he was most fierce and obstinate; he
could defend himself so well with his iron cane, which he always took
with him, that Manolita was perfectly tranquil about him, though she
would bravely come to his aid and give his aggressors a few raps, as
destructive as they were well directed.

What were Enrique's intentions when he first began this flirtation? They
could not have been more perverse and insidious: he expected to ruin the
_chula_ and afterwards back out of it, but after he had known her a
month Manolita had him a prisoner at her feet, as tame and obedient as a
mountebank's dog, and this (let us say it to his credit, since we have
said unkind things of him) because he had a noble heart and felt sorry
for the poor girl's fate, so sorry, indeed, that he made up his mind to
marry her.

He spent several days pondering over this resolution, and then took
courage to open his heart to his mother.

Dona Martina was annoyed beyond measure, all the more from remembering
her own former position as laundress; but as she was a woman of
excessive meekness, and Enrique was like the apple of her eye, she
quickly took his part, although she could not bring herself to speak to
her husband about it, since she knew his temper, and was perfectly
assured that he would tear things in pieces rather than consent to such
a match.

Finally the lieutenant, not having the courage to speak to his father,
determined to write to him, and leave the letter on his table.

Don Bernardo did not answer, nor did he show the slightest sign of
having received it; after a few days Enrique left another on the same
spot with the same result.

The only sign that he could see was in his father's face: generally
clouded, it was now more gloomy than ever. Then, after imploring his
brothers, Vincente and Carlos to take his part, and after receiving from
them a flat refusal, he went to ask a similar favor of his cousin
Miguel, with whom he always kept on the most intimate terms of
friendship.

"Fine recommendation mine would be!" replied Miguel. "If you want your
father to kick you out of the house you could not find a better way."

"Don't you believe it; my father is fond of you--much more than he ever
gives you reason to believe. That is the way with him ... stern in
appearance ... but very affectionate at heart."

Miguel smiled, feeling respect for that judgment of a good son, and
still he continued to decline the office; but Enrique insisted so
st