“The welfare of fifteen million people demands this and other sacrifices. I was not born for Isabelita, nor Isabelita for me, but the country must think the contrary. I will be tolerant, but the influence of Serrano must cease, or I will not make it up.” Benavides replied that the Ministry deplored this unhappy “influence,” which was getting burdensome to the Queen herself; but Serrano had such a fatal ascendancy everywhere, and had won over to his side the opposing elements, that any sudden step to put an end to the evil would result in deplorable consequences for the nation. “However, the Ministry has decided to get rid of this pernicious influence,” continued Benavides. “It is seeking a way to do so without a collision and its consequences; and one of the things which would help to this course of the Cabinet would be the immediate reconciliation of Your Majesties, as the preliminary to the other steps which will lead to Serrano’s overthrow.” The King refused. He said that his dignity demanded the withdrawal of the “influence.” Fresh evident proofs had been given that this hateful man was the cause of the Queen’s separation from him, and therefore he was not inclined to go back from his word about him. So Pacheco and all the other Ministers, excepting Salamanca, determined to resign if Serrano did not retire from the Court. Benavides and Pacheco were among the deputation who petitioned the favourite to agree to this step, but it was in vain. The Ministers went backwards and forwards to La Granja without gaining their purpose. Finally, in pursuance of the Pope’s advice, the Queen decided to return to Madrid; and Salamanca, as Prime Minister, went to the Escorial to report the fact to Bulwer. It must be noted that Salamanca’s name was not in the list of Ministers suggested by Narvaez. The Queen wished it to be added, but Narvaez declined to follow suit, as he knew that this statesman was supported by Bulwer, whose dislike of the King was well known; and the way he had spoken of Francisco before his wedding naturally made the King averse to seeing him. Bulwer worked with Bermejo against Isabella during the premiership of Salamanca, and the publication in _The Times_ of a demand for the royal divorce was due to him. At last Francisco and Isabella were reconciled. It was on October 13 that the King returned to the capital. He entered the gate of the palace in a carriage drawn by six horses, with a mounted escort of the Guardia Civil. He was dressed quietly in black, and Brunelli, the Pope’s Legate, was seated on his left. Narvaez, Count Alcoy, Count Vistahermosa, rode by the coach, and two carriages followed with the high dignitaries of the palace.