He
aspires to the Presidency; he believes he is destined to be
Mexico's Dictator; so I painted a picture that surpassed his own
imaginings. He would have been suspicious of mere flattery, so I
went far beyond that and inflamed him with such extravagant
visions as only a child or an unblushing egotist like him could
accept. I swelled his vanity; I inflated his conceit. For a
moment, at least, I lifted him out of himself and raised him to
the heights."
From beyond the closed door came Longorio's voice, issuing some
command to his men. A moment passed; then he appeared before the
three Americans. He seemed taller, thinner, more erect and
hawklike than ever. His head was held more proudly and his chest
was fuller. A set, disdainful smile was graven upon his face.
He began by addressing his words directly to Alaire. "Senora," he
said, "I am a man of deep feeling and I scorn deceit. Therefore I
offer no apology for my recent display of emotion. If I have
seemed to press my advances with undue fervor, it is because, at
heart, I am as great a lover as I am a statesman or a soldier. But
there are other things than love. Nature constituted me a leader,
and he who climbs high must climb alone.
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