"Pardon my frankness, General, but in that case your position must be extremely critical."
"Say precarious, and you will be nearer the truth, my friend; the treasury is completely empty, and it is impossible for me to fill it again; the army, having received no pay for two months, are murmuring, and threaten to disband; my officers are going over, one after the other, to the enemy; the latter is advancing by forced marches on Mexico; such is the true situation, what do you think of it?"
"It is sad, horribly sad, General; and pardon me the question, and what do you intend doing to parry the danger?"
The general, instead of answering him, gave him a piercing glance.
"But before we go further, General," don Adolfo continued, "permit me, General, to give you an account of my own operations."
"Oh! They have been successful, I feel convinced," the general replied with a smile.
"I hope that you will find them so, Excellency; do you authorize me to make my report?"
"Do so, do so, my friend; I long to hear what you have accomplished for the defense of our noble cause."
"Oh, pardon, General," don Adolfo said quickly; "I am only an adventurer, and my devotion is entirely personal to yourself."
"Good, I understand; let me hear this report."