyou，providedyougoaway。Iwillnotsayawordaboutthistoyourfather。Whathorribleselfishness！No，thereisnoloveinyou。
　　Youdonotlovemydaughter！“
　　“GodknowsthatIloveher，andthatissufficientforme。”
　　“Besilent，blasphemer！anddon'ttakethenameofGoduponyourlips！“
　　exclaimedDonaPerfecta。“InthenameofGod，whomIcaninvoke，forI
　　believeinhim，Itellyouthatmydaughterwillneverbeyourwife。Mydaughterwillbesaved，Pepe；mydaughtershallnotbecondemnedtoalivinghell，foraunionwithyouwouldbeahell！“
　　“Rosariowillbemywife，“repeatedthemathematician，withpatheticcalmness。
　　Thepiousladywasstillmoreexasperatedbyhernephew'scalmenergy。
　　Inabrokenvoiceshesaid:
　　“Don'tsupposethatyourthreatsterrifyme。IknowwhatIamsaying。
　　What！areahomeandafamilytobeoutragedlikethis?Arehumananddivineauthoritytobetrampledunderfootinthisway?“
　　“Iwilltrampleeverythingunderfoot，“saidtheengineer，beginningtolosehiscomposureandspeakingwithsomeagitation。
　　“Youwilltrampleeverythingunderfoot！Ah！itiseasytoseethatyouareabarbarian，asavage，amanwholivesbyviolence。”
　　“No，dearaunt；Iammild，upright，honorable，andanenemytoviolence；butbetweenyouandme——betweenyouwhoarethelawandIwhoamtohonorit——isapoortormentedcreature，oneofGod'sangels，subjectedtoiniquitoustortures。Thespectacleofthisinjustice，thisunheard-ofviolence，iswhathasconvertedmyrectitudeintobarbarity；
　　myreasonintobruteforce；myhonorintoviolence，likeanassassin'sorathief's；thisspectacle，senora，iswhatimpelsmetodisregardyourlaw，whatimpelsmetotrampleitunderfoot，bravingeverything。
　　Thiswhichappearstoyoulawlessnessisobediencetoanunescapablelaw。Idowhatsocietydoeswhenabrutalpower，asillogicalasirritating，opposesitsprogress。Ittramplesitunderfootanddestroysitinanoutburstoffrenzy。SuchamIatthismoment——Idonotrecognizemyself。Iwasreasonable，andnowIamabrute；Iwasrespectful，andnowIaminsolent；Iwascivilized，andnowIamasavage。Youhavebroughtmetothishorribleextremity；infuriatingmeanddrivingmefromthepathofrectitudewhichIwastranquillypursuing。Whoistoblame——Ioryou?“
　　“You，you！“
　　“NeitheryounorIcandecidethequestion。Ithinkwearebothtoblame:youforyourviolenceandinjustice，Iformyinjusticeandviolence。Wehavebothbecomeequallybarbarous，andwestrugglewithandwoundeachotherwithoutcompassion。Godhaspermittedthatitshouldbeso；mybloodwillbeuponyourconscience，yourswillbeuponmine。Enoughnow，senora。Idonotwishtotroubleyouwithuselesswords。Wewillnowproceedtoacts。”
　　“Toacts，verywell！“saidDonaPerfecta，roaringratherthanspeaking。
　　“Don'tsupposethatinOrbajosathereisnocivilguard！“
　　“Good-by，senora。Iwillnowleavethishouse。Ithinkweshallmeetagain。”
　　“Go，go！gonow！“shecried，pointingwithanenergeticgesturetothedoor。
　　PepeReylefttheroom。DonaPerfecta，afterpronouncingafewincoherentwords，whichweretheclearestexpressionofheranger，sankintoachair，withindicationsoffatigue，orofacomingattackofnerves。Themaidscamerunningin。
　　“GoforSenorDonInocencio！“shecried。“Instantly——hurry！Askhimtocomehere！“
　　Thenshetoreherhandkerchiefwithherteeth。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　RUMORS——FEARS
