Miguel had for some time been planning to gather a few friends at his
house to celebrate, not only his marriage, but also the early prospect
of an heir.
Although he did not confess it, he also flattered himself with the idea
of showing them his suite, which, now entirely furnished, was like a
silver cup, all bright and new and glorious to see; and there was also
the boyish, though very pardonable, vanity of making his appearance
before society as a hospitable housekeeper and the head of a family.
Maximina, on hearing the plan, was troubled and confused; it had never
entered into her calculations to "do the honors" of a reception,
especially as her husband had assured her that such a thing on their
part would be presumptuous.
Whenever Miguel took her out for the evening to the house of any of
their friends, she always felt constrained and awkward, without knowing
what to say or do, and not taking her eyes from him, so that she might
get courage. What would it be now when she would be obliged to greet
everybody, to say to each some pleasant word, and to foresee and
anticipate their every desire?
"Oh, Miguel! I should die of mortification."
He laughed at her timidity, and even found an additional incentive for
his plan at the thought of seeing his wife, so girl-like, so innocent,
and so timid, "officiating as senora."
At first he thought of having a breakfast, but soon gave that up because
their dining-room was only large enough to seat a dozen guests.
Then it occurred to him to give an afternoon tea, which was a form of
entertainment very fashionable at the time; but even this seemed too
small to Miguel.
After many hesitations he made up his mind that it should be a 'reunion'
or 'soiree,' with a lunch of preserved oranges. The excuse for it should
be to hear the reading of a drama which one of the _Independencia_
staff, Gomez de la Floresta, had written, and which had not yet been put
upon the stage on account of the cabals of Ayala, Garcia Gutierrez, and
other small fry, who ruled the theatres with a high hand, and
"monopolized them."
"But didn't you say that this play was very dull, and that you had been
bored to death when you heard it?" asked Maximina.
"That is the very reason. At this kind of 'reunion' it is absolutely
indispensable that the thing read should be bad, so that all that
follows after the reading may seem excellent to the guests. With this
drama you can bring on champagne that cost only thirty reals, and it
will be drunk like nectar."
Maximina did not understand very well this logic of her husband's, and
she looked at him with very wide eyes; but seeing that he added nothing
to make it clearer, she went to another subject,--that of the
invitations.
"Whom would you invite?"
"Provisionally, mamma and Julia."
"Good; and then?"
"Cousin Serafina."
"Who would escort her?"
"Let Enrique accompany her."
"Shall we invite Eulalia?"
"Certainly; but I warn you that she will not come: her husband cannot
abide me."
"And the De Rimirez family?"
"There is nothing against it."
"Asuncion?"
"Certainly."