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diff --git a/old/51145-0.txt b/old/51145-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 25ddbd0..0000000 --- a/old/51145-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10215 +0,0 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 51145 *** - -ASMODEUS; OR, The Devil on Two Sticks. - - - By ALAIN RENÉ LE SAGE. - - - WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR, By JULES JANIN. - - - [Illustration: Asmodeus and Zambullo fly over Madrid] - - - Illustrated by TONY JOHANNOT. - - [Translated by Joseph Thomas.] - - - GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LONDON: BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL. NEW YORK: - 416 BROOME STREET. - - - 1879. - - - - -TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. - - -When I first determined on the publication of a new edition of "THE -DEVIL ON TWO STICKS," I had certainly no idea of engaging in a new -translation. I had not read an English version since my boyhood, -and naturally conceived that the one which had passed current for -upwards of a century must possess sufficient merit to render anything -beyond a careful revision, before passing it again through the press, -unnecessary. However, on reading a few pages, and on comparing them -with the much-loved original, I no longer wondered, as I had so often -done, why LE DIABLE BOITEUX was so little esteemed by those who had -only known him in his English dress, while Gil Blas was as great a -favourite with the British public as any of its own heroes of story. -To account for this, I will not dwell on the want of literal fidelity -in the old version, although in some instances that is amusing enough; -but the total absence of style, and that too in the translation of a -work by one of the greatest masters of verbal melody that ever existed, -was so striking as to induce me, rashly perhaps, to endeavour more -worthily to interpret the witty and satirical ASMODEUS for the benefit -of those who have not the inestimable pleasure of comprehending him in -his _native_ tongue--for, as Jules Janin observes, he is a Devil truly -French. - -In the translation which I here present, I do not myself pretend, at -all times, to have rendered the words of the 'graceful Cupid' with -strict exactness, but I have striven to convey to my reader the ideas -which those words import. Whether I have succeeded in so doing is for -others to determine; but, if I have not, I shall at all events have the -satisfaction of failing in company,--which, I am told, however, is only -an Old Bailey sort of feeling after all. - -I have not thought it necessary to attempt the Life of the Author; -it will be enough to me, for fame, not to have murdered one of his -children. I have therefore adopted the life, character, and behaviour -of Le Sage from one of the most talented of modern French writers, -and my readers will doubtless congratulate themselves on my resolve. -Neither have I deemed it needful to enter into the controversy as to -the originality of this work, except by a note in page 162: and this -I should probably not have appended, had I, while hunting over the -early editions there referred to, observed the original dedication -of Le Sage to 'the illustrious Don Luis Velez de Guevara,' in which -are the following words: "I have already declared, and do now again -declare to the world, that to your Diabolo Cojuelo I owe the title and -plan of this work ...; and I must further own, that if the reader look -narrowly into some passages of this performance, he will find I have -adopted several of your thoughts. I wish from my soul he could find -more, and that the necessity I was under of accommodating my writings -to the genius of my own country had not prevented me from copying you -exactly." This is surely enough to exonerate Le Sage from the many -charges which have been urged against him; and I quote the concluding -sentence of the above, because it is an excuse, from his own pen, for -some little liberties which I have, in my turn, thought it necessary to -take with his work in the course of my labours. - - JOSEPH THOMAS. - - - - - - TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - - TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. - - BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF LE SAGE. - - CHAPTER I. WHAT SORT OF A DEVIL HE OF THE TWO STICKS WAS--WHEN AND BY - WHAT ACCIDENT DON CLEOPHAS LEANDRO PEREZ ZAMBULLO FIRST GAINED THE - HONOUR OF HIS ACQUAINTANCE. - - CHAPTER II. WHAT FOLLOWED THE DELIVERANCE OF ASMODEUS. - - CHAPTER III. WHERE THE DEVIL TRANSLATED THE STUDENT; AND THE FIRST - FRUITS OF HIS ECCLESIASTICAL ELEVATION. - - CHAPTER IV. STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE - CESPEDES. - - CHAPTER V. CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE - BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE CESPEDES. - - CHAPTER VI. NEW OBJECTS DISPLAYED TO DON CLEOPHAS; AND HIS REVENGE ON - DONNA THOMASA. - - CHAPTER VII. THE PRISON, AND THE PRISONERS. - - CHAPTER VIII. OF VARIOUS PERSONS EXHIBITED TO DON CLEOPHAS BY - ASMODEUS, WHO REVEALS TO THE STUDENT WHAT EACH HAS DONE IN HIS DAY. - - CHAPTER IX. THE MADHOUSE, AND ITS INMATES. - - CHAPTER X. THE SUBJECT OF WHICH IS INEXHAUSTIBLE. - - CHAPTER XI. OF THE FIRE, AND THE DOINGS OF ASMODEUS ON THE OCCASION, - OUT OF FRIENDSHIP FOR DON CLEOPHAS. - - CHAPTER XII. OF THE TOMBS, OF THEIR SHADES, AND OF DEATH. - - CHAPTER XIII. THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP. - - CHAPTER XIV. THE SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE TRAGIC POET AND THE COMIC AUTHOR. - - CHAPTER XV. CONTINUATION, AND CONCLUSION, OF THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP. - - CHAPTER XVI. THE DREAMERS. - - CHAPTER XVII. IN WHICH ORIGINALS ARE SEEN OF WHOM COPIES ARE RIFE. - - CHAPTER XVIII. RELATING TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH THE DEVIL EXHIBITED TO - THE STUDENT. - - CHAPTER XIX. THE CAPTIVES. - - CHAPTER XX. OF THE LAST HISTORY RELATED BY ASMODEUS: HOW, WHILE - CONCLUDING IT, HE WAS SUDDENLY INTERRUPTED; AND OF THE DISAGREEABLE - MANNER, FOR THE WITTY DEMON, IN WHICH HE AND DON CLEOPHAS WERE - SEPARATED. - - CHAPTER XXI. OF THE DOINGS OF DON CLEOPHAS AFTER ASMODEUS HAD LEFT - HIM; AND OF THE MODE IN WHICH THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK HAS THOUGHT FIT - TO END IT. - - - - -[Illustration: bust of Le Sage between Asmodeus and Gil Blas] - -NOTICE OF LE SAGE. - - -I shall at once place LE SAGE by the side of Molière; he is a comic -poet in all the acceptation of that great word,--COMEDY. He possesses -its noble instincts, its good-natured irony, its animated dialogue, -its clear and flowing style, its satire without bitterness, he has -studied profoundly the various states of life in the heights and -depths of the world. He is perfectly acquainted with the manners of -comedians and courtiers,--of students and pretty women. Exiled from -the Théâtre-Français, of which he would have been the honour, and -less fortunate than Molière, who had comedians under his direction, -and who was the proprietor of his own theatre, Le Sage found himself -obliged more than once to bury in his breast this Comedy, from want of -a fitting stage for its exhibition, and actors to represent it. Thus -circumstanced, the author of "Turcaret" was compelled to seek a new -form, under which he might throw into the world the wit, the grace, the -gaiety, the instruction which possessed him. In writing the biography -of such men, there is but one thing to do, and that is to praise. The -more humble and obscure have they been in their existence, the greater -is the duty of him who tells the story of their lives, to heap upon -them eulogy and honour. This is a tardy justice, if you will, but it is -a justice nevertheless; and besides, of what importance, after all, are -these vulgar events? All these biographies are alike. A little more of -poverty, a little less of misery, a youth expended in energy, a manhood -serious and filled with occupation, an old age respected, honourable; -and, at the end of all these labours, all these troubles, all these -anguishes of mind and heart, of which your great men alone have the -secret,--the Académie-Française in perspective. Then, are you possessed -of mediocre talents only? all doors are open to you;--are you a man of -genius? the door opens with difficulty;--but, are you perchance one of -those excelling spirits who appear but from century to century? it may -turn out that the Académie-Française will not have you at any price. -Thus did it with the great Molière; thus also has it done for Le Sage; -which, by-the-bye, is a great honour for the illustrious author of "Gil -Blas." - -René Le Sage was born in the Morbihan, on the 8th of May, 1668:[1] and -in that year Racine produced "Les Plaideurs," and Molière was playing -his "Avare." The father of Le Sage was a man slightly lettered,--as -much so as could be expected of an honourable provincial attorney, -one who lived from day to day like a lord, without troubling himself -too much as to the future fortunes of his only son. The father died -when the child was only fourteen years of age; and soon afterwards the -youthful René lost his mother. He was now alone, under the guardianship -of an uncle, and he was fortunate enough to be placed under the -tutelage of those learned masters of the youth of the seventeenth -century, the Jesuits who subsequently became the instructors of -Voltaire, as they have been of all France of the great age. Thanks -to this talented and paternal teaching, our young orphan quickly -penetrated into the learned and poetical mysteries of that classic -antiquity, which is yet in our days, and will be to the end of time, -the exhaustless source of taste, of style, of reason, and of good -sense. It is to praise Le Sage to say that he was educated with as -much care and assiduity as Molière and Racine, as La Fontaine and -Voltaire; they one and all prepared themselves, by severest study, and -by respect for their masters, to become masters in their turn; and they -have themselves become classic writers, because they reverenced their -classic models,--which may, in case of need, serve as an example for -the beaux-esprits of our own time. - -[1] According to Moreri, in his "Grand Dictionnaire Historique," -(folio, Paris, 1759,) and he cites as his authority M. Titon de -Tillet's second supplement to the "Parnasse Français," Le Sage was -born at Ruis in Brittany, in 1677. There is, however, every reason -to believe that M. Jules Janin is correct, both as to the year and -the place of his birth, notwithstanding that Mr. Chalmers, in his -"Biographical Dictionary," while he assigns to the former the year -1668, places the latter at Vannes, as does also the "Biographie -Universelle," which he appears to have followed. - -But, when this preliminary education was completed, and when he left -these learned mansions, all filled with Greek and Latin, all animated -with poetic fervour, Le Sage encountered those terrible obstacles that -await invariably, as he emerges from his studies, every young man -without family, and destitute of fortune. The poet Juvenal has well -expressed it, in one of his sublimest verses: "They with difficulty -rise, whose virtues are opposed by the pinching wants of home." - - "Haud facile emergunt, quorum virtutibus obstat - Res angusta domi." - -But what matters poverty when one is so young,--when our hopes are so -vast, our thoughts so powerful and rich? You have nothing, it is true; -but the world itself belongs to you,--the world is your patrimony; -you are sovereign of the universe; and around you, the twentieth year -touches every thing with its golden wand. Your clear and sparkling -eye may look in the sun's bright face as dauntless as the eagle's. It -is accomplished: all the powers of your soul are awakened, all the -passions of your heart join in one swelling choir, to chant _Hosanna in -excelsis!_ What matter then that you are poor! A verse sublime, a noble -thought, a well-turned phrase, the hand of a friend, the soft smile of -some bright-eyed damsel as she flits across your path,--there is a -fortune for a week. Those who, at the commencement of every biography, -enter into all sorts of lamentation, and deplore with pathetic voice -the mournful destiny of their hero, are not in the secret of the facile -joys of poetry, of the exquisite happiness of youth,--the simpletons! -They amuse themselves in counting, one by one, the rags that cover -yonder handsome form; and they see not, through the holes of the cloak -which envelopes it, those Herculean arms, or that athletic breast! -They look with pity on that poor young man with well-worn hat, and -beneath that covering deformed they see not those abundant, black, -and tended locks, the flowing diadem of youth! They will tell you, -with heart-rending sighs, how happy Diderot esteemed himself, when to -his crust of bread he joined the luxury of cheese, and how this poor -René le Sage drank at his repasts but pure spring water;--a lamentable -matter, truly! But Diderot, while he ate his cheese, already meditated -the shocks of his "Encyclopædia"; but this same clear fountain from -which you drink, at twenty, in the hollow of your hand, as pure, will -intoxicate more surely than will, after twenty other years, alas! the -sparkling produce of Champagne, poured out in cups of crystal. - -This is sufficient reason why we should not trouble ourselves overmuch -as to the early life of Le Sage; he was young and handsome, and as he -marched, his head upturned like a poet, he met as he went along with -those first loves which one always meets when the heart is honest -and devoted. A charming woman loved him, and he let her love him -to her heart's content; and, without concerning himself as to his -good fortune, more than would master Gil Blas have done on a similar -occasion, these first amours of our poet lasted just as long as such -sort of amours ought to last--long enough that they should leave no -subject for regret, not enough that they should evoke hatred. When, -therefore, they had loved each other as much as they could, she and -he, they separated, still to please themselves; she found a husband of -riper age and better off than her lover; he took a wife more beauteous -and less wealthy than his mistress. And blessings on the amiable and -devoted girl who consented, with a joyous heart, to encounter all the -risks, all the vexations, and also to expose herself to the seducing -pleasures of a poetic life! Thus Le Sage entered, almost without -thinking of it, into that laborious life in which one must daily -expend the rarest and most charming treasures of his mind and soul. As -a commencement, he made a translation of the Letters of Calisthenes, -without imagining that he was himself possessed of more wit than all -the Greeks of the fourth century. The work had no success, and it ought -not to have had. He who has the genius of Le Sage must create original -works, or not meddle in the craft. To translate is a trade of manual -skill--to imitate, is one of plagiary. However, the failure of this -first book rendered Le Sage less proud and haughty; and he accepted, -what he would never have done had he at once succeeded, a pension from -M. l'Abbé de Lyonne. This pension amounted to six hundred francs; -and thereupon the biographers of our author are in extacies at the -generosity of the Abbé de Lyonne. - -Six hundred francs! and when we reflect that had Le Sage lived in our -day, depending only on his Théâtre de la Foire, he would have gained -thirty thousand francs a year! In our days, a romance like "Gil Blas" -would not be worth less than five hundred thousand francs; "Le Diable -Boiteux" would have brought him a hundred thousand, at least: still, -we must not be angry with M. l'Abbé de Lyonne, for having bestowed a -pension of six hundred on the author of "Gil Blas." The abbé did more; -he opened to Le Sage an admirable treasure of wit, of imagination, -and of poetry; he taught him the Spanish tongue, that lovely and -noble instructress of the great Corneille; and it is doubtless no -slight honour for the language of Cervantes to have given birth in -our land to "The Cid" and to "Gil Blas." You may imagine with what -delight Le Sage accepted this instruction, and how perfectly at home -he found himself in those elegant and gracious manners; with what good -will he studied that smiling gallantry, that loyal jealousy; those -duennas in appearance so austere, in reality so accessible; those -lovely women, their feet ensatined, their head in the mantilla; those -charming mansions, all carved without, and within all silence; those -exciting windows, lighted by smiles above, while concerts murmur at -their feet! You may imagine if he adopted those lively and coquetish -waiting-women, those ingenious and rascally valets, those enormous -mantles so favourable to love, those ancient bowers so friendly to its -modest blisses! Thus, when he had discovered this new world of poesy, -of which he was about to be the Pizarro and the Fernando Cortes, and -of which Corneille had been the Christopher Columbus, René le Sage -clapped his hands for joy. In his noble pride, he stamped his feet on -this enchanted land; he began to read, you may fancy with what delight, -that admirable epic, "Don Quixote," which he studied for its grace, -its charms, its poetry, its passion; putting for the time aside its -satire, and the sarcasm concealed in this splendid drama, as weapons -for a later use, when he should attack the financiers. Certainly, the -Abbé de Lyonne never dreamt that he was opening to the light this -exhaustless mine for the man who was to become the first comic poet of -France--since Molière is one of those geniuses apart, of whom all the -nations of the earth, all literary ages, claim alike with equal right -the honour and the glory. - -The first fruit of this Spanish cultivation was a volume of comedies -which Le Sage published, and in which he had translated some excellent -pieces of the Spanish stage. It contained only one from Lopez de Vega, -so ingenious and so fruitful; that was certainly too few: there was -in it not one of Calderon de la Barca; and that was as certainly not -enough. In this book, which I have read with care, in search of some -of those luminous rays which betoken the presence of the man of genius -wherever he has passed, I have met with nothing but the translator. -The original writer does not yet display himself: it is because style -is a thing which comes but slowly; it is because, in this heart of -comedy more especially, there are certain secrets of trade which no -talent can replace, and which must be learned at whatever cost. These -secrets Le Sage learned, as every thing is learned, at his own expense. -From a simple translator as he was, he became an arranger of dramatic -pieces, and in 1702 (the eighteenth century had begun its course, but -with timid steps, and none could have predicted what it would become) -Le Sage brought out at the Théâtre Français a comedy in five acts, -"Le Point d'Honneur:" it was a mere imitation from the Spanish. The -imitation had small success, and Le Sage comprehended not this lesson -of the public; he understood not that something whispered to the -pit, so reserved in its applause, that there was in this translator -an original poet. To avenge himself, what did Le Sage? He fell into -a greater error still: he set to work translating--will you believe -it?--the continuation of "Don Quixote," as if "Don Quixote" could -have a continuation; as if there were a person in the world, even -Cervantes himself, who had the right to add a chapter to this famous -history! Verily, it is strange, indeed, that with his taste so pure, -his judgment so correct, Le Sage should have ever thought of this -unhappy _continuation_. This time, therefore, again his new attempt had -no success; the Parisian public, which, whatever may be said to the -contrary, is a great judge, was more just for the veritable Quixote -than Le Sage himself; and he had once more to begin anew. However, he -yet once more attempted this new road, which could lead him to nothing -good. He returned to the charge, still with a Spanish comedy, "Don -César Ursin," imitated from Calderon. This piece was played for the -first time at Versailles, and applauded to the skies by the court, -which deceived itself almost as often as the town. Le Sage now thought -that the battle at last was won. Vain hope! it was again a battle lost, -for, brought from Versailles to Paris, the comedy of "Don César Ursin" -was hissed off the stage by the Parisian pit, which thus unmercifully -annihilated the eulogies of the court, and the first victory of the -author. It was now full time to yield to the force of evidence. -Enlightened by these rude instructions, Le Sage at last comprehended -that it was not permitted to him, to him less than to all others, to be -a plagiarist; that originality was one of the grand causes of success; -and that to confine himself for ever to this servile imitation of the -Spanish poets was to become a poet lost. - -Now, therefore, behold him, determined in his turn to be an original -poet. This time he no longer copies, he invents; he arranges his fable -to his mind, and seeks no further refuge in the phantasmagoria of -Spain. With original ideas, comes to him originality of style; and he -at last lights on that wondrous and imperishable dialogue which may -be compared to the dialogue of Molière, not for its ease, perhaps, -but unquestionably for its grace and elegance. He found at the same -time, to his great joy, now that he was himself--that he walked in the -footsteps of nobody, he found that the business was much more simple; -this time he was at his ease in his plot, which he disposed as it -pleased him; he breathed freely in the space which he had opened to -himself; nothing constrained his march, any more than his poetical -caprice. Well! at last then we behold him the supreme moderator of his -work, we behold him such as the pit would have him, such as we all -hoped he was. - -This happy comedy, which is, beyond all doubt, the first work of Le -Sage, is entitled "Crispin, Rival de son Maître." When he had finished -it, Le Sage, grateful for the reception which the court had given to -"Don César Ursin," was desirous that the court should also have the -first hearing of "Crispin, Rival de son Maître." He remembered, with -great delight, that the first applauses he had received had been echoed -from Versailles! Behold him then producing his new comedy before the -court. But, alas! this time the opinion of the court had changed: -without regard for the plaudits of Versailles, the pit of the Paris -theatre had hissed "Don César Ursin"; Versailles in its turn, and as -if to take its revenge, now hissed "Crispin, Rival de son Maître." We -must allow that, for a mind less strong, here was enough to confound -a man for ever, and to make him comprehend nothing either as to the -success or the failure of his productions. Happily, Le Sage appealed -from the public of Versailles to the pit of Paris; and as much as -"Crispin, Rival de son Maître" had been hissed at Versailles, so much -was this charming comedy applauded at Paris. On this occasion, it -was not alone to give the lie to the court, that the pit applauded; -Paris had refound, in truth, in this new piece, all the qualities of -true comedy,--the wit, the grace, the easy irony, the exhaustless -pleasantry, a noble frankness, much biting satire, and a moderate -seasoning of love. - -As to those who would turn into accusation the hisses of Versailles, -they should recollect that more than one chef-d'oeuvre, hissed at -Paris, has been raised again by the suffrages of Versailles;--"Les -Plaideurs" of Racine, for instance, which the court restored to the -poet with extraordinary applause, with the bursting laughter of Louis -XIV., which come deliciously to trouble the repose of Racine, at five -o'clock in the morning. Happy times, on the contrary, when poets had, -to approve them, to try them, this double jurisdiction; when they could -appeal from the censures of the court to the praises of the town, from -the hisses of Versailles to the plaudits of Paris! - -Now we behold René le Sage, to whom nothing opposes: he has divined his -true vocation, which is comedy; he understands what may be made of the -human race, and by what light threads are suspended the human heart. -These threads of gold, of silver, or of brass, he holds them at this -moment in his hand, and you will see with what skill he weaves them. -Already in his head, which bears Gil Blas and his fortune, ferment the -most charming recitals of "Le Diable Boiteux." Silence! "Turcaret" -is about to appear,--Turcaret, whom Molière would not have forgotten -if Turcaret had lived in his day; but it was necessary to wait till -France should have escaped from the reign, so decorous, of Louis XIV., -to witness the coming, after the man of the Church, after the man of -the sword, this man without heart and without mind,--the man of money. -In a society like our own, the man of money is one of those bastard -and insolent powers which grow out of the affairs of every day, as the -mushroom grows out from the dunghill. We know not whence comes this -inert force,--we know not how it is maintained on the surface of the -world, and nothing tells how it disappears, after having thrown its -phosphorus of an instant. It is necessary, in truth, that an epoch -should be sufficiently corrupt, and sufficiently stained with infamy, -when it replaces, by money, the sword of the warrior, by money the -sentence of the judge, by money the intelligence of the legislator, by -money the sceptre of the king himself. Once that a nation has descended -so low, as to adore money on its knees--to require neither fine arts, -nor poesy, nor love, it is debased as was the Jewish people, when it -knelt before the golden calf. Happily, of all the ephemeral powers in -the world, money is the most ephemeral; we extend to it our right hand, -it is true, but we buffet it with our left; we prostrate ourselves -before it as it passes along,--yes; but when it has passed, we kick it -with our foot! This is what Le Sage marvellously comprehended, like a -great comic poet as he was. He found the absurd and frightful side of -those gilded men who divide our finances, menials enriched overnight, -who, more than once, by a perfectly natural mistake, have mounted -behind their own coaches. And such is Turcaret. The poet has loaded him -with vices the most disgraceful, with follies the most dishonouring; -he tears from this heart, debased by money, every natural affection; -and nevertheless, even in this fearful picture, Le Sage has confined -himself within the limits of comedy, and not once in this admirable -production does contempt or indignation take the place of laughter. It -was then with good cause that the whole race of financiers, as soon as -they had heard of Turcaret, caballed against this chef-d'oeuvre; the -cry resounded in all the rich saloons of Paris; it was echoed from the -usurers who lent their money to the nobles, and re-echoed by the nobles -who condescended to borrow from the usurers; it was a general hue and -cry. - -"Le Tartufe" of Molière never met with greater opposition among the -devotees than "Turcaret" experienced from financiers; and, to make -use of the expression of Beaumarchais in reference to "Figaro," it -required as much mind for Le Sage to cause his comedy to be played as -it did to write it. But on this occasion, again, the public, which -is the all-powerful manager in these matters, was more potent than -intrigue; Monseigneur le Grand Dauphin, that Prince so illustrious by -his piety and virtue, protected the comedy of Le Sage, as his ancestor, -Louis XIV., had protected that of Molière. On this, the financiers, -perceiving that all was lost as far as intrigue was concerned, had -recourse to money, which is the last reason of this description of -upstarts, as cannon is the _ultima ratio_ of kings. This time again -the attack availed not: the great poet refused a fortune that his -comedy might be played, and unquestionably he made a good bargain by -his resolve, preferable a hundred thousand times to all the fortunes -which have been made and lost in the Rue Quincampoix.[2] The success of -"Turcaret" (1709) was immense; the Parisian enjoyed with rare delight -the spectacle of these grasping money-hunters devoted to the most -cruel ridicule. What if Le Sage had deferred the production of this -masterpiece! These men would have disappeared, to make room for others -of the kind, and they would have carried with them into oblivion the -comedy they had paid for. It would have been a _chef-d'oeuvre_ lost to -us for ever; and never, that we know of, would the good men on 'Change -have dealt us a more fatal blow. - -[2] In this street, in 1716, the famous projector Law established his -bank; and the rage for speculation which followed, made it for a time -the Bourse of Paris. A hump-backed man made a large fortune by lending -himself as a desk, whereon the speculators might sign their contracts, -or the transfer of shares. The Rue Quincampoix is still a leading -street for business, but its trade is now confined to more honest -wares, such as drugs and grocery. - -Who would credit it, however? After this superb production, which -should have rendered him the master of French comedy, Le Sage was soon -compelled to abandon that ungrateful theatre which understood him not. -He renounced,--he, the author of "Turcaret,"--pure comedy, to write, as -a pastime, farces, little one-act pieces mingled with couplets, which -made the life of the Théâtre de la Foire Saint Laurent, and of the -Théâtre de la Foire Saint Germain. Unfortunate example for Le Sage to -set, in expending, without thought, all his talent, from day to day, -without pity for himself, without profit for anyone. What! the author -of "Turcaret" to fill exactly the same office as M. Scribe; to waste -his time, his style, and his genius upon that trifling comedy which a -breath can hurry away! And the French comedians were all unmoved, and -hastened not to throw themselves at the feet of Le Sage, to pray, to -supplicate him to take under his all-powerful protection that theatre -elevated by the genius and by the toils of Molière! But these senseless -comedians were unable to foresee anything. - -Nevertheless, if he had renounced the Théâtre Français, Le Sage had not -abandoned true comedy. All the comedies which thronged his brain, he -heaped them up in that grand work which is called "Gil Blas," and which -includes within itself alone the history of the human heart. What can -be said of "Gil Blas" which has not already been written? How can I -sufficiently eulogise the only book truly gay in the French language? -The man who wrote "Gil Blas" has placed himself in the first rank among -all the authors of this world; he has made himself, by the magic of -his pen, the cousin-german of Rabelais and Montaigne, the grandfather -of Voltaire, the brother of Cervantes, and the younger brother of -Molière; he takes his place, in plenitude of right, in the family of -comic poets, who have themselves been philosophers. In the same vein, -he has further composed the "Bachelier de Salamanque," which would be a -charming book if "Gil Blas" existed not, if above all, before writing -his "Gil Blas," he had not written this charming book, "LE DIABLE -BOITEUX." - -And now, _sauve qui peut!_ the Devil is let loose upon the town, a -devil truly French, who has the wit, the grace, and the vivacity of Gil -Blas. Beware! Look to yourselves, you the ridiculous and the vicious, -who have escaped the high comedy of the stage, for, by the virtue of -this all-potent wand, not alone your mansions but your very souls -shall in a twinkling change to glass. Beware! I say; for Asmodeus, -the terrible scoffer, is about to plunge his pitiless eye into those -mysterious places which you deemed so impenetrable, and to each of you -he will reveal his secret history; he will strike you without mercy -with that ivory crutch which opens all doors and all hearts; he will -proclaim aloud your follies and your vices. None shall escape from -that vigilant observer, who, astride upon his crutch, glides upon -the roofs of the best secured houses, and divines their ambitions, -their jealousies, their inquietudes, and, above all, their midnight -wakefulness. Considered with relation to its wit without bitterness, -its satire which laughs at everything, and with regard to its style, -which is admirable, "Le Diable Boiteux" is perhaps the book most -perfectly French in our language; it is perhaps the only book that -Molière would have put his name to after "Gil Blas." - -Such was this life, all filled with most delightful labour, as also -with the most serious toil; thus did this man, who was born a great -author, and who has raised to perfection the talent of writing, go -on from chef-d'oeuvre to chef-d'oeuvre without pause. The number of -his productions is not exactly known; at sixty-five years of age, he -yet wrote a volume of _mélanges_, and he died without imagining to -himself the glories which were reserved for his name. An amiable and -light-hearted philosopher, he was to the end full of wit and good -sense; an agreeable gossiper, a faithful friend, an indulgent father, -he retired to the little town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he became -without ceremony a good citizen, whom everybody shook by the hand -without any great suspicion that he was a man of genius. Of three sons -who had been born to him, two became comedians, to the great sorrow of -their noble father, who had preserved for the players, as is plainly -perceptible in "Gil Blas," a well-merited dislike. However, Le Sage -pardoned his two children, and he even frequently went to applaud the -elder, who had taken the name of Monmenil; and when Monmenil died, -before his father, Le Sage wept for him, and never from that time -(1743) entered a theatre. His third son, the brother of these two -comedians, was a good canon of Boulogne-sur-Mer; and it was to his -house that Le Sage retired with his wife and his daughter, deserving -objects of his affection, and who made all the happiness of his latest -days. - -One of the most affable gentlemen of that time, who would have been -remarkable by his talents, even though he had not been distinguished -by his nobility, M. le Comte de Tressan, governor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, -was in the habit of seeing the worthy old man during the last year of -his life; and upon that fine face, shaded with thick white hairs, he -could still discern that love and genius had been there. Le Sage rose -early, and his first steps took him to seek the sun. By degrees, as -the luminous rays fell upon him, thought returned to his forehead, -motion to his heart, gesture to his hand, and his eyes were lighted -with their wonted fire: as the sun mounted in the skies, this awakened -intelligence appeared, on its side, more brilliant and more clear; -so much so, that you beheld again before you the author of "Gil -Blas." But, alas! all this animation drooped in proportion as the sun -declined; and, when night was come, you had before your eyes but a good -old man, whose steps must be tended to his dwelling. - -Thus died he, one day in summer. The sun had shown itself in heaven's -topmost height on that bright day; and it had not quite left the earth -when Le Sage called the members of his family around to bless them. He -was little less than ninety when he died (1747). - -To give you an idea of the popularity that this man enjoyed even -during his life-time, I will finish with this anecdote: When the -"Diable Boiteux" appeared, in 1707, the success of this admirable and -ingenious satire upon human life was so great, the public esteemed -the lively epigrams it contains so delightful, that the publisher was -obliged to print two editions in one week. On the last day of this -week, two gentlemen, their swords by their sides, as was then the -custom, entered the bookseller's shop to buy the new romance. A single -copy remained to sell: one of these gentlemen would have it, the other -also claimed it; what was to be done? Why, in a moment, there were our -two infuriate readers with their swords drawn, and fighting for the -first blood, and the last "Diable Boiteux." - -But what, I pray you, had they done, were it a question then of the -"DIABLE BOITEUX" illustrated by TONY JOHANNOT? - - JULES JANIN. - - - - -[Illustration: a street in Madrid] - -ASMODEUS; OR, THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -WHAT SORT OF A DEVIL HE OF THE TWO STICKS WAS--WHEN AND BY WHAT -ACCIDENT DON CLEOPHAS LEANDRO PEREZ ZAMBULLO FIRST GAINED THE HONOUR OF -HIS ACQUAINTANCE. - - -A night in the month of October covered with its thick darkness the -famous city of Madrid. Already the inhabitants, retired to their homes, -had left the streets free for lovers who desired to sing their woes -or their delights beneath the balconies of their mistresses; already -had the tinkling of guitars aroused the care of fathers, or alarmed -the jealousy of husbands; in short, it was near midnight, when Don -Cleophas Leandro Perez Zambullo, a student of Alcala, suddenly emerged, -by the skylight, from a house into which the incautious son of the -Cytherean goddess had induced him to enter. He sought to preserve his -life and his honour, by endeavouring to escape from three or four hired -assassins, who followed him closely, for the purpose of either killing -him or compelling him to wed a lady with whom they had just surprised -him. - -[Illustration: Zambullo fleeing from the hired assassins] - -Against such fearful odds he had for some time valiantly defended -himself; and had only flown, at last, on losing his sword in the -combat. The bravos followed him for some time over the roofs of the -neighbouring houses; but, favoured by the darkness, he evaded their -pursuit; and perceiving at some distance a light, which Love or Fortune -had placed there to guide him through this perilous adventure, he -hastened towards it with all his remaining strength. After having more -than once endangered his neck, he at length reached a garret, whence -the welcome rays proceeded, and without ceremony entered by the -window; as much transported with joy as the pilot who safely steers his -vessel into