　　Onthedayfollowingthatofthislamentablequarrel，variousrumorsregardingPepeReyandhisconductspreadthroughOrbajosa，goingfromhousetohouse，fromclubtoclub，fromtheCasinototheapothecary'sandfromthePaseodelasDescalzestothePuertadeBaidejos。Theywererepeatedbyeverybody，andsomanywerethecommentsmadethat，ifDonCayetanohadcollectedandcompiledthem，hemighthaveformedwiththemarich“Thesaurus“ofOrbajosanbenevolence。Inthemidstofthediversityofthereportscirculated，therewasagreementinregardtocertainimportantparticulars，oneofwhichwasthefollowing:
　　Thattheengineer，enragedatDonaPerfecta'srefusaltomarryRosariotoanatheist，hadraisedhishandtohisaunt。
　　TheyoungmanwaslivinginthewidowDeCusco'shotel，anestablishmentmounted，astheysaynow，notattheheight，butatthedepthofthesuperlativebackwardnessofthetown。Lieutenant-colonelPinzonvisitedhimwithfrequency，inorderthattheymightdiscusstogethertheplotwhichtheyhadonhand，andforthesuccessfulconductofwhichthesoldiershowedthehappiestdispositions。Newartificesandstratagemsoccurredtohimateveryinstant，andhehastenedtoputthemintoeffectwithexcellenthumor，althoughhewouldoftensaytohisfriend:
　　“TheroleIamplaying，dearPepe，isnotaverydignifiedone；buttogiveanannoyancetotheOrbajosansIwouldwalkonmyhandsandfeet。”
　　Wedonotknowwhatcunningstratagemstheartfulsoldier，skilledinthewilesoftheworld，employed；butcertainitisthatbeforehehadbeeninthehousethreedayshehadsucceededinmakinghimselfgreatlylikedbyeverybodyinit。HismannerswereverypleasingtoDonaPerfecta，whocouldnothearunmovedhisflatteringpraisesoftheeleganceofthehouse，andofthenobility，piety，andaugustmagnificenceofitsmistress。WithDonInocenciohewashandandglove。
　　NeitherhermothernorthePenitentiaryplacedanyobstacleinthewayofhisspeakingwithRosariowhohadbeenrestoredtolibertyonthedepartureofherferociouscousin；and，withhisdelicatecompliments，hisskilfulflattery，andgreataddress，hehadacquiredinthehouseofPolentinosconsiderableascendency，andhehadevensucceededinestablishinghimselfinitonafootingoffamiliarity。ButtheobjectofallhisartswasaservantmaidnamedLibrada，whomhehadseducedchastelyspeakingthatshemightcarrymessagesandnotestoRosario，ofwhomhepretendedtobeenamored。Thegirlallowedherselftobebribedwithpersuasivewordsandagooddealofmoney，becauseshewasignorantofthesourceofthenotesandoftherealmeaningoftheintrigue，forhadsheknownthatitwasalladiabolicalplotofDonJose，althoughshelikedthelattergreatly，shewouldnothaveactedwithtreacherytowardhermistressforallthemoneyintheworld。
　　OnedayDonaPerfecta，DonInocencio，Jacinto，andPinzonwereconversingtogetherinthegarden。TheyweretalkingaboutthesoldiersandthepurposeforwhichtheyhadbeensenttoOrbajosa，inwhichthePenitentiaryfoundmotiveforcondemningthetyrannicalconductoftheGovernment；and，withoutknowinghowitcameabout，PepeRey'snamewasmentioned。
　　“Heisstillatthehotel，“saidthelittlelawyer。“Isawhimyesterday，andhegavemeremembrancesforyou，DonaPerfecta。”
　　“Wasthereeverseensuchinsolence！Ah，SenorPinzon！donotbesurprisedatmyusingthislanguage，speakingofmyownnephew——thatyoungman，youremember，whohadtheroomwhichyouoccupy。”
　　“Yes，Iknow。Iamnotacquaintedwithhim，butIknowhimbysightandbyreputation。Heisanintimatefriendofourbrigadier。”
　　“Anintimatefriendofthebrigadier?“
　　“Yes，senor；ofthecommanderofthebrigadethathasjustarrivedinthisdistrict，andwhichisquarteredintheneighboringvillages。”
