But he was very tolerant to the weaker vessel. He patted the faded cheek of his once beautiful wife, a daughter of the old Spanish nobility. He was a kind husband, a fond father. "You do not understand these difficult matters, my dear," he replied in his loftiest tones. "The world will always be governed by brains, whether under a just or an unjust regime." He tapped his broad forehead significantly. "When it comes to brains, Ferdinand Contraras will not be found wanting." Madame shrugged her shoulders and glanced at her pretty daughter, who made a signal of assent. Certainly, Contraras, great as was his power in anarchist circles, was not held in high esteem in his own family. Towards Lucue the two women did not exhibit the same signs of aversion which they usually displayed to the other guests. The reason was obvious. He was a self-seeking, grasping fellow. He loved the flesh-pots, the good things of life. If he got into power with his chief, they would take the best for themselves and let their poor dupes feed on the husks. The difference between the two men was that Contraras was troubled with an almost ridiculous sentimentality. Lucue, big, genial, and humorous, was as callous as any human being could be. And he, moreover, had no conscience. The meal was finished. Although in a way Lucue despised his chief's ostentatious mode of living, he was very fond of good wine and food. There might come a time when, through Contraras' brains, he would be in a similar position. The two men adjourned to the private sitting-room, where the great man produced some special brandy and choice cigars. "Drink, my friend," said the host genially. "We shall think none the less wisely because we take an excellent glass of brandy and smoke an equally excellent cigar." Lucue assented, but after a brief pause he spoke a little bluntly. "You will not think I am taking a liberty, my good comrade, if I say a few words to you. We have a difficult team to drive. Many of our brotherhood, most, alas, are very poor. Exception is taken by some of them to your mode of living. They think the great Contraras should bring himself more on a level with his less fortunate brethren." Contraras frowned. By nature he was more autocratic than the most despotic monarch who even subjugated a docile people. But he recognised that Lucue's words conveyed a warning. "What would they have? My wife has said the same thing to me, and at the time I fancied it was the foolish babbling of a woman. Now I see that there was some wisdom in her remarks." "Equality is our watchword," observed Lucue with a rather subtle smile.