!"

"Not another word!"

Don Bernardo immediately grasped the rings, energetically raised his
feet, and began to do "the siren."

Miguel left the library, convinced that if his uncle was not already
crazy, he was in a fair way to go to the mad-ouse.

XI.

"FELLOW CITIZENS: the cry of liberty raised in Cadiz re-echoes all over
the peninsula. Citizens, be proud! be proud of the name of liberals! The
sun of liberty has at last pierced through the fogs of tyranny which
have dimmed it for so many centuries, and it shines more gloriously
bright than ever before, ready to blot out the miserable traces of a
deadly and spurious brood...."

These and other similar metaphors the hirsute Marroquin was shouting
from one of the balconies of the editorial office of _La Independencia_.
He was surrounded by about half a dozen red banners, and his face was
distorted by emotion, and his hands were tremulous. At his side could be
seen some of his comrades, all rather pale, though not as pale as he.
Now and then the orator turned to them as though demanding their
concurrence, and this was for the most part generously granted, all
murmuring, in a low voice, at the end of each period. _bravo! bravo!_
and other exclamations which imparted a new and powerful inspiration to
the professor for continuing his harangue to the masses.

The masses, packed together in the Calle del Lobo, were listening with
open mouths, and with their shouts and acclamations were likewise
filling him with new spirit.

When at last all his astronomical metaphors were exhausted, and he had
nothing more to say, he gathered all his forces and screamed in a
stentorian voice:--

"Citizens! Long live liberty!"

"_Vivaaaaa!_"

"Long live the sovereign people!"

"_Vivaaaaa!_"

And now, having finished his discourse, he withdrew from the balcony.

A voice shouted from the street:--

"Down with property!"

"_Abajoooo!_"

The throng again started on its march, and in a short time Marroquin and
all his comrades had joined it, raising aloft a tremendous blue standard
on which could be read these words:--

"IMMEDIATE ABOLITION OF RELIGION AND THE CLERGY!"

All was tumult, noise, and gayety on that day, the thirtieth of
September, in the capital of Spain. Brass bands marched through the
street, playing patriotic airs; all the balconies (especial pains were
taken that there should be no exceptions) were decked with variegated
hangings; the church