port when menaced with the horrors of shipwreck. - -He looked cautiously around him; and, somewhat surprised to find nobody -in the apartment, which was rather a singular domicile, he began to -scrutinize it with much attention. A brass lamp was hanging from the -ceiling; books and papers were heaped in confusion on the table; a -globe and mariner's compass occupied one side of the room, and on the -other were ranged phials and quadrants; all which made him conclude -that he had found his way into the haunt of some astrologer, who, if he -did not live there, was in the habit of resorting to this hole to make -his observations. - -He was reflecting on the dangers he had by good fortune escaped, -and was considering whether he should remain where he was until the -morning, or what other course he should pursue, when he heard a deep -sigh very near him. He at first imagined it was a mere phantasy of his -agitated mind, an illusion of the night; so, without troubling himself -about the matter, he was in a moment again busied with his reflections. - -[Illustration: Lucifer, the mountebank's devil] - -But having distinctly heard a second sigh, he no longer doubted its -reality; and, although he saw no one in the room, he nevertheless -called out,--"Who the devil is sighing here?" "It is I, Signor -Student," immediately answered a voice, in which there was something -rather extraordinary; "I have been for the last six months enclosed -in one of these phials. In this house lodges a learned astrologer, -who is also a magician: he it is who, by the power of his art, keeps -me confined in this narrow prison." "You are then a spirit?" said Don -Cleophas, somewhat perplexed by this new adventure. "I am a demon," -replied the voice; "and you have come in the very nick of time to free -me from slavery. I languish in idleness; for of all the devils in hell, -I am the most active and indefatigable." - -[Illustration: Uriel, patron of tradesmen] - -These words somewhat alarmed Signor Zambullo; but, as he was naturally -brave, he quickly recovered himself, and said in a resolute tone: -"Signor Diabolus, tell me, I pray you, what rank you may hold among -your brethren. Are you an aristocrat, or a burgess?" "I am," replied -the voice, "a devil of importance, nay, the one of highest repute in -this, as in the other world." "Perchance," said Don Cleophas, "you -are the renowned Lucifer?" "Bah," replied the spirit; "why, he is -the mountebank's devil." "Are you Uriel then?" asked the Student. -"For shame!" hastily interrupted the voice; "no, he is the patron of -tradesmen; of tailors, butchers, bakers, and other cheats of the -middle classes." "Well, perhaps you are Beelzebub?" said Leandro. -"Are you joking?" replied the spirit; "he is the demon of duennas and -footmen." "That astonishes me," said Zambullo; "I thought Beelzebub -one of the greatest persons at your court." "He is one of the meanest -of its subjects," answered the Demon; "I see you have no very clear -notions of our hell." - -[Illustration: Leviathan, Belphegor and Ashtaroth] - -"There is no doubt then," said Don Cleophas, "that you are either -Leviathan, Belphegor, or Ashtaroth." "Ah! those three now," replied -the voice, "are devils of the first order, veritable spirits of -diplomacy. They animate the councils of princes, create factions, -excite insurrections, and light the torches of war. They are not -such peddling devils as the others you have named." "By the bye! tell -me," interrupted the Scholar, "what post is assigned to Flagel?" -"He is the soul of special pleading, and the spirit of the bar. He -composes the rules of court, invented the law of libel, and that for -the imprisonment of insolvent debtors; in short, he inspires pleaders, -possesses barristers, and besets even the judges. - -[Illustration: Flagel] - -"For myself, I have other occupations: I make absurd matches; I marry -greybeards with minors, masters with servants, girls with small -fortunes with tender lovers who have none. It is I who introduced into -this world luxury, debauchery, games of chance, and chemistry. I am -the author of the first cookery book, the inventor of festivals, of -dancing, music, plays, and of the newest fashions; in a word, I am -ASMODEUS, surnamed THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS." - -"What do I hear," cried Don Cleophas; "are you the famed Asmodeus, of -whom such honourable mention is made by Agrippa and in the Clavicula -Salamonis? Verily, you have not told me all your amusements; you have -forgotten the best of all. I am well aware that you sometimes divert -yourself by assisting unhappy lovers: by this token, last year only, a -young friend of mine obtained, by your favour, the good graces of the -wife of a Doctor in our university, at Alcala." "That is true," said -the spirit: "I reserved that for my last good quality. I am the Demon -of voluptuousness, or, to express it more delicately, Cupid, the god -of love; that being the name for which I am indebted to the poets, -who, I must confess, have painted me in very flattering colours. They -say I have golden wings, a fillet bound over my eyes; that I carry -a bow in my hand, a quiver full of arrows on my shoulders, and have -withal inexpressible beauty. Of this, however, you may soon judge for -yourself, if you will but restore me to liberty." - -"Signor Asmodeus," replied Leandro Perez, "it is, as you know, long -since I have been devoted to you: the perils I have just escaped will -prove to you how entirely. I am rejoiced to have an opportunity of -serving you; but the vessel in which you are confined is undoubtedly -enchanted, and I should vainly strive to open, or to break it: so I do -not see clearly in what manner I can deliver you from your bondage. -I am not much used to these sorts of disenchantments; and, between -ourselves, if, cunning devil as you are, you know not how to gain your -freedom, what probability is there that a poor mortal like myself can -effect it?" "Mankind has this power," answered the Demon. "The phial -which encloses me is but a mere glass bottle, easy to break. You have -only to throw it on the ground, and I shall appear before you in human -form." "In that case," said the Student, "the matter is easier of -accomplishment than I imagined. But tell me in which of the phials you -are; I see a great number of them, and all so like one another, that -there may be a devil in each, for aught I know." "It is the fourth from -the window," replied the spirit. "There is the impress of a magical -seal on its mouth; but the bottle will break, nevertheless." "Enough," -said Don Cleophas; "I am ready to do your bidding. There is, however, -one little difficulty which deters me: when I shall have rendered you -the service you require, how know I that I shall not have to pay the -magician, in my precious person, for the mischief I have done?" "No -harm shall befall you," replied the Demon: "on the contrary, I promise -to content you with the fruits of my gratitude. I will teach you all -you can desire to know; I will discover to you the shifting scenes of -this world's great stage; I will exhibit to you the follies and the -vices of mankind; in short, I will be your tutelary demon: and, more -wise than the Genius of Socrates, I undertake to render you a greater -sage than that unfortunate philosopher. In a word, I am yours, with all -my good and bad qualities; and they shall be to you equally useful." - -"Fine promises, doubtless," replied the Student; "but if report speak -truly, you devils are accused of not being religiously scrupulous -in the performance of your undertakings." "Report is not always a -liar," said Asmodeus, "and this is an instance to the contrary. The -greater part of my brethren think no more of breaking their word than -a minister of state; but for myself, not to mention the service you -are about to render me, and which I can never sufficiently repay, I am -a slave to my engagements; and I swear by all a devil holds sacred, -that I will not deceive you. Rely on my word, and the assurances I -offer: and what must be peculiarly pleasing to you, I engage, this -night, to avenge your wrongs on Donna Thomasa, the perfidious woman -who had concealed within her house the four scoundrels who surprised -you, that she might compel you to espouse her, and patch up her damaged -reputation." - -The young Zambullo was especially delighted with this last promise. To -hasten its accomplishment, he seized the phial; and, without further -thought on the event, he dashed it on the floor. It broke into a -thousand pieces, inundating the apartment with a blackish liquor: this, -evaporating by degrees, was converted into a thick vapour, which, -suddenly dissipating, revealed to the astonished sight of the Student -the figure of a man in a cloak, about two feet six inches high, and -supported by two crutches. This little monster had the legs of a goat, -a long visage, pointed chin, a dark sallow complexion, and a very flat -nose; his eyes, to all appearance very small, resembled two burning -coals; his enormous mouth was surmounted by a pair of red mustachios, -and ornamented with two lips of unequalled ugliness. - -[Illustration: Asmodeus revealed to Zambullo] - -The head of this graceful Cupid was enveloped in a sort of turban of -red crape, relieved by a plume of cock's and peacock's feathers. Round -his neck was a collar of yellow cloth, upon which were embroidered -divers patterns of necklaces and earrings. He wore a short white -satin gown, or tunic, encircled about the middle by a large band of -parchment of the same colour, covered with talismanic characters. On -the gown, also, were painted various bodices, beautifully adapted for -the display of the fair wearers' necks; scarfs of different patterns, -worked or coloured aprons, and head-dresses of the newest fashion;--all -so extravagant, that it was impossible to admire one more than another. - -[Illustration: Detail of the cloak: the Spanish lady and her admirer] - -But all this was nothing as compared with his cloak, the foundation -of which was also white satin. Its exterior presented an infinity of -figures delicately tinted in Indian ink, and yet with so much freedom -and expression that you would have wondered who the devil could have -painted it. On one side appeared a Spanish lady covered with her -mantilla, and leering at a stranger on the promenade; and on the other -a Parisian grisette, who before her mirror was studying new airs to -victimize a young abbé, at that moment opening the door. Here, the gay -Italian was singing to the guitar beneath the balcony of his mistress; -and there, the sottish German, with vest unbuttoned, stupefied with -wine, and more begrimed with snuff than a French petit-maître, was -sitting, surrounded by his companions, at a table covered with the -filthy remnants of their debauch. In one place could be perceived a -Turkish bashaw coming from the bath, attended by all the houris of his -seraglio, each watchful for the handkerchief; and in another an English -gentleman, who was gallantly presenting to his lady-love a pipe and a -glass of porter. - -[Illustration: The gamesters] - -Besides these there were gamesters, marvellously well portrayed; some, -elated with joy, filling their hats with pieces of gold and silver; -and others, who had lost all but their honour, and willing to stake on -that, now turning their sacrilegious eyes to heaven, and now gnawing -the very cards in despair. In short, there were as many curious things -to be seen on this cloak as on the admirable shield which Vulcan forged -for Achilles, at the prayer of his mother Thetis; with this difference -however,--the subjects on the buckler of the Grecian hero had no -relation to his own exploits, while those on the mantle of Asmodeus -were lively images of all that is done in this world at his suggestion. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -WHAT FOLLOWED THE DELIVERANCE OF ASMODEUS. - - -Upon perceiving that his appearance had not prepossessed the student -very greatly in his favour, the Demon said to him, smiling: "Well, -Signor Don Cleophas Leandro Perez Zambullo, you behold the charming -god of love, that sovereign master of the human heart. What think you -of my air and beauty? Confess that the poets are excellent painters." -"Frankly!" replied Don Cleophas, "I must say they have a little -flattered you. I fancy, it was not in this form that you won the love -of Psyche." "Certainly not," replied the Devil: "I borrowed the graces -of a little French marquis, to make her dote upon me. Vice must be -hidden under a pleasing veil, or it wins not even woman. I take what -shape best pleases me; and I could have discovered myself to you under -the form of the Apollo Belvi, but that as I have nothing to disguise -from you, I preferred you should see me under a figure more agreeable -to the opinion which the world generally entertains of me and my -performances." "I am not surprised," said Leandro, "to find you rather -ugly--excuse the phrase, I pray you; the transactions we are about to -have with each other demand a little frankness: your features indeed -almost exactly realise the idea I had formed of you. But tell me, how -happens it that you are on crutches?" - -"Why," replied the Demon, "many years ago, I had an unfortunate -difference with Pillardoc, the spirit of gain, and the patron of -pawnbrokers. The subject of our dispute was a stripling who came to -Paris to seek his fortune. As he was capital game, a youth of promising -talents, we contested the prize with a noble ardour. We fought in the -regions of mid-air; and Pillardoc, who excelled me in strength, cast me -on the earth after the mode in which Jupiter is related by the poets -to have tumbled Vulcan. The striking resemblance of our mishaps gained -me, from my witty comrades, the sobriquet of the Limping Devil, or the -Devil on Two Sticks, which has stuck to me from that time to this. -Nevertheless, limping as I am, I am tolerably quick in my movements; -and you shall witness for my agility. - -"But," added he, "a truce to idle talk; let us get out of this -confounded garret. My friend the magician will be here shortly; as he -is hard at work on rendering a handsome damsel, who visits him nightly, -immortal. If he should surprise us, I shall be snug in a bottle in no -time; and it may go hard but he finds one to fit you also. So let us -away! But first to throw the pieces, of that which was once my prison, -out of the window; for such 'dead men' as these _do_ tell tales." - -"What if your friend does find out that you are 'missing?'" "What!" -hastily replied the Demon; "I see you have never studied the Treatise -on Compulsions. Were I hidden at the extremity of the earth, or in the -region where dwells the fiery salamander; though I sought the murkiest -cavern of the gnomes, or plunged in the most unfathomable depths of the -ocean, I should vainly strive to evade the terrors of his wrath. Hell -itself would tremble at the potency of his spells. In vain should I -struggle: despite myself should I be dragged before my master, to feel -the weight of his dreaded chains." - -[Illustration: Asmodeus carried off] - -"That being the case," said the Student, "I fear that our intimacy will -not be of long duration: this redoubtable necromancer will doubtless -soon discover your flight." "That is more than I know," replied the -Spirit; "there is no foreseeing what may happen." "What!" cried Leandro -Perez; "a demon, and ignorant of the future!" "Exactly so," answered -the Devil; "and they are only our dupes who think otherwise. However, -there are enough of them to find good employment for diviners and -fortune-tellers, especially among your women of quality; for those are -always most eager about the future who have best reason to be contented -with the present, which and the past are all we know or care for. I am -ignorant, therefore, whether my master will soon discover my absence; -but let us hope he will not: there are plenty of phials similar to -the one in which I was enclosed, and he may never miss that. Besides, -in his laboratory, I am something like a law-book in the library of a -financier. He never thinks of me; or if he does, he would think he did -me too great an honour if he condescended to notice me. He is the most -haughty enchanter of my acquaintance: long as he has deprived me of my -liberty, we have never exchanged a syllable." - -"That is extraordinary!" said Don Cleophas; "what have you done -to deserve so much hatred or scorn?" "I crossed him in one of his -projects," replied Asmodeus. "There was a chair vacant in a certain -Academy, which he had designed for a friend of his, a professor of -necromancy; but which I had destined for a particular friend of my own. -The magician set to work with one of the most potent talismans of the -Cabala; but I knew better than that: I had placed my man in the service -of the prime minister; whose word is worth a dozen talismans, with the -Academicians, any day." - -While the Demon was thus conversing, he was busily engaged in -collecting every fragment of the broken phial; which having thrown out -of the window, "Signor Zambullo," said he, "let us begone! Hold fast by -the end of my mantle, and fear nothing." However perilous this appeared -to Leandro Perez, he preferred the possible danger to the certainty of -the magician's resentment; and, accordingly, he fastened himself as -well as he could to the Demon, who in an instant whisked him out of the -apartment. - -[Illustration: Asmodeus and Zambullo flying over Madrid] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -WHERE THE DEVIL TRANSLATED THE STUDENT; AND THE FIRST FRUITS OF HIS -ECCLESIASTICAL ELEVATION. - - -Cleophas found that Asmodeus had not vainly boasted of his agility. -They darted through the air like an arrow from the bow, and were -soon perched on the tower of San Salvador. "Well, Signor Leandro," -said the Demon as they alighted; "what think you now of the justice -of those who, as they slowly rumble in some antiquated vehicle, talk -of a devilish bad carriage?" "I must, hereafter, think them most -unreasonable," politely replied Zambullo. "I dare affirm that his -majesty of Castile has never travelled so easily; and then for speed, -at your rate, one might travel round the world nor care to stretch a -leg." - -"You are really too polite," replied the Devil; "but can you guess now -why I have brought you here? I intend to show you all that is passing -in Madrid; and as this part of the town is as good to begin with as -any, you will allow that I could not have chosen a more appropriate -situation. I am about, by my supernatural powers, to take away the -roofs from the houses of this great city; and notwithstanding the -darkness of the night, to reveal to your eyes whatever is doing within -them." As he spake, he extended his right arm, the roofs disappeared, -and the Student's astonished sight penetrated the interior of the -surrounding dwellings as plainly as if the noon-day sun shone over -them. "It was," says Luis Velez de Guevara, "like looking into a pasty -from which a set of greedy monks had just removed the crust." - -[Illustration: the miser counting his gold and silver] - -The spectacle was, as you may suppose, sufficiently wonderful to rivet -all the Student's attention. He looked amazedly around him, and on -all sides were objects which most intensely excited his curiosity. At -length the Devil said to him: "Signor Don Cleophas, this confusion of -objects, which you regard with an evident pleasure, is certainly very -agreeable to look upon; but I must render useful to you what would -be otherwise but a frivolous amusement. To unlock for you the secret -chambers of the human heart, I will explain in what all these persons -that you see are engaged. All shall be open to you; I will discover -the hidden motives of their deeds, and reveal to you their unbidden -thoughts. - -[Illustration: the miser's nephews consulting the sorceress] - -"Where shall we begin? See! do you observe this house to my right? -Observe that old man, who is counting gold and silver into heaps. He is -a miserly citizen. His carriage, which he bought for next to nothing at -the sale of an alcade of the Cortes, and which to save expense still -sports the arms of its late owner, is drawn by a pair of worthless -mules, which he feeds according to the law of the Twelve Tables, that -is to say, he gives each, daily, one pound of barley: he treats them -as the Romans treated their slaves--wisely, but not too well. It is -now two years since he returned from the Indies, bringing with him -innumerable bars of gold, which he has since converted into coin. Look -at the old fool! with what satisfaction he gloats over his riches. And -now, see what is passing in an adjoining chamber of the same house. Do -you observe two young men with an old woman?" "Yes," replied Cleophas, -"they are probably his children." "No, no!" said the Devil, "they are -his nephews, and, what is better in their opinion, his heirs. In their -anxiety for his welfare, they have invited a sorceress to ascertain -when death will take from them their dear uncle, and leave to them the -division of his spoil. In the next house there are a pair of pictures -worth remarking. One is an antiquated coquette who is retiring to rest, -after depositing on her toilet, her hair, her eyebrows and her teeth; -the other is a gallant sexagenarian, who has just returned from a love -campaign. He has already closed one eye, in its case, and placed his -whiskers and peruke on the dressing table. His valet is now easing him -of an arm and one leg, to put him to bed with the rest." - -[Illustration: the valet removing the sexagenarian's wooden leg] - -"If I may trust my eyes," cried Zambullo, "I see in the next room a -tall young damsel, quite a model for an artist. What a lovely form and -air!" "I see," said the Devil. "Well! that young beauty is an elder -sister of the gallant I have just described, and is a worthy pendant -to the coquette who is under the same roof. Her figure, that you so -much admire, is really good; but then she is indebted for it to an -ingenious mechanist, whom I patronise. Her bust and hips are formed -after my own patent; and it is only last Sunday that she generously -dropped her bustle at the door of this very church, on the occasion of -a charity sermon. Nevertheless, as she affects the juvenile, she has -two cavaliers who ardently dispute her favour;--nay, they have even -come to blows on the occasion. Madmen! two dogs fighting for a bone. - -[Illustration: the old lady being unlaced by her maid] - -"Prithee, laugh with me at an amateur concert which is performing in -a neighbouring mansion; an after-supper offering to Apollo. They are -singing cantatas. An old counsellor has composed the air; and the -words are by an alguazil, who does the amiable after that fashion -among his friends--an ass who writes verses for his own pleasure, and -for the punishment of others. A harpsichord and clarionet form the -accompaniment; a lanky chorister, who squeaks marvellously, takes -the treble, and a young girl with a hoarse voice the bass." "What a -delightful party!" cried Don Cleophas. "Had they tried expressly to get -up a musical extravaganza, they could not have succeeded better." - -[Illustration: the amateur concert] - -"Cast your eyes on that superb mansion," continued the Demon; "and -you will perceive a nobleman lying in a splendid apartment. He has, -near his couch, a casket filled with billets-doux; in which he is -luxuriating, that the sweet nothings they contain may lull his senses -gently to repose. They ought to be dear to him, for they are from -a signora he adores; and who so well appreciates the value of her -favours, that she will soon reduce him to the necessity of soliciting -the exile of a viceroyalty, for his own support. Let us leave him to -his slumbers, to watch the stir they are making in the next house -to the left. Can you distinguish a lady in a bed with red damask -furniture? Her name is Donna Fabula. She is of high rank, and is about -to present an heir to her spouse, the aged Don Torribio, whom you -see by her side, endeavouring to soothe the pangs of his lady until -the arrival of the midwife. Is it not delightful to witness so much -tenderness? The cries of his dear better-half pierce him to the soul: -he is overwhelmed with grief; he suffers as much as his wife. With -what care,--with what earnestness does he bend over her!" "Really," -said Leandro, "the man does appear deeply affected; but I perceive, in -the room above, a youngster apparently a domestic, who sleeps soundly -enough: he troubles himself not for the event." "And yet it ought to -interest him," replied Asmodeus; "for the sleeper is the first cause of -his mistress's sufferings. - -[Illustration: Don Torribio soothing Donna Fabula] - -"But see,--a little beyond," continued the Demon: "in that low room, -you may observe an old wretch who is anointing himself with lard. He -is about to join an assembly of wizards, which takes place to-night -between San Sebastian and Fontarabia. I would carry you thither in a -moment, as it would amuse you; but that I fear I might be recognised by -the devil who personates the goat." - -"That devil and you then," said the Scholar, "are not good friends?" -"No, indeed! you are right," replied Asmodeus, "he is that same -Pillardoc of whom I told you. The scoundrel would betray me, and soon -inform the magician of my flight." "You have perhaps had some other -squabble with this gentleman?" "Precisely so," said the Demon: "some -ten years ago we had a second difference about a young Parisian who was -thinking of commencing life. He wanted to make him a banker's clerk; -and I, a lady-killer. Our comrades settled the dispute by making him -a wretched monk. This done, they reconciled us: we embraced; and from -that time have been mortal foes." - -"But, have done with this belle assemblée," said Don Cleophas; "I am -not at all curious to witness it: let us continue our scrutiny into -what is before us. What is the meaning of those sparks of fire which -issue from yonder cellar?" "They proceed from one of the most absurd -occupations of mankind," replied the Devil. "The grave personage -whom you behold near the furnace is an alchymist; and the flames -are gradually consuming his rich patrimony, never to yield him what -he seeks in return. Between ourselves, the philosopher's stone is a -chimera that I myself invented to amuse the wit of man, who ever seeks -to pass those bounds which the laws of nature have prescribed for his -intelligence. - -"The alchymist's neighbour is an honest apothecary, who you perceive -is still at his labours, with his aged wife and assistant. You would -never guess what they are about. The apothecary is compounding a -progenerative pill for an old advocate who is to be married to-morrow; -the assistant is mixing a laxative potion; and the old lady is pounding -astringent drugs in a mortar." - -[Illustration: the apothecary, his wife, and his assistant] - -"I perceive, in the house facing the apothecary's," said Zambullo, "a -man who has just jumped out of bed, and is hastily dressing." "Pshaw!" -replied the Spirit, "he need not hurry himself. He is a physician; and -has been sent for by a prelate who since he has retired to rest--about -an hour--has absolutely coughed two or three times. - -"But look a little further, in a garret on the right, and try if you -cannot distinguish a man half dressed, who is walking up and down the -room, dimly lighted by a single lamp." "I see," said the Student; "and -so clearly that I would undertake to furnish you with an inventory of -his chattels,--to wit, a truckle-bed, a three-legged stool, and a deal -table; the walls seem to be daubed all over with black paint." "That -exalted personage," said Asmodeus, "is a poet; and what appears to -you black paint, are tragic verses with which he has ornamented his -apartment, being obliged, for want of paper, to commit his effusions to -the wall." "By his agitation and phrenzied air, I conclude he is now -busily engaged on some work of importance," said Don Cleophas. "You are -not far out," replied the Devil: "he only yesterday completed the last -act of an interesting tragedy, intitled The Universal Deluge. He cannot -be reproached with having violated the unity of place, at all events, -as the entire action is limited to Noah's ark. - -[Illustration: The poet, composing his dedication] - -"I can assure you it is a first-rate drama: all the animals talk as -learnedly as professors. It of course must have a dedication, upon -which he has been labouring for the last six hours; and he is, at -this moment, turning the last period. It will be indeed a masterpiece -of adulatory composition: every social and political virtue; every -grace that can adorn; all that tends to render man illustrious, either -by his own deeds or those of his ancestors, are attributed to its -object;--never was praise more lavishly bestowed, never was incense -burnt more liberally." "For whom, then, of all the world, is so -magnificent an apotheosis intended?" "Why," replied the Demon, "the -poet himself has not yet determined that; he has put in every thing but -the name. However, he hopes to find some vain noble who may be more -liberal than those to whom he has dedicated his former productions; -although the purchasers of imaginary virtues are becoming every -day more rare. It is not my fault that it is so; for it is a fault -corrected in the wealthy patrons of literature, and a great benefit -rendered to the public, who were certain to be deluged by trash from -the Swiss of the press, so long as books were written merely for the -produce of their dedications. - -"Apropos of this subject," added the Demon, "I will relate to you a -curious anecdote. It is not long since an illustrious lady accepted -the honour of a dedication from a celebrated novelist, who, by the -bye, writes so much in praise of other women, that he thinks himself -at liberty to abuse the one peculiarly his own. The lady in question -was anxious to see the address before it was printed; and not finding -herself described to her taste, she wisely undertook the task, and -gave herself all those inconvenient virtues, which the world so much -admires. She then sent it to the author, who of course had weighty -reasons for adopting it." - -"Hollo!" cried Leandro, "surely those are robbers who are entering -that house by the balcony." "Precisely so," said Asmodeus; "they are -brigands, and the house is a banker's. Watch them! you will be amused. -See! they have opened the safe, and are ferreting everywhere; but the -banker has been before them. He set out yesterday for Holland, and has -taken with him the contents of his coffers for fear of accidents. -They may make a merit of their visit, by informing his unfortunate -depositors of their loss." - -[Illustration: The brigands opening the banker's safe] - -"There is another thief," said Zambullo, "mounting by a silken ladder -into a neighbouring dwelling." "You are mistaken there," replied the -Devil; "at all events it is not gold he seeks. He is a marquis, who -would rob a young maiden of the name, of which, however, she is not -unwilling to part. Never was 'stand and deliver' more graciously -received: he of course has sworn he will marry her, and she of course -believes him; for a marquis's 'promises' have unlimited credit upon -Love's Exchange." - -[Illustration: the registrar and Griffael] - -"I am curious to learn," interrupted the Student, "what that man in a -night-cap and dressing-gown is about. He is writing very studiously, -and near him is a little black figure, who occasionally guides his -hand." "He is a registrar of the civil courts," replied the Demon; "and -to oblige a guardian, is, for a consideration, altering a decree made -in favour of the ward: the gentleman in black, who seems enjoying the -sport, is Griffael the registrars' devil." "Griffael, then," said Don -Cleophas, "is a sort of deputy to Flagel; for, as he is the spirit of -the bar, the registrars are doubtless included in his department." "Not -so," replied Asmodeus; "the registrars have been thought deserving of -their peculiar demon, and I assure you they find him quite enough to -do." - -[Illustration: the widow, her lover, and her uncle] - -"Near the registrar's house, you will perceive a young lady on the -first floor. She is a widow; and the man, whom you see in the same -room, is her uncle, who lodges in an apartment over hers. Admire the -bashfulness of the dame! She is ashamed to put on her chemise before -her aged relative; so, modestly seeks the assistance of her lover, who -is hidden in her dressing-room. - -[Illustration: Donoso receives the pages in his apartment] - -"In the same house with the registrar lives a stout graduate, who has -been lame from his birth, but who has not his equal in the world for -pleasantry. Volumnius, so highly spoken of by Cicero for his delicate -yet pungent wit, was a fool to him. He is known throughout Madrid as -'the bachelor Donoso,' or 'the facetious graduate;' and his company -is sought by old and young, at the court and in the town: in short, -wherever there is, or should be, conviviality, he is so much the rage, -that he has discharged his cook, as he never dines at home; to which -he seldom returns until long after midnight. He is at present with -the marquis of Alcazinas, who is indebted for this visit to chance -only." "How, to chance?" interrupted Leandro. "Why," replied the -Demon, "this morning, about noon, the graduate's door was besieged by -at least half-a-dozen carriages, each sent for the especial honour of -securing his society. The bachelor received the assembled pages in his -apartment, and, displaying a pack of cards, thus addressed them:--'My -friends, as it is impossible for me to dine in six places at one time, -and as it would not appear polite to show an undue preference, these -cards shall decide the matter. Draw! I will dine with the king of -clubs.'" - -[Illustration: The cavalier serenades his inamorata] - -"What object," said Don Cleophas, "has yonder cavalier, who is sitting -at a door on the other side of the street? Is he waiting for some -pretty waiting-woman to usher him to his lady's chamber?" "No, no," -answered Asmodeus; "he is a young Castilian, whose modesty exceeds his -love; so, after the fashion of the gallants of antiquity, he has come -to pass the night at his mistress's portal. Listen to the twang of that -wretched guitar, with which he accompanies his tender strains! On the -second floor you may behold his inamorata: she is weeping as she hears -him;--but it is for the absence of his rival. - -"You observe that new building, which is divided into two wings. One -is occupied by the proprietor, the old gentleman whom you see now -pacing the apartment, now throwing himself into an easy chair." "He is -evidently immersed in some grand project," said Zambullo: "who is he? -If one may judge by the splendour which is displayed in his mansion, -he is a grandee of the first order." "Nevertheless," said Asmodeus, -"he is but an ancient clerk of the treasury, who has grown old in -such lucrative employment as to enable him to amass four millions of -reals. As he has some compunctions of conscience for the means by -which all this wealth has been acquired, and as he expects shortly to -be called upon to render his account in another world, where bribery -is impracticable, he is about to compound for his sins in this, by -building a monastery; which done, he flatters himself that peace will -revisit his heart. He has already obtained the necessary permission; -but, as he has resolved that the establishment shall consist of monks -who are extremely chaste, sober, and of the most Christian humility, -he is much embarrassed in the selection. He need not build a very -extensive convent. - -"The other wing is inhabited by a fair lady, who has just retired to -rest after the luxury of a milk bath. This voluptuary is widow of a -knight of the order of Saint James, who left her at his death her -title only; but fortunately her charms have secured for her valuable -friends in the persons of two members of the council of Castile, who -generously divide her favours and the expenses of her household." - -"Hark!" cried the Student; "surely I hear the cries of distress. What -dreadful misfortune has occurred?" "A very common one," said the -Demon: "two young cavaliers have been gambling in a hell (the name is -a scandal on the infernal regions), which you perceive so brilliantly -illuminated. They quarrelled upon an interesting point of the game, -and I naturally drew their swords to settle it: unluckily, they were -equally skilful with their weapons, and are both mortally wounded. The -elder is married, which is unfortunate; and the younger an only son. -The wife and father have just come in time to receive their last sighs; -and it is their lamentations that you hear. 'Unhappy boy,' cries the -fond parent over the still breathing body of his son, 'how often have I -conjured thee to renounce this dreadful vice!