ght I shall come to Orbajosa--the last. I have to look up some
boys who remained in the town, and we are going to see how we can get
possession of the saltpetre and the sulphur that are in the house of
Cirujeda."

"I asked you," said the curate amiably, filling his friend's plate,
"because my niece wishes you to accompany her a short distance. She has
some business or other to attend to, and it is a little late to be out
alone."

"Is she going to Dona Perfecta's?" asked Ramos. "I was there a few
moments ago, but I did not want to make any delay."

"How is the senora?"

"A little frightened. To-night I took away the six young men I had in
the house."

"Why! don't you think they will be wanted there?" said Remedios, with
alarm.

"They are wanted more in Villahorrenda. Brave men chafe at being kept in
the house; is it not so, Senor Canon?"

"Senor Ramos, that house ought not to be left unprotected," said the
Penitentiary.

"The servants are enough, and more than enough. But do you suppose,
Senor Don Inocencio, that the brigadier employs himself in attacking the
people's houses?"

"Yes, but you know very well that that diabolical engineer----"

"For that--there are not wanting brooms in the house," said Cristobal
jovially. "For in the end, there will be no help for it but to marry
them. After what has passed----"

"Senor Ramos," said Remedios, with sudden anger, "I imagine that all you
know about marrying people is very little."

"I say that because a little while ago, when I was at the house, the
mother and daughter seemed to be having a sort of reconciliation. Dona
Perfecta was kissing Rosarito over and over again, and there was no end
to their caresses and endearments."

"Reconciliation! With all these preparations for the war you have lost
your senses. But, finally, are you coming with me or not?"

"It is not to Dona Perfecta's she wants to go," said the priest, "but to
the hotel of the widow De Cuzco. She was saying that she does not dare
to go alone, because she is afraid of being insulted."

"By whom?"

"It is easily understood. By that infernal engineer. Last night my niece
met him there, and she gave him some plain talk; and for that reason
she is not altogether easy in her mind to-night. The young fellow is
revengeful and insolent."

"I don't know whether I can go," said Caballuco. "As I am in hiding now
I cannot measure my strength against Don Jose Poquita Cosa. If I were
not as I am--with