“Listen! I am going to remove the holy images from the church at Sayula, with reverence, and with reverence burn them upon the lake. Then I shall put the image of Quetzalcoatl in the church at Sayula.”
The Bishop looked up furtively. For some moments he said nothing. But his silence was furtive, cornered.
“Would you dare do that, Don Ramón?” he said.
“Yes! And I shall not be prevented. General Viedma is with me.”
The Bishop glanced sideways at Cipriano.
“Certainly,” said Cipriano.
“Nevertheless it is illegal,” said the Bishop, with acid bitterness.
“What is illegal in Mexico?” said Ramón. “What is weak is illegal. I will not be weak, My Lord.”
“Lucky you!” said the Bishop, lifting his shoulders.
There was a break of silence.