"Why do you think about time on your birthday! When it's four, we'll be able to see the sun. Has it been a wonderful party?" "Very wonderful, Roberto." "Have you opened my gift?" "Tomorrow." "Tomorrow," he agreed, and took a sandwich from the tray on a side table. "Come, Raul, join us," he said, grasping his cousin's arm. "Aren't you hungry? We have a sandwich tray here." "I've been hungry all evening," said Raul. "Lucienne, where are the venison steaks you promised?" "You don't sound like a man who has lost a lot of money," said Roberto. "I didn't lose so much." "I'll see to it that you win next year," said Lucienne, bringing him close. "What could he win next year that he hasn't got now?" laughed Roberto. "Here, Raul, take my chair. I feel better.... I'll try a whirl at that wheel again. What's your lucky number, Lucienne?" Outside, on the ocean porch, the orchestra began a plaintive Veracruzana, with the violins carrying the melody, the horns a trifle slow, the surf coming through. Oblivious of the orchestra, General Matanzas sat at the old Chickering; his fingers fished for a sentimental song to match his intoxicated mood. He swayed on his bench, his belly sagging, his epaulettes bobbing. Smoke from some candles on the piano drifted across his gray-white head and beard. "It's really bad news about Díaz," said Raul to Lucienne. "He shouldn't resign. If he must resign, he should appoint a capable successor. The more I think about it, the less I like the situation. De Selva says we're in for bad times." "Come, come," said Lucienne. She leaned over and brushed crumbs from his trousers. "I think Díaz will die in office. He should, just to please us. And, anyhow, this is my party...." "Maybe you don't grasp the significance," he said. "A man in his eighties has a plan." "But nobody knows his plan." "We live a long way from the capital. We'll get some accurate news soon. Our president is no fool." Federicka Kolb, a friend of the Humboldts for years, paused before Lucienne and Raul, smiled and offered them cigarettes. She was an attractive heavy-set person, with a light complexion and especially intelligent mouth and eyes. "Darling," asked Lucienne, "what is the latest news about President Díaz? Is there anything we can depend on?" "General Matanzas said he has resigned and left the country," said Federicka. "The highest authority," said Lucienne, glancing at the general, who had put his head on his arms. "I'll talk to him later," said Raul. "Is there any word of a successor? Has Matanzas been in Mexico City recently?" "I was in Mexico City last week," said Federicka, her face pleasant and calm. "People say Díaz wants Mexico to become a democracy. Díaz wants the Indians to vote." The orchestra had stopped playing and Baroness Radziwill overheard Federicka's last sentence.