“APRIL 17.

“Your letter has given me great consolation.  Yes; I can attain my object, employing only the resources of the law, which will be completely effectual for it.  I have consulted the authorities of this place, and they all approve of the course you indicate.  I am very glad of it.  Since I have put into my cousin’s mind the idea of disobedience, let it at least be under the protection of the law.  I will do what you bid me, that is to say I will renounce the somewhat unworthy collaboration of Pinzon; I will break up the terrorizing solidarity which I established with the soldiers; I will cease to make a display of the power I derived from them; I will have done with adventures, and at the fitting moment I will act with calmness, prudence, and all the benignity possible.  It is better so.  My coalition, half-serious, half-jesting, with the army, had for its object to protect me against the violence of the Orbajosans and of the servants and the relations of my aunt.  For the rest, I have always disapproved of the idea of what we call armed intervention.

“The friend who aided me has been obliged to leave the house; but I am not entirely cut off from communication with my cousin.  The poor girl shows heroic valor in the midst of her sufferings, and will obey me blindly.

“Set your mind at rest about my personal safety.  For my part, I have no fear and I am quite tranquil.”

“APRIL 20.

“To-day I can write only a few lines.  I have a great deal to do.  All will be ended within two or three days.  Don’t write to me again to this miserable town.  I shall soon have the happiness of embracing you.

“PEPE.”

CHAPTER XXIX

FROM PEPE REY TO ROSARITO POLENTINOS

“Give Estebanillo the key of the garden and charge him to take care about the dog.  The boy is mine, body and soul.  Fear nothing!  I shall be very sorry if you cannot come down stairs as you did the other night.  Do all you can to manage it.  I will be in the garden a little after midnight.  I will then tell you what course I have decided upon, and what you are to do.  Tranquillize your mind, my dear girl, for I have abandoned all imprudent or violent expedients.  I will tell you every thing when I see you.  There is much to tell; and it must be spoken, not written.  I can picture to myself your terror and anxiety at the thought of my being so near you.  But it is a week since I have seen you.  I have sworn that this separation from you shall soon be ended, and it will be ended.  My heart tells me that I shall see you.  I swear that I will see you.”

CHAPTER XXX

BEATING UP THE GAME

A man and a woman entered the hotel of the widow De Cuzco a little after ten o’clock, and left it at half-past eleven.

“Now, Senora Dona Maria,” said the man, “I will take you to your house, for I have something to do.”