"Let Dona Perfecta order him to do it if she wishes, then. I will never
advise the employment of violent and brutal measures. Will you believe
that when Caballuco and some of his followers were talking of rising
up in arms they could not draw a single word from me inciting them to
bloodshed. No, not that. If Dona Perfecta wishes to do it--"

"She will not do it, either. I talked with her for two hours this
afternoon and she said that she would preach war, and help it by every
means in her power; but that she would not bid one man stab another in
the back. She would be right in opposing it if anything serious were
intended, but I don't want any wounds; all I want is to give him a
fright."

"Well, if Dona Perfecta doesn't want to order a fright to be given to
the engineer, I don't either, do you understand? My conscience is before
every thing."

"Very well," returned his niece. "Tell Caballuco to come with me
to-night--that is all you need say to him."

"Are you going out to-night?"

"Yes, senor, I am going out. Why, didn't I go out last night too?"

"Last night? I didn't know it; if I had known it I should have been
angry; yes, senora."

"All you have to say to Caballuco is this: 'My dear Ramos, I will be
greatly obliged to you if you will accompany my niece on an errand