"APRIL 14.
"It would amuse you, dear father, if I could make you understand theideas of the people of this wretched town. You know already that almostall the country is up in arms. It was a thing to be anticipated, andthe politicians are mistaken if they imagine that it will be over in acouple of days. Hostility to us and to the Government is innate in theOrbajosan's mind, and forms a part of it as much as his religious faith.Confining myself to the particular question with my aunt, I will tellyou a singular thing--the poor lady, who is penetrated by the spirit offeudalism to the marrow of her bones, has taken it into her head thatI am going to attack her house and carry off her daughter, as thegentlemen of the Middle Ages attacked an enemy's castle to consummatesome outrage. Don't laugh, for it is the truth--such are the ideas ofthese people. I need not tell you that she regards me as a monster, asa sort of heretic Moorish king, and of the officers here who are myfriends she has no better opinion. In Dona Perfecta's house it is amatter of firm belief that the army and I have formed a diabolical andanti-religious coalition to rob Orbajosa of its treasures, its faith,and its maidens. I am sure that your sister firmly believes that I amgoing to take her house by assault, and there is not a doubt but thatbehind the door some barricade has been erected.
"But it could not be otherwise. Here they have the most antiquatedideas respecting society, religion, the state, property. The religiousexaltation which impels them to employ force against the Government, todefend a faith which no one has attacked, and which, besides, they donot possess, revives in their mind the feudal sentiment; and as theywould settle every question by brute force, with the sword and withfire, killing all who do not think as they do, they believe that no onein the world employs other methods.
"Far from intending to perform quixotic deeds in this lady's house, Ihave in reality saved her some annoyances from which the rest of thetown have not escaped. Owing to my friendship with the brigadier she hasnot been obliged to present, as was ordered, a list of those of themen in her service who have joined the insurgents; and if her house wassearched I have certain knowledge that it was only for form's sake;and if the six men there were disarmed, they have been replaced by sixothers, and nothing has been done to her. You see to what my hostilityto that lady is reduced.
"It is true that I have the support of the military chiefs, but Imake use of it solely to escape being insulted or ill-used by theseimplacable people. The probabilities of my success consist in the factthat the authorities recently appointed by the commander of the brigadeare all my friends. I derive from them the moral force which enablesme to intimidate these people. I don't know whether I shall find myselfcompelled to commit some violent action; but don't be alarmed, for theassault and the taking of the house is altogether a wild, feudal idea ofyour 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'tknow how far I may go."
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