Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/224

. If I thought that her parents— But no, let them keep her. Precious baggage! Where is Don Santiago? Has he said anything to you? Has he read the papers?

. I don't think so. He never reads the opposition papers. But that letter— If he ever sees that letter!

. Don Baldomero says that he is going to send it to the minister at Madrid.

. It would take more than that to shock García Pérez.

. Yes, he is shock-proof.

. But this afternoon! It is this afternoon I am afraid of.

. This afternoon you will have a triumph. Everything is provided for.

. Do you think so?

. You will see. When Campos comes to his speech, it will be a sensation. I have given it to him in writing and he is studying it in his dressing-room. He will say: "Your Excellency, I fight for you and for liberal governors like you, for virtuous and beautiful women like those who sit at your side, liberal also like yourself. For the bull is a reactionary, and he would be for obscuration wherever it was to be found." He will say this looking straight into the box of Don Baldomero. "And long live liberty!" It will be an ovation. If there is any trouble, we have packed the amphitheatre. He who protests… Have no fear, Josefina, the sovereign public is with us. If the bulls are only good and Campos in form so as to arouse the people, the victory is ours!

. I don't know. What do you want me to say? I am very much afraid.