　　“Andwhereishe?“askedthelady。
　　“InOrbajosa。”
　　“IthinkheisstoppingatPolavieja's，“observedJacinto。
　　“YournephewandBrigadierBatallaareintimatefriends，“continuedPinzon；“theyarealwaystobeseentogetherinthestreets。”
　　“Well，myfriend，thatgivesmeabadideaofyourchief，“saidDonaPerfecta。
　　“Heis——heisverygood-natured，“saidPinzon，inthetoneofonewho，throughmotivesofrespect，didnotventuretouseaharsherword。
　　“Withyourpermission，SenorPinzon，andmakinganhonorableexceptioninyourfavor，itmustbesaidthatintheSpanisharmytherearesomecurioustypes——“
　　“Ourbrigadierwasanexcellentsoldierbeforehegavehimselfuptospiritualism。”
　　“Tospiritualism！“
　　“Thatsectthatcallsupghostsandgoblinsbymeansofthelegsofatable！“saidthecanon，laughing。
　　“Fromcuriosity，onlyfromcuriosity，“saidJacintillo，withemphasis，“IorderedAllanKardec'sbookfromMadrid。Itiswelltoknowsomethingabouteverything。”
　　“Butisitpossiblethatsuchfollies——Heavens！Tellme，Pinzon，doesmynephewtoobelongtothatsectoftable-tippers?“
　　“IthinkitwashewhoindoctrinatedourvaliantBrigadierBatalla。”
　　“GoodHeavens！“
　　“Yes；andwheneverhechooses，“saidDonInocencio，unabletocontainhislaughter，“hecanspeaktoSocrates，St。Paul，Cervantes，orDescartes，asIspeaktoLibradatoaskherforamatch。PoorSenordeRey！Iwasnotmistakeninsayingthattherewassomethingwronginhishead。”
　　“Outsidethat，“continuedPinzon，“ourbrigadierisagoodsoldier。Ifheerrsatall，itisonthesideofseverity。HetakestheordersoftheGovernmentsoliterallythat，ifheweretomeetwithmuchoppositionhere，hewouldbecapableofnotleavingonestoneuponanotherinOrbajosa。Yes，Iadviseyoualltobeonyourguard。”
　　“Butisthatmonstergoingtocutallourheadsoff，then?Ah，SenorDonInocencio！thesevisitsofthearmyremindmeofwhatIhavereadinthelivesofthemartyrsaboutthevisitsoftheRomanproconsulstoaChristiantown。”
　　“Thecomparisonisnotwantinginexactness，“saidthePenitentiary，lookingatthesoldieroverhisspectacles。
　　“Itisnotveryagreeable，butifitisthetruth，whyshoulditnotbesaid?“observedPinzonbenevolently。“Nowyouallareatourmercy。”
　　“Theauthoritiesoftheplace，“objectedJacinto，“stillexercisetheirfunctionsasusual。”
　　“Ithinkyouaremistaken，“respondedthesoldier，whosecountenanceDonaPerfectaandthePenitentiarywerestudyingwithprofoundinterest。“ThealcaldeofOrbajosawasremovedfromofficeanhourago。”
　　“Bythegovernoroftheprovince?“
　　“ThegovernoroftheprovincehasbeenreplacedbyadelegatefromtheGovernment，whowastoarrivethismorning。Themunicipalcouncilswillallberemovedfromofficeto-day。Theministerhassoorderedbecausehesuspected，Idon'tknowonwhatgrounds，thattheywerenotsupportingthecentralauthority。”
　　“Thisisaprettystateofthings！“murmuredthecanon，frowningandpushingouthislowerlip。
　　DonaPerfectalookedthoughtful。
　　“Someofthejudgesoftheprimarycourt，amongthemthejudgeofOrbajosa，havebeendeprivedofoffice。”
　　“Thejudge！Periquito——Periquitoisnolongerjudge！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，inavoiceandwiththemannerofapersonwhohasjustbeenstungbyasnake。
　　“ThepersonwhowasjudgeinOrbajosaisjudgenolonger，“saidPinzon。
　　“To-morrowthenewjudgewillarrive。”
　　“Astranger！“
　　“Astranger。”
