That remark made by Richard to the countess in the sixth
chapter, where he says, ... 'Senora, I shall never again set foot in
this house,' we have read before in Walter Scott."

This young man had greatly pleased Miguel, who always called him the
priest (_sacerdote_), because he had many times in his articles made use
of the expression "the priesthood of criticism."

_Rosa de te_, so bold and scornful in his treatment of poets and
novelists, was a very Job in the patience with which he bore the
raillery of Miguel and the other editors.

One day, however, he had the misfortune to write a biting review of a
poet who was one of Rivera's friends. Rivera was angry, and called him
an ignoramus and a stupid lout to his face, and the poor _Rosa_ could
not get up to defend himself. When Mendoza came, Miguel, still vexed,
said to him:--

"Now, see here, Perico, why do you allow this stupid baby to write
literary reviews, and all the time make the paper ridiculous?"

Mendoza, as usual, made no answer. But Miguel insisted.

"I want you to explain to me why it is...."

"We don't have to pay anything for his articles," replied the other, in
a low voice.

"Then they are very dear!"

Although Miguel did not care much for politics, he worked diligently on
the paper. The revolutionary atmosphere had sufficiently condensed
itself, and no young man could escape its feverish and disturbing
influence.

The Conde de Rios was at last banished to the Balearic Islands. Mendoza
suddenly disappeared from Madrid, leaving a letter to his friend Miguel,
telling him that he had made his escape because he had been informed
that the police were going to arrest him, and asking him to take charge
of the paper.

Such a letter as that caused the brigadier's son no little amusement,
because he was convinced that the administration had no thought of
troubling the poor Brutandor.

Nevertheless, he actually took the chief editorship of _La
Independencia_, the nominal direction of it being, as always in such
calamitous times of persecution, under the name of a silent partner.

And, in order satisfactorily to fulfil his trust, he began to attend the
so-called _circulos politicos_, and above all the committee-room of the
Congress of Deputies, which was then, is now, and ever will be,
probably, the workshop where the happiness of the country is devised. So
when he went there for the first time, he could not overcome a feeling
of respect and venerat