Part 23 (1/2)
”Exactly so.”
”But at present my thoughts are occupied less by the public war than by a private war in which I am engaged and which I declared a short time ago.”
”You said this was your aunt's house. What is her name?”
”Dona Perfecta Rey de Polentinos.”
”Ah! I know her by reputation. She is an excellent person, and the only one of whom I have not heard the garlic-venders speak ill. When I was here before I heard her goodness, her charity, her innumerable virtues, everywhere extolled.”
”Yes, my aunt is very kind, very amiable,” said Rey.
Then he fell into a thoughtful silence.
”But now I remember!” exclaimed Pinzon suddenly. ”How one thing fits in with another! Yes, I heard in Madrid that you were going to be married to a cousin of yours. All is clear now. Is it that beautiful and heavenly Rosario?”
”Pinzon, we must have a long talk together.”
”I imagine that there are difficulties.”
”There is something more; there is violent opposition. I have need of a determined friend--a friend who is prompt to act, fruitful in resource, of great experience in emergencies, astute and courageous.”
”Why, this is even more serious than a challenge.”
”A great deal more serious. It would be easy to fight with another man.
With women, with unseen enemies who work in the dark, it is impossible.”
”Come, I am all ears.”
Lieutenant-colonel Pinzon lay stretched at full length upon the bed.
Pepe Rey drew a chair up to the bedside and, leaning his elbow on the bed and his head on his hand, began his conference, consultation, exposition of plan, or whatever else it might be called, and continued talking for a long time. Pinzon listened to him with profound attention and without interrupting him, except to ask an occasional question for the purpose of obtaining further details or additional light upon some obscure point. When Pepe Rey ended, Pinzon looked grave. He stretched himself, yawning with the satisfaction of one who has not slept for three nights, and then said:
”You plan is dangerous and difficult.”
”But not impossible.”
”Oh, no! for nothing is impossible. Reflect well about it.”
”I have reflected.”
”And you are resolved to carry it through? Consider that these things are not now in fas.h.i.+on. They generally turn out badly and throw discredit on those who undertake them.”
”I am resolved.”
”For my part, then, although the business is dangerous and serious--very serious--I am ready to aid you in all things and for all things.”
”Can I rely upon you?”
”To the death.”