　　“Arascal，perhaps。Theotherwassohonorable！“saidDonaPerfecta，withalarm。“Ineveraskedanythingfromhimthathedidnotgrantittomeatonce。Doyouknowwhowillbethenewalcalde?“
　　“Theysayacorregidoriscoming。”
　　“There，sayatoncethattheDelugeiscoming，andletusbedonewithit，“saidthecanon，rising。
　　“Sothatweareatthebrigadier'smercy！“
　　“Forafewdaysonly。Don'tbeangrywithme。InspiteofmyuniformI
　　amanenemyofmilitarism；butweareorderedtostrike——andwestrike。
　　Therecouldnotbeavilertradethanours。”
　　“Thatitis，thatitis！“saidDonaPerfecta，withdifficultyconcealingherfury。“Nowthatyouhaveconfessedit——So，then，neitheralcaldenorjudge——“
　　“Norgovernoroftheprovince。”
　　“Letthemtakethebishopfromusalsoandsendusachoirboyinhisstead。”
　　“Thatisallthatiswanting——ifthepeopleherewillallowthemtodoit，“murmuredDonInocencio，loweringhiseyes。“Theywon'tstopattrifles。”
　　“AnditisallbecausetheyareafraidofaninsurrectioninOrbajosa，“
　　exclaimedDonaPerfecta，claspingherhandsandwavingthemupanddown。“Frankly，Pinzon，Idon'tknowwhyitisthateventheverystonesdon'triseupinrebellion。Iwishyounoharm；butitwouldbeajustjudgmentonyouifthewateryoudrinkturnedintomud。Yousaythatmynephewistheintimatefriendofthebrigadier?“
　　“Sointimatethattheyaretogetheralldaylong；theywereschool-
　　fellows。Batallaloveshimlikeabrother，andwoulddoanythingtopleasehim。Inyourplace，senora，Iwouldbeuneasy。”
　　“Oh，myGod！Ifeartherewillbeanattackonthehouse！“
　　“Senora，“declaredthecanon，withenergy，“beforeIwouldconsentthatthereshouldbeanattackonthishonorablehouse——beforeIwouldconsentthattheslightestharmshouldbedonetothisnoblefamily——I，mynephew，allthepeopleofOrbajosa——“
　　DonInocenciodidnotfinish。Hisangerwassogreatthatthewordsrefusedtocome。Hetookafewstepsforwardwithamartialair，thenreturnedtohisseat。
　　“Ithinkthatyourfearsarenotidle，“saidPinzon。“Ifitshouldbenecessary，I——“
　　“AndI——“saidJacinto。
　　DonaPerfectahadfixedhereyesontheglassdoorofthedining-room，throughwhichcouldbeseenagracefulfigure。Asshelookedatit，itseemedasifthecloudofapprehensionwhichrestedonhercountenancegrewdarker。
　　“Rosario！comeinhere，Rosario！“shesaid，goingtomeettheyounggirl。“Ifancyyoulookbetterto-day，andthatyouaremorecheerful。
　　Don'tyouthinkthatRosariolooksbetter?Sheseemsadifferentbeing。”
　　Theyallagreedthattheliveliesthappinesswasdepictedonhercountenance。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　“DESPERTAFERRO“
　　AboutthistimethefollowingitemsofnewsappearedintheMadridnewspapers:
　　“ThereisnotruthwhateverinthereportthattherehasbeenaninsurrectionintheneighborhoodofOrbajosa。OurcorrespondentinthatplaceinformsusthatthecountryissolittledisposedforadventuresthatthefurtherpresenceoftheBatallabrigadeinthatlocalityisconsideredunnecessary。”
　　“ItissaidthattheBatallabrigadewillleaveOrbajosa，astroopsarenotrequiredthere，togotoVillajuandeNahara，whereguerillashavemadetheirappearance。”
　　“ThenewshasbeenconfirmedthattheAceros，withanumberofmountedfollowers，arerangingthedistrictofVillajuan，adjacenttothejudicialdistrictofOrbajosa。ThegovernoroftheprovinceofX。hastelegraphedtotheGovernmentthatFranciscoAceroenteredLasRoquetas，wherehedemandedprovisionsandmoney。DomingoAceroFaltriquera，wasrangingtheJubileomountains，activelypursuedbytheCivilGuards，whokilledoneofhismenandcapturedanother。
