"I know it is, and I request you as a personal favour to myself to see him no more."
Evaña made an impatient gesture as he answered:
"I have already made a considerable impression upon him, he has even assured me that he would be very willing to join us in a war for our independence, and that the British Government would look favourably upon a project for an alliance with us. Shall I then leave the work half done?"
"It is not half done; this morning's work has undone it all. Even I would not now make peace with the English on any condition short of their immediate departure from the country. Listen to one who is older than you, Carlos, and knows much more of his own countrymen than you do. I tell you that all alliance between us and the English is at present impossible. Promise me that you will see him no more."
"What must be, must be," said Evaña with a sigh. "I will not visit him again for fifteen days; by then we shall have seen what Liniers can do."
"That is well, Carlos; I am content," said Don Gregorio. "Now I have another request to make of you. For the fifteen days be my guest, I will give you a quiet room, and you shall send for what books and things you like from your own house, for anything that you wish you have nothing to do but to ask."
"You wish me to be your prisoner; can you not trust me, Don Gregorio?" asked Evaña sadly.
"Trust you? of course I do; your word is better security to me than any prison, you are as a son to me; I propose this for your own safety."
"What! not content with calumny, they would assassinate me too!" exclaimed Evaña.
"I fear it," said Don Gregorio.