t he gave his family for this change was, that he could not
live so far away from the office of his paper, now that he was going to
take a more active part in the editing of it.

And in truth he did not regret it; it was not long before he became
convinced of the wisdom of his decision, and congratulated himself upon
it. It happened that one day after he had been superintending the
arrangement of his new quarters, he met Maximina, and saw that her eyes
were red as though she had been weeping. His heart told him that
something had gone wrong, and he inquired with solicitude:--

"What is the matter? You have been crying!"

"No," replied the girl, with a smile. "I have just been washing my
face."

"Yes; you washed your face, but you had been crying. Tell me! tell me
quick, what was it?"

"Nothing."

"Very well, then," replied the young man, with determination; "I will
find out."

And he did; Juana told him, though with some confusion of detail, what
had taken place.

"Just listen, senorito; apparently _la senora_ told the senorita several
days ago that she did not like it for her to be so late about getting
dressed, because there might be callers. Ever since, the senorita has
got ready in good season, but to-day she somehow forgot about it, and
_la senora_ scolded her...."

"What did she say?"

"I don't know. _La senorita_ did not want to tell me ... but she cried
hard enough."

Miguel went to his room, flushed with anger.

"Maximina, get ready and pack your trunks.... We are going to leave
this house this very moment.... I cannot allow any one to make you cry."

The young woman sat looking at her husband with an expression rather of
fright than of gratitude.

"But suppose no one made me cry.... I cried without any reason for
it.... I often do so.... You can ask my aunt if that is not so...."

"Nonsense! we are going this very moment."

"Oh, Miguel! for Heaven's sake don't do so."

"Yes; let us go!"

Maximina threw herself into his arms, weeping.

"Don't do this, Miguel! don't do this! Quarrel with your mother for my
sake? I would rather die!"

The young man's anger cooled down a little, and at last he agreed to say
nothing about his vexation, though it was decided that they should go on
the following day and sleep at their new rooms.

This was done; but _la brigadiera_ was not blinded to the facts, and she
easily saw through the motives that led Miguel to hasten his departure.
It is needless t