Escohedo in a Passion. 217 



When I stepped over the threshhold General Refugio Gon- 

 zales addressed me^ grinning over his whole face, and told me 

 that General Escobedo wished to see me immediately. I 

 replied that I was just on my way to pay him a visit. 



When I arrived at head-quarters, I was led into a large 

 reception-room, which was filled with a great many ofiicers. 

 Some of them seemed amused, as if expecting an interesting 

 scene ; others looked with compassion on me. One of them 

 approached me and whispered, ' All is lost ' 



After awhile Escobedo came. He looked as black as a 

 thunderstorm. In a polite but sarcastic tone he observed, 

 ' That the air here in Queretaro did not seem to agree with 

 me, that it was indeed very bad.' I assured him that I never 

 felt better in all my life ; but he insisted that I did \ )t look 

 well at all ! He had a carriage ready, and an escort to take 

 me to San Luis Potosi, where I should feel much better. 



I told him that I had no desire whatever to go there, but 

 thanked him much for his kindness. He could not bear this 

 any longer, his anger over-mastered hirn. He said he found it 

 so extremely wrong in me, so against all feeling of gratitude 

 and honour, that I, after he had shown me so much kindness 

 and treated me so well, tried to bribe his officers and to bring 

 him into an embarrassing position. 



• I have done nothing, General, of which I need be ashamed 

 and what you yourself would not have done in my position.' 



' We will not argue that point, madame ; but I wish you to 

 leave Queretaro.' 



' General,' I answered, ' you know that I am powerless now, 

 and that the Emperor is lost. But my husband is here also, 

 waiting for his trial, and I request you to let me remain here. 

 Confine me in prison, or m my room, and place a guard over 

 me, if you will ; I will remain quiet.' 



The General would not listen to this ; he was too angry, and 

 said that after what I had done I might even assassinate his 

 ofiicers. 



I was indignant at this, and told him that he had no right to 

 think thus of me, even if I wished to sa.ve my husband and my 

 Emperor. 



He answered, I might go to the President under a guard, 

 and plead there for their lives, but not here. I was not the 

 only person who had to leave ; the foreign ministers had re- 

 ceived the same orders. 



