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。
NeitherhermothernorthePenitentiaryplacedanyobstacleinthewayofhisspeakingwithRosario(whohadbeenrestoredtolibertyonthedepartureofherferociouscousin)；and，withhisdelicatecompliments，hisskilfulflattery，andgreataddress，hehadacquiredinthehouseofPolentinosconsiderableascendency，andhehadevensucceededinestablishinghimselfinitonafootingoffamiliarity。ButtheobjectofallhisartswasaservantmaidnamedLibrada，whomhehadseduced(chastelyspeaking)thatshemightcarrymessagesandnotestoRosario，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。DomingoAcero(Faltriquera)，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！“
