Chapter 2

           AFTERanotherarmedstruggle,decidedbyMontero’svictoryofRioSeco,hadbeenaddedtothetaleofcivilwars,the“honestmen,”asDonJosecalledthem,couldbreathefreelyforthefirsttimeinhalfacentury.TheFive-Year-Mandatelawbecamethebasisofthatregeneration,thepassionatedesireandhopeforwhichhadbeenliketheelixirofeverlastingyouthforDonJoseAvellanos.

           Andwhenitwassuddenly—andnotquiteunexpectedly—endangeredbythat“bruteMontero,”itwasapassionateindignationthatgavehimanewleaseoflife,asitwere.Already,atthetimeofthePresident-Dictator’svisittoSulaco,MoragahadsoundedanoteofwarningfromSta.MartaabouttheWarMinister.MonteroandhisbrothermadethesubjectofanearnesttalkbetweentheDictator-PresidentandtheNestor-inspireroftheparty.ButDonVincente,adoctorofphilosophyfromtheCordovaUniversity,seemedtohaveanexaggeratedrespectformilitaryability,whosemysteriousness—sinceitappearedtobealtogetherindependentofintellect—imposeduponhisimagination.ThevictorofRioSecowasapopularhero.HisservicesweresorecentthatthePresident-Dictatorquailedbeforetheobviouschargeofpoliticalingratitude.Greatregeneratingtransactionswerebeinginitiated—thefreshloan,anewrailwayline,avastcolonizationscheme.Anythingthatcouldunsettlethepublicopinioninthecapitalwastobeavoided.