.

What is it you were saying ?" Of course, rumours had reached him already of the newcomer's intentions.
Besides, he had received an official warning from Sta.Marta.His manner was intended simply to conceal his curiosity and impress his visitor.
But after he had locked up something valuable in the drawer of a large writing-desk in a distant part of the room, he became very affable, and walked back to his chair smartly.
"If you intend to build villages and assemble a population near the mine, you shall require a decree of the Minister of the Interior for that," he suggested in a business-like manner.
"I have already sent a memorial," said Charles Gould, steadily, "and I reckon now confidently upon your Excellency's favourable conclusions." The Excellency was a man of many moods.

With the receipt of the money a great mellowness had descended upon his simple soul.

Unexpectedly he fetched a deep sigh.
"Ah, Don Carlos! What we want is advanced men like you in the province.
The lethargy--the lethargy of these aristocrats! The want of public spirit! The absence of all enterprise! I, with my profound studies in Europe, you understand--" With one hand thrust into his swelling bosom, he rose and fell on his toes, and for ten minutes, almost without drawing breath, went on hurling himself intellectually to the assault of Charles Gould's polite silence; and when, stopping abruptly, he fell back into his chair, it was as though he had been beaten off from a fortress.

To save his dignity he hastened to dismiss this silent man with a solemn inclination of the head and the words, pronounced with moody, fatigued condescension-- "You may depend upon my enlightened goodwill as long as your conduct as a good citizen deserves it." He took up a paper fan and began to cool himself with a consequential air, while Charles Gould bowed and withdrew.