“It would amuse you, dear father, if I could make you understand the ideas of the people of this wretched town.  You know already that almost all the country is up in arms.  It was a thing to be anticipated, and the politicians are mistaken if they imagine that it will be over in a couple of days.  Hostility to us and to the Government is innate in the Orbajosan’s mind, and forms a part of it as much as his religious faith.  Confining myself to the particular question with my aunt, I will tell you a singular thing—­the poor lady, who is penetrated by the spirit of feudalism to the marrow of her bones, has taken it into her head that I am going to attack her house and carry off her daughter, as the gentlemen of the Middle Ages attacked an enemy’s castle to consummate some outrage.  Don’t laugh, for it is the truth—­such are the ideas of these people.  I need not tell you that she regards me as a monster, as a sort of heretic Moorish king, and of the officers here who are my friends she has no better opinion.  In Dona Perfecta’s house it is a matter of firm belief that the army and I have formed a diabolical and anti-religious coalition to rob Orbajosa of its treasures, its faith, and its maidens.  I am sure that your sister firmly believes that I am going to take her house by assault, and there is not a doubt but that behind the door some barricade has been erected.

“But it could not be otherwise.  Here they have the most antiquated ideas respecting society, religion, the state, property.  The religious exaltation which impels them to employ force against the Government, to defend a faith which no one has attacked, and which, besides, they do not possess, revives in their mind the feudal sentiment; and as they would settle every question by brute force, with the sword and with fire, killing all who do not think as they do, they believe that no one in the world employs other methods.

“Far from intending to perform quixotic deeds in this lady’s house, I have in reality saved her some annoyances from which the rest of the town have not escaped.  Owing to my friendship with the brigadier she has not been obliged to present, as was ordered, a list of those of the men in her service who have joined the insurgents; and if her house was searched I have certain knowledge that it was only for form’s sake; and if the six men there were disarmed, they have been replaced by six others, and nothing has been done to her.  You see to what my hostility to that lady is reduced.

“It is true that I have the support of the military chiefs, but I make use of it solely to escape being insulted or ill-used by these implacable people.  The probabilities of my success consist in the fact that the authorities recently appointed by the commander of the brigade are all my friends.  I derive from them the moral force which enables me to intimidate these people.  I don’t know whether I shall find myself compelled to commit some violent action; but don’t be alarmed, for the assault and the taking of the house is altogether a wild, feudal idea of your sister.  Chance has placed me in an advantageous position.  Rage, the passion that burns within me, will impel me to profit by it.  I don’t know how far I may go.”