"Marcelino is not going," said Doña Constancia.
"I understood that he had been offered the command of a regiment."
"He declined it," said Asneiros. "I have been offered a command also, but not here, in Monte Video. I came to consult you about it."
"Elio is preparing in time. These patriots as they call themselves seem quite sure that all the cities and towns will join them, but they may perhaps find themselves mistaken," said Don Roderigo, with a significant glance at his wife, who took it as a signal to retire.
"Of course you will go to Monte Video at once," said Don Roderigo to Asneiros when they were alone.
"I do not know that, I have come to speak with you on the subject," replied Asneiros.
"It is from Monte Video that we must look for the reaction," said Don Roderigo. "If Elio remains faithful he will not have much difficulty in securing Monte Video, the fleet will obey him and will give us the command of the rivers, and I have persuaded Cisneros to apply to Peru for an army to secure the northern provinces."
"I was with Don Baltazar this morning; he then seemed quite castdown, and spoke of any attempt to upset the Junta as folly."
"We cannot do anything here at present, but I think we may soon reduce these rebels to the city if we proceed cautiously. The provinces are all jealous of Buenos Aires."
"There is some one else thinks so," said Asneiros. "Don Santiago Liniers was here in secret not many weeks ago. He hoped that Don Baltazar would have adopted severe measures to prevent this outbreak; when he went he thought only of a reconquest."