The little head wabbled forward on the short neck.
“There can be no forecasting the whims of the public; the hero of today is the traitor of tomorrow, and vice versa; suppose some one other than you should be fixed upon; suppose General Yozarro should be called to the head of the confederation?”
The crimson countenance became more crimson; the breaths shifted to pants, and the tiny eyes twinkled with a sinister light.
“Impossible! Such an outrage can never be.”
“Let us assume that it does come about; it is best, you know, to consider all sides of an important question.”
“I would never consent! I would withdraw from the union! I would shatter the whole scheme, if I were treated with such shameless ingratitude.”
“You forget that each republic would bring forth its own particular crop of favorite sons, and you would stand no more chance of selection than I. You declare yourself warmly in favor of the confederation; which do you place the higher,—the beneficent scheme itself or your own ambition?”
“It is not ambition, sir, but simple justice that I demand and will have!”
“Do you consider yourself the only man on the South American continent qualified to be the president of such a union?”