your sister. Chance has placed me in an advantageous position. Rage,
the passion that burns within me, will impel me to profit by it. I don't
know how far I may go."



"APRIL 17.

"Your letter has given me great consolation. Yes; I can attain
my object, employing only the resources of the law, which will be
completely effectual for it. I have consulted the authorities of this
place, and they all approve of the course you indicate. I am very glad
of it. Since I have put into my cousin's mind the idea of disobedience,
let it at least be under the protection of the law. I will do what
you bid me, that is to say I will renounce the somewhat unworthy
collaboration of Pinzon; I will break up the terrorizing solidarity
which I established with the soldiers; I will cease to make a display of
the power I derived from them; I will have done with adventures, and
at the fitting moment I will act with calmness, prudence, and all
the benignity possible. It is better so. My coalition, half-serious,
half-jesting, with the army, had for its object to protect me against
the violence of the Orbajosans and of the servants and the relations of
my aunt. For the rest, I have always disapproved of the idea of what we
call armed intervention.

"The friend who aided me has been obliged to leave the house; but I am
not entirely cut off from communication with my cousin. The poor girl
shows heroic valor in the midst of her sufferings, and will obey me
blindly.