--how often have I warned -thee it would one day cost thee thy life. Heaven is my witness, that -the fault is none of mine!' Men," added the Demon, "are always selfish, -even in their griefs. Meanwhile the wife is in despair. Although her -husband has dissipated the fortune she brought him on their marriage; -although he has sold, to maintain his shameful excesses, her jewels, -and even her clothes, not a word of reproach escapes her lips. She is -inconsolable for her loss. Her grief is vented in frantic exclamations, -mixed with curses on the cards, and the devil who invented them; on the -place in which her husband fell, and on the people who surround her, -and to whom she fondly attributes his ruin." - -[Illustration: the expiring duellists] - -"How much to be lamented," interrupted the Student, "is the love of -gaming which possesses so large a portion of mankind; in what an awful -state of excitement does it plunge its victims. Heaven be praised! I -am not included in their legion." "You are in high feather," replied -the Demon, "in another, whose exploits are not much more ennobling, and -scarcely less dangerous. Is the conquest of a courtezan a glory worth -achievement? Is the possession of charms common to a whole city worth -the peril of a life? Man is an amusing animal! The vision of a mole -would enable him to discover the vices of his fellows, while that of -the vulture could scarce detect a folly of his own. But let us turn to -another affecting spectacle. You can discern, in the house just beyond -the one we have been contemplating, a fat old man extended on a bed: he -is a canon, who is now in a fit of apoplexy. The two persons, whom you -see in his room, are said to be his nephew and niece: they are too much -affected by his situation to be able to assist him; so, are securing -his valuable effects. By the time this is accomplished, he will be -dead; and they will be sufficiently recovered, and at leisure, to weep -over his remains. - -[Illustration: the canon's nephew and niece steal his possessions] - -"Close by, you may perceive the funeral of two brothers; who, seized -with the same disorder, took equally successful but different means of -ensuring its fatality. One of them had the most utter confidence in -his apothecary; the other eschewed the aid of medicine: the first died -because he took all the trash his doctor sent him; the last because he -would take nothing." "Well! that is very perplexing," said Leandro; -"what is a poor sick devil to do?" "Why," replied Asmodeus, "that is -more than the one who has the honour of addressing you can determine. -I know, for certain, that there are remedies for most ills; but I am -not so sure that there are good physicians to administer them when -necessary." - -"And now I have something more amusing to unriddle. Do you not hear a -frightful din in the next street? A widow of sixty was married this -morning to an Adonis of seventeen; and all the merry fellows of that -part of the town have assembled to celebrate the wedding by a concert -of pots and pans, marrow-bones and cleavers." "You told me," said the -Student, "that these matches were under your control: at all events, -you had no hand in this." "No, truly," answered the Demon, "not I. Had -I been free, I should not have meddled with them. The widow had her -scruples; and has married for no better reason than that she may enjoy, -without remorse, the pleasures she so dearly loves. These are not the -unions I care to form; I prefer troubling people's consciences to -setting them at rest." - -"Notwithstanding this charming serenade," said Zambullo, "it seems to -me that it is not the only concert performing in the neighbourhood." -"No," said the cripple; "in a tavern in the same street, a lusty -Flemish captain, a chorister of the French opera, and an officer of the -German guard are singing a trio. They have been drinking since eight -in the morning; and each deems it a duty to his country, to see the -others under the table." - -[Illustration: the three drinkers] - -"Look for a moment on the house which stands by itself, nearly opposite -to that of the apoplectic canon: you will see three very pretty but -very notorious courtezans enjoying themselves with as many young -courtiers." "They are, indeed, lovely!" exclaimed Don Cleophas. "I -am not surprised that they should be notorious: happy are the lovers -who possess them! They seem, however, very partial to their present -companions: I envy them their good fortune." "Why, you are very green!" -replied the Demon: "their faces are not disguised with greater skill -than are their hearts. However prodigal of their caresses, they have -not the slightest tenderness for their foolish swains; their affection -is bounded to the purses of their lovers. One of them has just secured -the promise of a liberal establishment; and the others are prepared -with settlements which they are in expectation of securing ere they -part. It is the same with them all. Men vainly ruin themselves for the -sex: gold buys not love. The well-paid mistress soon treats her lover -as a husband: that is a rule which I found necessary to establish in my -code of intrigue. But we will leave these fools to taste the pleasures -they so dearly purchase; while their valets, who are waiting in the -street, console themselves with the pleasing anticipation of enjoying -them gratis." - -"Tell me," interrupted Leandro Perez, "what is passing in that splendid -mansion on the left. The house is filled with well-dressed cavaliers -and ladies; and all seems dancing and conviviality. It is indeed a -joyous festival." "It is another wedding," said Asmodeus; "and happy -as they now are, it is not three days since that house witnessed the -deepest affliction. It is a story worth hearing: it is rather long, -certainly; but it will repay your patience." The Devil then began as -follows. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE CESPEDES. - - -Leonora de Cespedes was passionately beloved by the young Count de -Belflor, one of the most distinguished nobles of the court. He had, -however, no thoughts of suing for her hand; the daughter of a private -gentleman might command his love, but had no pretensions in his eyes to -rank above his mistress; and such was the honour he designed for her. - -Accordingly, he followed her everywhere; and lost no opportunity of -testifying by his glances the extent of his affection for her person; -but he was unable to converse with her, or even to communicate by -letter, so incessantly and vigilantly was she guarded by an austere -duenna, the lady Marcella. He was almost in despair; yet, incited by -the obstacles which were thus opposed to his desires, he was constantly -occupied in devising means for their attainment, and for deceiving the -Argus who so carefully watched his Io. - -In the meanwhile, Leonora had perceived the attention with which the -Count regarded her; and flattered by that first homage, so delightful -to the unworn heart, she soon yielded to the soft persuasion of his -eyes, and insensibly formed for him a passion as violent as his own. -The flames of love are seldom kindled at the altar but they burn the -temple. I did not, however, fan those thus lighted in her bosom, for -the magician had put a stopper on my operations; but Nature, and -woman's nature especially, is generally potent enough in such cases, -without my assistance. Indeed, I doubt if she does not manage these -matters best by herself; the only difference in our modes of procedure -being, that Nature saps the heart by slow degrees, while I love to -carry it by storm. - -Affairs were in this posture, when Leonora, and her eternal governante, -going one morning to church, were accosted by an old woman, carrying -in her hand one of the largest chaplets ever framed by hypocrisy. -"Heaven bless you!" said she, addressing herself, with a saintly -smile, to the duenna, "the peace of God be with you! Have I not the -honour of speaking to the lady Marcella, the chaste widow of the -lamented Signor Martin Rosetta?" "You have," replied the governante. -"How fortunate!" exclaimed the old hypocrite; "I have a relation, at -this moment lying at my house, who would see you ere he dies. He was -intimately acquainted with your dear husband, and has matters of the -utmost importance to communicate to you. It is only three days since -he arrived in Madrid, from Flanders, for the express purpose of seeing -you; but scarcely had he entered my house when he was stretched on a -bed of sickness, and he has now, I fear, but a few hours to live. Let -us hasten, while there is yet time, to soothe the pangs of his passing -spirit: a few steps will bring us to his side." - -[Illustration: Leonora, Marcella and the old woman] - -The wary duenna, who had seen enough of the world to be suspicious of -the best even of her own sex, still, however, hesitated to follow: -which the old lady perceiving, "My dear lady Marcella," said she, -"surely you do not doubt me. You must have heard of La Chichona. Why! -the licentiate Marcos de Figuerna and the bachelor Mira de Mesqua -would answer for me as for their grandmothers. If I desire that you -accompany me to my house, it is for your good only. Heaven forbid -that I should touch the smallest portion of that which is your due, -and which my poor relation is so anxious to repay to the wife of his -friend!" At the word "repay," the lady Marcella hesitated no longer: -"Let us go, my child," said she to Leonora; "we will see this good -woman's relation;--to visit the sick is among the first of our duties." -"Verily," said the Demon, "charity does cover a multitude of sins!" - -[Illustration: at the house of La Chichona] - -They soon arrived at the house of La Chichona, who introduced them to -a mean apartment, where they found a man in bed: he had a long beard, -and if he were not really desperately ill, he at least appeared to -be so. "See, cousin!" said the old woman, presenting the governante; -"behold the person whom you sought so anxiously; this is the lady -Marcella, the respected widow of your friend Rosetta." At these words, -the old man raised himself on his pillow with apparent difficulty; -and, making signs for the duenna to approach him, said with a feeble -voice,--"Heaven be praised, for its mercy in permitting me to live till -now!--to see you, my dear lady, was all that I desired upon earth. -Indeed, I feared to die, without the satisfaction of seeing you, and of -rendering into your hands the hundred ducats which your late husband, -my dearest friend, so kindly lent me in my dire necessity, at Bruges, -when but for that assistance my honour had been for ever lost:--but you -must have often heard of me and my adventures." - -"Alas! no," replied Marcella, "he never mentioned it to me. God rest -his soul! he was ever so generous as to forget the services he rendered -to his friends; and so far from boasting of such kindnesses as these, -I can declare that I even never heard of his doing a good action in -his life." "His was indeed a noble mind," replied the sick man, "as -I have perhaps better reason to know than most persons; and to prove -this to you I must relate the history of the unfortunate affair from -which his liberality so happily released me. But as I shall have to -speak of things which should be disclosed to no other ears than thine, -honourable as they are to the memory of my deceased friend, it were -better that we should be alone." - -"Oh, certainly!" cried Chichona, "though it would delight me to hear -of the good Rosetta, whom you are always praising, we will retire to -my closet;" saying which, she led Leonora into the next apartment. No -sooner had she done so, and closed the door, than without ceremony the -old woman thus addressed her companion:--"Charming Leonora, our moments -are too precious to be wasted. You know the young Count de Belflor, at -least by sight. Need I say how long he has loved you, and how ardently -he desires to tell you so? Driven to despair by the vigilance and -austerity of Marcella, he has had recourse to my assistance to procure -him an interview; and I, who could refuse nothing to so handsome a -cavalier, have dressed up his valet as the sick man you have just seen, -that I might engage your governante's attention and bring you hither." - -As she finished speaking, the Count, who was concealed by the drapery -of a little window, discovered himself, and, falling at the feet of -Leonora: "Madam," said he, "pardon the stratagem of a lover, who could -no longer conceal from you the passion that is destroying the life to -which it alone gives value:--but for this good woman's kindness, I had -perished in despair." These words, uttered with respectful earnestness, -by a man whose appearance was far from displeasing, affected, while -they perplexed Leonora, and she remained for some time speechless. -But at length recovering herself, she looked, or endeavoured to look, -haughtily on her prostrate lover, and replied: "Truly you are deeply -indebted to your obliging confidante for this attention, but I am not -so sure that I have equal reason to be thankful, or that you will gain -by her kindness the object you desire." - -In saying these words, she moved towards the door; but the Count, -gently detaining her, exclaimed: "Stay, adorable Leonora! deign to -listen to me but for an instant. Be not alarmed! my affection for you -is pure as your own thoughts. I feel that the artifice to which I have -descended must revolt you; but consider how vainly I have striven by -more honourable means to address you. You cannot be ignorant that for -many months, at the church, in the public walk, at the theatre, I have -vainly sought to confirm with my lips that passion which my eyes could -not disguise. Alas! while I implore pardon for a crime to which the -cruelty of the merciless duenna has compelled me, let me also entreat -your pity for the torments I have endured; and judge, by the charms -which your happy mirror discloses, of the extent of his wretchedness -who is banished from their sight." - -[Illustration: Belflor woos Leonora] - -Belflor did not fail to accompany these words with all the arts of -persuasion commonly practised with so much success by my devotees: -tender looks, heart-broken sighs, and even a few tears were not -wanting; and Leonora was of course affected. Despite herself, she began -to feel those little flutterings of the heart, which are the usual -preludes of capitulation with woman; but far from yielding without a -struggle to her tenderness, or pity, or weakness, the more sensible -she became of treason in the garrison, the more hastily she resolved -to vacate the place. "Count," she exclaimed, "it is in vain you tell -me this. I will listen no longer. Do not attempt to detain me: let me -leave a house in which my honour is exposed to suspicion; or my cries -shall alarm the neighbourhood, and expose your audacity which has dared -to insult me." This she uttered with so resolute an air that Chichona, -who was on very punctilious terms with the police, prayed the Count -not to push matters to extremity. Finding his entreaties useless, he -released Leonora, who hastened from the apartment, and, what never -happened to any maiden before, left it as she had entered it. - -"Let us quit this dangerous house," said Leonora, on rejoining her -governante: "finish this idle talk,--we are deceived." "What ails you, -child?" cried Marcella in reply; "and why should we leave this poor man -so hastily?" "I will tell you," said Leonora; "but let us fly: every -instant I remain here but adds to my affliction." However desirous -was the duenna to learn the cause of her ward's anxiety, she saw that -the best way to be satisfied was to yield to her entreaties; and they -quitted the apartment with a celerity which quite discomposed the -stately governante, leaving Chichona, the Count, and his valet as much -disconcerted as a company of comedians, when the curtain falls on a -wretched farce, which the presiding deities of the pit have consigned -to a lower deep. - -When Leonora found herself safely in the street, she related, as well -as her extreme agitation, and Marcella's exclamations of astonishment, -would permit, all that had passed in the chamber with the Count and -Chichona. "I must confess, child," said the duenna, when they had -reached home, "that I am exceedingly mortified to hear what you have -just been telling me. To think that I have been the dupe of that wicked -woman! You will allow, however, that I was not without my doubts. Why -did I yield them? I should have been suspicious of so much kindness -and honesty. I have committed a folly which is absolutely inexcusable -in a person of my sagacity and experience. Ah! why did you not tell -me this in her presence? I would have torn her eyes out: I would have -loaded the Count de Belflor with reproaches for his perfidy: and as -for the scoundrel with his ducats and his beard, he should not have -had a hair left on his head. But I will return, this instant, with the -money which I have received as a real restitution; and if I find them -still together, they shall not have waited for nothing." So saying, the -enraged widow of the generous Rosetta folded her mantilla around her, -and left Leonora to weep over the treachery of mankind. - -Marcella found the Count with Chichona, in despair at the failure of -his design. Most of my pupils, in his place, would have been abashed at -seeing her: it is extraordinary what scruples I have to overcome. But -Belflor was of another stamp: to a thousand good qualities, he added -that of yielding implicit obedience to my inspirations. When he loved, -nothing could exceed the ardour with which he followed the devoted -object of his affections; and though naturally what the world calls -an honourable man, he was then capable of violating the most sacred -duties for the attainment of his desires. No sooner, therefore, did he -perceive Marcella, than, as he saw that their fulfilment could only be -completed through the duenna's agency, he resolved to spare nothing to -win her to his interests. He shrewdly guessed that, rigidly virtuous -as the lady appeared, she, like her betters, had her price; and as he -was disposed to bid pretty liberally, you will own he did no great -injustice to a duenna's fidelity: for so rare a commodity will only be -found where lovers are not over-rich, or not sufficiently liberal. - -The instant Marcella entered the room, and perceived the three persons -she sought, her tongue went as though possessed; and while she poured -a torrent of abuse on the Count and Chichona, she sent the restitution -flying at the head of the valet. The Count patiently endured the -storm; and throwing himself on his knees before the duenna, to render -the scene more moving, he pressed her to take back the purse she had -rejected; and offering to add to it a thousand pistoles, he besought -her compassion on his sufferings. As Marcella had never before been so -earnestly entreated, it is no wonder that she was, on this occasion, -not inexorable: her invectives, therefore, speedily ceased; and -on comparing the tempting sum now offered to her, with the paltry -recompence she expected from Don Luis de Cespedes, she was not slow in -discovering that it would be much more profitable to turn Leonora from -her duty, than to keep her in its path. Accordingly, after some little -affectation, she again received the purse, accepted the offer of the -thousand pistoles, promised to assist the Count in his designs, and -departed at once to labour for their accomplishment. - -[Illustration: Belflor bribes Marcella] - -As she knew Leonora to be strictly virtuous, she was extremely cautious -of exciting the least suspicion of her intelligence with the Count, -lest the plot should be discovered to Don Luis, her father; so, -desirous of skilfully effecting her ruin, she thus addressed her on her -return: "My dear Leonora, I have revenged myself on the wretches who -deceived us. I found them quite confounded at your virtuous resolution; -and, threatening the infamous Chichona with your father's resentment, -and the most rigorous severity of the law, I bestowed on the Count -de Belflor all the insulting epithets that my anger could suggest. I -warrant that the Signor will make no more attempts of this kind on you; -and that henceforth his gallantries will cease to engage my attention. -I thank Heaven that, by your firmness, you have escaped the snare that -was laid for you. I could weep for joy to think that the deceiver has -gained nothing by his stratagem; for these noble signors make it -their amusement to seduce the young and innocent. Indeed, the greater -part even of those who pique themselves on their honourable conduct -have no scruples on this point, as though it were no disgrace to carry -ruin into virtuous families. Not that I think the Count absolutely of -this character, nor even that he intends studiously to deceive you: we -should not judge too harshly of our neighbours; and perhaps, after all, -he meant you honourably. Although his rank would give him pretensions -to the hand of the noblest at our court, your beauty may yet have -induced him to resolve on marriage with yourself. In fact, I recollect -that in his answers to my reproaches, which I heeded not at the time, I -might have perceived something of the sort." - -"What say you, dear Marcella?" interrupted Leonora. "If that were -his intention, he would have sought me of my father, who would never -have refused his daughter to a person of his rank." "What you say -is perfectly just," replied the governante, "and I am quite of your -opinion; the Count's proceedings are certainly suspicious, or rather -his designs cannot be good: for a trifle, I would return and scold him -again." "No, good Marcella," replied Leonora, "we had better forget -the past, and revenge ourselves by contempt." "Very true," said the -duenna; "I believe that is the best plan: you are more prudent than -myself. But, after all, may we not do the Count injustice? Who knows -that he has not been actuated by the purest and most delicate motives? -It is possible that, before obtaining your father's consent, he may -have resolved to deserve and to please you; to render your union more -delightful by first gaining your heart. If that were so, child, would -it be a very great sin to listen to him? Tell me your thoughts, love; -you know my affection: does your heart incline towards the Count, or -would it be very disagreeable to marry such a man?" - -To this malicious question, the too-sincere Leonora replied, with -down-cast eyes, and face suffused with blushes, by avowing that she -had no aversion to the Count; but, as modesty prevented her explaining -herself more openly, the duenna still pressed her to conceal nothing -from her; and at last succeeded, by affected tenderness, in obtaining a -full confession of her love. "Dearest Marcella," said the unsuspicious -girl, "since you desire me to speak to you without disguise, I must -confess that Belflor has appeared to me not unworthy of my love. I was -struck by his appearance; and I have heard him so much praised, that -I could not remain insensible to the affection he displayed for me. -Your watchful care to guard me from his addresses has cost me many a -sigh: nay, I will own I have in secret wept his absence; and repaid -with my tears the sufferings your vigilance has caused him. Even at -this moment, instead of hating him for the insult he has offered to my -honour, my heart against my will excuses him, and throws his fault on -your severity." - -"My child," said the governante, "since you give me reason to believe -that his attentions are pleasing to you, I will endeavour to secure -this lover." "I am very sensible," replied Leonora, "of the kindness -you intend me. It is not that the Count holds the first place at court; -were he but an honourable private gentleman, I should prefer him to all -others upon earth, but let us not flatter ourselves: Belflor is a noble -signor, destined, without doubt, for one of the richest heiresses in -our kingdom. Let us not expect that he would descend to ally himself -with Don Luis, who has but a moderate fortune to offer with his -daughter. No, no," she added, "he entertains for me no such favourable -thoughts: he thinks not of me as one worthy to bear his name, but seeks -only my dishonour." - -"Ah! wherefore," said the duenna, "will you insist he loves you not -well enough to seek your hand? Love daily works much greater miracles. -One would imagine, to hear you, that Heaven had made some infinite -distinction between you and the Count. Do yourself more justice, -Leonora! He would not condescend, in uniting his destiny with yours. -You are of an ancient and noble family, and your alliance would never -call a blush upon his cheek. However, you love him," continued she; -"and I must therefore see him, and sound him on the subject; and if I -find his designs as honourable as they should be, I will indulge him -with some slight hopes." "Not for the world!" cried Leonora; "on no -account would I have you seek him: should he but suspect my knowledge -of your proceedings, he must cease even to esteem me." "Oh! I am more -cunning than you think me," answered Marcella. "I shall begin by -accusing him of a design to seduce you. He of course will not fail -to defend himself; I shall listen to his excuses, and shall mark the -event: in short, my dear child, leave it to me; I will be as careful of -your honour as of my own." - -Towards night, the duenna left the house, and found Belflor watching -in the neighbourhood. She informed him of her conversation with his -mistress, not forgetting to boast of the address with which she had -elicited from Leonora the confession of her love. Nothing could more -agreeably surprise the Count than this discovery; and accordingly his -gratitude was displayed in the most ardent manner; that is to say, he -promised to Marcella the thousand ducats on the morrow, and to himself -the most complete success of his enterprise; well knowing, as he -did, that a woman prepossessed is half seduced. They then separated, -extremely well satisfied with each other, and the duenna returned to -her home. - -Leonora, who had waited for her with extreme anxiety, timidly inquired -if she brought any news of the Count. "The best news you could hear," -replied the governante. "I have seen him, and I can assure you of -the purity of his intentions: he declared that his only object is to -marry you; and this he confirmed by every oath that man holds sacred. -I did not, however, as you may suppose, yield implicitly to these -protestations. 'If you are sincere,' said I to him, 'why do you not at -once apply to Don Luis, her father?' 'Ah! my dear Marcella,' replied -he, without appearing in the least embarrassed by this question, -'could you, even, approve that, without assuring myself of Leonora's -affection, and following, blindly, the dictates of a devouring passion, -I should seek her of Don Luis as a slave? No! her happiness is dearer -to me than my own desires; and I have too nice a sense of honour, even -to endanger that happiness by an indiscreet avowal.' - -"While he thus spoke," continued the duenna, "I observed him with -extreme attention; and employed all my experience to discover in his -eyes if he were really possessed of all the love that he expressed. -What shall I say?--He appeared to me penetrated by the truest love; -I felt elated with joy, which I took good care, however, to conceal: -nevertheless, when I felt persuaded of his sincerity, I thought that, -in order to secure for you so important a conquest, it would be but -proper to give him some faint idea of your feelings towards him. -'Signor,' said I, 'Leonora has no aversion for you; I know that she -esteems you; and, as far as I can judge, her heart would not be grieved -by your addresses.' 'Great God,' he cried, transported with delight, -'what do I hear? Is it possible, that the charming Leonora should be -disposed so favourably towards me? What do I not owe to you, kindest -Marcella, for thus relieving me from such torturing suspense? I am -the more rejoiced, too, that this should be announced by you;--you, -who have ever opposed my love; you, who have inflicted on me such -lengthened suffering. But, my dear Marcella, complete my bliss! let me -see my divine Leonora, and pledge to her my faith; let me swear, in -your presence, to be hers only for ever.' - -"To all these expressions of his devotion," continued the governante, -"he added others still more touching. At last, my dear child, he -entreated me in so pressing a manner to procure for him a secret -interview, that I could not forbear promising he should see you." -"Ah! why have you done so?" exclaimed Leonora, with emotion. "How -often have you told me, that a virtuous girl should ever shun such -secret conversations,--always wrong, and almost always dangerous?" -"Certainly," replied the duenna, "I acknowledge to have said so, and a -very good maxim it is; but you are not obliged to adhere to it strictly -on this occasion; for you may look upon the Count as your husband." -"He is not so yet," said Leonora, "and I ought not to see him until my -father permits his addresses." - -Marcella, at this moment, repented of having imbued the mind of her -pupil with those notions of propriety which she found so much trouble -to overcome. Determined, however, at any rate to effect her object, she -thus recommenced her attack: "My dear Leonora! I am proud to witness -so much virtuous delicacy. Happy fruit of all my cares! You have truly -profited by the lessons I have taught you. I am delighted with the -result of my labours. But, child, you have read rather too literally; -you construe my maxims too rigidly; your susceptibility is indeed -somewhat prudish. However much I pique myself on my severity, I do not -quite approve of that precise chastity which arms itself indifferently -against guilt or innocence. A girl ceases not to be virtuous who yields -her ear only to her lover, especially when she is conscious of the -purity which chastens his desires; and she is then no more wrong in -responding to his love, than she is for her sensibility to the passion. -Rely upon me, Leonora; I have too much experience, and am too much -interested in your welfare, to suffer you to take a step that might be -prejudicial to it." - -"But where would you have me see the Count?" said Leonora. "In this -room, to be sure," replied the duenna. "Where could you see him so -safely? I will introduce him to-morrow evening." "You are not surely -serious, Marcella!" exclaimed Leonora. "What! think you I would permit -a man----" "To be sure you will!" interrupted the duenna; "there is -nothing so wonderful in that, as you imagine. It happens daily; and -would to heaven that every damsel who receives such visits, had desires -as pure as those by which you are animated! Besides, what have you to -fear? shall not I be with you?" "Alas!" said Leonora, "should my father -surprise us!" "Do not trouble yourself about that," replied Marcella. -"Your father is perfectly satisfied as to your conduct: he knows my -fidelity, and would not do me so much wrong as to suspect it." Poor -Leonora, thus artfully instigated by the duenna, and secretly moved -by her own feelings, could withstand no longer; and at last yielded, -although unwillingly, to her governante's proposal. - -The Count was soon informed of Marcella's success, of which he was -so well satisfied, that he at once gave her five hundred pistoles, -and a ring of equal value. The duenna, finding his promises so well -performed, was determined to be as scrupulously exact in the fulfilment -of her own; and, accordingly, on the following night, when she felt -assured that every one in the house was fast asleep, she fastened -to the balcony a silken ladder, which the Count had provided, and -introduced his lordship to the chamber of his mistress. - -In the meanwhile, the fair Leonora was immersed in reflections of the -most painfully agitating nature. Notwithstanding her affection for the -Count, and despite her governante's assurances, she bitterly reproached -herself for her weakness, in yielding a consent to an interview which -she still felt was in violation of her duty; nor could a knowledge of -the purity of her intentions bring comfort to her bosom. To receive, -by night, in her apartment, a man whose love was unsanctioned by her -parent, and not certainly known even by herself, now appeared to her -not only criminal, but calculated to degrade her in the estimation of -her lover also; and this last thought tortured her almost to madness, -when that lover entered. - -He threw himself on his knees before her; and, apparently penetrated -by love and gratitude, thanked her for that confidence in his honour, -which had permitted this visit, and assured her of his determination to -merit it, by shortly espousing her. However, as he was not as explicit -upon this point as Leonora desired, "Count," said she to him, "I am too -anxious to believe that you have no other views than those you express -to me; but whatever assurances you may offer must always appear to me -suspicious, so long as my father is ignorant of your designs, and has -not ratified them by his consent." - -"Madam," replied Belflor, "that would have been long since demanded -by me, had I not feared to have obtained it at the sacrifice of your -repose." "Alas!" said Leonora, "I do not reproach you that you have -not yet sought Don Luis,--I cannot but be sensible of your delicacy; -but nothing now restrains you, and you must at once resolve to see my -father, or never to see me more." - -[Illustration: Belflor climbs up to Leonora's balcony] - -"What do I hear?" exclaimed the Count,--"never to see you more! -Beauteous Leonora! how little sensible are you to the charms of love! -Did you know how to love like me, you would delight in secret to -receive my vows; and, for some time at least, to conceal them from -your father as from all the world. Oh! who can paint the charms of -that mysterious intercourse, in which two hearts indulge, united by -a passion as intense as pure." "It may have charms for you," replied -Leonora; "to me, such intercourse would bring but sorrow: this -refinement of tenderness but ill becomes a virtuous maiden. Speak not -to me of such impure delights! Did you esteem me, you had not dared -to do so; and were your intentions such as you would persuade me, you -would, from your soul, reproach me that I could listen to you with -patience. But, alas!" she added, while tears filled her eyes, "my -weakness alone has exposed me to this outrage: I have indeed deserved -it, that I see you here." - -"Adorable Leonora!" cried the Count, "you wrong my love most cruelly! -Your virtue, too scrupulous, is causelessly alarmed. What! can you -conceive that, because I have been so happy as to prevail on you to -favour my passion, I should cease to esteem you? What injustice! No, -madam, I know, too well, the value of your kindness; it can never -deprive you of my esteem; and I am ready to do as you require me. I -will, to-morrow, see Don Luis; and nothing shall be wanting on my part -to ensure my happiness: but I cannot conceal from you, that I scarcely -indulge a hope." "How!" replied; Leonora, with extreme surprise; -"is it possible that my father should refuse me to the Count de -Belflor?"