　　BartolomeAceroisthemanwhoburnedtheregistryofficeofLugarnobleandcarriedawaywithhimashostagesthealcaldeandtwooftheprincipallandowners。”
　　“CompletetranquillityreignsinOrbajosa，accordingtoaletterwhichwehavebeforeus，andnoonetherethinksofanythingbutcultivatingthegarlicfields，whichpromisetoyieldamagnificentcrop。Theneighboringdistricts，however，areinfestedwithguerillas，buttheBatallabrigadewillmakeshortworkofthese。”
　　Orbajosawas，infact，tranquil。TheAceros，thatwarlikedynasty，worthy，intheopinionofsome，offiguringinthe“Romancero，“hadtakenpossessionoftheneighboringprovince；buttheinsurrectionwasnotspreadingwithinthelimitsoftheepiscopalcity。Itmightbesupposedthatmodernculturehadatlasttriumphedinitsstrugglewiththeturbulenthabitsofthegreatcityofdisorder，andthatthelatterwastastingthedelightsofalastingpeace。SotrueisthisthatCaballucohimself，oneofthemostimportantfiguresofthehistoricrebellionofOrbajosa，saidfranklytoeveryonethathedidnotwishtoquarrelwiththeGovernmentnorinvolvehimselfinabusinesswhichmightcosthimdear。
　　Whatevermaybesaidtothecontrary，theimpetuousnatureofRamoshadquieteddownwithyears，andthefierytemperwhichhehadreceivedwithlifefromtheancestralCaballucos，themostvaliantraceofwarriorsthathadeverdesolatedtheearth，hadgrowncooler。Itisalsorelatedthatinthosedaysthenewgovernoroftheprovinceheldaconferencewiththisimportantpersonage，andreceivedfromhislipsthemostsolemnassurancesthathewouldcontributeasfarasinhimlaytothetranquillityofthecountry，andwouldavoiddoinganythingthatmightgiverisetodisturbances。Reliablewitnessesdeclarethathewastobeseeninfriendlycompanionshipwiththesoldiers，hobnobbingwiththissergeantortheotherinthetavern，anditwasevensaidthatanimportantpositioninthetown-hallofthecapitaloftheprovincewastobegivenhim。Howdifficultitisforthehistorianwhotriestobeimpartialtoarriveattheexacttruthinregardtothesentimentsandopinionsoftheillustriouspersonageswhohavefilledtheworldwiththeirfame！Hedoesnotknowwhattoholdby，andtheabsenceofauthenticrecordsoftengivesrisetolamentablemistakes。
　　Consideringeventsofsuchtranscendentimportanceasthatofthe18thBrumaire，thesackofRomebyBourbon，orthedestructionofJerusalem——whereisthepsychologistorthehistorianwhowouldbeabletodeterminewhatwerethethoughtswhichprecededorfollowedtheminthemindsofBonaparte，ofCharlesV。，andofTitus?Oursisanimmenseresponsibility。Todischargeitinpartwewillreportwords，phrases，andevendiscoursesoftheOrbajosanemperorhimself；andinthiswayeveryonewillbeabletoformtheopinionwhichmayseemtohimmostcorrect。
　　ItisbeyondadoubtthatCristobalRamoslefthishousejustafterdark，crossedtheCalledelCondestable，and，seeingthreecountrymenmountedonpowerfulmulescomingtowardhim，askedthemwheretheyweregoing，towhichtheyansweredthattheyweregoingtoSenoraDonaPerfecta'shousetotakehersomeofthefirstfruitsoftheirgardensandapartoftherentthathadfallendue。TheywereSenorPasoLargo，ayoungmannamedFrasquitoGonzales，andathird，amanofmediumstatureandrobustmake，whowascalledVejarruco，althoughhisrealnamewasJoseEstebanRomero。