These be turbulent times! A man whose nature inclines him to music and the poets has no right to exist in the present age!"
"It desolates me that you have been annoyed," the governor said, laughing. "But I hope to have the fellow soon, and so put an end to that particular annoyance. Captain Ramón has sent for his big sergeant and his troopers to return. I brought an escort of twenty. And so we have ample men to run down this Curse of Capistrano when next he makes his appearance."
"Let us hope it will end as it should," said Don Diego.
"A man in high office has many things with which to contend," the governor went on. "Look at what I was forced to do this day! I am called upon to put in prison a man of good blood, and his lady wife and tender daughter. But the state must be protected."
"I suppose you mean Don Carlos Pulido and his family?"
"I do, caballero."
"Now that it is called to my mind again, I must say a few words regarding that," Don Diego said. "I am not sure that my honor is not involved."
"Why, caballero, how can that be?"
"My father has ordered that I get me a wife and set up my establishment properly. Some days ago I requested of Don Carlos Pulido permission to pay my addresses to his daughter."
"Ha! I understand! But you are not the betrothed of the young lady?"