--"Ah! it is that very title which gives me cause for alarm. -But I see this surprises you: your astonishment, however, will soon -cease. - -"Only a few days ago," continued he, "the King was pleased to declare -his will, that I should marry: you know how these matters are managed -at our Court. He has not, however, named the lady for whom I am -intended; but has contented himself with intimating that she is one -who will do me honour, and that he has set his mind upon our union. -As I was then ignorant of your disposition towards me,--for, as you -well know, your rigorous severity has never until now, permitted me -to divine it,--I did not let him perceive in me any aversion to the -accomplishment of his desires. You may now therefore, judge, madam, -whether Don Luis would hazard the King's displeasure, by accepting me -as his son-in-law." - -"No, doubtless," said Leonora; "I know my father well: however -desirable he might esteem your alliance, he would not hesitate to -renounce it, rather than expose himself to the anger of his Majesty. -But, even though my father had consented to our union, we should not -be less unfortunate; for, Belflor, how could you possibly bestow on -me a hand which the King has destined for another?" "Madam," replied -the Count, "I will not disguise that your question embarrasses me. -Still, I am not without hope that, by prudent management with the King, -and by availing myself of the influence which his friendship for me -secures, I should find means to avoid the misfortune which threatens -me; and yourself, lovely Leonora, might assist me in so doing, did -you but deem me worthy of the happiness of being yours." "I assist -you!" she exclaimed; "how could I possibly enable you to avert an -union which the King proposes for you?" "Ah! madam," he replied, with -impassioned looks, "would you deign to receive my vows of eternal -fidelity to you, I should have no difficulty in preserving my faith -inviolate, without offending my sovereign. Permit, charming Leonora," -he continued, throwing himself at her feet, "permit me to espouse you -in the presence of our friend Marcella; she is a witness who will vouch -for the sanctity of our engagements. I shall thus escape the hateful -bonds they would impose upon me; for, should the King still press me -to accept the lady he designs for me, I will prostrate myself before -him, and, on my knees, confess how long and ardently my love has been -devoted to you, and that we are secretly married. However desirous he -may be to unite me with another, he is too gracious to think of tearing -me from the object I adore, and too just to offer so grievous an -affront to your honourable family. - -"What is your opinion, discreet Marcella?" added he, turning towards -the governante; "what think you of this project with which love has -so opportunely inspired me?" "I am charmed with it," said the duenna; -"the rogue, Cupid, is never at a loss for an expedient." "And you, -dearest Leonora," resumed the Count, "what do you say to it? Can your -heart, always mistrustful, refuse its assent to my proposal?" "No," she -replied, "provided my father consent to it; and I do not doubt that -he will, when you have explained to him your reasons for secrecy." -"You must be very cautious how you consult him upon the subject," -interrupted the abominable duenna; "you do not know Don Luis: his -notions of honour are too scrupulous to permit him to engage himself -with secret amours. The proposal of a private marriage would shock -him; besides which, he is too prudent not to foresee the possible -consequences of one which interfered with the designs of the King. -And, once proposed to him, and his suspicion aroused, his eyes will -be constantly upon you; and he will take good care to prevent your -marriage, by separating you for ever." - -"And I should die with grief and despair," cried our courtier. "But -madam," continued he, addressing himself to Marcella, with an air of -profound disappointment, "do you really think, then, that there is -no chance of Don Luis yielding to our prayer?" "Not the slightest!" -replied the governante. "But suppose he should! Exact and scrupulous -as he is, he would never consent to the omission of a single religious -ceremony on the occasion; and if they are all to be observed in your -marriage, the secret will be soon known in Madrid." - -"Ah! my dear Leonora," said the Count, taking her hand, and tenderly -pressing it within his own, "must we, then, to satisfy a vain notion -of decorum, expose ourselves to the frightful danger of an eternal -separation? Our happiness is in your hands; since it depends on you -alone to bestow yourself on me. A father's consent might, perhaps, -spare you some uneasiness; but since our kind Marcella has convinced us -of the impossibility of obtaining it, yield yourself, without further -scruple, to my innocent desires. Receive my heart and hand; and when -the time shall have arrived, that we may inform Don Luis of our union, -we shall have no difficulty in satisfying him as to our reasons for -its concealment." "Well, Count," said Leonora, "I consent to your not -at once speaking to my father, but that you first sound the King upon -the subject. Before, however, I receive thus secretly your hand, I -would have this done. See his Majesty; tell him even, if necessary, -that we are married. Let us endeavour, by this show of confidence,----" -"Alas! madam," interrupted Belflor, "what do you ask of me? No, my -soul revolts at the thoughts of falsehood. I cannot lie; and you would -despise me, could I thus dissemble with the King;--besides, how could I -hope for pardon at his hands, should he discover the meanness of which -I had been guilty?" - -"I should never have done, Signor Don Cleophas," continued the Demon, -"were I to repeat word for word all that Belflor said, in order to -seduce his lovely mistress; I will only add, that he repeated, without -my assistance, all those passionate phrases with which I usually -inspire gallants upon similar occasions. But in vain did he swear -he would publicly confirm, as soon as possible, the faith which he -proposed to pledge in secret: Leonora's virtue was proof against his -oaths; and the blushing day, which surprised him while he called Heaven -to witness for his fidelity, compelled him to retire less triumphant -than he had anticipated." - -On the following morning, the duenna, conceiving that her honour, or -rather her interest, engaged her not to abandon the enterprise, took -an opportunity of reverting to the subject. "Leonora," said she, "I -am confounded by what passed last evening; you appear to disdain the -Count's affection, or to regard it as inspired by an unworthy motive. -Perhaps, however, after all, you remarked something in his person or -manner that displeased you?" "No, good governante," replied Leonora; -"he never appeared to me more amiable; and his conversation discovered -to me a thousand new charms." "If that be the case," said the duenna, -"I am still more perplexed. You acknowledge to be strongly prepossessed -in his favour, and yet refuse to yield in a point, the absolute -necessity of which he has so clearly demonstrated." - -"My dear Marcella," replied her ward, "you are wiser, and have had more -experience in these matters, than myself; but have you sufficiently -reflected on the consequences of a marriage contracted without my -father's knowledge?" "Yes, certainly," answered the duenna, "I have -maturely considered all that; and I regret to find you oppose yourself, -with an obstinacy of which I deemed you incapable, to the brilliant -establishment which fortune presents so uselessly. Have a care that -your perverseness does not weary and repel your lover; remember that -he may discover the inequality of your station and fortune, which his -passion overlooks. While he offers you his faith, receive it without -hesitation. His word is his bond; there is no tie more sacred with a -man of honour, like Belflor: besides, I am witness that he acknowledges -you as his wife; and I need not tell you that a testimony like mine -would be more than sufficient to condemn a lover who should dare to -perjure himself, and attempt to evade a legal contract." - -By this and similar conversations, the resolution of the artless -Leonora was at last shaken; and the perils which surrounded her were -so adroitly concealed by her perfidious governante, that, some days -afterwards, she abandoned herself, without further reflection, to the -will of the Count. Belflor was introduced nightly, by the balcony, into -his mistress's apartment; which he left again before daybreak, when -summoned by the duenna. - -One morning, the old lady overslept herself; and Aurora had already -half opened the golden chambers of the east, when the Count hastily -departed, as usual. Unfortunately, in his hurry to descend the ladder, -his foot missed, and he fell heavily on the ground. - -Don Luis de Cespedes, who slept in the room over Leonora's, had -that morning risen earlier than usual to attend to some important -engagements; and hearing the noise of Belflor's fall he opened his -window to learn whence it proceeded. To his astonishment, he perceived -a man just raising himself, with difficulty, from the earth, while -Marcella was busily engaged in the balcony with the silken ladder, -of which the Count had made such bad use in his descent. Scarcely -believing his eyes, and rubbing them to make sure that he was awake, -Don Luis stood for some time in amazement; but he was too soon -convinced that what he saw was no illusion; and that the light of day, -although just breaking, was bright enough to discover to him, too -clearly, his disgrace. - -[Illustration: Don Luis de Cespedes looking out of the window] - -Afflicted at this fatal sight, transported by a just wrath, he -instantly sought the apartment of Leonora, holding the light by which -he had been writing in one hand, and his sword in the other. With a -frantic determination of sacrificing his daughter and her governante -to his resentment, he struck the door of their chamber violently, and -commanded them to admit him. Trembling, they obeyed his summons; when -he entered with infuriated looks, and displaying his naked sword: "I -come," he cried, "to wash out, in the blood of an infamous child, the -stains on the wounded honour of her father; and to punish the crime of -a perfidious wretch, who has betrayed his confidence." - -[Illustration: Don Luis confronts Leonora and Marcella] - -They were in a moment on their knees before him; and, as he raised his -arm, the trembling duenna exclaimed: "In mercy hold, Signor! Before -you inflict on us the punishment you meditate, deign but to listen to -me for a moment." "Speak, then, unhappy woman," said Don Luis; "I will -retard my vengeance but for the instant you require: speak, I repeat! -tell me all the circumstances of my misfortune. But what do I say,--all -the circumstances? Alas! I am ignorant but of one; it is, the name of -the villain who has dishonoured me." "Signor," replied Marcella, "the -cavalier who has just left us is the Count de Belflor." "The Count de -Belflor!" repeated Don Luis; "and where did he see my daughter? By -what means has he seduced her? On your life, hide nothing from me!" -"Signor," replied the governante, "I will relate the whole history to -you, with all the sincerity of which I am capable." - -She then related, with infinite art, all the conversations she had -previously narrated to Leonora, as having passed between herself and -the Count; whom she painted in the most flattering colours, as a lover -tender, delicate, and sincere, beyond description. As, however, there -was no escaping the event in which this heroic love most naturally -terminated, she was obliged to avow the truth. But she managed this -so adroitly, insisting on the weighty reasons which Belflor had for -secrecy in his nuptials, and on the regret he had always expressed for -its necessity, that she gradually appeased the fury of her master. This -she was not slow to perceive; and, to completely soften the old man, -she wound up by a peroration that would have done as much honour to a -wig as to a gown:--"Signor," said she, "I have thus told you the simple -truth: now punish us if you will, and plunge your sword into your -daughter's bosom! But what say I? No! Leonora is innocent; she has but -followed the faithful counsels of her to whom you confided the guidance -of her conduct. It is my heart against which your sword should be -directed; it was I who first introduced the Count to her apartment; it -is I who formed those ties which bind him to your daughter. I would -not perceive the irregularity of his engagement, although unauthorised -by you: I saw in him but a son-in-law, whom I was anxious to secure to -you; but the channel through which the favours of our Court might reach -you. I forgot all but the happiness of Leonora, and the advancement of -your family, in the brilliant alliance of the Count. I have erred: the -excess of my zeal has made me forgetful of my duty." - -While the subtle Marcella was speaking thus, poor Leonora was not -sparing of her tears; and her grief appeared so excessive that the good -old man could not resist it. He was affected. His anger was changed -into compassion; his sword fell on the ground; and, quitting the air of -an irritated parent: "Ah! my daughter," he cried, while tears sprung -from his aged eyes, like water from the rock of Horeb, "what a fatal -passion is love! Alas! you know not yet all the causes it will bring -you for affliction. The shame which a father's presence alone excites, -can bring tears to your eyes at this moment; but you foresee not the -woes which your lover is, perhaps even now, preparing for the future. -And you, imprudent Marcella, what have you done? Into what an abyss has -your indiscreet zeal for my family plunged us! I allow that an alliance -with a man like Belflor might dazzle you, and it is that which alone -excuses and saves you; but, miserable that you are, why were you not -more cautious with a lover of his station? The greater his credit and -favour at court, the more guarded should you have been against his -approaches. Should he not scruple to break his faith with my daughter, -how shall I avenge the insult? Shall I implore the power of our laws? -A person of his rank can easily shelter himself from its severity. -I will suppose that, faithful to his oaths, he would abide by his -engagements with my daughter: if the King, as you say, has decreed that -he shall marry with another, is it likely that our sovereign will fail -to be obeyed?" - -"Oh! my father," replied Leonora, "that need not alarm us. The Count -has assured us that the King would never do so great a violence to his -feelings--" "Of which I am convinced," interrupted the duenna; "for, -besides that the monarch loves Belflor too much to exercise so great a -tyranny upon his favourite, he is of too noble a character to afflict -so grievously the valiant Don Luis de Cespedes, who has devoted to the -service of the state the best years of his life." - -"Heaven grant," exclaimed the old man, sighing, "that all my fears -are vain! I will seek the Count, and demand a full explanation of his -conduct: the eyes of a father, alarmed for a daughter's welfare, will -pierce his very soul. If I find him what I would hope, and what you -would persuade me he is, I will pardon what has passed; but," added he -firmly, "if in his discourse I discern the perfidy of his heart, you -go, both of you, to bewail in retirement, for the rest of your days, -the imprudence of which you have been guilty." As he finished, he took -up his sword, and retired to his own room, leaving his daughter and -her governante to recover themselves from the fright into which this -discovery had so unexpectedly thrown them. - -[Illustration: The lady, her husband and her lover] - -Asmodeus was at this moment interrupted in his recital by the Student, -who thus addressed him:--"My dear Devil, interesting as is the history -you are relating to me, my eyes have wandered to an object which -prevents my listening to you as attentively as I could wish. I see a -lady, who is rather good-looking, seated between a young man and a -gentleman old enough to be his grandfather. They seem to enjoy the -liqueurs which are on the table near them, but what amuses me, is, that -as from time to time the amorous old dotard embraces his mistress, the -deceiver conveys her hand to the lips of the other, who covers it with -silent kisses. He is doubtless her gallant." "On the contrary," replied -the cripple, "he is her husband, and the old fool is her lover. He is -a man of consequence,--no less than a commandant of the military order -of Calatrava; and is ruining himself for the lady, whose complaisant -husband holds some inferior place at court She bestows her caresses on -the sighing knight, for the sake of his gold; and is unfaithful to him -in favour of her husband, from inclination." - -"That is a marvellously pretty picture," said Zambullo. "The husband of -course is French?" "No, no," replied the Demon: "he is a Spaniard. Oh! -the good city of Madrid can boast within its walls a fair proportion -of such well-bred spouses: still, they do not swarm here as in Paris, -which is, beyond contradiction, the most fruitful city of the world -in such inhabitants." "I thought so," said Don Cleophas; "but pardon -me, Signor Asmodeus, if I have broken the thread of the fair Leonora's -story. Continue it, I pray you; it interests me exceedingly; and -exhibits such variety in the art of seduction as transports me with -admiration." - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE BELFLOR AND -LEONORA DE CESPEDES. - - -Don Luis, (continued Asmodeus), on returning to his apartment, dressed -himself hastily, and, while it was still early, repaired to the Count; -who, not suspecting a discovery, was much surprised by this visit. -On the old man's entrance, however, Belflor ran to meet him, and, -embracing him cordially, exclaimed, "Ah Signor Don Luis; I am delighted -to see you. To what do I owe this happiness? Am I so fortunate as -to have an opportunity of serving you?" "Signor," replied Don Luis -sternly, "I would speak with you alone." - -Belflor desired his attendants to withdraw; and as soon as they -were seated, "Signor," said Cespedes, "I come to ask of you an -explanation of circumstances in which my honour and happiness are -deeply interested. I saw you this morning leaving the apartment of my -daughter. She has disguised nothing from me: she informed that----" -"She has told you that I love her," interrupted the Count, to avoid -hearing what he knew could not be very agreeable; "but she can but have -feebly described all that I feel for her. I am enchanted with her; she -is an adorable creature: beauty, wit, virtue,--nothing is wanting to -perfect her charms. I am told you have a son, too, who is finishing his -studies at Alcala: does he resemble his sister? If he have her beauty, -and have at all inherited the noble bearing of his father, he must be a -perfect cavalier. I die with anxiety to see him; and I assure you that -I shall be proud to advance his fortunes." - -"I am obliged to you for so kind an offer," gravely replied Don Luis; -"but to return to the subject of----" "He must enter the service at -once," again interrupted the Count: "I charge myself with the care of -his interests: he shall not grow old among the crowd of subalterns; -on that you may depend." "Answer me, Count!" replied the old man -vehemently, "and cease these interruptions. Do you intend, or not, to -fulfil the promise----?" "Yes, certainly," interrupted Belflor for -the third time; "I engage faithfully to support your son with all -the interest I possess: rely on me; I am a man of my word." "This is -too much, Count," cried Cespedes, rising: "after having seduced my -daughter, you dare thus to insult me! But I also am a noble; and the -injury you have done me shall not remain unpunished." In finishing -these words, he left the Count, his heart swelling with anger, and his -mind tormented with a thousand projects of revenge. - -[Illustration: Don Luis de Cespedes interviews Belflor] - -On arriving at home, still greatly agitated, he immediately went to -Leonora's apartment, where he found her with Marcella. "It was not -without reason," said he, addressing them, "that I was suspicious of -the Count: he is a traitor; but I will avenge myself. For you, you -shall at once hide your shame within a convent: both of you, prepare -to leave this house to-morrow; and thank Heaven that my wrath contents -itself with so moderate a punishment." He then left them, to shut -himself in his cabinet, that he might maturely reflect on the conduct -it would be proper to observe in so delicate a conjuncture. - -How poignant was the grief of Leonora, when thus informed of Belflor's -perfidy! She remained for some time motionless; a death-like paleness -overspread her lovely features; life itself seemed about to abandon -her, and she fell senseless into the arms of her governante. The -alarmed duenna at first thought that the victim of her intrigues -was really dead; but, on perceiving that she still breathed, used -every effort to restore her to consciousness, and at last succeeded. -Existence, however, had no longer charms for Leonora; and when, -somewhat recovered, she unclosed her eyelids, and perceived the -officious governante busy about her person, "Cruel Marcella!" she -exclaimed, sighing deeply; "wherefore have you drawn me from the happy -state in which I was? Then, I felt not the horror of my destiny. Why -did you not let me perish? You, who know so well that life henceforth -must be but one long misery, why have you sought to preserve it?" - -The duenna endeavoured to console her, but her words only added to -Leonora's sufferings. "It is in vain you would comfort me," she cried, -"I will not hear you: strive not to combat my despair. Rather seek to -add to its profundity; you, who have plunged me into the frightful -gulph in which all my hopes are swallowed:--you it was who assured -me of the Count's sincerity; but for you I had never yielded to my -passion for him; I should have insensibly triumphed over it, or at -least, he would never have had cause to boast of my weakness. But no! -I will not," she continued, "attribute to you my misfortunes; it is -myself alone I should accuse. I ought not to have followed your advice, -in accepting the faith of a man, without the sanction of my father. -However flattering to me were the attentions of Count de Belflor, I -should have despised them, rather than have endeavoured to secure them -at the price of my honour: I should have mistrusted him, you! Marcella, -and myself. For my folly in listening to his perfidious oaths, for the -affliction I have caused to the unhappy Don Luis, and for the dishonour -I have brought upon my family, I detest myself; and, far from fearing -the state of seclusion with which I am menaced, I would willingly -conceal my guilt and shame in the most frightful dungeon in the world." - -[Illustration: Marcella tries to console Leonora] - -While her grief thus vented itself in exclamations, and tears streamed -from her eyes, she frantically tore her clothes, and revenged the -injustice of her lover on the beautiful locks which fell around her -neck. The duenna, also, to appear in keeping with her mistress's -grief, was not sparing of grimaces; she managed to squeeze out some -convenient tears, and directed a thousand imprecations against mankind -in general, and against Belflor in particular. "Is it possible," she -cried, "that the Count, who had all the semblance of amiability and -rectitude, should be so great a villain as to have deceived us both? -I cannot get over my surprise, or rather, I cannot even yet persuade -myself that he is so." - -"Indeed," said Leonora, "when I picture him myself at my feet, what -maiden could but have confided to so much tenderness,--to his oaths, -which he so daringly called on Heaven to witness,--to his boundless -transports, which seemed so sincere? His eyes to me discovered a love -far more intense than his lips could express; and the very sight of me -appeared to charm him:--no, he did not deceive me; I cannot believe -it. My father has not spoken to him with sufficient caution; they have -quarrelled, and the Count has replied to his reproaches less as the -lover than the lord. Still, may I not deceive myself? I will, however, -end this horrible suspense. I will write to Belflor,--tell him I expect -him here this night: I am resolved he comes to reassure my troubled -heart, or to confirm, himself, his treachery." - -Marcella loudly applauded this resolution; she even conceived a hope -that the Count, all ambitious as he was, might yet be affected by the -tears of his Leonora, which could not fail at this interview, and that -he might determine on espousing her in truth. - -Meanwhile, Belflor, relieved of the presence of Don Luis, was revolving -in his mind the probable consequences of the reception he had given to -the good old man. He felt certain that all the Cespedes, enraged at -the injury he had done their family, would unite to avenge it: this, -however, gave him but little trouble; the possible loss of Leonora -occasioned him far greater anxiety. She would, he imagined, at once be -placed in a convent, or, at least, that she would be carefully guarded -from his sight; and that she was consequently lost to him for ever. -This thought afflicted him; and he was occupied in devising some means -to prevent so great a misfortune, when his valet entered the apartment, -and presented a letter which Marcella had placed in his hands. It was -from Leonora, and ran as follows:-- - - "MY STILL DEAREST BELFLOR, - - "I shall to-morrow quit the world, to bury myself in a convent. - Dishonoured, odious to my family and to myself, such is the deplorable - condition to which I am reduced by listening to you. Still I will - expect you to-night. In my despair, I seek new tortures: come, and - avow to me that your heart disowned the protestations which your lips - have made to me; or come to confirm them by your sympathy, which alone - can soften the harshness of my destiny. As there may, however, be - some danger in this meeting, after what has passed between you and my - father, be sure you are accompanied by a friend. Although you have - rendered life worthless to me, I cannot cease to interest myself in - thine. - - "LEONORA." - -While the Count perused this letter, which he read over several times, -his imagination depicted the situation of Leonora, in colours more -sombre even than the reality, and he was deeply affected. He bitterly -reflected on his past conduct: reason, probity, honour, all whose laws -he had violated in the phrenzy of his passion, now regained their -empire in his breast. The blindness which selfishness inflicts upon -its victims was dissipated; and as the fevered convalescent blushes for -the follies which, in the access of his disorder, he has committed, so -was Belflor ashamed of the meanness and artifice of which he had been -guilty to satisfy his lust. - -"What have I done?" he cried; "wretch that I am, what demon has -possessed me? I promised Leonora to espouse her, and called on Heaven -to witness for the lie; I falsely told her that the King had designed -me for another; lying, treachery, perjury,--I have hesitated at nothing -to corrupt innocence itself. What madness! Oh! had I used, to control -it, the efforts I have made to gratify my passion! To seduce one of -whose beauty and virtue I was unworthy, to abandon her to the wrath -of her relations, whom I have equally dishonoured, and to plunge her -in misery as a return for the happiness she bestowed on me,--what -ingratitude! Ought I not then to repair the injury I have inflicted? -Yes, I ought, and I will; my hand shall at the altar fulfil the pledge -I gave for it. Who shall oppose me in so righteous a determination? -Should her tenderness for me at all prejudice her virtue? No, I know -too well what that cost me to vanquish. She yielded less to my love -than to her confidence in my integrity, and to my vows of fidelity. -But, on the other hand, if I resolve on this marriage, I make a great -sacrifice,--I, who may pretend to the heiresses of the richest and most -noble houses in the kingdom, shall I content myself with the daughter -of a respectable gentleman, of small fortune? What will they think of -me at court? They will say that I have made a splendid alliance indeed!" - -Belflor, thus divided between love and ambition, knew not how to -resolve; but although undetermined whether he should marry Leonora -or not, he had no difficulty in making up his mind to see her that -evening, and at once directed his valet so to inform Marcella. - -Don Luis was all this time in his cabinet, engaged in reflections on -the mode he should adopt to vindicate his honour; and he was not a -little embarrassed in his choice. To have recourse to the laws, was to -publish his disgrace, besides which, he suspected with great reason -that justice was likely to be one side, and the judges on the other. -Again, he dared not to seek reparation of the King himself; as he -believed that prince had views with regard to Belflor which must render -such an application useless. There remained, then, but his own sword -and those of his friends, and on these he concluded to rely. - -In the heat of his resentment, he at first meditated a challenge to the -Count; but on consideration of his great age and weakness, he feared -to trust his arm; so resolved to confide the matter to his son, whose -thrust he thought was likely to be surer than his own. He therefore -sent one of his domestics to Alcala, with a letter commanding his son's -immediate presence in Madrid, to revenge, as he stated it, an insult -offered to the family of the Cespedes. - -"This son, Don Pedro, is a cavalier of eighteen years of age, perfectly -handsome, and so brave, that he passes at Alcala for the most valiant -student of that university; but you know him," added the Devil, "and I -need not enlarge on the subject." "I can answer," said Don Cleophas, -"for his having all the valour and all the merit that can adorn a -gentleman." - -"But this young man," resumed Asmodeus, "was not then at Alcala, as -his father imagined. Love had brought him also to Madrid, where the -object of his passion resided; and where he had met her for the first -time, on the Prado, on the occasion of his last visit to his family. -Who she was, he knew not: and his fair conquest had exacted of him a -pledge that he would take no steps to inform himself on this head,--and -although he was as good as his word, it cost him some trouble to keep -it. I need hardly add, that she was of higher rank than her lover; and -that, wisely mistrusting the discretion and constancy of a student--no -offence to your highness--she thought proper to test him as to these -necessary qualifications for a suitor, before she disclosed to him her -station or name." - -[Illustration: portrait of Don Pedro] - -His thoughts were, of course, more occupied by his lovely incognita -than with the philosophy of Aristotle; and the vicinity of Alcala to -Madrid occasioned the youthful Pedro to play truant to his studies -as frequent as yourself; but, I must say, with a better excuse than -your Donna Thomasa afforded. To conceal from his father, Don Luis, his -amorous excursions, he usually lodged at a tavern at the other end of -the town, where he passed under a borrowed name; and only went abroad -at a certain hour in the morning, that he might repair to a house where -the lady, for the love of whom he neglected his Ovid, did him the -honour to wait, in company with a trusty female attendant. During the -rest of the day he shut himself up in his hotel; but as soon as night -was come, he wandered fearlessly throughout the city. - -He happened one evening, as he was traversing a bye-street, to hear the -sound of instruments and voices, which attracted his attention, and he -stopped to listen. It was a serenade, and tolerably performed; but the -cavalier, who was drunk, and naturally brutish, no sooner perceived our -student than he hurried towards him, and, without preface,--"Friend," -said he, with an insolent air, "make yourself scarce; or your curiosity -may find you more than you expect." "I would have withdrawn," replied -Don Pedro, proudly, "had you requested me to do so with civility; but -I shall now stay, to teach you better manners." "We shall see, then," -said the serenading gallant, drawing his sword, "which of us two will -give place to the other." - -Don Pedro also drew his sword, their weapons were crossed in a moment, -and a furious combat ensued; but although the Student's adversary was -not wanting in skill, he could not parry a mortal thrust of Don Pedro, -and fell dead upon the pavement. The musicians, who had already quitted -their instruments, or stopped their singing, and had drawn their swords -to protect their patron, now came in a body to avenge his death, and -attacked Don Pedro all together. He, however, gave them satisfactory -proofs of what he could do upon occasion; for, besides parrying, with -surprising dexterity, all the thrusts which they designed for him, he -dealt furiously among them, and found work for them all to protect -themselves. - -Still, they were so numerous, and apparently so determined on the -Student's death, that, skilful as he was with his weapon, they would -have most probably accomplished their object, had not the Count de -Belflor, who was accidentally passing through the street, come to his -assistance. The Count was of too noble a nature to see so many armed -men striving against one man to hesitate upon the part he should take. -His sword was therefore instantly directed against the musicians, and -with so much vigour that they were soon put to flight, some wounded, -and the others for fear they should be. - -The field thus cleared, the Student, with what breath remained to him, -began to express his sense of the valuable service he had so seasonably -received; but Belflor at once stopped him: "Not a word, my dear Sir," -said he; "are you not wounded?" "No," replied Don Pedro. "Then let -us leave this place at once," said the Count: "I see you have killed -your man; and it will be dangerous to stay in his company, lest the -officers of justice surprise you." They immediately decamped as quickly -as possible, and did not stop until they had gained a street at some -distance from the field of battle. - -Don Pedro, filled with a natural gratitude, then begged the Count not -to conceal from him the name of a person to whom he owed so great an -obligation. Belflor made no difficulty in complying with this request; -but when in turn he asked that of the Student, the latter, unwilling to -discover himself to any person in Madrid, replied, that he was Don Juan -de Maros, and that he should eternally bear in his remembrance the debt -of gratitude which he owed to the Count. - -[Illustration: the swordfight] - -"Well," said Belflor to him, "I will this night give you an -opportunity of repaying it in full. I have an appointment, which is not -without risk; and I was about, when I fell in with you, to seek the -protection of a friend. However, I know your valour, Don Juan: will you -accompany me?" "To doubt it, were to insult me," replied the Student: -"I cannot better employ the life you have preserved, than in exposing -it in your defence. Go! I am ready to follow you." Accordingly, Belflor -conducted Don Pedro to the house of Don Luis, and they both entered, by -the balcony, the apartment of Leonora. - -Here Don Cleophas interrupted the Devil: "Signor Asmodeus," said he, -"impossible! What! not know his own father's house? No, no, no; that -will never do." "It was not possible he should know it," replied -the Demon; "for it was a new one: Don Luis had lately changed his -habitation, and had only taken this house a week before; which was just -what Don Pedro did not know, and was what I was just going to tell you -when you stopped me. You are too sharp; and have that shocking habit of -displaying your intelligence by interrupting people in their stories: -get rid of that fault, I pray you." - -"Well," continued the Devil, "Don Pedro did not think he was in his -father's house; nor did he even perceive that it was Marcella who let -him into it; since she received him without a light, in an antechamber, -where Belflor requested his companion to remain while he was in the -next room with his mistress. To this the Student made no demur; so -quietly sat himself down in a chair, with his drawn sword in his hand -for fear of surprise, while his thoughts ran on the favours which he -suspected love was heaping on the Count, and his wishes that he might -be as happy with his incognita,--for although he had no great cause of -complaint as to her kindness, still it was not exactly paid after the -kind of that of Leonora for the Count." - -While he was making, upon this subject, all those pleasing reflections -which occur so readily to an impassioned lover, he heard some one -endeavouring quietly to open a door, which was not that of The -Delights, but one which discovered a light through the keyhole. He rose -quickly, and advanced towards it; and, as the door opened, presented -the point of his sword to his father; for he it was who entered -Leonora's apartments, for the purpose of seeing that the Count was not -there. The good old man did not exactly suppose, after what had passed, -that his daughter and Marcella would dare to receive him again, which -had prevented his assigning to them other chambers; but he had thought -it probable that, as they were to go to a nunnery on the following day, -they might desire to converse with him, for the last time, ere they -left his roof. - -"Whoever thou art," said the Student, "enter not this room, or it may -cost thee thy life." At these words, Don Luis stared at Don Pedro, -who also regarding the old man with attention, they soon recognised -each other. "Ah! my son," cried the old man, "with what impatience -have I expected you: why did you not inform me of your arrival? Did -you fear to disturb my rest? Alas! that is for ever banished, in the -cruel situation in which I am placed." "Ah, my father!" said Don Pedro, -utterly amazed, "is it you whom I behold? Are not my eyes deceived -by some fantastic vision?" "Whence this astonishment?" replied Don -Luis; "are you not within your father's house? Have I not, a week ago, -informed you where to find me?" "Just Heaven!" cried the Student, "what -do I hear?--and this then is my sister's apartment." - -As he finished these words, the Count, whom the noise had alarmed, -and who expected that his escort was attacked, came out, sword in -hand, from Leonora's chamber. No sooner did the old man perceive him -than, with fury in his eyes, he pointed to Belflor, and exclaimed to -his son,--"There is the villain who has robbed me of my happiness, -and who has stained our honour with a mortal taint. Revenge! Let us -hasten to punish the traitor!" As he thus vented his rage, he opened -his dressing-gown, and drew from beneath it his sword, with which he -was about to fall on the Count, when Don Pedro restrained him. "Stay, -my father," said he; "moderate, I entreat you, the fury of your wrath: -what are you about to do?" "My son," replied the old man, "you withhold -my arm. You doubtless think it is too weak to revenge our wrongs. Be -it so! Do you then exact full satisfaction for the injury he has done -us: it was for this purpose that I summoned you to Madrid. Should you -perish, I will take your place; for either shall the Count fall beneath -our arms, or he shall take from both of us our lives, after having -blasted our reputation." - -"My father," said Don Pedro, "I cannot yield to your impatience that -which it requires of me. Far from attempting the life of the Count, -I am now here to defend it. For that my word is pledged,--to that my -honour is assured. Let us depart, Count," continued he, addressing -himself to Belflor. "Ah! wretch," interrupted Don Luis, while he -surveyed his son with anger and astonishment,--"thus to oppose thyself -to a vengeance, which it should be the business of thy life to -accomplish! My son, my own son, is leagued, then, with the villain who -has corrupted my daughter! But think not to escape my resentment: I -will place a sword in the hand of every servant in my house, to punish -his treachery and thy despicable meanness." - -[Illustration: Don Pedro restrains Don Luis from attacking Belflor] - -"Signor," replied Don Pedro, "be more just towards your son. Call him -not despicable or mean--he merits not those odious appellations. The -Count this night saved my life. He proposed to me, in ignorance of my -real name, to accompany him here; and I freely consented to share the -perils he might run, without knowing that my gratitude imprudently -engaged my arm against the honour of my family. My word is passed, -then, here to defend his life; that done, I stand acquitted of my -obligation towards him: but I am not the less insensible of the wrong -that he has done to you and to us all; and to-morrow you shall find -that I will as readily shed his blood, as you behold me now determined -to preserve it from your hands." - -The Count had witnessed in silence all that passed, so much was -he surprised at this extraordinary adventure; he now, however, -thus addressed the Student: "It is possible that the injury I have -inflicted might be but imperfectly avenged by your sword; I will, -therefore, present to you a means much more certain of repairing it. -I will confess to you that, until this day, I did not intend to marry -Leonora; but I this morning received from her a letter which touched -my heart, and her tears have finished what her letter began. The -happiness of being united to your sister is now my dearest hope." "But -if the King has destined you for another," said Don Luis, "how can you -dispense----?" "The King has not troubled himself upon the subject," -interrupted Belflor, blushing: "pardon, I beseech you, that fiction, -to a man whose reason was deranged by love; it is a crime that the -violence of my passion incited me to commit, and which I expiate in -avowing to you my shame." - -"Signor," replied the old man, "after this frankness, which belongs -only to noble minds, I cannot doubt your sincerity. I see, with joy, -that you are anxious to repair the injury you have done us; my anger -yields to this assurance of your contrition; I will forget it for ever -in your arms." He advanced towards the Count, who rushed to meet him, -and they embraced each other cordially. Then, turning towards Don -Pedro, "And you, false Don Juan," said Belflor,--"you, who have already -gained my esteem by your valour, come, let me vow to you a brother's -love." Don Pedro received the Count's embraces with a submissive and -respectful air, saying, "Signor, in offering to me so valuable a -friendship, you secure mine for yourself: rely on me, as one devoted to -your service to the last moment of his life." - -While these cavaliers were thus discoursing, Leonora was at the door of -her chamber, intently listening to every syllable they uttered. She had -been, at the first, tempted to discover herself, and to throw herself -in the midst of their swords; but fear, and Marcella, had withheld -her. But when the adroit duenna saw that matters were arranging very -amicably, she guessed that the presence of her mistress, and her own, -would spoil nothing. Accordingly, she appeared, her handkerchief in one -hand and her ward in the other; and, with tears in their eyes, they -prostrated themselves before Don Luis. Neither of them, indeed, felt -perfectly assured; for they recollected the surprise of the previous -night, and feared the old man's reproaches for this renewal of their -disobedience. However, raising Leonora,--"My child," said he, "dry your -tears; I will not upbraid you now: since your lover is disposed to keep -the faith he has sworn to you, it is fitting that I should forget the -past." - -"Yes, Signor Don Luis," interrupted Belflor, "I will indeed keep my -faith with Leonora; and as some amends for the insult I had intended, -as the fullest satisfaction I can give to you, and as a pledge of that -friendship I have vowed to Don Pedro, I offer him in marriage my sister -Eugenia." "Signor!" cried Don Luis, "how can I express my satisfaction -at the honour you confer upon my son? Was ever father happier than -myself? You overpay me, in joy, for the grief you have caused me." - -[Illustration: Don Luis raises Leonora] - -Though the old man was charmed with the Count's proposals, I cannot say -as much for his son. Being sincerely taken with love for his incognita, -he was so overcome with surprise and chagrin at Belflor's offer, that -he had not a word to say for himself; when the latter, who did not -observe his embarrassment, took leave, stating that he should at once -order the necessary preparations for this double union, and that he was -impatient to be bound to them eternally, by ties so endearing. - -After his departure, Don Luis left Leonora with the duenna, taking -with him his son, who, when they had reached his father's apartment, -said, with all the frankness of a student: "Signor, do not insist, I -pray you, on my marriage with the Count's sister; it is enough for -the honour of our family, that he should espouse Leonora." "What! my -son," replied the old man, "can you have any objection to an union with -Eugenia de Belflor?" "Yes, my father," said Don Pedro; "I must confess -to you, that union would prove to me the most cruel of punishments; and -I will not disguise from you the reason. I love, or, rather, I adore -another: for the last six months she has listened to my vows: and now, -on her alone depends the happiness of my life." - -"How miserable is the condition of a father!" exclaimed Don Luis: "how -rarely does he find his children disposed to do as he desires them. But -who is this lady that has made such deep impression on your heart?" -"That, I do not yet know," replied Don Pedro. "She has promised to -inform me of her name when I shall have satisfied her of my constancy -and discretion; but I doubt not she does honour to one of the noblest -houses of Spain." - -"And you think then," said the old man, changing his tone, "that I -shall be so obliging as to sanction this romantic love!