Caballucoturnedback，temptedbytheagreeablesocietyofthesepersons，whowereoldandintimatefriendsofhis，andaccompaniedthemtoDonaPerfecta'shouse。Thistookplace，accordingtothemostreliableaccounts，atnightfall，andtwodaysafterthedayonwhichDonaPerfectaandPinzonheldtheconversationwhichthosewhohavereadtheprecedingchapterwillhaveseenrecordedthere。ThegreatRamosstoppedforamomenttogiveLibradacertainmessagesoftriflingimportance，whichaneighborhadconfidedtohisgoodmemory，andwhenheenteredthedining-roomhefoundthethreebefore-mentionedcountrymenandSenorLicurgo，whobyasingularcoincidencewasalsothere，conversingaboutdomesticmattersandthecrops。TheSenorawasinadetestablehumor；shefoundfaultwitheverything，andscoldedthemharshlyforthedroughtoftheheavensandthebarrennessoftheearth，phenomenaforwhichthey，poormen！wereinnowisetoblame。ThePenitentiarywasalsopresent。WhenCaballucoentered，thegoodcanonsalutedhimaffectionatelyandmotionedhimtoaseatbesidehimself。
　　“Hereistheindividual，“saidthemistressofthehousedisdainfully。
　　“Itseemsimpossiblethatamanofsuchlittleaccountshouldbesomuchtalkedabout。Tellme，Caballuco，isittruethatoneofthesoldiersslappedyouonthefacethismorning?“
　　“Me！me！“saidtheCentaur，risingindignantly，asifhehadreceivedthegrossestinsult。
　　“Thatiswhattheysay，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Isitnottrue?I
　　believedit；foranyonewhothinkssolittleofhimself——theymightspitinyourfaceandyouwouldthinkyourselfhonoredwiththesalivaofthesoldiers。”
　　“Senora！“vociferatedRamoswithenergy，“savingtherespectwhichI
　　oweyou，whoaremymother，mymistress，myqueen——savingtherespect，Isay，whichIowetothepersonwhohasgivenmeallthatIpossess——
　　savingtherespect——“
　　“Well?Onewouldthinkyouweregoingtosaysomething。”
　　“Isaythen，thatsavingtherespect，thatabouttheslapisaslander，“heended，expressinghimselfwithextraordinarydifficulty。
　　“Myaffairsareineveryone'smouth——whetherIcomeinorwhetherIgoout，whereIamgoingandwhereIhavecomefrom——andwhy?Allbecausetheywanttomakemeatooltoraisethecountry。Pedroiscontentedinhisownhouse，ladiesandgentlemen。Thetroopshavecome?Bad！butwhatarewegoingtodoaboutit?Thealcaldeandthesecretaryandthejudgehavebeenremovedfromoffice?Verybad！IwishtheverystonesofOrbajosamightriseupagainstthem；butIhavegivenmywordtothegovernor，anduptothepresent——“
　　Hescratchedhishead，gatheredhisgloomybrowsinafrown，andwithever-increasingdifficultyofspeechcontinued:
　　“Imaybebrutal，disagreeable，ignorant，quarrelsome，obstinate，andeverythingelseyouchoose，butinhonorIyieldtonoone。”
　　“WhatapityoftheCidCampeador！“saidDonaPerfectacontemptuously。
　　“Don'tyouagreewithme，SenorPenitentiary，thatthereisnotasinglemanleftinOrbajosawhohasanyshameinhim?“
　　“Thatisaseriousviewtotakeofthecase，“respondedthecapitular，withoutlookingathisfriend，orremovingfromhischinthehandonwhichherestedhisthoughtfulface；“butIthinkthisneighborhoodhasacceptedwithexcessivesubmissiontheheavyyokeofmilitarism。”
　　Licurgoandthethreecountrymenlaughedboisterously。
　　“Whenthesoldiersandthenewauthorities，“saidDonaPerfecta，“havetakenfromusourlastreal，whenthetownhasbeendisgraced，wewillsendallthevaliantmenofOrbajosainaglasscasetoMadridtobeputinthemuseumthereorexhibitedinthestreets。”
