But this was far too simple for the taste of a
Governor. So important an occasion demanded
official dignity and many words.

"Your excellency," he said severely, sitting very
erect, with one white hand on the table and the
other on the hilt of his sword (yet full of courtesy,
and longing to enjoy the cheer and conversation of
his host); "the peaceful monotony of our lives has
been rudely shaken by a demand upon three fallible
human beings to alter the course of history in two
great nations. That is a sufficient excuse for the
suspense to which we have been forced to subject
you. The marriage of a Russian and a Spaniard is
of no great moment in itself, but the marriage of
the Plenipotentiary of the Tsar himself with the
daughter of Jose Mario Arguello, not only one of
the most eminent, respected, and distinguished of
His Most Catholic Majesty's subjects in New Spain,
but a man so beloved and influential that he could
create a revolution were he so minded--indeed,
Jose, no one knows better than I how incapable you
are of treason"--as the Commandante gave a loud
exclamation of horror--"I merely illustrate and
emphasize. My sands are nearly run, Excellency;
it is to the estimable mind and strong paternal hand
of my friend that this miserable colony must look
before long, would she continue even this hand to
mouth existence--a fact well known to our king