“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。