"He was," said Don Roderigo; "but he spoke against this plan of inviting the Princess Carlota."
"He wants neither princess nor queen," said Liniers; "he wants a republic."
"Arrest him, then, and let him have a republic all to himself within four walls," said Don Martin.
"I would advise your Excellency to avoid all extreme measures at present," said Don Roderigo. "Our power is falling away from us; instead of exciting popular opposition, I think it will be necessary to make some concessions. The most enticing bait offered by Beresford when he came, was freedom of commerce. Let us grant it; our treasury is nearly empty, the English merchants will fill it for us, and we shall take the most convincing argument out of the mouths of the demagogues of the city."
"And the Consulado de las Indias, you forget them, Don Roderigo?" said the Viceroy.
"The idea is perfectly inadmissible," said Don Martin Alzaga. "The first thing to do is to disarm the militia, then we can repress by force any attempt against our authority."
"The militia have done good service, and merit every consideration," said the Viceroy, "and they cost far less than the Spanish regiments."
"Then we are to do nothing, and let these Creoles conspire against us until some day they set up a government of their own," replied Don Martin, rising angrily from his seat. "Let us retire, Don Roderigo; it is late, and here we do nothing."
The Viceroy rose from his chair, and bowing stiffly to both, dismissed them.
"With this man we shall never do anything," said Don Martin to Don Roderigo, as they crossed the Plaza de Los Perdices together. "Whilst he is Viceroy the Creoles will keep their militia, and will do just what they wish. I should not be surprised some day to see them demand a 'Cabildo Abierto.'"