--that I shall -permit you to renounce an alliance, as glorious as fortune could offer -to you, that you may remain faithful to an illustrious lady of whose -very name you are ignorant! Do not expect so much of my kindness. No, -rather strive to vanquish feelings that are inspired by an object which -is most probably unworthy of them; and seek, in so doing, to merit the -honour which the Count proposes for you." "You speak to me in vain, -my father," replied the Student; "I feel that I can never forget her -whom I have sworn to love--unknown though she be,--and that nothing -can tear me from her. Were the Infanta proposed to me----" "Hold!" -cried the old man angrily; "it is too much to boast thus insolently of -a constancy which excites my displeasure: leave me, and let me not see -you again until you are prepared to obey my will." - -Don Pedro did not dare to reply to these words, for fear of hearing -others more unpleasant still; so he retired to his chamber, where he -passed the remainder of the night in reflections in which sorrow was -not all unmixed with joy. He thought with grief that he was about to -estrange himself from his family, by refusing the hand of Belflor's -sister; but then he was consoled, when he reflected that his incognita -would worthily esteem the greatness of the sacrifice. He even flattered -himself that, after so convincing a proof of his fidelity, she would -no longer conceal from him her station, which he imagined also must be -equal at least to that of Eugenia. - -In this hope, as soon as day appeared, he went out, and directed his -steps towards the Prado, that he might pass away the time until the -hour of his meeting with his mistress. With what impatience did he -count the minutes as they lingered,--with what joy did he hail the -happy moment when it arrived! - -He found his fair unknown with Donna Juanna, the lady at whose house -they met; but alas, he found her in tears, and apparently in the -deepest affliction. What a sight for a lover! His own grief was -forgotten: he approached her with tenderness; and throwing himself on -his knees before her, "Madam," he exclaimed, "what must I think of the -condition in which I see you? What dreadful misfortune do these tears, -which pierce my heart, forbode?" "You dream not," she replied, "of -the fatal news I bring you. Cruel fortune is about to separate us for -ever;--yes! we shall meet no more." - -[Illustration: Don Pedro kneels before his fair unknown] - -She accompanied these words with so many and such heart-rending sighs, -that I know not if Don Pedro was more affected at what she told him, -than at the affliction with which she appeared oppressed in telling it. -"Just Heaven!" he cried, in a transport of fury, which he could not -control, "is it thy will that they prevent an union whose innocence -is worthy of thy protection? But, Madam," he continued, "you are -perhaps falsely alarmed! Is it certain that they would snatch you from -the most faithful of lovers? Can it be possible that I should be so -unhappy?" "Our misfortune is but too certain," answered the Unknown; -"my brother, upon whom my hand depends, has bestowed it this very day; -he has this moment announced to me his decision." "And who is the happy -man?" exclaimed Don Pedro. "Tell me! In my despair I will seek him, -and----" "I do not know his name," interrupted the Unknown. "I cared -not to ask, nor did my brother inform me; he told me indeed that it was -his wish that I should first see the cavalier." - -"But, Madam," said Don Pedro, "will you then yield without resistance -to your brother's will? Will you be dragged to the altar, without -complaint? Will you go, a willing sacrifice, and abandon me so easily? -Alas! I have not hesitated to expose myself to the anger of a father -for love of you; nor could his menaces for a moment shake my fidelity. -No! nor threats, nor persuasion, could move me to espouse another, -although the lady he proposed for me was one to whom I had hardly -dared aspire." "And who is this lady?" asked the Unknown. "She is the -sister of the Count de Belflor," replied the scholar. "Ah, Don Pedro!" -cried the Unknown, with extreme surprise, "surely, you are mistaken; -it cannot be she whom they propose to you. What! Eugenia, the sister -of Belflor? Are you sure of what you say?" "Yes, Madam," replied the -Student; "the Count himself offered me her hand." "How!" cried she, -"is it possible that you are the cavalier for whom my brother designs -me?" "What do I hear?" cried the Student in his turn, "is it possible -that my incognita is the Count de Belflor's sister?" "Yes, Don Pedro," -replied Eugenia. "But I can hardly believe it myself, at this moment; -so difficult do I find it to persuade myself of the happiness you -assure to me." - -Don Pedro now fell again at her feet, and seizing her hand, he kissed -it with all the transport that lovers only can feel who pass suddenly -from the depths of despair to the highest pinnacle of hope and joy. -While he abandoned himself to the feelings of his heart, Eugenia for -the first time forgot her reserve, and freely returned his caress--she -felt that her love was sanctioned, and gave, her lips where her heart -had long been engaged. "Alas!" said she, when her love could form -itself into words, "what tortures had my brother spared me, had he -but here named the husband of his choice! What aversion had I already -conceived for my future lord! Ah, my dear Don Pedro, how I have hated -you!" "Lovely Eugenia," replied he, "what charms has that hatred for me -now! I will endeavour to merit it by adoring you for ever." - -After the happy pair had exhausted love's vocabulary, and the tumult -of their hearts was somewhat calmed, Eugenia was anxious to know by -what means the Student had gained her brother's friendship. Don Pedro -did not conceal from her the amours of the Count and his sister, and -related all that had passed the night before. It was for Eugenia an -additional pleasure to learn that Belflor was to marry the sister of -her own lover. Donna Juanna was too much interested in the welfare of -her friend not to partake of her joy for this happy event, and warmly -congratulated her, as also Don Pedro thereon. At last the lovers -separated, after having agreed that they should not appear to know each -other when they met before the Count and Don Luis. - -Don Pedro returned to his father, who, finding his son disposed to -obey him, was the more pleased, inasmuch as he attributed this ready -compliance to the firm manner in which he had spoken to him overnight. -They presently received a note from Belflor, in which he informed them -that he had obtained the King's consent to his marriage, as also for -that of his sister with Don Pedro, on whom his Majesty had been -pleased to confer a considerable appointment. He added, so diligently -had his orders for the nuptials been executed, that everything was -arranged for their taking place on the following day; and he came soon -after they had received his letter, to confirm what he had written, and -to present to them his sister Eugenia. - -[Illustration: Belflor presents Eugenia] - -Don Luis received the lady with every mark of affection, and Leonora -kissed her so much that her brother was almost jealous--although, -whatever he might feel, he managed to constrain his love and delight, -so as not to give the Count the least suspicion of their intelligence. - -As Belflor remarked his sister with great attention, he thought he -could discover, notwithstanding her reserve, which he attributed to -modesty, that Don Pedro was by no means displeasing to her. To be -certain, however, he took an opportunity of speaking to her aside, and -drew from her an avowal of her entire satisfaction. He then informed -her of the name and rank of her intended, which he would not before -communicate, lest the inequality of the stations should prejudice her -against him; all which she feigned, marvellously well, to hear as for -the first time. - -At last, after many compliments, which were remarkable for their -sincerity, it was resolved that the weddings should take place at the -house of Don Luis the next day, as Belflor had arranged. They were -accordingly celebrated this evening, the rejoicing still continues, -and now you know why they are so merry in that house. Every one is -delighted--except the lady Marcella: she, while all else are laughing, -is at this moment in tears. They are real tears too, this time! for -the Count de Belflor, after the ceremony, informed Don Luis of the -facts which preceded it; and the old gentleman has sent the duenna to -the _Monasterio de las Arrepentidas_, where the thousand pistoles she -received for seducing Leonora will enable her to repent having done so -for the rest of her days. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -NEW OBJECTS DISPLAYED TO DON CLEOPHAS; AND HIS REVENGE ON DONNA THOMASA. - - -The Demon now directed the Student's attention to another part of the -city. "You see," he continued, "that house which is directly under -us: it contains something curious enough,--a man loaded with debt and -sleeping profoundly." "Of course then," said Leandro, "he is a person -of distinction?" "Precisely so," answered Asmodeus: "he is a marquis, -possessed of a hundred thousand ducats per annum, but whose expenses, -nevertheless, exceed his income. His table and his mistresses require -that he should support them with credit, but that causes him no -anxiety; on the contrary, when he opens an account with a tradesman, -he thinks that the latter is indebted to him. 'It is you,' said he the -other day to a draper, 'it is you, that I shall henceforth trust with -the execution of my orders; it is a preference which you owe to my -esteem.' - -"While the marquis enjoys so tranquilly the sweet repose of which he -deprives his creditors, look at a man who----" "Stay, Signor Asmodeus," -interrupted Don Cleophas hastily; "I perceive a carriage in the street, -and cannot let it pass without asking what it contains." "Hush," said -the Cripple, lowering his voice, as though he feared he should be -heard:--"learn that that vehicle conceals one of the most dignified -personages in this kingdom, a president, who is going to amuse himself -with an elderly lady of Asturia, who is devoted to his pleasures. That -he may not be known, he has taken the precaution of imitating Caligula, -who on a similar occasion disguised himself in a wig. - -"But,--to return to the picture I was about to present to your sight -when you interrupted me,--observe, in the very highest part of the -mansion, where sleeps the marquis, a man who is writing in a chamber -filled with books and manuscripts." "He is probably," said Zambullo, -"the steward, labouring to devise some means for discharging his -master's obligations." "Excellent," exclaimed the Devil; "that, indeed, -forms a great part of the amusement of such gentry in the service of -noblemen! They seek rather to profit from derangement of their masters' -affairs than to put them in order. He is not, then, the steward whom -you see; he is an author: the marquis keeps him in his house, to obtain -the reputation of a patron of literature." "This author," replied Don -Cleophas, "is apparently a man of eminence." "Judge for yourself!" -replied the Demon. "He is surrounded by a thousand volumes, and is -composing one, on Natural History, in which there will not be a line of -his own. He pillages these books and manuscripts without mercy; and, -although he does nothing but arrange and connect his larcenies, he has -more vanity than the most original writer upon earth. - -[Illustration: the author at work] - -"You are not aware," continued the Spirit, "who lives three doors from -this mansion: it is La Chichona, the very lady who acted so honourable -a part in the story of the Count de Belflor." "Ah!" said Leandro, "I am -delighted to behold her. The dear creature, so considerate for youth, -is doubtless one of the two old ladies whom I perceive in that room. -One of them is leaning with both her elbows on the table, looking -attentively at the other, who is counting out some money. Which of -them is La Chichona?" "Not the one who is counting," said the Demon; -"her name is La Pebrada, and she is a distinguished member of the same -profession: they are, indeed, partners; and are at this moment dividing -the profits of an adventure which, by their assistance, has terminated -favourably. - -[Illustration: La Chichona and La Pebrada divide the profits] - -"La Pebrada is the more successful of the two: she has among her -clients several rich widows, who subscribe to her daily register." -"What do you mean by her register?" interrupted the Student. "Why," -replied Asmodeus, "it contains the names of all handsome foreigners, -and particularly Frenchmen, who come to Madrid. The instant La Pebrada -hears of an arrival, away she posts to the hotel of the new comer, -to learn every particular as to his country, birth, parentage, and -education,--his age, form, and appearance, all which are duly reported -to her subscribers; and if, on reflection, the heart of any of her -widows is inclined to an acquaintance, she adroitly manages a speedy -interview with the stranger." - -"That is extremely convenient," replied Zambullo, smiling, "and in -some sort very proper; for, in truth, without these kind ladies and -their agents, the youthful foreigner, who comes without introductions -to Madrid, would lose an immense deal of time in gaining them. But, -tell me, are there in other countries widows as generous and women as -intriguing?" "Capital!" exclaimed the Devil--"if there are? Why! can -you doubt it? I should be unworthy of my demonship if I neglected to -provide all large towns with them in plenty." - -"Cast your eyes upon Chichona's neighbour,--yon printer, who is working -at his press, alone. He has dismissed the devils in his employ these -three hours; and he is now engaged, for the night, on a work which -he is printing privately." "Ah! what may it be?" said Leandro. "It -treats of insults," replied the Demon; "and endeavours to prove that -Religion is preferable to Honour; and that it is better to pardon than -to avenge an affront." "Oh! the scoundrel!" exclaimed the Student "Well -may he print in secret his infamous book. Its author had better not -acknowledge his production: I would be one of the first to answer it -with a horsewhip. What! can Religion forbid the preservation of one's -honour?" - -"Let us not discuss that point," interrupted Asmodeus, with a malicious -smile. "It appears that you have made the most of the lectures on -morality you listened to at Alcala; and I give you joy of the result." -"You may say what you please," interrupted Cleophas in his turn, "and -so may the writer of this wretched absurdity: but though his reasonings -were clear as the noon-day sun, I should despise him and them. I am a -Spaniard, and nothing is to me so delightful as revenge; and, by the -by, since you have pledged yourself to satisfy me for the perfidy of my -mistress, I call on you at once to keep your promise." - -"I yield with pleasure," replied the Demon, "to the wrath which -agitates your breast. Oh! how I love those noble spirits who follow -without scruple the dictates of their passions! I will obey your will -at once; and indeed, the hour to avenge your wrongs is come: but first -I wish to show you something which will amuse you vastly. Look beyond -the printing-office, and observe with attention what is passing in an -apartment, hung with drab cloth." "I perceive," said Leandro, "five or -six women, who are with eagerness offering phials of something to a -sort of valet, and they appear desperately agitated." - -"They are," replied Asmodeus, "devotees, who have great reason to be -agitated. There is in the next room a sick inquisitor. This venerable -personage, who is about thirty-five years old, is attended by two of -his dearest penitents, with untiring watchfulness. One is concocting -his gruel, while the other at his pillow is employed in keeping his -head warm, and is covering his stomach with a kind of blanket made of -at least fifty lamb-skins." "What on earth is the matter with him, -then?" asked Zambullo. "He has a cold in his head," answered the Devil; -"and there is danger lest the disorder should extend to his lungs." - -[Illustration: the inquisitor nursed by two penitents] - -"The ladies whom you see in his antechamber have hastened, on the -alarm of his indisposition, with all sorts of remedies. One brings, -to allay his apprehended cough, syrups of jujubes, mallows, coral, -and coltsfoot; another, to preserve the said lungs of his reverence, -syrups of long-life, speedwell, amaranth, and the elixir vitæ; this -one, to fortify his brain and stomach, has brought balm, cinnamon, and -treacle waters, besides gutta vitæ, and the essences of nutmegs and -ambergris; that offers anacardine and bezoardic confections; while a -fifth carries tinctures of cloves, gilly-flowers, sunflowers, and of -coral and emeralds. All these zealous penitents are boasting to the -valet of the virtues of the medicines they offer; and each by turns, -drawing him aside, and slipping a ducat in his hand, whispers in his -ear: 'Laurence, my dear Laurence, manage so, I beg of you, that what I -bring for the dear man may have the preference.'" - -"By Jupiter!" cried Don Cleophas, "it must be allowed that -inquisitors--even sick inquisitors--are happy mortals." "I can answer -for that," replied Asmodeus; "I almost envy them their lot, myself; -and, like the son of Philip of Macedon, who once said that he would -have been Diogenes, if he had not been Alexander, I can unhesitatingly -say, that, if I were not a devil I would be an inquisitor." - -"But, Signor Student," continued he, "let us go! Let us away, to punish -the ingrate who so ill-requited your tenderness." Zambullo instantly -seized the end of the Demon's cloak, and a second time was whirled with -him through the air, until they alighted on the house of Donna Thomasa. - -This frail damsel was seated at table, with the four gentlemen who, -a few hours before, had so eagerly sought the acquaintance of Don -Cleophas on the roof of her house. He trembled with rage, as he beheld -them feasting on a brace of partridges and a rabbit, which, with some -choice wine, he had sent to the traitress for his own supper; and, to -add to his mortification, he perceived that joy reigned in the repast; -and that it was evident, by the deportment of the lady, that the -company of these scoundrels was much more agreeable to her than that of -himself. "Oh! the wretches!" he cried, in a perfect fury, "to see them -enjoying themselves at my expense! Vastly pleasant, is it not?" - -"Why, I must confess," replied the Demon, "that you have witnessed -spectacles more pleasing; but he who rejoices in the favours of such -fair ones must expect to share them. This sort of thing has happened a -thousand times; especially in France, among the abbés, the gentlemen of -the long robe, and the financiers." "If I had a sword, though," said -Leandro, "I would fall upon the villains, and spoil their sport for -them." "You would be hardly matched," replied the Demon;--"what were -one among so many? Leave your revenge to me! I will manage it better -than you could. I will soon set them together by the ears, in inspiring -each of them with a fit of tenderness for your mistress: their swords -will be out in no time, and you will be delighted with the uproar." - -[Illustration: The guests quarrel over Donna Thomasa] - -Asmodeus had no sooner spoken than he breathed forcibly, and from his -mouth issued a violet-coloured vapour which descended tortuously, -like a fiery serpent, and spread itself round the table of Donna -Thomasa. In an instant, one of her guests, more inflammable than his -companions, rose from his seat, and, approaching the lady, embraced -her amorously; when the others, in whom the spirit had begun to work, -hastened together to snatch from him the dainty prize. Each claimed -a preference: words ensued; a jealous rage possessed them; blows -succeeded, and, as the Devil had foretold, they drew their weapons and -commenced a furious combat. In the meanwhile Donna Thomasa exerted -her lungs, and the neighbourhood was speedily alarmed by her cries. -They call for the police; the police arrive: they break open the -door, and find two of the Hectors extended on the floor. They seize -upon the others, and take them with the Helen of the party to prison. -In vain did she weep; in vain did she tear her locks, and exclaim -in despair:--the tears of unfortunate beauty had no more effect on -the cavaliers who conducted her, than they had on her former knight -Zambullo, who almost died with laughter, in which the god of love most -unnaturally joined him. - -"Well!" said the Demon to the Student, "are you content?" "No, no!" -replied Don Cleophas; "to satisfy me in full, place me upon the prison, -that I may have the pleasure of beholding in her dungeon, the miserable -who trifled with my love. I feel for her, now, a hatred which exceeds -even the affection with which she formerly inspired me." "Be it so!" -said the Devil; "you shall ever find me a slave to your will, though -it interfered with mine and my interests,--provided always, that it is -safe to indulge you." - -[Illustration: Donna Thomasa in prison] - -They flew through the air, and were on the prison before the officers -arrived with their captives. The two assassins were at once consigned -to one of its lowest deeps, while Thomasa was led to a bed of straw, -which she was to share with three or four other abandoned women, who -had fallen into the hands of justice the same day; and with whom she -was destined to be transported to the colonies, which a grateful mother -country generally endows with this description of female inhabitants. - -"I am satisfied," said Zambullo; "I have tasted a delicious revenge: -my dear Thomasa will not pass the night quite so pleasantly as -she had anticipated. So, now, if you please, we will continue our -observations." "We could not be in a better place, then," replied the -Spirit. "Within these walls is much to interest you. Innocent and -guilty, in somewhat equal numbers, are here enclosed: it is the hell -in which commences the punishment of the one, and the purgatory in -which the virtue of the others may be purified,--you see I'm a good -Catholic, Signor Student! Of both of these species of prisoners I will -show you examples, and I will inform you why they are here enfettered." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -THE PRISON, AND THE PRISONERS. - - -"And before I commence my memoirs, just observe the gaolers at the -entrance of this horrible place. The poets of antiquity placed but one -Cerberus at the gate of their hell: there are many more here, however, -as you perceive. They are creatures who have lost all the feelings -of humanity, if they ever possessed any;--the most malicious of my -brethren could hardly replace one of them. But I observe that you are -looking with horror on those cells whose only furniture consists of a -wretched bed,--those fearful dungeons appear to you so many tombs. You -are reasonably astonished at the misery you behold; and you deplore -the fate of those unhappy persons whom the law restrains; still, they -are not all equally to be pitied; and I will enable you to distinguish -between them. - -"To begin, in that large cell to the right are four men sleeping in -two beds; one of them is an innkeeper, accused of having poisoned a -foreigner who died suddenly the other day in his house. They assert -that the deceased owed his death to the quality of the wine he partook -of; the host maintains, that the quantity, alone, killed him: and the -accused will be believed, for the stranger was a German." "Well! who -is in the right, the innkeeper or his accusers?" said Don Cleophas. -"It is difficult to decide," replied the Devil "The wine was certainly -drugged; but, i' faith, the Baron drank so largely, that the judges may -for the nonce most conscientiously acquit a tavern-keeper of poisoning -his customer." - -"His bedfellow is an assassin by profession;--not a soldier, but one of -those scoundrels who are called _Valientes_, and who for four or five -pistoles obligingly minister to all who will go to so great an expense -for the purpose of secretly ridding themselves of some one to whom they -owe an obligation. The third prisoner is a dancing-master, who has -been teaching one of his female pupils a step not usually practised -in genteel society; and the fourth is an unlucky gallant caught by -the patrole in the act of entering, by the balcony, the apartment of -a lady, whom he was about to console for the absence of her husband. -He has only to declare the charitable object of his visit, to withdraw -himself from the hands of justice; but he nobly prefers to suffer as a -robber, rather than endanger the reputation of his mistress." - -"He is a model of discretion, indeed," said the Student; "but it -must be allowed that the cavaliers of Spain excel those of all -other nations in affairs of gallantry; I would bet anything that a -Frenchman, for example, would never permit himself to be hanged under -similar circumstances." "And I would back you for that," answered the -Devil; "he would rather scale the balcony of a lady, of whose favours -he could boast, in broad day-light, for the express purpose of -proclaiming her disgrace." - -"In a cell near that of the four men I have just spoken of," continued -Asmodeus, "is a celebrated witch, who enjoys the reputation of doing -all impossible things. By the power of her magic, old dowagers can -find, they say, youthful admirers who will love them for their bloom; -husbands are rendered faithful to their wives; and coquettes sincerely -devoted to the rich fools who keep them: all which is, I need not tell -you, absurd enough. Her only secret is in persuading people that she -has one, and in making the most of that opinion. The Holy Office is -jealous of the poor creature, so have called her to account; and she is -likely to be burnt at the first _aúto de fé_." - -"Under this cell, in a dark dungeon, lodges a young tavern -keeper."--"What! another?" cried Leandro,--"surely these people are -going to poison all the world." "Mine host, in this case," replied -Asmodeus, "will not suffer for his wine; it is for an illegal traffic -in spirits that he was arrested yesterday, at the instance of the Holy -Office also. I will explain the matter to you in a few words. - -"An old soldier, having risen by his courage, or rather by his -patience, to the rank of serjeant, came to Madrid in search of -recruits, and demanded a lodging in a tavern to which he was directed -by his billet. The host told the serjeant that he certainly had spare -rooms in his house, but that he could not think of putting him into any -one of them, as they were haunted by a ghost who visited them nightly, -and most shockingly ill-treated those who had the temerity to occupy -them. The serjeant was not however to be daunted: 'Place me,' said -he, 'in any room you please; give me a light, some wine, a pipe and -tobacco, and never trouble yourself for my safety; ghosts, depend upon -it, have the highest respect for an old campaigner, whose hairs have -whitened under arms.' - -"As he appeared so resolute, they showed the old soldier to a chamber, -gave him all he had required; and he began to smoke and drink at his -ease. The hour of midnight sounded, but no ghost appeared to disturb -the profound silence that reigned throughout the house; it seemed as -though the spirit did indeed respect the valiant bearing of his new -guest: but, between one and two o'clock, the wakeful sentinel was -alarmed by a horrible din, as of rattling chains, and beheld, entering -his apartment, a fearful spectre, clothed in black, and enveloped -with iron chains. Our old smoker, not in the least alarmed at this -spectacle, rose calmly from his chair, advanced towards the spirit, -drew his sword, and gave him with the flat side of it, a terrible blow -on the head. - -"The phantom, unaccustomed to find such courageous tenants in his -domain, and perceiving that the soldier was preparing to repeat the -blow, fell upon his knees before him, crying out,--'Pardon, signor -serjeant; for the love of Heaven, do not kill me: have pity upon a poor -devil, who throws himself at your feet to implore your clemency. I -conjure you by St James, who, like yourself, was a valiant soldier----' -'If you would preserve your life,' interrupted the serjeant, 'tell me -who you are, and what you do here. Speak the truth,--or, by our Lady, -I will cut you in two, as the knights of old split the giants they -encountered.' At these words, the spirit, finding with whom he had to -do, saw that he had better lose no time in his explanation. - -[Illustration: William kneels before the serjeant] - -"'I am,' said he, 'the head-waiter of this inn; my name is William; -and I love Juanilla, the only daughter of the landlord, and I do not -love without return; but as her parents have a better match in view, -my sweetheart and myself have arranged that, in order to compel them -to choose me for their son-in-law, I shall nightly disguise myself -in this manner. I clothe myself in a long black cloak, and put the -jack-chain round my neck; and, thus equipped, I go about the house, -from the cellar to the garret, making all the noise I can, of which -you have heard a specimen. When I arrive at the door of my master and -mistress's bed-room, I rattle my chains, and cry loud enough for them -to hear,--"Hope not to rest in peace, until you have married Juanilla -to your head-waiter, William!"' - -"'After having pronounced these words in a hoarse and broken voice, -I continue my clatter, and vanish by a window into the chamber where -Juanilla sleeps alone, to inform her of what I have done. And now, -signor serjeant, you may be assured that I have told you the whole -truth. I know that after this confession you may ruin me, by informing -my master of the affair; but if, instead of thus injuring me, you are -inclined to serve me, I swear that my gratitude----' 'Ah!' interrupted -the soldier, 'what service can you hope from me?' 'You have only in the -morning,' replied the young man, 'to say that you have seen the ghost, -and that it has so terribly frightened you,----' 'What, the deuce! -frightened me!' again interrupted the old warrior; 'do you expect -that Serjeant Hannibal Antonio Quebrantador is going to say that he -was frightened? I would rather say that a hundred thousand devils had -me----' 'That is not absolutely necessary,' in his turn interrupted -William; 'and after all, it is of no great consequence what you say, -provided that you but assist me in my design: only let me marry -Juanilla, and see myself established by the assistance of her father, -and I promise to keep open house for you and all your friends.' - -"'You are a regular seducer, master William,' cried the soldier; 'you -want to join me in a downright cheat: the matter may be serious, -and you take it so lightly, as to make me, even, tremble for the -consequences. But away with you! continue your infernal noise, and go -to Juanilla to render your account: I will manage the rest.' - -[Illustration: the serjeant speaks to his host and hostess] - -"Accordingly, on the following morning, the serjeant said to his -host and hostess: 'Well! I have seen the ghost, conversed with it, -and found it very civil and reasonable.' "I am," said he to me, "the -great-great-grandfather of the master of this house. I had a daughter, -whom I solemnly promised to the father of master William's grandfather: -nevertheless, despite my pledge, I gave her hand to another, and died -shortly afterwards. Ever since then, I have remained in purgatory, -suffering for this perjury; and I shall continue in torment until -some one of my descendants has married into the family of the head -waiter. To accomplish this, I come here nightly; but it is in vain -that I command them to unite Juanilla and young William,--the son of -my grandchild turns a deaf ear to my entreaties, as well as his wife; -but tell them, if you please, signor serjeant, that if they do not as -I desire of them soon, I shall come to extremities with them, and will -plague them both in a way they little dream of."' - -"The host, who is simple enough, was somewhat shaken by this discourse; -but the hostess, still more silly than her husband, was so much -affected by it, that she fancied she already saw the ghost at her -heels, and at once consented to the match, which took place on the -following day. William shortly afterwards took an inn in another -part of the town, and serjeant Quebrantador failed not to visit him -frequently. The new tavern-keeper at first, out of gratitude, filled -him with wine at discretion; which so pleased the old moustache, that -he took all his friends to the house: he even there enrolled his -recruits, and made them drunk at the host's expense. - -"At last, therefore, master William became tired of constantly wetting -so many parching throats; but, on communicating his ideas upon the -subject to the serjeant, the latter, with a disregard of his own -infraction of their treaty which would have fitted him to command an -army, was unjust enough to accuse mine host of ingratitude. William -replied, the other rejoined, and the conversation ended, as their -first had begun, with a blow of the serjeant's long sword on the thick -head of the unfortunate tavern-keeper. Some passers-by naturally -sided with the civilian: of these Quebrantador wounded three or four; -and his wrath was yet unsatisfied, when he was suddenly assailed -by a host of archers, who arrested him as a disturber of the peace. -They conducted him to prison, where he declared all that I have told -you; and upon his deposition the ex-head-waiter was encaged also. His -father-in-law demands a divorce; and the Holy Office, hearing that -William has acquired some considerable property, has kindly undertaken -to investigate the matter." - -[Illustration: the serjeant is restrained from attacking William] - -"Egad!" cried Don Cleophas, "our holy inquisition is ever alive to its -interests. No sooner do they light upon a profitable----" "Softly!" -interrupted the devil, "have a care how you launch out against that -tribunal:--for it, the very walls have ears. They echo even words that -the mouth has never spoken; and for myself, I hardly dare to mention it -without trembling." - -"Over the unfortunate William, in the first chamber to the left, -are two men worthy of your pity; one of them is a youthful valet, -whom his master's wife privately indulged with the use of more than -her husband's clothes. One day, however, the husband surprised them -together; when the lady immediately began crying out for help, and -accused the valet of having violated her person. The poor fellow was -arrested, of course; and, according to appearances, will be sacrificed -to his mistress's reputation. His companion, still less guilty than the -valet, is also about to pay the forfeit of his life. He was footman to -a duchess who has been robbed of a valuable diamond, which they accuse -him of having taken. He will be to-morrow put to the torture, until the -rack wrings from him a confession of the theft; and in the meanwhile -the lady's maid, who is the real culprit, and whom no one dares to -suspect, will moralise with the duchess on the depravity of modern -servants." - -"Ah! Signor Asmodeus," said Leandro, "let not the wretched footman -perish, I entreat you! His innocence interests me for his life. Save -him, by your power, from the unjust and cruel torture they would -inflict: he deserves----" "You cannot expect it, Signor Student!" -interrupted the demon. "What! do you suppose that I would prevent -injustice?