girl in
peace or I will cut your throat'?"

"No, but when I advised the senora to give her nephew a fright, you
opposed my advice, instead of supporting it."

"You are crazy with your talk about a fright."

"Because when the dog is dead the madness is at an end."

"I cannot advise what you call a fright, and what might be a terrible
thing."

"Yes; because I am a cut-throat, am I not, uncle?"

"You know that practical jokes are vulgar. Besides, do you suppose that
man would allow himself to be insulted? And his friends?"

"At night he goes out alone."

"How do you know that?"

"I know every thing; he does not take a step that I am not aware of; do
you understand? The widow De Cuzco keeps me informed of every thing."

"There, don't set me crazy. And who is going to give him that fright?
Let us hear."

"Caballuco."

"So that he is disposed--"

"No, but he will be if you command him."

"Come, niece, leave me in peace. I cannot command such an atrocity. A
fright! And what is that? Have you spoken to him already?"

"Yes, senor; but he paid no attention to me, or rather he refused. There
are only two people in Orbajosa who can make him do what they wish by a
simple order--you and Dona Perfecta."

"Let Dona Perfecta order him to do it if she wishes, then. I will never
advise the employment of violent and brutal measures. Will you believe
that when Caballuco and some of his followers were talking of rising
up in arms they could not draw a single word from me inciting them to
bloodshed. No, not that. If Dona Perfecta wishes to do it--"

"She will not do it, either. I talked with her for two hours this
afternoon and she said that she would preach war, and help it by every
means in her power; but that she would not bid one man stab another in
the back. She would be right in opposing it if anything serious were
intended, but I don't want any wounds; all I want is to give him a
fright."

"Well, if Dona Perfecta doesn't want to order a fright to be given to
the engineer, I don't either, do you understand? My conscience is before
every thing."

"Very well," returned his niece. "Tell Caballuco to come with me
to-night--that is all you need say to him."

"Are you going out to-night?"

"Yes, senor, I am going out. Why, didn't I go out last night too?"

"Last night? I didn't know it; if I had known it I should have been
angry; yes, senora."

"All you have to say to Caballuco is this: 'My dear Ramos, I will b