Remedios.

"Many of them have--a great many of them," said Don Inocencio, with an
approving look, addressing Dona Perfecta, "have had time to escape, and
have gone with arms and horses to Villahorrenda."

"And Ramos?"

"They told me in the cathedral that he is the one they are looking for
most eagerly. Oh, my God! to arrest innocent people in that way, who
have done nothing yet. Well, I don't know how good Spaniards can have
patience under such treatment. Senora Dona Perfecta, when I was telling
you about the arrests, I forgot to say that you ought to go home at
once."

"Yes, I will go at once. Have those bandits searched my house?"

"It is possible. Senora, we have fallen upon evil days," said Don
Inocencio, in solemn and feeling accents. "May God have pity upon us!"

"There are half a dozen well-armed men in my house," responded the lady,
greatly agitated. "What iniquity! Would they be capable of wanting to
carry them off too?"

"Assuredly Senor Pinzon will not have neglected to denounce them.
Senora, I repeat that we have fallen upon evil days. But God will
protect the innocent."

"I am going now. Don't fail to stop in at the house."

"Senora, as soon as the lesson is over--though I imagine that with the
excitement that there is in the town, all the boys will play truant
to-day----But in any case I will go to the house after class hours.
I don't wish you to go out alone, senora. Those vagabond soldiers are
strutting about the streets with such insolent airs. Jacinto, Jacinto!"

"It is not necessary. I will go alone."

"Let Jacinto go with you," said the young man's mother. "He must be up
by this time."

They heard the hurried footsteps of the little doctor, who was coming
down the stairs in the greatest haste. He entered the room with flushed
face and panting for breath.

"What is the matter?" asked his uncle.

"In the Troyas' house," said the young man, "in the house of
those--those girls--"

"Finish at once!"

"Caballuco is there!"

"Up there? In the house of the Troyas?"

"Yes, senor. He spoke to me from the terrace, and he told me he was
afraid they were coming there to arrest him."

"Oh, what a fool! That idiot is going to allow himself to be arrested!"
exclaimed Dona Perfecta, tapping the floor impatiently with her foot.

"He wants to come down and let us hide him in the house."

"Here?"

The canon and his niece exchanged a glance.

"Let him come down!" said Dona Perfecta vehement