The man with the staff, somewhat bluffed by Don Mariano's attitude and the looks of the company, took off his sombrero.
"Now, what is your business?"
"Are you Don Mariano Elorza?"
"No! I am the excelentísimo señor Don Mariano Elorza!"
"It's the same thing."
"It is not the same thing!"
"Well, let us drop discussions; I have orders to arrest your daughter, Doña Maria."
All the Señor de Elorza's energy suddenly vanished like a shadow, at hearing those portentous words. He stood a few moments bewildered and petrified, with his face crestfallen, like one who has just beheld a miracle and has no faith in his own eyes. Then suddenly recovering himself, he sprang at the man with the staff, and shaking him violently by the lappel of his coat, he said to him in a voice of thunder,—
"And who are you, insolent man, to dare think of such a thing?"
"I am the chief of police[54] for this province, and I warn you that if you offer the least resistance I shall make use of the force which I have with me."