tesies forgiven, a frank and affectionate
manner which immediately captivated whoever came near him.

A fortnight passed before he saw him again; for the two times that he
went there, he was told that his excellency could not receive him as he
was busy with the sub-secretary.

"_Hola!_ Rivera, I know that you have been here twice already; I felt it
to the bottom of my heart that I could not see you. At all events, the
matter has not been in a pressing hurry hitherto. Let us see! Sit down.
How do you find the district? Has Corrales been giving you much to do?"

"Not much up to the present time."

"Indeed!" said the President, surprised. "Well, then; what I have heard
is a very different story. I have been told that he is moving in a
prodigious way: that the clergy are working for him decidedly, and that
some of our friends, whom apparently Rios has not been able or has not
cared to serve, have gone over to him bag and baggage.... But it is
possible that you are better informed."

"Senor Presidente, the letters that I have received from there say
nothing of all this; on the other hand, all the general's friends assure
me that, as he is agreeable to my candidacy and as it is supported by
the government, it is impossible for a moment to doubt of our triumph."

"In spite of all that, it is proper that you should go there in person,
talk with them, and watch the election. Those of us who have spent a few
years in public life know that there is nothing certain."

"That is very good. When do you think that I ought to go there?"

"The sooner the better; but before you go, come here, so that I may give
you some letters. You do not need one to the governor, for he has known
for some time that you are the official candidate. Besides, I believe
that you are acquainted...."

"Yes, sir; I knew him when he was editor of _La Iberia_."

XIX.

Now while Miguel was busy in this excitement and anxiety, through the
fear of approaching ruin to his fortunes, another danger, a thousand
times greater, was threatening him without his knowledge.

We have already seen what a strange liking for Maximina had been
awakened in Don Alfonso Saavedra: it can be compared to nothing else
than that of the wolf, of which the fable tells us, who, having in his
power the whole flock of a rich man, went to devour the only lamb owned
by a poor man.

As the Andalusian _caballero_ was not a man to be readily defeated, or
else because he almos