The alferez knew that his mate dressed ridiculously and had the appearance of what is known as a "_querida_ of the soldiers," so he did not care to expose her to the gaze of strangers and persons from the capital.

But she did not so understand it.

She knew that she was beautiful and attractive, that she had the airs of a queen and dressed much better and with more splendor than Maria Clara herself, who wore a tapis while she went in a flowing skirt.

It was therefore necessary for the alferez to threaten her, "Either shut up, or I'll kick you back to your damned town!" Dona Consolacion did not care to return to her town at the toe of a boot, but she meditated revenge.
Never had the dark face of this lady been such as to inspire confidence in any one, not even when she painted, but that morning it greatly worried the servants, especially when they saw her move about the house from one part to another, silently, as if meditating something terrible or malign.

Her glance reflected the look that springs from the eyes of a serpent when caught and about to be crushed; it was cold, luminous, and penetrating, with something fascinating, loathsome, and cruel in it.