"Since you have been here, have you received any messages?"
"One only, general."
"Ah! Ah! And from whom?" asked the Montonero, with some little anxiety.
"From Don Juan Armero."
"And what is this message, my old friend?"
"News that I think will give you pleasure, general. Don Juan Armero tells us that he is not more than twenty-five leagues from here, and that he hopes to arrive tomorrow morning at latest."
"The devil! Then I have done well to make haste. Does he say by whom he is accompanied?"
"Certainly, general; they are the same as you expected—that is to say, General Don Eusebio Moratín and the Frenchman, his myrmidon."
"Yes, yes; I know the persons alluded to," answered Don Zeno, rubbing his hands with good humour; "these rascals are of my acquaintance."
"Then you are satisfied, general? All happens as you wished?"