"I am certain of it. Let us see what your Government's intentions are."
"I should have wished them better, but I consider them acceptable in their present form."
"Be kind enough to communicate them to me, general."
"I was anxious to come myself, señor conde, in order to lessen by my presence any apparent bitterness these proposals might contain."
"Ah!" the count remarked, "propositions are made to me; in other words, and speaking by the card, conditions which it is desired to impose on me. Very good."
"Oh, conde, conde, how badly you take what I say to you!"
"Pardon me, general, you know that I do not speak your magnificent Spanish very well; still I thank you from my heart for your kindness in accepting the harsh mission of communicating these propositions to me."
This was said with an accent of fine raillery which completely discountenanced the general.
"I would observe, general, that we are now only a few leagues from the mine, and the alternative offered me is most painful, especially after the evasive answers constantly made to me and the persons I sent with full powers to treat personally with the authorities of the country."
"That is true; I can comprehend that. Colonel Florés, whom you sent to me a few days back, will have told you how pained I felt at all that is happening. I lose as much as yourself. Unfortunately, you will understand me, my dearest count, I must obey, whether I like it or not."