The Duke himself put the finishing touch to the matter by boxing the
ears of one of the members of the opposition party with whom he got into
a heated discussion over the Morgan Bill.

The Spanish Parliament, the Cortes, was furious over this rude and
extraordinary conduct. The opposition party absolutely refused to have
anything to do with the Government party, to which the Duke belonged. No
business could therefore be transacted in the Cortes, because the
opposition would neither argue nor vote on the measures proposed.

It was suggested that the best way out of the difficulty was for the
Duke to resign, but the Prime Minister, Señor Canovas, was unwilling
that he should do so while Cuban matters were in such a very unsettled
condition. He thought the best thing for the country would be a change
of Ministry, and so he offered his resignation to the Queen.

The opposition rejoiced when the news of Señor Canovas's resignation was
announced. The leader of the opposition, Señor Sagasta, was known to be
in favor of giving the Cubans very liberal home rule, and also of
recalling Weyler. Every one thought that he would be made Prime Minister
in the place of Señor Canovas.

The Queen Regent, who rules Spain for her little son Alfonso, who is not
old enough to govern for himself, sent for Señor Sagasta, and, as it is
always the custom when a Prime Minister resigns for the sovereign to
offer the post to the leader of the opposition party, every one thought
Señor Sagasta was as good as appointed.

The surprise was great therefore when the Queen, after her interview