--that I would snatch the guiltless from destruction? As well -might you pray an attorney to desist from the ruin of the widow or the -orphan!" - -"Oh! and it please you," added the Devil, "expect not of me that which -is contrary to my interest, unless indeed it be of great advantage -to yourself. Besides, were I willing to deliver yonder prisoner from -bondage, how could I effect it?" "How!" repeated Zambullo, "do you mean -to say that you have not the power so to do?" "Certainly," replied the -Cripple. "Had you read the Enchiridion, or Albertus Magnus, you would -know that neither I, nor any of my brethren, can liberate a prisoner -from his cell: even I, were I so unfortunate as to be within the talons -of the law, could only hope to escape by bribing my jailer, or my -judges. - -"In the next room, on the same side, lodges a surgeon convicted of -having, in a fit of jealousy, drained the warm blood which wantoned in -the veins of his handsome wife, after the model of the death of Seneca. -He was yesterday tenderly questioned on the rack; and having confessed -the crime of which he was accused, he let out the secrets of his -profession, by detailing a very novel and interesting mode which he had -especially adopted for increasing his practice. He stated that he had -been in the habit of wounding persons in the street with a bayonet, and -of then lancing himself into his house by a back-door. Of course the -patient used to call out lustily at this unexpected operation; and as -the neighbours flocked around at his cries, the surgeon, mingling with -the crowd, and finding a man bathed in his blood, very charitably had -him carried to his shop, and dressed the wound with the same hand that -had given it. - -"Although the rascally practitioner has confessed to this atrocity, -for which a thousand deaths were not one too many, he still hopes that -his life will be spared; and it is not improbable that it may be so, -seeing that he is related to the lady who has the honour of clouting -the little princes of Spain: besides which, he is the inventor of a -marvellous wash, of which the secret would die with him, and which -has the virtues of whitening the skin, and of giving to the wrinkled -front the juvenile appearance of fifteen. Now, as this incomparable -water serves as the fountain of youth to three ladies of the palace, -who have united their efforts to save him, he relies so confidently on -their credit at court, or rather on that of his wash, that he sleeps -tranquilly in the soothing hope that he will awaken to the agreeable -intelligence of his pardon." - -"I perceive, upon a bed in the same room," said the Student, "another -man, who appears to me to be sleeping peaceably enough; his business -is not a very bad one, I expect." "It is a very ticklish affair, -though," replied the Demon. "That cavalier is a gentleman of Biscay, -who has enriched himself by the fire of a carbine: I will tell you -how. About a fortnight ago, shooting in a forest with his elder and -only brother, who was in possession of a large estate, he killed him, -by mistake, instead of a partridge." "A very lucky mistake, that," -cried Don Cleophas, laughing, "for a younger son." "Yes," replied -Asmodeus: "but a collateral branch of the family, the members of which -would have no objection to see the deceased's estate fall within their -line, have disinterestedly prosecuted his murderer on the charge of -having designedly shot him, that he might succeed to his property. -The accused, however, immediately rendered himself into the hands of -justice; and he appears to be so deeply afflicted by the death of his -brother, that they can scarcely imagine him guilty of deliberately -taking his life." "And has he really nothing with which to reproach -himself, beyond his fatal awkwardness?" asked Leandro. "No," replied -Asmodeus; "his design was innocent enough; but when an elder son is -in possession of all the wealth of his family, I should certainly not -advise him to make a shooting-party in company with his younger brother. - -"Observe attentively those two youths who, in a retreat near to that -of the fatal shot, are conversing as merrily as though they were at -liberty. They are a pair of veritable _picaros;_ and there is one, -especially, who may some day amuse the public with one of those details -of roguery which never fail to delight it. He is a modern Guzman -d'Alfarache: it is he who wears the brown velvet vest, and has a plume -of feathers in his hat. - -"Not three months since, in this very town, he was page to the Count -d'Onato; and he would still have been in the suite of that nobleman -but for a little piece of rascality, which gained for him his present -lodging, and which I will narrate to you. - -"One day, this youth, whose name is Domingo, received a hundred -lashes, which the Count's intendant, otherwise governor of the pages, -directed to be bestowed on him as a reward for some trick which -appeared to deserve it. Domingo was, however, impatient under such -a load of obligation; and so, proudly resolved to return it on the -first opportunity. He had remarked more than once that the Signor Don -Como, as the intendant styled himself, delighted to wash his hands -with orange-flower water, and to anoint himself with pastes redolent -of the pink or jessamine; that he was more careful of his person than -an old coquette, and that, in short, he was one of those coxcombs who -imagine that no woman of taste can behold them without loving them. -These observations inspired Domingo with a scheme for revenge, which he -communicated to a young waiting-woman who resided in the neighbourhood, -whose assistance he required for the execution of his project, and in -whose favour he stood so high that she had none left to grant him. - -"This damsel, called Floretta, in order to have the pleasure of an -unrestrained intercourse with the page, introduced him as her cousin -into the house of Donna Luziana, her mistress, whose father was at that -time absent from Madrid. The cunning Domingo, after having informed his -pretended relative of her part in his design, going one morning into -the apartment of Don Como, found my gentleman trying on a new dress, -looking with complacency at his figure in a mirror, and evidently by no -means displeased with its reflection. The page affected to be struck -with admiration of this Narcissus, and exclaimed, in well-feigned -transport: 'Upon my honour, Signor Don Como, you have the air of -royalty itself. I see, daily, nobles richly clad; but notwithstanding -the elegance and splendour of their vestments, I discern in none that -dignity of mien which distinguishes you. I will not assert,' added he, -'that with the respect I have for you, I may not regard you with eyes -somewhat prepossessed in your favour; but this I can say, that I know -of no cavalier at court whom you would not totally eclipse.' - -"The intendant smiled at this discourse, which offered so agreeable -a tribute to his vanity, and graciously replied:--'You flatter me, -my friend; or rather, as you say, you esteem me so highly, that your -friendship endows me with graces that nature has refused.' 'I cannot -think so,' replied the parasite; 'for there is no one who does not -speak of you in terms which I dare not repeat, lest you should think -I flattered you indeed. I wish you had heard what was said to me -yesterday by one of my cousins, who is in the service of a lady of -quality.' - -"Don Como failed not to ask what it was that Domingo's cousin had -said of him. 'Why,' replied the page, 'I ought hardly to tell you; but -she enlarged on the majesty of your figure,--on the charms which are -everywhere visible in your person; and, what is better, she told me, in -confidence, that the greatest delight of Donna Luziana, her mistress, -is to watch for your passing her house, and to feast her eyes with -beholding you.' - -[Illustration: The page flattering Don Como] - -"'And who is this lady?' said the intendant,--'where does she live?' -'What!' replied Domingo; 'do you not know the only daughter of general -Don Fernando, our neighbour?' 'Ah! to be sure I do,' replied Don Como: -'I remember to have frequently heard of the wealth and surpassing -beauty of this Luziana; she is not to be despised. But is it possible -that I can have attracted her attention?' 'Can you doubt it?' exclaimed -the page. 'Besides, my own cousin told me of the fact; and, though in a -humble situation, she is incapable of falsehood, and I would answer for -her word with my life.' 'In that case,' said the intendant, 'I should -be glad to have a little private conversation with your relative, to -engage her in my interest by the customary trifling presents to which -her situation entitles her; and if she should advise me to pay court to -her mistress, egad! I'll try my fortune. And why not? It is true that -there is some difference between my rank and that of Don Fernando; but -still I am a gentleman, and have a good four hundred ducats per annum. -There are more extraordinary matches than this made every day.' - -"The page fortified his governor in his resolution, and procured for -him an interview with his cousin; who, finding the intendant disposed -to swallow anything, assured him of her mistress's inclination in his -favour. 'You have no idea,' said she, 'how often Luziana has questioned -me as to the handsome cavalier who had made such an impression on her -heart; and you may be sure that my replies were neither unpleasing to -her, nor unfavourable to you: in short, Signor, she loves you; and you -have everything to hope from her affection. Seek then her hand, openly -and without hesitation; justify her secret passion, by showing that she -loves a cavalier, not only the most charming and well-made, but the -most gallant, of all Madrid. Give her, in serenades, the delightful -assurance that your heart responds to hers; and rely on me to picture -your devotion in the most pleasing colours,--an office as agreeable to -myself as I hope it will be useful to you.' Don Como, transported with -joy at finding the maid so warmly disposed to serve him, almost stifled -her with his caresses; and, placing a worthless ring upon her finger, -which he had liberally purchased of a Jew, and which had served the -same purpose fifty times, he exclaimed,--'Dearest Floretta! accept this -ring as an earnest of my gratitude, until I have an opportunity of more -worthily recompensing the favours you are about to shower on me.' - -"Never was lover in greater ecstacy than was our intendant at the -result of his conversation with Floretta; and as he was indebted to -Domingo for this happiness, the page not only received his thanks, but -was rewarded by the magnificent present of a pair of silk stockings, -some shirts trimmed with lace, and a promise of the Signor's losing no -opportunity which might offer for promoting his interests. 'My dear -friend,' said he, on leaving Floretta, 'what is your opinion of the -steps I should take in this matter? Do you think I should commence with -an impassioned and sublime epistle to my Luziana?' 'Decidedly,' replied -the page. 'Make her a declaration of your love in fitting terms: I -have a presentiment that it will not be badly received.' 'Well! I -think so too,' replied the intendant; 'at all events, I will try the -experiment.' Accordingly, down he sat to compose the missive; and after -having torn in pieces at least fifty scrawls, which would have made -the fortune of a German romancist, he at last succeeded in composing -a billet-doux which satisfied his scruples. It was conceived in the -following grandiloquent and affecting terms:-- - - "'Months have rolled like centuries, oh! lovely Luziana, since, - inspired by the renown which everywhere proclaims your perfections, - my too-sensible soul has yielded to the flames of love, to burn for - you alone! My heart consumed in secret, a willing prey to the fires - that devoured me; and I never dared proclaim my sufferings to you, - much less to seek for consolation. But a happy chance has recently - revealed the soothing secret that, from behind the jealous screen - which conceals your celestial charms from the eyes of men, you - sometimes deign to look with pity on me as I pass;--that, directed by - the divinity who guards you, and the destiny of your star,--oh, happy - star for me!--you even think of me with kindness. I hasten then in all - humility to consecrate my life unto your service; and should I be so - fortunate as to obtain permission so to do, to renounce in your favour - all ladies past, or present, or to come. - - "'DON COMO DE LA HIGUERA.' - -"Domingo and Floretta were not a little amused, on the receipt of this -letter, at the expense of the poor intendant. But, not contented with -the folly they had already induced him to commit, they set their wits -to work to compose an answer to the billet which should be sufficiently -tender. This done, it was copied by Floretta, and delivered by the page -on the following day to Don Como. It was in these words:-- - - "'I know not who can have so well informed you of my secret - sentiments. Some one has however betrayed me. Still, I pardon the - treachery, since, to it I owe an avowal of your love. I see many pass - before my window, but I look with pleasure upon you alone; and I am - too happy to find that I am dear to you. Perhaps I am wrong to feel - this delight, and still more wrong to dare to tell you so. If it be a - fault in me, your virtues have caused, and must excuse it. - - "'DONNA LUZIANA.' - -"Although this letter was rather too warm for the daughter of a -Spanish general, as its authors had not thought much about ceremony, -the presumptuous Don Como received it without suspicion. He thought -sufficiently well of himself to imagine that for him a lady might well -forget somewhat of the usages of society. 'Ah! Domingo,' he cried, -with an air of triumph, after having read the letter aloud, 'you see, -my friend, that the fish bites. Congratulate me! I shall soon be -son-in-law to Don Fernando, or my name's not Don Como de la Higuera.' - -"'It is beyond a doubt,' said the rascally confidant; 'you seem to have -made a tremendous impression on the girl. But, à-propos,' added he, 'I -must not forget to tell you that my cousin particularly desired me to -say, that to-morrow, at latest, you should serenade your mistress, in -order to complete her infatuation.' 'I will on no account omit it,' -replied the intendant. 'You may assure your cousin that I will in all -things follow her advice; and that to-morrow, without fail, in the -middle of the night, the street shall resound with one of the most -gallant concerts that was ever heard in Madrid.' And away went the -intendant to secure the assistance of a celebrated musician, to whom -he communicated his project, and whom he charged with the care of its -execution. - -"In the meanwhile, Floretta, informed of the intended serenade, and -finding her mistress in a desirable mood, said to her,--'Madam, I am -preparing for you an agreeable diversion.' 'What may that be?' asked -Luziana. 'Why,' replied the waiting-maid, laughing until the tears ran -from her eyes, 'there is much to amuse you. An original, one Don Como, -governor of the pages of the Count d'Onato, has taken it into his head -to choose you as the sovereign lady of his thoughts; and he intends, -to-morrow, in order that you may no longer remain ignorant of his -devotion, to gratify you with the sound of music and sweet voices, in -an evening serenade.' Donna Luziana, whose composition was none of the -most grave, and who was far from foreseeing an unpleasant consequence -to her in the gallantries of the intendant, instead of regarding the -matter seriously, was delighted at the anticipated tribute to her -charms; and thus, without knowing what she did, assisted in confirming -the amorous Don Como in an illusion, of which it would have shocked her -greatly to have been supposed designedly the author. - -"The night came, and with it appeared, before the balcony of the -lady, two carriages, from which descended the gallant Como and his -confidant, accompanied by six musicians, vocal and instrumental, who -commenced a very decent concert, which lasted for a considerable time. -They performed many of the newest airs, and sang all the songs in -vogue whose verses told the power of love in uniting hearts despite -the obstacles of fortune, and the inequality of rank; while at every -couplet, which the general's daughter perceived to be directed to -herself, her merriment knew no bounds. - -"When the serenade was over, and the performers had departed in the -carriages which brought them, the crowd which the music had attracted -dispersed, and our lover remained in the street with Domingo alone. He -approached the balcony, whence, in a few minutes, the servant-girl, -with her mistress's permission, said to him in a feigned voice: 'Is -that you, Signor Don Como?' 'Who asks me that question?' replied the -Don in a languishing tone. 'It is,' rejoined the girl, 'Donna Luziana, -who would know if the concert she has heard but now, is an offering of -your gallantry to her.' 'It is,' exclaimed the intendant, 'but a shadow -of those festivals my love prepares for her who is the marvel of our -days, if she will deign receive them from a lover who is sacrificed on -the altar of her beauty.' - -"At this brilliant metaphor, Luziana with difficulty restrained her -laughter; but, coming forward and putting her head partially out of -the little window from which her maid had addressed him, she said to -the intendant, as seriously as possible: 'Signor Don Como, you are, I -perceive, no novice in the art of love; in you, each gallant cavalier -who would gain his lady's heart, may find a model for his conduct. I -thank you for your serenade, and feel flattered by your attention; -but,' added she, 'retire now, lest we should be observed; another time -we may, unrestrained, indulge in further conversation.' As she finished -these words, she closed the window, leaving the intendant in the -street, highly delighted at the kindness she had displayed for him, and -the page greatly astonished that the lady had herself undertaken a part -in the comedy. - -"This little fête, including the carriages and the enormous quantity -of wine which its bibulous performers had consumed, cost Don Como -upwards of a hundred ducats; and, two days afterwards, his confidant -engaged him in a further outlay, in the following manner. Having -learned that, on the night of St. John,--a night so celebrated in this -city,--Floretta was about to join the damsels of her class at the -_fiesta del sotillo_, Domingo undertook to enliven this dance by a -magnificent breakfast at the intendant's expense. - -[Illustration: Don Como serenades Luziana] - -"'Accordingly, Signor Don Como,' said he, on the eve of this festival, -'you are aware of what takes place to-morrow. I thought, however, you -would like to be informed that Donna Luziana intends to repair at break -of day to the banks of the Mançanarez, to witness the _sotillo_. I need -say no more to the Corypheus of gallant cavaliers;--you are not the man -to neglect so favourable an opportunity, and I am certain that your -mistress and her companions will not fare badly to-morrow.' 'Of that -you may be sure,' replied the governor, 'and I am obliged to you for -informing me of her intention: you shall see if I know how to kick the -ball as it bounds.' In effect, very early on the following day, four -of the Count's servants, conducted by Domingo, and loaded with every -description of cold meat, cooked in all fashions, with an infinite -number of small loaves and bottles of delicious wines, arrived on the -bank of the river, where Floretta and her companions were dancing, like -nymphs before the golden throne of Aurora. - -"Had that goddess herself appeared, she would hardly have been more -cordially greeted than were the wines and cold collation which the page -brought on the part of Don Como; offering, as they did, so agreeable -a repast after the delightful fatigues of the dance, which they so -agreeably interrupted. The damsels seated themselves on the velvet turf -of the meadow, and lost no time in paying due honour to the feast, the -while laughing immoderately at the dupe who gave it; for Domingo's kind -cousin had not omitted to inform them of their benefactor, and his -amorous adventure. - -"While they were in the midst of their rejoicing and their breakfast, -they perceived the squire, richly dressed, and mounted on one of the -Count's steeds, which was ambling towards them. He rode up to his -confidant, and gaily saluted the ladies, who rose at his approach, -and politely thanked him for his generosity. His eyes wandered among -the company in search of Donna Luziana, as he was anxious to deliver -himself of a speech, glittering with compliments as the sward beneath -his horse's feet with flowers, and which he had composed during his -ride in honour of his mistress. Great therefore was his grief, when -Floretta, taking him aside, informed him that a slight indisposition -had prevented her lady from joining in the festival. The Don, with -a proper display of sensibility on the occasion, was particular in -his inquiries as to the ailment; but when the girl informed him that -Luziana suffered from a cold, caught on the previous night from -exposure in the balcony without her veil, talking of him and of his -serenade, he was not without consolation to find so sad an accident -proceeded from a cause so good. He therefore contented himself with -the usual expressions of condolence; and, after praying Floretta to -continue to interest herself in his behalf with his mistress, took the -road to his dwelling, rejoicing more and more at his great good fortune. - -[Illustration: Don Como at the _sotillo_] - -"About this time, the intendant received a bill of exchange for a -thousand crowns from Andalusia, as his portion of the effects of one of -his uncles, who had died at Seville. On turning this bill into cash, -he happened to count it over and place it in a coffer in the presence -of Domingo, who took so lively an interest in the operation, that, in -order to repeat it, he was tempted to appropriate, if possible, the -shining gold; and resolved, if successful in so doing, to escape with -it into Portugal. He related his project in confidence to Floretta, -and even proposed to her that she should accompany him. Now this -proposition was undoubtedly one which most people would think worthy -of reflection; but the girl, as interested in the matter as the page, -accepted it without a moment's hesitation. Consequently, one night, -while the intendant was labouring in his cabinet to compose a touching -letter to his mistress, Domingo found means to open the coffer in which -the money was confined, to release it from its captivity, and to hasten -with the enfranchised crowns into the street. He instantly repaired -to the balcony of Luziana, and, as a signal which had been agreed -upon between him and his confederate, commenced a caterwauling, which -disturbed the gravity of all the tabbies in the neighbourhood. The -girl, ready to wander with him through the world, promptly responded to -the amatory call; and in a few minutes they were on the high road from -Madrid, together. - -"They reckoned that, in the event of pursuit, they would have plenty of -time to gain the frontiers of Portugal before they could be overtaken; -but, unfortunately for them, Don Como discovered the theft, and the -flight of his confidant that very night. He gave immediate information -to the police, whose officers were without loss of time dispersed on -all sides in pursuit of the fugitives, and Domingo was taken, near -Zebreros, in company with his lady. They were quickly brought back -to Madrid: the girl has been sent to join our friend Marcella in _las -Arrepentidas_, and Domingo is, as you perceive, as gay as ever within -the walls of this prison." - -"And the intendant," added Don Cleophas, "has saved his golden crowns; -as of course they have been restored to him." "Of course they have -not," replied the Devil: "the thousand pieces are the proof of the -robbery, and the officers of justice understand their business too -well to give them up; so that Don Como, whose loving history is spread -throughout Madrid, has lost his money and his mistress, and is laughed -at by everybody into the bargain." - -"Domingo and his fellow-prisoner have for a neighbour," continued the -Cripple, "a young Castilian who has been arrested for having, in the -presence of too many witnesses, struck his father." "Oh heaven!" cried -Leandro, "is it possible? Lives there a child, however lost to shame, -who can raise his impious hand against a father?" "Oh yes," said the -Demon: "yon Castilian is not without example; and I will cite you one -whose history is rather remarkable. Under the reign of Don Pedro I., -surnamed the Just and the Cruel, the eighth king of Portugal, a youth -of twenty fell into the hands of justice for the same crime. Don Pedro, -as much surprised as yourself at the novelty of the case, was curious -to interrogate the mother of the criminal, and he examined her so -adroitly as to obtain from her a confession, that the real father of -this child was a certain reverend prelate. If the Castilian's judges -were discreet enough to interrogate his mother with equal address, it -is probable that it would be attended with a similar avowal. - -"Cast your eyes into a large dungeon beneath the prisoners I have just -pointed out to you, and observe what is passing there. Do you see -those three ill-looking rascals? They are highwaymen. See! they are -effecting their escape. Some one has furnished them with a dumb-file -in a loaf of bread; and they have already cut through one of the thick -bars of a window, by which they may gain the court-yard, and from -thence the street. They have been more than ten months in prison, and -it is upwards of eight since they should have received the public -recompense due to their exploits; but, thanks to the tardiness of -justice, they are about to begin again their career of robbery and -murder. - -[Illustration: a prisoner being beaten up by his fellow inmates] - -"And now look into that low roofed cell where you perceive twenty -or thirty men, some of them stretched upon straw. They are mostly -pickpockets, shop-lifters, or professors of other branches of the -Spartan craft. Do you observe five or six of them worrying a sort of -labourer, who was introduced to their society this morning for having -wounded an alguazil with a stone?" "And what are they thrashing him -for?" asked Zambullo. "Why," replied Asmodeus, "because he has not paid -his entrance-fees. But," added he, "let us leave this horrible place, -and the miserable wretches it contains; they are not in my vocation: we -will go elsewhere, in search of objects less disgusting." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -OF VARIOUS PERSONS EXHIBITED TO DON CLEOPHAS BY ASMODEUS, WHO REVEALS -TO THE STUDENT WHAT EACH HAS DONE IN HIS DAY. - - -In a few moments, the Demon and his pupil were on the roof of a large -mansion, at a considerable distance from that part of the city in -which they had left the prisoners. "I have brought you here," said -Asmodeus, "because I am desirous of informing you what the mass of -people who reside in the neighbourhood of the house we are on, have -been doing in the course of to-day;--it will amuse you." "Doubtless!" -replied Leandro. "Begin, I beseech you: and first for yonder cavalier -who is booting in such haste: what weighty matters call him from his -home in such a night as this, my Mentor?" "He is a captain," replied -the Cripple, "whose steeds are waiting in the street to carry him to -Catalonia, where his regiment is stationed. - -"Well! yesterday, our hero, being without cash, applied to one of those -gentry who, instead of giving to the poor, wisely lend unto the lords, -or captains. 'Signor Sanguisuela,' said he, 'can you not oblige me with -the loan of a thousand ducats?' 'Signor Captain,' replied the usurer, -'I have them not; but I think I know a friend who has, and will lend -them to you:--that is to say, if you will give him your note of hand -for a thousand ducats, he will give you four hundred; out of which I -shall be content to receive sixty only, as my commission. Money is so -extremely scarce, that----' 'What usury!' interrupted the officer, -hastily. 'What! ask six hundred and sixty ducats for the loan of three -hundred and forty? Infamous extortion! Such hard-hearted scoundrels -deserve to be hanged.' - -"'Keep your temper, at all events, Signor Captain, and go elsewhere for -your money,' replied the usurer, with the greatest coolness. 'Of what -do you complain? Do I force you to take the three hundred and forty -ducats? Heaven forbid! you are free to take them or to leave them.' -To this the Captain had no reply to make, and went his way; but, on -reflecting that he must set out for the camp on the morrow, and that -he had no time to lose, he resolved to lose his money; so he returned -this morning to the usurer, whom he met at his door, dressed in a short -black mantle, a plain collar round his neck, his hair closely trimmed, -and with a rosary in his hand, garnished with saintly medals. 'Here I -am again, Signor Sanguisuela,' said he; 'I will take the three hundred -and forty ducats,--necessity compels me to accept your terms.' 'I am -going to mass,' gravely replied the usurer; 'on my return, I will -give you that amount.' 'Ah! no,' exclaimed the Captain; 'I pray you -give it me at once: it will but delay you for an instant. I would not -entreat you, but my haste is great as is my need.' 'I cannot,' replied -Sanguisuela: 'I hear mass daily, before I think of following my worldly -avocations; it is a rule I have prescribed for my conduct, and I will -endeavour religiously to observe it while I live.' - -[Illustration: the captain and the usurer leaving church] - -"However impatient might be our captain to lay his hands upon the -money, he was obliged to comport himself with the rule of the pious -Sanguisuela: he therefore armed himself with patience, and even, as -though he feared that the ducats would escape him, followed the usurer -to church. Mass performed, he was preparing to leave; when Sanguisuela -inclined his head towards him, and whispered in his ear: 'Stay! one of -the most talented men in Madrid preaches here this morning, and I would -not lose his sermon for the world.' - -"The Captain, to whom the mass had appeared over-long, was in despair -at this further call on his endurance: however, needs must--and he -remained where he had been driven. The preacher mounted the pulpit, -and happened to discourse against usury. The officer was delighted; -and observing Sanguisuela's countenance, he said within himself: 'If -this Jew is capable of being touched, now,--if he will but give me six -hundred ducats, I shall really think he is not too bad, after all.' -The sermon ended, they left the church together, when the Captain, -addressing his companion, said: 'Well, what think you of the preacher? -Did you not find his sermon extremely forcible? For myself, I was quite -affected by it.' 'I am quite of your opinion,' replied the usurer; 'he -treated his subject admirably. He is a learned man, and deeply skilled -in his profession; and now, let us go, and show that we understand ours -as well.'" - -"Hollo!" cried Don Cleophas, "who are those two women in bed together, -and laughing so loudly? Egad! they seem merry enough." "They are -sisters," replied the Devil, "who this morning buried their father. -He was an old curmudgeon, who had so great a distaste for matrimony, -or rather to portioning his daughters, that he would never listen to -a word about their marrying, however advantageous might be the offers -made to them. They are at this moment discussing the virtues of the -dear deceased. 'He is dead at last,' exclaimed the elder; 'he is -dead,--the unnatural father, who so cruelly delighted still to keep us -maids: he will, however, no longer oppose our innocent desires.' 'Well, -sister,' said the younger, 'for myself, I love the substantial; I -shall look out for a good rich husband,--stupid, if you please; and the -fat Don Blanco is just the man for my money.' 'Softly, sister,' replied -the elder; 'we shall have for husbands those to whom we are destined; -for marriages, they say, are written in heaven.' 'So much the worse -for us,' replied the younger; 'for if dear papa has the luck to be -there, he will assuredly tear out our leaf.' The eldest could not help -laughing at this sally, and it is that which still amuses them both. - -[Illustration: the two sisters in bed] - -"In the next house to that of these ladies, in a furnished apartment, -lodges an Aragonese adventuress. You may see her, while others sleep, -admiring in a glass those charms on which she relies, and which have -gained for her to-day a conquest to be proud of: like a good general, -she studies her positions for attack; and she has just discovered a -new one, which will finish her campaign with her lover to-morrow. He -is well worth all the pains she can take to secure him, and she is -well aware of his promising qualities. To-day, for instance, one of -her creditors calling to remind her of an account, which he insists on -having settled in cash: 'Wait, my good friend,' said she; 'wait but for -a few days longer: I am on the point of concluding a most advantageous -arrangement with one of the principal persons in the Customs.'" - -"I need not ask you," said Leandro, "how a certain cavalier, whom I -perceive at this moment, has been passing his day: he appears to be -a complete letter-writer. What enormous quantities I behold on his -table!" "Yes," replied the Demon; "and, what is most amusing, all these -letters are alike in their contents. He is writing to all his absent -friends an account of an adventure which befel him this afternoon. He -is in love with a widow of thirty, charming and discreet; he pays to -her devotions which she does not despise; he proposes for her hand, -and she consents to yield it without hesitation. While preparations -are making for their nuptials, he has permission to visit her without -ceremony. He went to her house to-day after dinner, and as he chanced -to meet with no one to announce his coming, he entered the lady's -apartment, where he found her stretched on a couch, _en déshabille_, -or, to speak more correctly, almost naked. She was sleeping profoundly. -What lover could resist the temptation thus offered to his eyes? He -approaches her softly, and steals a gentle kiss. She starts, exclaiming -as she wakes, 'What, again! I beseech you, Ambrose, leave me to repose.' - -"The cavalier, as an honourable man, made up his mind on the instant -to renounce all pretensions to the widow. He therefore immediately left -the apartment; and meeting the servant at the door: 'Ambrose,' said he, -'stay! your mistress prays you to indulge her with a brief repose.' - -[Illustration: the lover about to kiss the widow] - -"Two doors beyond the house of this cavalier, I perceive an original of -a husband, who is sleeping tranquilly,--lulled to rest by reproaches -with which his wife is upbraiding him for having passed the entire day -from home. She would be still more bitter against her spouse, did she -know how he had spent his day." "It has been most probably occupied in -some amorous adventure?" said Zambullo. "You have guessed it," replied -Asmodeus; "and shall hear the detail. - -"The man is a tradesman, named Patricio: he is one of those wedded -libertines who live without care, as though they had neither wife nor -children: the partner of this fellow, nevertheless, is pretty, amiable, -and virtuous; and he has two daughters and one son, all three still -in their infancy. He left his family this morning, careless if they -had bread to eat, which is not unfrequently the case, and directed his -steps toward the great square, attracted thither by the preparations -which Were making for the bull-fight of to-day. The scaffolds were -already erected around the place, and already the more curious in these -matters began to take their places. - -"While gazing at the company, examining first one and then another, he -observed a lady finely made and very neatly dressed, who discovered, as -she descended from the scaffold, a well-turned leg and foot; and their -effect was heightened by rose-tinted silken stockings, and garters -of silver lace, the ends of which hung down to her ankles: it was -enough to have tempted a saint, and our excitable citizen was almost -out of his wits at the sight. He advanced towards the lady, who was -accompanied by another whose air sufficiently disclosed that they were -both damsels of easy virtue. 'Ladies,' said he, accosting them, 'can -I be of service to you? you have only to command me, and it will be -my happiness to obey.' 'Signor cavalier,' replied the nymph with the -rose-coloured stockings, 'you appear so obliging, that we will take -advantage of your kindness: we have already taken our places, but are -leaving them to go to breakfast, as we were unwise enough to leave -home this morning without first taking our chocolate. Since you are so -gallant as to offer your services, may we trouble you to escort us to -some hotel, where we may eat a morsel of something? but we must beg you -will select as retired a place as possible, for ladies, as you know, -cannot be too careful of their reputation.' - -"At these words, Patricio, becoming even more civil and polite -than the occasion demanded, took the princesses to a tavern in the -neighbourhood, and ordered breakfast. 'What would you like to have, -sir?' inquired the host. 