Then with admirable grace
and no little satisfaction she began to change the infant.

But at this juncture, _la brigadiera_, who had been steadily growing
jealous of the countess for some time and had solemnly, though in an
undertone, declared in the hearing of the maids that "that worthy senora
was a tiresome busybody," now declared in a rather peevish tone that the
bandage ought not to be put on as tight as the countess had put it on.

"Let me alone, Angela, let me alone! I know well enough how to do it,"
said the countess, with a certain accent of self-sufficiency, continuing
in her task.

"But if it is left that way, the little thing won't be able to breathe,
countess."

"There is no need of any one teaching me about dressing infants: I have
had six children, and, thank God, they are all alive in the world, safe
and sound."

"Well, I have never had but one daughter, but I should never have
consented for her to be swaddled in that way!"

"But I tell you that I do not need lessons from you, not in this nor in
anything else...."

The words which had passed were beginning to be very sharp, and the
angry glances which the two ladies gave each other made it apparent that
there would soon be a crisis. Those who were present at the scene grew
very grave; Maximina, startled, looked as though she were going to cry.
Then Miguel, vexed by the whole proceeding, interfered, saying, gently
but firmly:--

"Ladies, please have some consideration for this poor girl, who now
needs calm and rest."

The Countess de Losilla arose stiffly, handed the infant to a maid, and
sailed out of the room, without saying a word. Miguel followed her, but
in spite of all his entreaties, she utterly refused to return; on the
other hand, her anger grew more and more violent as she went toward the
door, and there she said "_adios_" very curtly, and went up to her room,
apparently with the intention of never coming down again.

"This mamma of mine always has to put her foot into it! What a lack of
tact she has!" he exclaimed, when he was left alone.

But all his annoyance quickly vanished from his mind, owing to the happy
and exceptional circumstances in which he found himself.

It was God's design, however, that a few drops of gall should be mingled
in the cup of his happiness. In the evening, when, wearied by the
commotion of the day, he was just preparing to go to bed, leaving
Placida to watch with his wife, he heard an importunate ring