　　“Longlifetothemistress！“criedthemancalledVejarrucodemonstratively。“Whatshesaysislikegold。Itwon'tbesaidonmyaccountthattherearenobravemenhere，forifIamnotwiththeAcerositisonlybecauseIhaveawifeandthreechildren，andifanythingwastohappen——ifitwasn'tforthat——“
　　“Buthaven'tyougivenyourwordtothegovernor，too?“saidDonaPerfecta。
　　“Tothegovernor?“criedthemannamedFrasquitoGonzalez。“Thereisnotinthewholecountryascoundrelwhobetterdeservesabullet。
　　GovernorandGovernment，theyareallofapiece。LastSundaythepriestsaidsomanyrousingthingsinhissermonabouttheheresiesandtheprofanitiesofthepeopleofMadrid——oh！itwasworthwhilehearinghim！Finally，heshoutedoutinthepulpitthatreligionhadnolongeranydefenders。”
　　“HereisthegreatCristobalRamos！“saidDonaPerfecta，clappingtheCentaurontheback。“HemountshishorseandridesaboutinthePlazaandupanddownthehigh-roadtoattracttheattentionofthesoldiers；
　　whentheyseehimtheyareterrifiedatthefierceappearanceofthehero，andtheyallrunaway，half-deadwithfright。”
　　DonaPerfectaendedwithanexaggeratedlaugh，whichtheprofoundsilenceofherhearersmadestillmoreirritating。Caballucowaspale。
　　“SenorPasoLargo，“continuedthelady，becomingserious，“whenyougohometo-night，sendmeyoursonBartolometostayhere。Ineedtohavebravepeopleinthehouse；andevenwiththatitmayverywellhappenthat，somefinemorning，mydaughterandmyselfwillbefoundmurderedinourbeds。”
　　“Senora！“exclaimedeveryone。
　　“Senora！“criedCaballuco，risingtohisfeet，“isthatajest，orwhatisit?“
　　“SenorVejarruco，SenorPasoLargo，“continuedDonaPerfecta，withoutlookingatthebravooftheplace，“Iamnotsafeinmyownhouse。NooneinOrbajosais，andleastofall，I。Ilivewithmyheartinmymouth。Icannotclosemyeyesinthewholenight。”
　　“Butwho，whowoulddare——“
　　“Come，“exclaimedLicurgowithfire，“I，oldandsickasIam，wouldbecapableoffightingthewholeSpanisharmyifahairofthemistress'
　　headshouldbetouched！“
　　“SenorCaballuco，“saidFrasquitoGonzalez，“willbeenoughandmorethanenough。”
　　“Oh，no，“respondedDonaPerfecta，withcruelsarcasm，“don'tyouseethatRamoshasgivenhiswordtothegovernor?“
　　Caballucosatdownagain，and，crossingonelegovertheother，claspedhishandsonthem。
　　“Acowardwillbeenoughforme，“continuedthemistressofthehouseimplacably，“providedhehasnotgivenhiswordtoanyone。PerhapsI
　　maycometoseemyhouseassaulted，mydarlingdaughtertornfrommyarms，myselftrampledunderfootandinsultedinthevilestmanner——“
　　Shewasunabletocontinue。Hervoicediedawayinherthroat，andsheburstintotears。
　　“Senora，forHeaven'ssakecalmyourself！Come，thereisnocauseyet！“
　　saidDonInocenciohastily，andmanifestingthegreatestdistressinhisvoiceandhiscountenance。“Besides，wemusthavealittleresignationandbearpatientlythecalamitieswhichGodsendsus。”
　　“Butwho，senora，whowoulddaretocommitsuchoutrages?“askedoneofthefourcountrymen。“Orbajosawouldriseasonemantodefendthemistress。”
　　“Butwho，whowoulddoit?“theyallrepeated。
　　“There，don'ttroubleyourselvesaskinguselessquestions，“saidthePenitentiaryofficiously。“Youmaygo。”
　　“No，no，letthemstay，“saidDonaPerfectaquickly，dryinghertears。
　　“Thecompanyofmyloyalservantsisagreatconsolationtome。”
　　“Maymyracebeaccursed！“saidUncleLicurgo，strikinghiskneewithhisclenchedhand，“ifallthismessisnottheworkofthemistress'