'I have the remains of a magnificent dinner, -which took place here yesterday: there are larded fowls, partridges -from Léon, pigeons from Old Castile, and the best part of a ham from -Estremadura.' 'More than enough, mine host!' exclaimed the conductor -of the two vestals. 'Ladies, it is for you to choose;--what would you -prefer?' 'Whatever you please,' replied they: 'your choice shall be -ours.' Thereupon the citizen ordered a brace of partridges and a couple -of cold fowls, to be served in a private room, as the ladies were too -modest to think of eating in public. - -"They were immediately conducted to a small chamber, and in a few -minutes the host appeared with the chosen dishes, some bread, and some -wine. Our Lucretias fell to eating with most unfashionable appetites, -and the fowls rapidly disappeared; while the simpleton, who was to pay, -was occupied in ogling his Luisita,--the name of the lady who had taken -his fancy,--in admiring the whiteness of her hand, upon which glittered -an enormous ring she had gained by her profession,--and, unable to eat -for joy of his good fortune, in lavishing upon the lady all the tender -epithets, such as his star or his sun, that his imagination could -invent. On inquiring of his goddess if she were married, she told him -she was not, but was living under the protection of her brother;--had -she added,--by descent from our father Adam, she would not have been -far from the truth. - -[Illustration: breakfast at the inn] - -"Good eating is nothing without good drinking; so the two harpies, -having each demolished a fowl, washed them down with a proportionate -quantity of wine; and, consequently, the two flagons which had been -placed upon the table were soon exhausted. That they might be more -speedily replenished, our gallant left the room with the empty -vessels; and he had no sooner closed the door than Jacintha, Luisita's -companion, clawed hold of the two partridges, which were yet untouched, -and put them in a spacious pocket which her gown conveniently afforded. -Our Adonis, on returning from his chase of the wine, and remarking -that the eatables had vanished, was anxious to know if his Venus had -eaten enough. 'Why,' said she, 'if the pigeons of which the host has -spoken be very good, perhaps I might be tempted to taste them; or -else a morsel of the ham of Estremadura will do.' These words were no -sooner uttered than away went Patricio again in search of provender, -and quickly returned, followed by three of the loving birds and a -substantial dish of the ham. The two vultures pounced on their prey -like lightning; and as the witless citizen was obliged a third time -to leave the room for bread, they sent a pair of the pigeons to keep -company with the imprisoned partridges. - -"After the repast, which ended with a dessert composed of all the -fruits the season afforded, the amorous Patricio began to press Luisita -for that payment in kind which he expected from her gratitude. The -lady, however, was resolved to look upon it as a treat; but at the same -time indulged him with the hopes of a return, telling him there was a -time for all things, and that a tavern was not a fitting place in which -to testify, without reserve, her satisfaction for all his kindness. -Then, hearing the clock strike one, she assumed an uneasy air, and said -to her companion: 'Ah! my dear Jacintha, how unfortunate! We shall be -too late to find a place to see the bull-fight.' 'Excuse me,' replied -Jacintha; 'this gentleman has only to conduct us where he so politely -accosted us, and never fear for our finding a place.' - -"Before leaving the tavern, however, it was necessary to settle with -the host, who presented an account amounting to fifty reals. The -citizen pulled out his purse; but, as it contained but thirty of the -requisite pieces, he was obliged to leave, in pawn, his rosary adorned -with numerous medals of silver. This done he esquired the frail ones -to the place from whence they came, and obtained for them convenient -seats upon one of the scaffolds, the proprietor of which, being known -to him, gave him credit for their price. - -"They were no sooner seated, then they demanded further refreshment, -'I am dying with thirst,' cried one,--'that ham was terribly salt.' -'And so am I', replied the other; 'I could drink an ocean of lemonade.' -Patricio, who understood but too well what all this meant, left them, -in search of what they wanted; but suddenly stopping on his way, he -exclaimed to himself: 'Madman! where art thou going? Would one not -think thou hadst a hundred pistoles in thy purse, or in thy house? And -thou halt not a single maravedi! What shall I do?' added he. 'To return -to the lady without that which she requires is impossible;--and must -I, then, abandon so promising an adventure? I cannot resolve on that -either.' - -"While thus embarrassed, he perceived among the spectators one of his -friends who had frequently tendered him services, which his pride had -always prevented him accepting. But now, lost to shame, he hastened -towards him, and without hesitation, begged the loan of a double -pistole; possessed of which his courage returned, and hurrying to a -confectioner's, he ordered them to carry to his princesses so many iced -liqueurs, so many biscuits and sweetmeats, that the doubloon hardly -sufficed to meet this new expense. - -"At length the day ended, and with it the festival; when our citizen -conducted his lady to her house, in the pleasing hope of at last -reaping the reward of all his thoughtless extravagance. But as they -arrived near the door of a house which Luisita indicated, as her -dwelling, a servant-girl came to meet her, saying with much apparent -agitation: 'Ah! Where have you been until now? Your brother, Don -Gaspard Heridor, has been waiting for you these two hours, swearing -like a trooper.' Upon this the sister, in well-feigned alarm, turned -towards her gallant, and pressing his hand, said to him in a whisper: -'My brother is a man of most violent temper, but his anger is soon -appeased. Wait here awhile with patience: I will soon set all to -rights; and as he sups from home every night, as soon as he has left -the house, Jacintha shall inform you, and bring you to me.' - -[Illustration: Patricio kisses Luisita's hand] - -"Patricio, consoled by this promise, kissed with transport the hand of -Luisita, who returned his caresses, in order to keep up his spirits, -and then entered the house with Jacintha and the girl. The poor dupe -took patience, as directed, and sat himself down on a stone, a few -yards from the door, where he waited for a considerable time, never -dreaming of the possibility of their playing him a trick. He only -wondered at the stay of Don Gaspard, and began to fear that this cursed -brother had lost his appetite with his passion. - -"Ten o'clock, eleven o'clock, the hour of midnight, sounded; and not -until then did his confidence begin to evaporate, and some slight -doubts of the good faith of his lady to infuse themselves into his -mind. All was darkness around him; when, approaching the door, he -entered on tip-toe, and found himself in a narrow passage, in the -middle of which his hand encountered a staircase. He dared not ascend -it; but, listening attentively, his ears were greeted with the -discordant concert which might be expected to proceed from a barking -dog, a mewing cat, and a crying child, all performing their parts to -admiration. He felt that he was deceived; and he was convinced of the -fact when, having explored the passage to its termination, he found -himself in another street, parallel with that in which he had, so long, -waited for his love. - -"The ghost of his money rose in judgment against him; and he -returned to his own house, moralising on the deceptive influences of -rose-coloured stockings. He knocked at the door; it was opened by his -wife, a chaplet in her hand, and tears in her eyes. 'Ah! Patricio,' she -said, in a voice which told her affliction; 'how can you thus abandon -your home? how can you thus neglect your wife--your children? Where -have you been from six this morning, when you left us?' The husband, -whom this question would have puzzled to answer satisfactorily, and who -was, besides, somewhat ashamed of himself, had not a word to say; so -he undressed, and got into bed in silence. His wife, however, was not -in want of a text; and she read him a lecture, the continuous hum of -which, as you perceive, has soothed him to sleep." - -[Illustration: Patricio lulled to sleep by his wife's lecture] - -"And now," continued Asmodeus, "cast your eyes upon the large house by -the side of that in which the cavalier is writing to his friends the -story of his rupture with the mistress of Ambrose. Do you not remark -a young lady sleeping in a bed of crimson satin, embroidered with -gold?" "Wait!--oh, yes!--I see a lady sleeping; and I fancy I see a -book, open, on her pillow." "Precisely so," answered the Demon. "That -lady is a talented young countess, full of life and spirit: she has -recently suffered extremely from sleepless nights, and having sent for -a physician, one of the most dignified of his class, he has prescribed -for her a remedy, derived, he says, from Hippocrates himself. The lady, -nevertheless, ridiculed his prescription; at which the physician, a -crabbed sort of animal, who does not understand joking, said to her, -with a proper professional gravity: 'Madam, Hippocrates is not a man to -be laughed at.' 'Certainly not, signor doctor,' replied the Countess, -with the most serious air imaginable; 'far from laughing at so -celebrated and learned an author, I think so highly of him, that I feel -assured the mere opening of his work will cure me of my sleeplessness. -I have in my library a new translation from the pen of Azero; it is, -I believe, the best: here! find it for me,' added she, turning to her -attendant. You behold the magic power of Hippocrates! She had not read -three pages before she sank into profound repose. - -"In the Countess's stables there is a poor, one-armed soldier, whom -the grooms, out of charity, permit, by night, to sleep upon the -straw. During the day he begs about the city; and a few hours ago, he -had an amusing conversation with another mendicant, who lives near -Buen-Retiro, on the road to the palace. The latter has an excellent -business, which he manages so well, that his daughter, who is of a -marriageable age, passes among the beggars for a rich heiress. This -morning, the soldier accosting the father, said to him: 'Signor -Mendigo, I have lost my right arm; I can no longer serve the king; and, -like yourself, I am obliged to gain a livelihood by doing the civil to -the passers-by. I know well that of all trades there is not one which -does more for those who follow it; and that all that is wanting to it -is, that it should be a little more highly esteemed.' 'If it were a bit -more honourable,' replied the old man, 'it would not be worth following -at all, as we should have too much competition;--all the world would -beg if it were not for shame.' - -[Illustration: the two beggars in conversation] - -"'Very true!' replied he of the one arm. 'Well, now! I am a brother -beggar; and I should be happy to ally myself with so distinguished a -member of our profession: you shall give me your daughter.' 'Hold! my -dear sir,' replied the warm old gentleman; 'you cannot think of such -a thing. She must have a better match than you will make. You are not -half lame enough. My son-in-law must be a miserable-looking object, who -would draw blood out of a stone.' 'Do you think, then, that you will -find one worse off than I am?' 'To be sure! Why, you have only lost an -arm; and ought to be absolutely ashamed of yourself, to expect that I -will give you my daughter. I'd have you to know that I have already -refused a fellow without legs, and who goes about the city in a bowl.' - -"I must on no account," continued the Devil, "omit to call your -attention to the house which joins that of the sleeping countess, and -which contains a drunken old painter and a satirical poet. The artist -left home at seven o'clock this morning in search of a confessor, as -his wife was at the point of death; but happening to meet with a boon -companion, he went with him to a tavern, and forgot his wife until ten -this evening, when he returned to find she had died unshriven. The -poet, who enjoys the reputation of having frequently received most -striking proofs of the merits of his caustic verses, was swaggering -in a _café_ this morning; and in speaking of a person who was absent, -exclaimed: 'He is a scoundrel, to whom, some of these days, I must give -a good drubbing.' 'That is kind of you,' replied a wag who heard him; -'though I believe, by the bye, that you owe him a good many.' - -"I had nearly forgotten a scene which took place this morning at a -banker's in this street. He is only recently established in Madrid, -having returned with immense riches about three months ago from Peru. -His father is an honest cobbler of Mediana,[3] a large village of Old -Castile, near the Sierra d'Avila, where he lives, contented with his -lot, and with his wife, who, like himself, is about sixty years of age. - -[3] It is curious, that in the original of the latest Paris edition, -as also in the third edition, of 1707, the earliest I have been -able to consult, and which was published under the superintendence -of Le Sage, this passage stands, "un honnête _capareto_ de Viejo et -de Mediana." There is a note to the word "_capareto_" giving its -translation into French as _savetier_. Being puzzled by the double name -of the village,--"de Viejo et de Mediana," I sought the assistance -of a talented Spaniard, Signor Lazeu, and was surprised to find the -Spanish for cobbler is "_zapatero de viejo_," or, "shoemaker of old -(things)," and that it should consequently have stood in the original -"_zapatero de viejo_ de Mediana." It has been doubted by many, among -others the late H. D. Inglis, whether Le Sage were really the author of -Le Diable Boiteux and Gil Blas; and it has been asserted that he merely -translated these works from the unpublished manuscripts of some Spanish -author. If the error in question were really that of Le Sage, it would -certainly go far to confirm this assertion.--Trans. - -"It is upwards of twenty years since the banker left his father's -house, for the Indies, in search of a better fortune than he could -expect from his parents. During all this time, though lost to sight, -he was ever present in their thoughts, and every night and morning saw -the poor couple on their knees, praying Heaven to shield him with its -protection; nor did they fail, on each succeeding Sabbath, to entreat -their friend the curate to recommend their child to the prayers of -his humble flock. As soon as the banker had returned to Spain, having -hastily established his house of business, he resolved to ascertain, in -person, the condition of his parents, whom, in his prosperity, he had -never forgotten. With this view, having told his domestics he should -be absent for a few days, he set out alone, about a fortnight ago, and -journeyed on horseback towards the place of his birth. - -[Illustration: the banker reunited with his parents] - -"It was about ten o'clock at night, and the good old cobbler was -sleeping peaceably beside his spouse, when they were suddenly awakened -by the noise which the banker made, as he knocked violently at the -door of their little house. 'Who's there?' cried the startled pair, -together. 'Open--open the door!' replied a voice; 'it is your son -Francillo.' 'Tell that to the marines!" replied the ancient son of -Crispin;--'be off with you, scoundrels! there is nothing here worth -stealing. Francillo is at this moment in the Indies, if he be not -dead.' 'Your son is not now in the Indies,' replied the banker; 'he -is returned from Peru; it is he who speaks to you: will you refuse to -receive him in your arms?' 'Let us go down, Jacobo,' said the wife; 'I -think it is indeed Francillo; I seem to recollect his voice.' - -"They immediately dressed themselves hurriedly; and, as soon as the -cobbler had struck a light, they descended, and opened the door. The -old woman looked at Francillo but for an instant, and, with a mother's -instinct, recognised her son: she fell upon his neck, and pressed him -to her bosom; while master Jacobo, as much transported as his wife, -threw his arms around them, and kissed them both by turns. It was some -time before the happy family, reunited after so long a separation, -could tear themselves apart, or cease those expressions of delight -which filled their throbbing hearts. - -"At length, however, the banker was able to think of his horse, which -he unsaddled and led to a stable, already occupied by a cow, whose -teeming udders daily yielded their sweet food for his parents. On his -return to the house, he related the adventures of his life in Peru, -and told them of the wealth which he had brought with him to Spain. -The story was somewhat long, and might have appeared annoying to -uninterested listeners; but a son who unbosoms himself after a twenty -years' absence, rarely fails to fix the attention of a father and -mother. To them nothing was indifferent; they greedily devoured every -syllable he uttered, and the most trifling details of his life made -upon them the most lively impressions of sorrow or of joy. - -"He finished his history, by telling them that his wealth would lose -all its value unless shared by them, and entreated his father to think -no longer of working at his stall. 'No, no, my son,' said master Jacobo -to him: 'no, no! I love my trade, and I will stick to my last.' -'What,' exclaimed Francillo, 'is it not time you lived in peace? I do -not ask you to go with me to Madrid; I know well that a city life would -have no charms for you: I do not propose, then, that you should leave -the peaceful village where your days have passed; but, at least, spare -yourself a painful toil, and live here at your ease, since it is in -your power to do so.' - -"The mother joined her son in besieging the old cobbler with -entreaties; and, at last, master Jacobo capitulated. 'Well! Francillo,' -said he, 'to satisfy you I will be a gentleman; that is, I will not -work any longer for all the village; I will only mend my own shoes, and -those of our good friend the curate.' On this convention, the banker, -having swallowed a couple of eggs that they had fried for his supper, -went to bed beneath his father's roof, the first time for many years, -and slept with a calmness of delight that the good alone are capable of -enjoying. - -"The following day, Francillo returned to Madrid, after leaving with -his father a purse of three hundred pistoles. But, this morning, he -was not a little astonished at beholding master Jacobo suddenly enter -his room. 'Ah! my father what brings you here!' 'Why, my son,' replied -the old man, 'I bring you back your purse. There, take your money; I -am determined to live by my trade: I have been miserable ever since -I left off work.' 'Ah, well! my father,' said Francillo, 'return to -the village, and continue to work as you will: but, at all events, -let it be only to amuse you. Take back your purse, too, and do not -spare mine.' 'And what, then, do you think I can do with so much -money?' asked master Jacobo. 'It will enable you to relieve the poor,' -replied the banker: 'do with it as the curate and your own conscience -shall dictate.' The cobbler, satisfied to accept it on these terms, -immediately departed for Mediana." - -[Illustration: the cobbler attempts to return the purse to his son] - -Don Cleophas had listened, with pleasure, to the history of Francillo; -and he was about to express his admiration of the good-hearted -banker's filial affection, when, at the very moment, his attention -was distracted by the most piercing shrieks. "Signor Asmodeus!" he -exclaimed, "what frightful noises do I hear?" "Those cries, which rend -the air," replied the Devil, "proceed from a receptacle for madmen, -who tear their throats with shouting, or with singing." "We are not -far from the place of their confinement, then," said Leandro; "so -let us look at them at once." "By all means," replied the Demon: "I -will afford you that amusement and inform you of the causes of their -madness." It was no sooner said than done; and, in a moment, the -Student found himself on the _Casa de los locos_. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -THE MADHOUSE, AND ITS INMATES. - - -Zambullo surveyed, by turns, with much curiosity, the several rooms and -the unfortunate creatures they contained; and while he was reflecting -on the scene thus presented to his eyes, the Devil said to him: "There -they are, my master! You see insanity in every form there;--men and -women, laughing idiots and raging maniacs, locks grey with age, and -cheeks which still retain their bloom. Well! now I will tell you what -has turned their heads: we will go from room to room, but will begin -with the men. - -"The first whom you observe, and who appears so violent, is a political -fanatic of Castile. He is a proud citizen of Madrid, in the heart -of which he was born; and he is more jealous of the honour of his -country than was ever citizen of ancient Rome. He went mad with chagrin -at reading in the gazette, that twenty-five Spaniards had suffered -themselves to be beaten by a party of fifty Portuguese. - -"His neighbour is a licentiate, who was so anxious to obtain a -benefice, that he played the hypocrite at court during ten long years; -and whose brain was turned by despair at finding himself constantly - -overlooked among the promotions: his madness, however, is not without -its advantage; seeing that he at present imagines himself to be -Archbishop of Toledo. And what if he deceive himself? His pleasure -is none the less: indeed, I think, that he is so much the more to be -envied; since his error is a golden dream, which will only end with his -life, and he will not be called to account in the other world for the -application of his revenues in this. - -"The next in rotation is a ward, whom his guardian declared to be -insane, that he might have the uncontrolled use of his property: the -poor youth has become really mad from rage at his unjust confinement. -After the minor, comes a schoolmaster, who lost his wits in search of -the _paulo post futurum_ of the Greek verb; and, then again, we have -a merchant, whose reason was shipwrecked with a vessel that belonged -to him, although it had stood the shock of two bankruptcies which had -before threatened to engulph him. - -"The person who is lodged in the next room is the ancient captain -Zanubio, a Neapolitan cavalier, who came to establish himself in -Madrid, and whom jealousy has settled where he is: you shall hear his -history. - -"He delighted in a youthful spouse, the lady Aurora, whom he guarded -as the apple of his eye. His house was absolutely inaccessible to all -mankind; and Aurora never left it but for mass, always accompanied by -her aged Tithon, or to breathe with him the pure air of the pleasant -fields, at an estate near Alcantara, whither he sometimes led her. -Despite his vigilance, however, she had been perceived at church by the -cavalier Don Garcia Pacheco, who loved her from the instant that he -saw her: he was an enterprising youth, and not unworthy the attention -of a pretty woman whom Fortune had badly matched. - -[Illustration: Zanubio and Aurora at church, observed by Don Garcia] - -"The difficulty of introducing himself into the house of Zanubio was -not sufficient to deprive Don Garcia of hope. As his chin was yet -unreaped, and he was fair to behold, he disguised himself as a virgin, -took with him a hundred pistoles, and betook himself to the captain's -seat, where, he had learned, that gentleman and his lady were shortly -expected. Watching his opportunity to accost the female who acted as -gardener in Zanubio's establishment, he addressed her in the style -of the heroines of chivalry, who fly from some giant's towers: 'Kind -lady,' said he, 'I come to throw myself within your arms, and to -entreat your pity. I am a maiden of Toledo, of wealth and name, but my -parents would compel me to give my hand to one whom my heart disowns. -To escape this tyranny, I have fled by night; and I now seek shelter -from a cruel world. Here I shall be safe from pursuit. Do not deny me, -then, to dwell with you until my friends shall be inspired with more -kindly sentiments. There is my purse: do not hesitate to receive it, -it is all that I can give you now: but I trust the day will come when I -may more properly acknowledge the service which you will render me by -your protection.' - -[Illustration: Don Garcia accosts the female gardener] - -"The gentle gardener, especially affected by the conclusion of this -touching address, replied: 'Dear lady, I will receive you with -pleasure. I know that there are too many youthful maidens who are -sacrificed to aged men; and I know, too, that they are not usually -reconciled to their lot. I sympathize with your afflictions: you could -not have more fortunately addressed yourself than to me. Come! I -will place you in a little room, where you may live in confidence of -security.' - -"Don Garcia passed four days, shut up in the gardener's cottage, -anxiously awaiting the arrival of Aurora. At last she came, guarded as -ever by her jealous spouse, who immediately, according to his usual -custom, searched every chamber, from the cellar to the garret, to -make sure that he was free from the hated form of man, which might -endanger his honour. The gardener, who expected this visitation, -anticipated it by informing her master of the manner in which a refuge -had been sought with her by a youthful female. Zanubio, although -extremely mistrustful, had not the slightest suspicion of the deceit -now practised on him; he was, however, curious to see the unknown. -At the interview which followed, the lady begged him to excuse her -concealing her name, stating that it was a reserve which she owed to -her family, which she in some sort dishonoured by her flight. She then -related to him so pathetic a tale, and in a style so romantic, that the -captain was charmed; and while he listened to her narration, he felt -a rising inclination for this amiable damsel, which ended in an offer -of his services and protection; after which he led her to his wife, -flattering himself that this adventure would not end disagreeably to -himself. - -"As soon as Aurora beheld Don Garcia, she blushed and trembled, without -knowing why. The cavalier, who perceived her uneasiness, shrewdly -guessed that she had observed the attention with which he had regarded -her at church. To ascertain this fact, as soon as they were alone, he -said to her: 'Madam, I have a brother who has often spoken to me of -you. He saw you for a moment at your devotions, and from that moment, -which he delights to recall a thousand times each day, you have been -the idol of his heart;--he loves you to madness.' - -"As he spoke, Aurora scrutinized the features of Don Garcia, and -when he had finished she replied to him: 'You resemble your brother -too closely to permit me to remain for an instant the dupe of your -stratagem: I see too clearly you are that brother in disguise. I -remember, one day while at mass, my mantilla fell back from my face; it -was but for an instant, but I saw that you perceived me: I afterwards -watched you from curiosity, and your eyes remained fixed on my person. -When I left the church, I believe that you failed not to follow me, -that you might learn who I was, and the house where I dwelt. I say--I -believe you did this, for my head dared not turn to observe you; as my -husband was with me, jealous of my slightest motions, and would have -made, of one glance, a deep crime. On the morrow and following days, -when I went to the church, I always saw you; and your features have -become so familiar that I know you despite your disguise.' - -"'Well, Madam,' replied the lover, 'I must then unmask:--yes, I am -a man, the victim of your charms:--it is indeed Don Garcia Pacheco -whom Love brings here in the guise of the gentler sex----' 'And you -doubtless anticipate,' interrupted Aurora, 'that I, sharing your -foolish passion, shall lend myself to your design, and assist in -confirming my husband in his error. You are, however, deceived: I shall -at once expose the deception; my honour and my peace demand it of me. -Besides, I am not sorry to have an opportunity of showing my husband -that vigilance is a less certain safeguard than virtue, and that, -jealous and mistrustful as he is, I am more difficult to surprise than -himself.' - -"She had hardly spoken when the captain appeared. He had indistinctly -heard a portion of his wife's discourse, and requested to be informed -of the subject of their conversation. 'We were speaking,' replied -Aurora, 'of those youthful cavaliers who dare to hope for love from -ladies of a tender age, because united to a husband for whom respect -claims the place of passion. As you entered I was saying, that should -such a gallant dare to address himself to me,--should he endeavour -to introduce himself beneath your roof by some of those artifices to -which such madmen have recourse, I should know well how to punish his -audacity.' - -"'And you, Madam,' said Zanubio, turning to Don Garcia, 'after what -fashion should you treat a youthful cavalier in such a case?' Our -assumption of a virgin was so much disconcerted at this question, -that he was unable to reply; and his embarrassment would certainly -have attracted Zanubio's attention, had not, at the moment, a servant -entered the apartment, to inform the captain that a person who had just -arrived from Madrid wished to speak with him. - -"Zanubio had no sooner gone out than Don Garcia, throwing himself -at Aurora's feet, exclaimed: 'Ah, madam, how can you delight thus -to perplex me? Could you be cruel enough to expose me to the wrath -of an enraged husband?' 'No, Pacheco,' replied the lady, smiling; -'youthful dames who are so unfortunate as to have aged spouses are -not so resentful. Be not alarmed! I could not resist the temptation -to amuse myself at the expense of your fears; but that is the sum of -your punishment; and it is surely not exacting too great a price for my -kindness in permitting your continuance here.' At these consoling words -all Don Garcia's alarms were dispelled, and they yielded to hopes, of -which Aurora was too kind long to delay the realization. - -"One day, while their reciprocal affection was manifested in a form -too clear to be misunderstood, the captain surprised them. Had he been -the most confiding of men, it would have been impossible, unless his -confidence were not extended to his own eyes, to doubt that the lovely -unknown was a man in disguise. Furious at the scene which presented -itself, he hastened to his dressing-room in search of his pistols; but, -in the meanwhile, the fond couple escaped,--in their hurry to leave the -apartment, double-locking the door, and taking with them the key. They -lost no time in gaining a neighbouring village, in which Don Garcia had -taken the precaution to leave his valet with two good horses. There, -our hero, having abandoned his petticoats, and placed Aurora on a -crupper on one of the steeds, mounted and rode with her to a convent, -where she prayed him to leave her in the care of an aunt, its abbess; -after which he returned to Madrid to await the termination of his -adventure. - -[Illustration: Zanubio discovers Aurora in Garcia's embrace] - -"Poor Zanubio, finding himself imprisoned, shouted with all his -lungs, and a servant, hearing his voice, hastened to his assistance: -but, if Love laughs at locksmiths, locks are sometimes extremely -unaccommodating. In vain did the servant and captain try to force the -door; and at last the latter, his wrath increasing with his efforts, -rushed to the window, and threw himself from it, his pistols in his -hands: he fell upon his back, wounded his head, and when his attendants -arrived they found him senseless. He was carried bleeding to his -chamber, and by deluging him with water, and by other gentle torments -used on such occasions, they succeeded in bringing him to life; but -his fury returned with his senses. 'Where is my wife?' he cried. To -this interrogatory they replied, by informing him that they had seen -her pass from the garden, in company with the unknown lady, by a little -private door. He immediately demanded his pistols, which they dared not -refuse him, ordered a horse to be saddled, and without reflecting on -his wound, set out, but by another road, in pursuit of the lovers. The -day passed in this fruitless search; and when he stopped for the night -at a village inn, to repose himself, the fatigue and irritation of his -wound brought on a fever and delirium, which nearly cost him his life. - -[Illustration: Zanubio throws himself out of the window] - -"The rest is told in a few words. The captain, after being confined to -his bed for a fortnight, in the village, returned still unwell to his -country seat; and there, by continually dwelling on his misfortune, -he shortly afterwards lost his reason. The relations of Aurora were -no sooner informed of this event, than they caused him to be brought -to Madrid, and confined where you now see him; and they have resolved -that his wife shall remain in the convent for some years to come, as a -punishment for her indiscretion, or, more properly, for a fault which -their own cupidity placed her in a situation to be tempted to commit. - -"The next to whom I shall direct your attention," continued the Devil, -"is the Signor Don Blaz Desdichado, a worthy cavalier, whose deplorable -malady is also owing to the loss of his wife, but by death." "That -indeed surprises me," said Don Cleophas. "A husband whom the death of -his wife renders insane! Well! that is more than I ever expected to -spring from conjugal love." "Not so fast!" interrupted Asmodeus: "Don -Blaz did not lose his reason with his wife; but because, having no -children, he was obliged to return to the parents of the deceased fifty -thousand ducats which he had received with her, and which the marriage -contract compelled him to restore." - -"Ah! that is another affair," replied Leandro; "the matter is by no -means so wonderful as I imagined. But tell me, if you please, who is -that young man that is skipping about like a kid in the next room, and -from time to time stopping to laugh until he holds his sides? He is a -lively fool enough." "Yes," replied the Cripple, "and it was excess of -joy which made him mad. He was porter to a person of quality; when one -day, hearing of the death of a rich contador, to whose wealth he was -sole heir, he was so affected by the joyous news that his head was not -proof against his good fortune. - -"We have now come to that tall youth who is twanging the guitar, and -accompanying the pathetic strain with his voice: his is a melancholy -madness. He is a lover, whom the excessive severity of his mistress -reduced to despair, until they were obliged to enclose him here." -"Alas! how I pity him," exclaimed the Student; "permit me to express my -sorrow for his misfortune;--it is one to which every susceptible heart -is exposed. Were it my own fate to love a disdainful beauty, I know not -but that I too should love to madness." "I can believe you," replied -the Demon: "that sentiment would stamp you for a true Castilian. One -must be born in the centre of that ancient kingdom to be capable of -loving until reason sinks with a despised heart. Your Frenchman is -not so tender; and would you appreciate the difference between a gay -Parisian and a fiery Spaniard in this respect, I need only repeat to -you the song which yon poor fool is singing, and which his passion -inspires even at this moment: - - SPANISH SONG. - - 'Mine eyes gush o'er with floods of wild desire, - And hopeless love burns fiercely in my breast; - Yet not my tears can quench my bosom's fire, - Nor passion's fire my scalding tears arrest.'[4] - -[4] - - 'Ardo y lloro sin sosiego: - Llorando y ardiendo tanto, - Que ni el llanto apaga el fuego, - Ni el fuego consume el llanto.' - - - -"It is thus sings a true Castilian whom his lady slights; and now I -will repeat to you the words in which a Frenchman told his griefs, in a -similar case, only a few days ago: - - FRENCH SONG. - - 'She who within my bosom reigns, - A tyrant's stern control maintains; - Nor sighs, nor tears, nor prayers can move - The least relenting look of love. - A kind word, kindly spoken, might - Have turn'd my darkness into light; - But, since my suit is urged in vain, - I fly to feed my griefs with Payen.'