"See! You have completely lost your head. But I want you to
listen to what I am saying. Whether you are more good than evil,
God must judge, but the people of Mexico are good people, and they
will not be ruled by a man who is wholly bad. You have the power
to remove this man and this woman, yes, and this priest who dares
to point out the pit at your feet; but if you do you will never
command another Mexican army. There is no war. We are not your
enemies. The world knows we are here, and it holds you accountable
for our safety. To-morrow you will have to face the reckoning."
Longorio listened. It was plain that he recognized the truth of
O'Malley's words, but he was convulsed with rage.
"Good!" he cried. "I see my dreams dissolve, but I am not the
first great man to trade an empire for a woman. Antony, the Roman
general, laid his honor in a woman's arms. I had a shining
destiny, but Mexico will be the sufferer by my betrayal. Instead
of Longorio the Deliverer, I shall be known as Longorio the Lover,
the man who gave all--"
O'Malley interrupted forcefully. "Enough of this! Come with me. I
have something more to say to you." He flung open the door into
the hall and, taking the general by the arm, fairly dragged him
from the room and into the one opposite.
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