Permit me to receive you in all confidence." His Excellency examined the youth with marked satisfaction.
"Sir, such kindness--" "Your surprise offends me, signifying as it does that you had not expected to be well received.

That is casting a doubt on my sense of justice!" "A cordial reception, sir, for an insignificant subject of his Majesty like myself is not justice but a favor." "Good, good," exclaimed his Excellency, seating himself and waving Ibarra to a chair.

"Let us enjoy a brief period of frankness.

I am very well satisfied with your conduct and have already recommended you to his Majesty for a decoration on account of your philanthropic idea of erecting a schoolhouse.

If you had let me know, I would have attended the ceremony with pleasure, and perhaps might have prevented a disagreeable incident." "It seemed to me such a small matter," answered the youth, "that I did not think it worth while troubling your Excellency with it in the midst of your numerous cares.