"As his
relations, you have no doubt had superior opportunities for
observing his condition. I understand also that you may think it
necessary to have him legally declared non compos, a proceeding
which, you are aware, might result in the incarceration of our
distinguished friend in a mad-house."
"Pardon, Senor," interrupted Dona Maria proudly, "you do not
comprehend the family. When a Sepulvida is visited of God we do
not ask the Government to confine him like a criminal. We protect
him in his own house from the consequences of his frenzy."
"From the machinations of the worldly and heretical," broke in the
priest, "and from the waste and dispersion of inherited
possessions."
"Very true," continued Colonel Parker, with unalterable good-humor;
"but I was only about to say that there might be conflicting
evidence of his condition. For instance, our friend has been here
three days. In that time he has had three interviews with three
individuals under singular circumstances." Colonel Parker then
briefly recounted the episodes of the landlord, the gambler, Miss
Jenkinson and the poetess, as they had been related to him. "Yet,"
he continued, "all but one of these individuals are willing to
swear that they not only believe Don Jose perfectly sane, but
endowed with a singularly sound judgment. In fact, the testimony
of Mr. Hamlin and Miss Jenkinson is remarkably clear on that
subject.
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