"Of course I know it; but then we will go together to Congress; and perhaps, if the session is over in time, we might go to the presidency."
This last suggestion pleased Miguel, because he saw clearly that his thirty thousand duros depended on the influence that he might gain over. After thinking a little, he said:—
"Very well; I will send a message to my wife, so that she will not be worried."
He sat down at Mendoza's table, while the latter was dressing, and dashed off a few lines to Maximina. While writing them, he could not help saying in a tone of grief:—
"Strange circumstances that oblige me to leave my wife alone on the day after she has presented me with a son! Nevertheless, it is for her and for him that I do it. If I were a bachelor, it would not make much difference if I were ruined."
After he was dressed, and before they went down into the dining-room, Mendoza showed his friend the jewels that he was going to present to his "future." They were magnificent and in the latest style. Miguel praised them as they deserved, at the same time wondering where Perico had got the money to buy them; and though he was much tempted to ask him, he had the delicacy not to do so.
Then they went down to a private room on the entresol floor, where Brutandor was in the habit of breakfasting alone. The waiter served them a remarkably fine breakfast, among other things, Burgundy and champagne frappé for dessert.
"This is extravagant, Perico," he said. "The next time I shall forbid your treating me in such style."
"The señorito always breakfasts like this," said the waiter, smiling with evident satisfaction.
"Holá!" exclaimed Miguel, in surprise. "Who could have believed, Perico, that those heavy leaders that you used to write in La Independencia would have been so quickly coined into oysters, fillets of veal, and Burgundy!"