"Have the goodness to take this card to the President."
"I cannot, _caballero_; I have orders...."
"I insist upon it that you carry this card to the President," he
repeated in a louder voice, and with an energetic accent that had some
effect upon the usher, who finally took it, though still grumbling, and
entered the room.
"You will please wait an instant, _caballero_," said the man, coming
out.
He waited an hour and a half; but he stayed, bent upon speaking with the
chief of government, and neither the usher's insulting glances nor his
own impatience, which was great, sufficed to make him give up his
design.
At last the screen was opened, and out came a group of deputies, and
among them the President with his hat on, and every appearance of being
about to leave the building.
"Ah! Senor Rivera," he said, as he caught sight of him. "Excuse me ... I
have so many things on my mind ... would you like to go back with me to
the office."
"It is not worth while," said Miguel, taking the hint that this would be
a bore to the grandee. The President took him familiarly by the lappet
of his coat, and drew him to the bay-window.
"You have come to speak with me about the district, eh? How are things
going with you?"
"Pretty well, I think. So far I believe that I have no opponent."
"I was going to speak of that very thing. I was thinking of writing you
to come here. I am very glad that you have anticipated me. Yesterday I
was told that there was an effort making to put in Corrales for that
district."
"Who? The ex-minister of the moderate wing?"
"The same. I do not believe that he has any showing there, nor that the
government needs to exert great pressure to defeat him, but it is well
to be on the safe side. For nothing in the world would I have the most
genuine representative and one of the most redoubtable advocates of
moderatism, manage to make his unwelcome way into our house. For the
district of Serin _is_ our house, since it has elected Rios, who was an
important factor in the revolution. Have you been doing much work?"
"A good deal."
"Very well! then one of these days suppose you bring to me all the data
which you have collected, the names of the _alcaldes_[44] who are
opposed to us, and those of the people whom the government can
influence. Meantime, don't give up for a moment. Get hold of the friends
who gave the general his election; but don't put much reliance on
promises; try to keep them attached to you in some way, either by offers
or threats. Let us leave it that you will bring me the data, shan't we?
_Adios_, Rivera. Don't forget the road to this house."
He took his leave with a cordial pressure of the hand. Miguel, just as
before, felt perfectly satisfied. The chief of government had a special
tact for making his discourtesies forgiven, a frank and affectionate
manner which immediately captivated whoever came near him.
A fortnight passed before he saw him again; for the two times that he
went there, he was told that his excellency could not receive him as he
was busy with the sub-secretary.
"_Hola!_ Rivera, I know that you have been here twice already; I felt it
to the bottom of my heart that I could not see you. At all events, the
matter has not been in a pressing hurry hitherto. Let us see! Sit down.
How do you find the district? Has Corrales been giving you much to do?"
"Not much up to the present time."
"Indeed!" said the President, surprised. "Well, then; what I have heard
is a very different story. I have been told that he is moving in a
prodigious way: that the clergy are working for him decidedly, and that
some of our friends, whom apparently Rios has not been able or has not
cared to serve, have gone over to him bag and baggage.... But it is
possible that you are better informed."
"Senor Presidente, the letters that I have received from there say
nothing of all this; on the other hand, all the general's friends assure
me that, as he is agreeable to my candidacy and as it is supported by
the government, it is impossible for a moment to doubt of our triumph."
"In spite of all that, it is proper that you should go there in person,
talk with them, and watch the election. Those of us who have spent a few
years in public life know that there is nothing certain."
"That is very good. When do you think that I ought to go there?"
"The sooner the better; but before you go, come here, so that I may give
you some letters. You do not need one to the governor, for he has known
for some time that you are the official candidate. Besides, I believe
that you are acquainted...."
"Yes, sir; I knew him when he was editor of _La Iberia_."