"My friend, the success of today's battle belongs to you. It was owing to your brilliant charge in the enemy's rear, that they were demoralized and consequently conquered."
"You insist on seeing everything in gloomy colours. I repeat again: two battles like this one, and you are saved."
"These battles I shall fight, my friend, if they grant me the time, be assured. Ah! If instead of being alone, blockaded in Mexico, I still had faithful lieutenants holding the country, after today's victory, all might be repaired."
At this moment the door of the cabinet was opened, and General Cobos appeared.
"Ah! It is you, my dear General," the President said to him, holding out his hand and suddenly reassuming a laughing air. "You are welcome. What motive procures me the pleasure of seeing you?"
"I implore your Excellency to excuse me for venturing to appear thus, without being announced; but I have to talk with you on serious matters, which admit of no delay."
The adventurer made a movement to withdraw.
"Stay, I beg of you," the President said, checking him by a sign. "Speak, my dear General."
"Excellency, the greatest disorder is prevailing on the Plaza among the people and the troops; the majority are noisily demanding that the officers taken prisoners today, may be immediately shot as traitors to the country."
"What?" the President asked, drawing himself up and turning slightly pale. "What is that you are saying, my dear General?"