　　ownnephew。”
　　“OfDonJuanRey'sson?“
　　“FromthemomentIfirstseteyesonhimatthestationatVillahorrenda，andhespoketomewithhishoneyedvoiceandhismincingmanners，“declaredLicurgo，“Ithoughthimagreat——Iwillnotsaywhat，throughrespectforthemistress。ButIknewhim——Iputmymarkuponhimfromthatmoment，andImakenomistakes。Athreadshowswhattheballis，asthesayinggoes；asampletellswhattheclothis，andaclawwhatthelionis。”
　　“Letnoonespeakillofthatunhappyyoungmaninmypresence，“saidSenoradePolentinosseverely。“Nomatterhowgreathisfaultsmaybe，charityforbidsourspeakingofthemandgivingthempublicity。”
　　“Butcharity，“saidDonInocencio，withsomeenergy，“doesnotforbidusprotectingourselvesagainstthewicked，andthatiswhatthequestionis。SincecharacterandcouragehavesunksolowinunhappyOrbajosa；sinceourtownappearsdisposedtoholdupitsfacetobespatuponbyhalfadozensoldiersandacorporal，letusfindprotectioninunionamongourselves。”
　　“IwillprotectmyselfinwhateverwayIcan，“saidDonaPerfectaresignedly，claspingherhands。“God'swillbedone！“
　　“Suchastiraboutnothing！BytheLord！Inthishousetheyareallafraidoftheirshadows，“exclaimedCaballuco，halfseriously，halfjestingly。“OnewouldthinkthisDonPepitowasalegionofdevils。
　　Don'tbefrightened，senora。MylittlenephewJuan，whoisthirteen，willguardthehouse，andweshallsee，nephewfornephew，whichisthebestman。”
　　“Weallknowalreadywhatyourboastingandbraggingsignify，“repliedDonaPerfecta。“PoorRamos！Youwanttopretendtobeverybravewhenwehavealreadyhadproofthatyouarenotworthanything。”
　　Ramosturnedslightlypale，whilehefixedonDonaPerfectaastrangelookinwhichterrorandrespectwereblended。
　　“Yes，man；don'tlookatmeinthatway。YouknowalreadythatIamnotafraidofbugaboos。Doyouwantmetospeakplainlytoyounow?Well，youareacoward。”
　　Ramos，movingaboutrestlesslyinhischair，likeonewhoistroubledwiththeitch，seemedgreatlydisturbed。Hisnostrilsexpelledanddrewintheair，likethoseofahorse。Withinthatmassiveframeastormofrageandfury，roaringanddestroying，struggledtoescape。Afterstammeringafewwordsandmutteringothersunderhisbreath，herosetohisfeetandbellowed:
　　“IwillcutofftheheadofSenorRey！“
　　“Whatfolly！Youareasbrutalasyouarecowardly，“saidDonaPerfecta，turningpale。“Whydoyoutalkaboutkilling?Iwantnoonekilled，muchlessmynephew——apersonwhomIlove，inspiteofhiswickedness。”
　　“Ahomicide！Whatanatrocity！“exclaimedDonInocencio，scandalized。
　　“Themanismad！“
　　“Tokill！Theveryideaofkillingamanhorrifiesme，Caballuco，“saidDonaPerfecta，closinghermildeyes。“Poorman！Eversinceyouhavebeenwantingtoshowyourbravery，youhavebeenhowlinglikearaveningwolf。Goaway，Ramos；youterrifyme。”
　　“Doesn'tthemistresssaysheisafraid?Doesn'tshesaythattheywillattackthehouse；thattheywillcarryofftheyounglady?“
　　“Yes，Ifearso。”
　　“Andonemanisgoingtodothat，“saidRamoscontemptuously，sittingdownagain，“DonPepePoquitaCosa，withhismathematics，isgoingtodothat。IdidwronginsayingIwouldslithisthroat。Adollofthatkindonetakesbytheearandducksintheriver。”
　　“Yes，laughnow，youfool！ItisnotmynephewalonewhoisgoingtocommittheoutragesyouhavementionedandwhichIfear；ifitwerehealoneIshouldnotfearhim。IwouldtellLibradatostandatthedoorwithabroom——andthatwouldbesufficient。Itisnothealone，no！“