"Señor! Señor!"
"What is the trouble?" asked Don Mariano, in the energetic tone customary to high-strung natures, when they suspect danger.
"The soldiers are here!"
"And what have I to do with soldiers, you dolt!" replied the master in an angry voice.
"Th-they're c-come to arrest you!"
"It isn't true!" cried a voice from the hall.
And at the same time six or eight figures filled the doorway behind the servant. The first to be seen were a very young officer in undress uniform, and a caballero, not very well favored, in a tight-buttoned great-coat, and holding in his hand a staff with tassels. Behind them were seen the caps and the muskets of several soldiers. The man with the staff, who was apparently the one who had spoken, advanced two steps into the parlor, and without removing his hat asked Don Mariano sharply,—
"Are you Don Mariano Elorza?"
The old gentleman's eyes sparkled with indignation.
"First of all, take off your hat!"