n and again the cud of the same
endless theme, were accustomed to meet, but there he was still more
bored. Finally, as he was passing the cathedral, he heard the strains
of the organ and the beautiful chanting of the choir. He entered, knelt
before the high altar, remembering the warnings which his aunt had given
him about behaving with decorum in church; then visited a chapel, and
was about to enter another when an acolyte, warden, or beadle approached
him, and with the rudest manner and in the most discourteous tone said
to him:

"His lordship says that you are to get out of the church."

The engineer felt the blood rush to his face. He obeyed without a
word. Turned out everywhere, either by superior authority or by his own
tedium, he had no resource but to return to his aunt's house, where he
found waiting for him:

First, Uncle Licurgo, to announce a second lawsuit to him; second, Senor
Don Cayetano, to read him another passage from his discourse on the
"Genealogies of Orbajosa"; third, Caballuco, on some business which he
had not disclosed; fourth, Dona Perfecta and her affectionate smile, for
what will appear in the following chapter.

CHAPTER XIV

THE DISCORD CONTINUES TO INCREASE

A fresh attempt to see his cousin that evening failed, and Pepe Rey shut
himself up in his room to write several letters, his mind preoccupied
with one thought.

"To-night or to-morrow," he said to himself, "this will end one way or
another."

When he was called to supper Dona Perfecta, who was already in the
dining-room, went up to him and said, without preface:

"Dear Pepe, don't distress yourself, I will pacify Senor Don Inocencio.
I know every thing already. Maria Remedios, who has just left the house,
has told me all about it."

Dona Perfecta's countenance radiated such satisfaction as an artist,
proud of his work, might feel.

"About what?"

"Set your mind at rest. I will make an excuse for you. You took a few
glasses too much in the Casino, that was it, was it not? There you
have the result of bad company. Don Juan Tafetan, the Troyas! This is
horrible, frightful. Did you consider well?"

"I considered every thing," responded Pepe, resolved not to enter into
discussions with his aunt.

"I shall take good care not to write to your father what you have done."

"You may write whatever you please to him."

"You will exculpate yourself by denying the truth of this story, then?"

"I deny nothing."

"You co