house, as Don Timoteo
stammeringly begged him to do. [71] The orchestra played the royal
march while the divine couple majestically ascended the carpeted
stairway.

Nor was his Excellency's gravity altogether affected. Perhaps for the
first time since his arrival in the islands he felt sad, a strain
of melancholy tinged his thoughts. This was the last triumph of
his three years of government, and within two days he would descend
forever from such an exalted height. What was he leaving behind? His
Excellency did not care to turn his head backwards, but preferred to
look ahead, to gaze into the future. Although he was carrying away a
fortune, large sums to his credit were awaiting him in European banks,
and he had residences, yet he had injured many, he had made enemies
at the Court, the high official was waiting for him there. Other
Generals had enriched themselves as rapidly as he, and now they were
ruined. Why not stay longer, as Simoun had advised him to do? No,
good taste before everything else. The bows, moreover, were not now
so profound as before, he noticed insistent stares and even looks of
dislike, but still he replied affably and even attempted to smile.

"It's plain that the sun is setting," observed Padre Irene in
Ben-Zayb's ear. "Many now stare him in the face."

The devil with the curate--that was just what he was going to remark!

"My dear," murmured into the ear of a neighbor the lady who had
referred to Don Timoteo as a jumping-jack, "did you ever see such
a skirt?"

"Ugh, the curtains from the Palace!"

"You don't say! But it's true! They're carrying everything away. You'll
see how they make wraps out of the carpets."

"That only goes to show that she has talent and taste," observed her
husband, reproving her with a look. "Women should be economical." This
poor god was still suffering from the dressmaker's bill.

"My dear, give me curtains at twelve pesos a yard, and you'll see if
I put on these rags!" retorted the goddess in pique. "Heavens! You
can talk when you have done something fine like that to give you
the right!"

Meanwhile, Basilio stood before the house, lost in the throng
of curious spectators, counting those who alighted from their
carriages. When he looked upon so many persons, happy and confident,
when he saw the bride and groom followed by their train of fresh
and innocent little girls, and reflected that they were going
to meet there a horrible death, he was sorry and felt