And then--well, the recent history of Brazil would have to be re-written, since there cannot be the slightest doubt that Dom Corria De Sylva would never have occupied the Presidential chair a second time.
It would be idle now to inquire too closely into the springs of Philip's resolve to take service under a foreign flag.

Perhaps the irksome state of affairs at Las Flores, where there was no mean between loafing and soldiering, was intolerable to a spirited youngster.
Perhaps San Benavides, constantly riding in from the front, irritated him beyond endurance by his superior airs.

Or it may be that a growing belief in Iris's determination to sacrifice herself by redeeming her bond made him careless as to what happened in the near future.

The outcome of one or all of these influences was that he sought, and was readily given, a commission in the Army of Liberation.

Like all sailors, he preferred the mounted arm, and De Sylva, having the highest opinion of his thoroughness, actually appointed him to command a branch of the Intelligence Department.
Philip, trained to pin his faith in maps and charts, came to the conclusion that Las Flores could be attacked from the rear, which lay to the northwest.