[5] - -[5] - - 'L'objet qui règne dans mon coeur - Est toujours insensible à mon amour fidèle, - Mes soins, mes soupirs, ma langueur, - Ne sauraient attendrir cette beauté cruelle. - O ciel! est-il un sort plus affreux que le mien? - Ah! puisque je ne puis lui plaire, - Je renonce au jour qui m'éclaire; - Venez, mes chers amis, m'enterrer chez Payen.' - - - -"This Payen is undoubtedly a tavern-keeper?" said Don Cleophas. -"Exactly so," replied the Devil. "But let us continue our -observations." "Let us then turn to the women," exclaimed Leandro; -"I am impatient to hear their histories." "I will yield to your -impatience," answered the Spirit; "but there are yet two or three -unfortunates on this side of the house, whom I would first show to you: -you may profit by their unhappiness. - -"You observe, close by the melancholy songster, that pale and haggard -face; those teeth, which gnash as though they would make nothing of the -iron bars that ornament the window. Yon is an honest man, born under -influence of malignant star, who, with all the merit in the world, has -vainly striven, during twenty years, to secure a modest competence; -he has scarcely, with all his efforts, succeeded in gaining his daily -bread. His reason fled its seat, on his perceiving a worthless fellow -of his acquaintance suddenly mount the top of fortune's wheel by a -lucky speculation. - -"His neighbour, again, is an old secretary, whose head was cracked by -a stroke of ingratitude, which he received from a courtier, in whose -service he lived during sixty years. No praises were too great for the -zeal and fidelity of this ancient servant; who, however, never claimed -their just reward, content to let his assiduity and services speak -for themselves. His master, far from resembling Archelaus, king of -Macedonia, who refused favours when demanded, and bestowed them when -unasked, died forgetful of his merits, leaving him just enough to pass -his days in misery, and the refuge of a madhouse. - -"I will only detain you with one more, and it is with the man who, -leaning with his elbows on the window, appears plunged in profound -meditation. You see in him a Signor Hidalgo, of Tafalla, a small town -of Navarre, which he left for Madrid that he might make the best use -of his wealth. He was bitten with a rage for surrounding himself with -the literati of the day; and as these animals are always seen to most -advantage at feeding-time, he kept open house for their entertainment. -Authors are an unpolished and ungrateful race; but, although they -despised and snarled at their keeper, he was not contented until they -had eaten him out of house and home." "Poor fellow," said Zambullo: "he -no doubt went mad with rage at his awful stupidity." "On the contrary," -replied Asmodeus, "it was with regret at finding himself unable -to keep up his menagerie. Well! now let us pay our respects to the -ladies," added the Devil. - -"Why! how is this?" exclaimed the Student: "I only see seven or eight -of them. I had expected to have found them here by scores." "Ah!" said -the Devil, smiling, "but they are by no means all confined within these -walls. I will take you instantly, if you wish it, to another quarter of -the city, where there is a larger house than this, full of mad-women to -the very roof." "Do not trouble yourself, I beg," replied Don Cleophas; -"I am by no means anxious for their acquaintance: these will suffice." -"You are right," replied the Devil; "and these too, are almost all -youthful ladies of distinction. You may perceive by the attention which -is paid to their persons, that they are not ordinary subjects. And now -for the story of their madness. - -"In the first room is the wife of a corregidor, who went mad with rage -at being termed plebeian by a lady of the court; in the second, is the -spouse of the treasurer-general of the council of the Indies: anger -also made her mad, at being obliged, in a narrow street, to turn back -her carriage to make way for that of the duchess of Medina-Coeli. The -third room is the residence of a merchant's widow, whom regret for the -loss of a noble signor's hand robbed of her senses; and the fourth -is occupied by a girl of highest rank, named Donna Beatrice, whose -misfortunes are worth your attention. - -"This young lady was united by the most tender friendship with the -Donna Mencia: they were indeed inseparable. It happened, however, -that a handsome chevalier of the order of St. James became acquainted -with them both, and they soon were rivals for his heart. As he could -not marry the two, and as his affections inclined towards the Donna -Mencia, he paid his court to that lady, and she shortly became his wife. - -"Donna Beatrice, jealous of the power of her charms, and mortified to -excess by the preference shown to another, conceived a passion for -revenge, which, like a woman, or a good Spaniard, she nourished at the -bottom of her heart. While this passion was yet in its infancy, she -received from Don Jacintho de Romarate, a neglected lover of the Donna -Mencia, a letter stating that, being as much insulted as herself by the -marriage of his mistress, he had resolved to demand satisfaction of the -chevalier for their united wrongs. - -"This letter gave great delight to Beatrice, who desiring but the death -of the sinner, wished for nothing more than that his rival should fall -beneath Jacintho's hand. While anxiously awaiting for so christianly -a gratification, it happened, however, that her own brother, having -chanced to quarrel with this same Jacintho, came to blows with her -champion, and fell pierced with wounds of which he died. Although duty -prompted Donna Beatrice to avenge her brother's death by citing his -murderer before the tribunals of his country, she neglected to do so, -as this would have interfered with her revenge; which demonstrates, if -such proof were needed, that there is no interest so dear to a woman -as that of her beauty. Need I remind you, that when Ajax violated -Cassandra in the temple of Pallas, that goddess did not on the instant -punish the sacrilegious Greek? No! she reserved her wrath until its -victim should have first redressed the insult offered to her charms -by the Judgment of the hated Paris. But, alas! Donna Beatrice, less -fortunate than Minerva, never tasted the sweetness of her anticipated -vengeance. Romarate perished by the sword of the chevalier, and -chagrin for her wrongs, still unpunished, drove the lady into this -asylum. - -"The next who offer themselves to your notice are an attorney's -grandmother and an aged marchioness. The ill-temper of the first so -annoyed her descendant, that he very quietly got rid of her by placing -her here: the other is a lady who has ever been an idol to herself, and -instead of aging with becoming resignation, has never ceased to weep -the decay of that beauty which formed her only happiness; and at last, -one day, when her mirror told, too plainly to be doubted, that all her -charms were flown, went mad." - -"So much the better for the ancient dame," added Leandro. "In the -derangement of her mind, she will no more perceive the ravages of -time." "Most assuredly not," replied the Devil; "far from beholding -in her face the marks of age, her complexion seems to her now a happy -blending of the lily and the rose; she sees around her but the Graces -and the Loves,--in a word, she thinks that she is Venus herself." "Ah! -well!" exclaimed the Student, "were it not better that thousands should -be mad, than that they should know themselves for what they are?" -"Undoubtedly," replied Asmodeus; "but come, we have only one other -female to observe; and that is she who dwells in the furthest room, -and whom sleep has just visited with rest, after three days and nights -of raving. Look at her well! What think you of the Donna Emerenciana?" -"That she is beautiful, indeed," answered Zambullo. "What horror, that -so lovely a creature should be mad! By what fatal accident is she -reduced to this dreadful situation?" "Listen!" replied the Demon; "I -will tell you the story of her woes. - -"Donna Emerenciana, only daughter of Don Guillem Stephani, lived -tranquilly at Siguença, in the mansion of her father, when Don Kimen -de Lizana came to trouble her repose by those attentions with which he -sought to win her heart. Flattered by his gallantries, she received -their homage with delight; she even had the weakness to lend herself -to the artifices to which he resorted that he might speak with her in -private; and in a short time exchanged with him vows of eternal love -and fidelity. - -[Illustration: the mad-woman Donna Emerenciana] - -"The lovers were of equal birth; but the lady was one of the richest -heiresses of Spain, while Don Kimen was a younger son. But there was -still another obstacle to their union,--Don Guillem hated the family -of the Lizana. This he never affected to conceal, whenever they were -mentioned; and he seemed more averse to Don Kimen himself, than to any -other of his race. Emerenciana, though deeply afflicted at her father's -sentiments on this subject, which she felt boded unhappily for her -passion, could not resolve to abandon its object; and she therefore -continued her secret interviews with her lover, who from time to time, -through the assistance of a waiting-maid, ventured even into her -chamber by night. - -"It happened, one of these nights, that Don Guillem chanced to be awake -when the gallant was thus introduced, and thought he heard a noise in -his daughter's apartment, which was not far from his own. This was -quite enough to arouse a father, and especially one so mistrustful -as Don Guillem. Suspicious as he was, he had never imagined the -possibility of his daughter's intelligence with Don Kimen; but not -being of a disposition to place too much confidence in any one, he rose -quietly from his bed, opened a window which looked into the street, -and there patiently waited until he saw that cavalier, whom the light -of the moon enabled him to recognize, descending from the balcony by a -silken ladder. - -"What a sight for Stephani!--for the most vindictive, the most -relentless mortal, that even Sicily, which gave him birth, had ever -produced. He controlled the first emotions of his terrible wrath, and -repressed every exclamation of surprise at what he beheld, that the -chief victim which his wounded pride demanded might not be warned -of his fate, and attempt to escape the avenger's hand. He so far -constrained himself as to wait until the morning, when his daughter had -risen, ere he entered her apartment. She was alone, as he approached -her, with fury sparkling in his eyes; and, with a voice that made her -tremble, he addressed her thus: 'Unworthy wretch! whom not the honour -of thy race restrains from deeds of infamy, prepare to meet their due -reward! This steel,' he added, as he drew a dagger from his bosom, -'shall find a sheath within your heart, unless with truth upon your -lips you name the daring villain who brought, last night, dishonour on -my house.' - -[Illustration: Stephani threatens Emerenciana with a dagger] - -"Emerenciana was so overcome by this unexpected discovery and her -father's threats, that her tongue refused its office. 'Ah! miserable,' -continued Don Guillem, 'thy silence and confusion tell me too plainly -all thy guilt! Dost think, child, whom I blush to call mine own, that I -know not what has passed? I know too well! I saw, myself, the villain, -and recognized him for Don Kimen. 'Twas not enough, then, to receive -a cavalier at night within thy room!--that cavalier must be the man -whom most I loathe! But come! tell me how much I owe him. Speak without -disguise,--thy sincerity alone can save thy shameful life.' - -"These last words, terrible as they were, brought with them some slight -hope to the unfortunate girl of escaping the fate which menaced her, -and she recovered from her fright sufficiently to enable her to reply: -'Signor, I cannot deny that I am guilty of listening to Lizana; but I -call Heaven to witness for the purity of his sentiments and conduct. -Aware as he was of your hatred for his name, he dared not to ask your -sanction for his addresses; but it was for no other end than to confer -with me how that sanction might be obtained that he sought, and I -permitted, his coming here.' 'And who, then,' asked Stephani, 'was the -willing instrument through which you exchanged your communications?' -'It was,' replied his daughter, 'one of your pages to whom we were -indebted for that kindness.' 'Enough,' interrupted the father; 'and -now to execute the design for which I come!' Thereupon displaying his -poniard, he made Emerenciana sit down, and placing paper and ink before -her, compelled her to write to her lover the following letter which he -dictated:-- - - "'Dearest Love,--only delight of my life,--I hasten to inform you that - my father has just set out for his estate, whence he will not return - until to-morrow. Lose not this happy opportunity. I doubt not you will - watch for the coming night with as much impatience as your beloved - - "'EMERENCIANA.' - -"As soon as this treacherous letter was written and sealed, Don Guillem -said to his daughter: 'And now summon the page who so well performs -the duties you impose on him, and direct him to carry this note to Don -Kimen: but hope not to deceive me; I shall conceal myself behind the -drapery of your room, whence I can observe your slightest movement; and -if while you charge him with this commission you speak one word, or -make the smallest sign which may give him suspicion of your message, I -will plunge this dagger in your heart.' Emerenciana knew her father too -well to dare to disobey him: the page was called, and the letter placed -as usual in his hands. - -"Not until then did Stephani put up his weapon; but he did not leave -his daughter for a moment during the day, nor would he let any one -approach her, so that she could communicate to Lizana intelligence of -the snare which was spread for him. Accordingly, when night came, the -youthful gallant hastened to the wished-for meeting; but hardly had -he entered the door of his mistress's house before he found himself -seized by three powerful men, who disarmed him in a moment, tied a -bandage over his mouth to prevent his cries, another over his eyes, and -bound his hands behind his back. They then placed him in a carriage, -which was waiting for the purpose, and having all mounted therein for -complete security of the betrayed cavalier's person, they carried him -to the seat of Stephani, situated near the village of Miedes, four -leagues from Siguença, where they arrived before daybreak. - -[Illustration: Don Kimen is kidnapped] - -"The first care of the signor was to cause Don Kimen to be placed in a -vault which received but a feeble light from a hole near the top, so -small, that escape by that was impossible. He then ordered Julio, a -confidential servant, to feed him with bread and water only, to give -him but a truss of straw to sleep on, and to say to him every time he -carried him food: 'Here, base seducer: it is thus that Don Guillem -treats those who are mad enough to dare to insult him!' The cruel -Sicilian was hardly less severe in his treatment of his daughter: -he imprisoned her in a chamber which looked into a small courtyard, -deprived her of her attendants, and placed her in the custody of a -duenna whom he had chosen, because she was unequalled for her skill in -tormenting those committed to her charge. - -"Having thus disposed of the two lovers, he was by no means contented -with the punishment already inflicted on them: he had resolved to -get rid of Don Kimen, and had only not done so at once because he -wished to avoid any unpleasant consequences which might follow his -crime; to manage which, appeared to be somewhat difficult. As he had -employed three of his servants in the abduction of the cavalier, he -could hardly hope that a secret known to so many persons would always -remain undiscovered:--what then was he to do, to shun any impertinent -explanations which justice might think it necessary to demand? His -resolve was worthy of a conqueror; he assembled his accomplices in a -small pavilion, a short distance from the chateau, and after telling -them how highly satisfied he was with their zeal, he stated that he had -brought them there to receive a substantial reward for their services -in money, and that he had prepared a little festival, which he invited -them to share. They sat down to enjoy themselves, little dreaming that -it was a feast of death; for when their brains were heated with wine, -the worthy Julio by his master's order brought in a poisoned bowl, -which soon ended their rejoicing. The pair then fired the pavilion, -and before the flames had brought around them the inhabitants of the -neighbouring village, they assassinated Emerenciana's two female -attendants and the page of whom I have spoken, and threw their bodies -into the burning heap. It was really amusing, while the remains of -these poor wretches were consuming in this infernal pile, which the -peasants strove in vain to extinguish, to witness the profound grief -displayed by our Sicilian: he appeared inconsolable for the loss of his -domestics. - -[Illustration: assassination of the maid-servants and page] - -"Nothing remaining to be feared from any want of discretion on -the part of his coadjutors, which might have betrayed him, he thus -addressed his confidant: 'My dear Julio, my mind is now at peace, and -the life of Don Kimen is at my mercy; but, before I immolate him to my -wounded honour, I would enjoy the sweet delight of making him feel how -much he has offended me;--the misery and horror of a long and solitary -confinement will be more dreadful to him than death itself.' In truth, -Lizana was by no means comfortable; and, hopeless of ever leaving -the dungeon where he wasted, he would have welcomed death as a cheap -release from his sufferings. - -"But, despite his boast of peace, the mind of Stephani knew no rest -after the exploits he had recently achieved; and ere many days had -passed, a new source of inquietude presented itself in the fear lest -Julio, as he daily saw the prisoner for the purpose of taking him -food, should suffer himself to be corrupted by promises. This fear -made Don Guillem resolve to get rid of Lizana without loss of time, -and then to blow out the brains of his friend Julio. But the latter -was also not without his own misgivings; and, as he shrewdly suspected -that were Don Kimen once out of the way, he would be found in it, he -had made his resolution to take himself off some fine night, with all -that was portable in the house, when the darkness would excuse his not -distinguishing his master's property from his own. - -"While these honest gentlemen were each meditating an agreeable -surprise for the other, they were one day both unwelcomely accosted -at a short distance from the chateau, by about twenty archers of St. -Hermandad, who surrounded, and greeted them in the name of the king -and the law! At this salutation Don Guillem was somewhat confounded; -but, calling the colour to his cheeks, he asked the commandant of the -archers whom he sought. 'Yourself!' replied the officer: 'you are -accused of having unlawfully seized on Don Kimen de Lizana; and I am -directed to make strict search for that cavalier within your mansion, -and further to make you my prisoner.' Stephani, convinced by this -answer that he was lost, drew from his person a brace of pistols, -exclaiming that he would suffer no one to enter his house; and that he -would shoot the commandant without ceremony if he did not instantly -take himself off with his troop. The leader of the holy brotherhood, -despising this threat, advanced at once towards the Sicilian; who, -as good as his word, fired, and wounded him slightly in the face. -This wound, however, cost the life of the madman who gave it; for the -archers in a moment stretched him lifeless at the feet of their injured -chief. Julio surrendered himself without resistance; and, making a -virtue of necessity, cleared his conscience by a frank avowal of all -that had occurred,--except that, perceiving his master was really dead, -he did him the honour to invest his memory with all the glory attaching -to the transaction. - -"He then conducted the archers to the vault, where they found Lizana -on his straw bed, securely bound. The unfortunate gentleman, who lived -in continual expectation of death, thought it was come at last when he -saw so many armed men enter his prison; and was, as you may expect, -agreeably surprised to find liberators in those whom he had taken -for his executioners. When they had released him from his dungeon, -and received his thanks, he asked them how they had learned that he -was confined in the place where they found him. 'That,' replied the -commandant, 'I will tell you in a few words. - -[Illustration: the liberation of Don Kimen] - -"'The night you were entrapped,' said the officer, 'one of Don -Guillem's assistants, whose mistress resided in the neighbourhood, -stole a few moments while they were waiting for you, to bid adieu to -his sweetheart before his departure, and was indiscreet enough to -reveal to her the project of Stephani. For a wonder, the lady kept -the secret for three whole days; but when the news of the fire at -Miedes reached Siguença, as every body thought it strange that all -the servants of the Sicilian should have perished in the flames, she -naturally took it into her head also that the fire was the work of -Guillem himself. To revenge her lover's death, therefore, she sought -the Signor Don Felix, your father, and related to him all she knew. -Don Felix, alarmed at finding you were in the hands of a man capable -of everything, accompanied the lady to the corregidor, who on hearing -her story had no doubt of Stephani's intentions towards you, and that -he was the diabolical incendiary the woman suspected. To make inquiries -into all the circumstances of the case, the corregidor instantly -despatched orders to me at Retortillo, where I live, directing me to -repair with my brigade to this chateau, to find you if possible, -and to take Don Guillem, dead or alive. I have happily performed my -commission as regards yourself; and I only regret that it is out of my -power to conduct the criminal to Siguença alive. He compelled us by his -furious resistance to dispatch him on the spot.' - -"The officer, having ended his story, thus continued: 'I will now, -Signor Don Kimen, draw up a report of all that has happened here; I -will not, however, detain you long, and we will then set out together -to release your friends from the anxiety they suffer upon your -account.' 'Stay, signor commandant,' interrupted Julio, 'I will furnish -you with matter to lengthen your report: you have got another prisoner -to liberate. Donna Emerenciana is confined in a dismal chamber of -this chateau, guarded by a merciless duenna, who upbraids her without -ceasing for her love of this cavalier, and torments her by every device -she can imagine.' 'Oh Heaven!' cried Lizana, 'is it possible that the -barbarous Stephani should not have been contented to exercise his -cruelty on me alone? Let us hasten to deliver the unfortunate lady from -the tyranny of her gaoler.' - -"Julio lost no time in conducting the commandant, four or five of -the archers, and Lizana, to the prison of Don Guillem's daughter. -They knocked at the door; it was opened by the surprised duenna, and -you may conceive the delight of Don Kimen at again beholding his -mistress, after having lost her as he supposed for ever. All his hopes -revived; nor could he reasonably conceive the possibility of their -non-fulfilment, since he who alone stood between him and his happiness, -was dead. He threw himself in ecstacy at the feet of Emerenciana; -when,--picture his horror if you can,--he found, instead of the gentle -girl who had listened with tender transport to his vows, a maniac. -Yes! so well had the duenna succeeded in her efforts, that she had -effaced the image of the lover by destroying the canvas on which it was -depicted. - -[Illustration: Don Kimen discovers Emerenciana has gone mad] - -"She remained for some time in apparent meditation, then imagining -herself to be the fair Angelica, besieged by the Tartars in the towers -of Albraca, and the persons who filled her apartment to be so many -Paladins come to her rescue, she received them with much politeness. -Addressing the chief of the holy brotherhood as Roland, Lizana as -Brandimart, Julio as Hubert of the Lion, and the archers as Antifort, -Clarion, Adrian, and the two sons of the Marquis Olivier, she said to -them: 'Brave chevaliers, I no longer fear the Emperor Agrican, nor -Queen Marphisa: your valour would suffice for my defence against the -world itself in arms.' - -"The officer and his followers could not resist an inclination -to laugh at this heroic reception; but poor Don Kimen was so much -afflicted by the unexpected condition in which he found her for whom -alone he had wished to live, that reason seemed to be on the point -of abandoning him also. Recovering himself, however, from his first -surprise, and hoping that she might be brought to recognize the -unhappy author of her misfortunes, he addressed her tenderly: 'Dearest -Emerenciana,' said he, 'it is Lizana speaks to thee: recall thy -scattered thoughts, he comes to tell thee that thy griefs are at an -end. Heaven has heard the prayer of those fond hearts itself united; -and its wrath has fallen on the wicked head of him who would have -separated two beings made for each other.' - -"The reply to these words was another speech from the daughter of king -Galafron to the valiant defenders of Albraca, who this time however -restrained their mirth. Even the commandant, whose profession was not -favourable to the kindlier feelings of humanity, was touched with -compassion, and observing the profound affliction of Don Kimen, said to -him: 'Signor Cavalier, do not despair! We have, in Siguença, physicians -celebrated for their skill in curing the disorders of the mind, and -there is yet hope for your unfortunate lady. But let us away! You, -Signor Hubert of the Lion,' added he, addressing himself to Julio, -'you who know the whereabouts of the stables of this castle, take with -you Antifort and the two sons of the Marquis Olivier, bring out the -fleetest coursers from their stalls and harness them to the car of our -princess; in the meanwhile I will prepare my dispatches.' - -"So saying, he drew out his writing materials, and having finished -his report, he presented his hand to Angelica and conducted her to -the court-yard, where he found a carriage with four mules, which had -been prepared for her reception by the paladins. The lady was placed -therein by the side of Don Kimen; and the commandant having compelled -the duenna to enter also, as he thought the corregidor would be glad to -have some conversation with the dame, he mounted, and they set out for -Siguença. This is not all: by order of their chief, the archers bound -Julio, and placed him in another carriage with the body of Don Guillem; -then mounting their horses they followed the same route. - -"During the journey, the daughter of Stephani uttered a thousand -extravagancies, every one of which was as a dagger in the heart of her -lover. The presence of the duenna was an additional source of disquiet -to him. 'It is you, infamous old woman,' said he to her, 'it is you -who by your cruelty have tortured Emerenciana to madness.' The old -hypocrite endeavoured to justify herself by pleading the instructions -of her defunct master. 'It is to Don Guillem alone,' said she, 'that -her misfortunes are attributable: daily did that too rigid father visit -her in her room; and it is to his reproaches and threats that the loss -of her reason is owing.' - -"On reaching Siguença, the commandant immediately went to give an -account of his mission to the corregidor, who after examining Julio -and the duenna found them lodgings in the prisons of that town, -where they reside to this time. Lizana, after deposing to all he had -suffered from Don Guillem, repaired to his father's house, where his -presence restored joy to his alarmed relations. Donna Emerenciana -was sent by the judge to Madrid, where she has a kind uncle by her -mother's side, who desired nothing better than the administration of -his niece's property, and who was nominated her guardian. As he could -not creditably do otherwise than appear desirous of her restoration to -sanity, he had recourse to the most famed physicians of this city; but -he had nothing to fear, for, after having taken a becoming number of -fees, they declared her incurable. On this decision, the guardian, no -doubt very reluctantly, placed her here; and here, most likely, she is -destined to end her days." - -"And a sad destiny it is," cried Don Cleophas; "I am really touched -by her misfortunes: Donna Emerenciana deserved a better fate. And Don -Kimen," added he, "what is become of him? I am curious to learn how -he acted." "Very reasonably," replied Asmodeus: "when he heard that -the evil was past a remedy, he went to Spanish America. He hopes that -by change of scene he may insensibly efface the remembrance of those -charms that wisdom and his own peace require he should forget.----But," -continued the Devil, "after having exhibited to you madmen who are -confined, it is time I shewed to you those who deserve to be so." - -[Illustration: tailpiece of a physician taking Emerenciana's pulse] - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -THE SUBJECT OF WHICH IS INEXHAUSTIBLE. - - -"Run your eyes over the city, and as we discover subjects worthy of -being placed in this museum, I will describe them to you. There is one, -already; I must not let him escape: he is a newly-married man. It is -just a week since, in consequence of reports which reached his ears -relative to the coquetries of a damsel whom he affected, he went in a -fury to her house, broke one portion of her furniture, threw the other -out of windows, and on the next day mended the matter by espousing -her." "A proper candidate, indeed," said Zambullo, "for a vacant place -in this establishment!" - -"He has a neighbour," resumed the Cripple, "who is not much wiser than -himself, a bachelor of forty-five, who, with plenty to live on, would -yet swell the train of some noble pauper. And yonder is the widow of -an advocate, who, having counted three-score years and more, is about -to seek the shelter of a convent, that her reputation may not, as she -says, suffer scandal in this wicked world. - -"I perceive also two virgins, or, to speak more properly, two girls -of fifty years of age. They pray Heaven, in its mercy, to take to it -their father, who keeps them mewed like minors; as they hope, when he -is gone, to find handsome men who will marry them for love." "And why -not?" inquired the Scholar; "there are stranger things than such men to -be found." "I am perfectly of your opinion," replied Asmodeus: "they -may find husbands, doubtless; but they ought not to expect to be so -fortunate,--it is therein that their folly consists. - -"There is no country in the world in which women speak the truth -in regard to their age. At Paris, about a month ago, a maiden of -forty-eight and a woman of sixty-nine had occasion to go before a -magistrate as witnesses in a case which concerned the honour of a widow -of their acquaintance. The magistrate, first addressing himself to -the married lady, asked her age; and, although her years might have -been counted by the wrinkles on her brow, she unhesitatingly replied, -that she was exactly forty. 'And you, madam,' said the man of law, -addressing the single lady in her turn, 'may I ask your age also?' 'We -can dispense with that, your worship,' replied the damsel; 'it is a -question that ought not to be asked.' 'Impossible!' replied he; 'are -you not aware that the law requires....' 'Oh!' interrupted the lady -sharply, 'the law requires nothing of the kind: what matters it to the -law what my age may be? It is none of its business.' 'But, madam,' said -the magistrate, 'I cannot receive your testimony unless your age be -stated; it is a necessary preliminary, I assure you.' 'Well,' replied -the maiden, 'if it be absolutely necessary, look at me with attention, -and put down my age conscientiously.' - -[Illustration: the two ladies before the magistrate] - -"The magistrate looked at her over his spectacles, and was polite -enough to decree that she did not appear above twenty-eight. But when -to his question, as to how long she had known the widow, the witness -replied--before her marriage: 'I have made a mistake,' said he; 'for I -have put you down for twenty-eight, whereas it is nine and twenty years -since the lady became a wife.' 'You may state then,' cried the maiden, -'that I am thirty: I may have known the widow since I was one year -old.' 'That will hardly do,' replied the magistrate; 'we may as well -add a dozen years at once.' 'By no means,' said the lady; 'I will allow -another year, if you please; but if my own honour were in question -instead of the widow's, I would not add one month more to please the -law, or any other body in the world.' - -"When the two witnesses had left the magistrate, the woman said to the -maiden: 'Do not you wonder at this noodle, who thinks us young enough -to tell him our ages to a day? It is enough, surely, that they should -be inscribed on the parish registers, without his poking them into -his depositions, for the information of all the world. It would be -delightful, truly, to hear recited in open court,--Madame Richard, aged -sixty and so many years, and Mademoiselle Perinelle, aged forty-five, -depose such and so forth. It is too absurd: I have taken care to -suppress a good score of years; and you were wise enough to follow my -example.' - -'What do you mean by following your example?' cried the ancient damsel, -with youthful indignation: 'I am extremely obliged to you; but I would -have you to know that thirty-five years are the utmost I have seen.' -'Why! child,' replied the matron, with a malicious smile, 'you forget -yourself: I was present at your birth--ah! what a time it is ago! And -your poor father! I knew him well. But we must all die; and he was not -young, either: it is nearly forty years since we buried him.' 'Oh! my -father,' interrupted the virgin, hastily, irritated at the precision -of the old dame's tender recollections,--'my father was so old when he -married my mother, that she was not likely to have any children by him.' - -"I perceive in that house opposite," continued the Spirit, "two men, -who are not over-burdened with sense. One is a youth of family, who -can neither keep money in his pocket, nor do entirely without it: -he has discovered, therefore, an excellent means of always having a -supply. When he is in cash, he lays it out in books, and when his purse -is empty, he sells them for the half of their cost. The other is a -foreign artist, who seeks for patronage among the ladies as a portrait -painter: he is clever, draws correctly, colours to perfection, and is -extraordinarily successful in the likeness; but--he never flatters his -originals, yet expects the women will flock to him. Sheer stupidity! -_Inter stultos referatur._" - -"What?" cried the Scholar, "have you studied the classics?" "You -ought hardly to be surprised at that," replied the Devil: "I speak -fluently all your barbarous tongues--Hebrew, Greek, Persic, and Arabic. -Nevertheless, I am not vain of my attainments; and that, at all events, -is an advantage I have over your learned pedants. - -"You may see in that large mansion, on the left, a sick lady surrounded -by several others, who are in attendance upon her: she is the rich -widow of a celebrated architect, whose love for her husband's -profession has extended itself to the most foolish admiration of the -Corinthian capital of society--the higher classes. She has just made -her will, by which she bequeaths her immense wealth to grandees of the -first class, who are ignorant of her very existence, but whose titles -have gained for them their legacies. She was asked whether she would -not leave something to a person who had rendered her most important -services. 'Alas! no,' she replied, with an appearance of regret; 'and -I am sorry that I cannot do so. I am not so ungrateful as to deny the -obligation which I owe to him; but his humble name would disgrace my -will.'" - -"Signor Asmodeus," interrupted Leandro, "tell me, I pray you, whether -the old gentleman whom I perceive so busy reading in his study, does -not chance to be one of those who merit to be here confined." "He does, -indeed, deserve it," answered the Demon: "he is an old licentiate, who -is reading a proof of a book which he is passing through the press." -"Doubtless, some work on morals or theology?" said Don Cleophas. "Not -it," replied the Cripple; "it is a collection of amatory songs, which -he wrote in his youth: instead of burning them, or at least suffering -them to fall into the oblivion to which he is fast hastening, he has -resolved to print them himself, for fear his heirs should be tempted to -do so after his death, and that, out of respect for his memory, they -should deprive them of their point by rendering them decent. - -"There is a little lady living in the same house with our Anacreon, -whom I must not forget: she is so entirely convinced of the power of -her attractions, that no man ever spoke to her whom she did not at once -place in the list of her admirers. - -"But let us turn to a wealthy canon, whom I see a few paces beyond -her. He has a very singular phantasy. If he lives frugally, it is not -with a view to mortify the flesh, or from a dislike to the grape; if -his humility does without a coach and six, it is not from avarice. Ah! -for what object then does he husband his resources? What does he with -his revenues? Does he bestow them in alms? No! he expends them in the -purchase of paintings, expensive furniture, and jewellery. Now, you -would naturally expect he bought these things to enjoy them while he -lived?--No such thing; he only seeks to swell the inventory of his -effects when he shall be no more." - -"Oh! impossible!" cried Zambullo: "such a madman as you describe cannot -exist on the earth!" "I repeat, nevertheless," replied the Devil, "that -such is his mania. The only pleasure he derives from these things is in -the imagination of how they will figure in his said inventory. Does he -buy, for instance, a superbly inlaid cabinet; it is neatly packed upon -the instant, and carefully stowed away; that it may appear quite new in -the eyes of the brokers who may come when he is dead to bargain for his -relics. - -"I will show you one of his neighbours that you will think quite as mad -as he,--an old bachelor, recently arrived from the Philippine Isles, -with an enormous fortune which he derived from his father, who was -auditor of the court at Manilla: his conduct is extraordinary enough. -You may see him daily in the antechambers of the king, or of the prime -minister. Do not fancy, however, that it is ambition which leads him -there, to solicit some important charge: he seeks no employment; he -asks for nothing. 'What then!' you will say to me, 'does he go there -simply to pay his devoirs?' Colder still! He never speaks to the -minister, to whom indeed he is not even known, nor does he desire to be -so. 'What then is his object?'--I will tell you. He wishes to persuade -the world of his credit at Court." - -"An amusing original, indeed!" cried the Student, bursting with -laughter; "he takes great pains to little purpose, truly: you may well -place him in the list of madmen." "Oh! as to that," replied Asmodeus, -"I shall shew you many others whom it would be unreasonable to think -more wise. For instance, look in yonder house, so splendidly illumined, -and you will perceive three men and two ladies sitting round a table. -They have just supped together, and they are now playing at cards to -while away the night, with which only will they leave their occupation. -Such is the life these gentle cavaliers and ladies lead. They meet -regularly every evening, and break up like fogs only with the sun; when -they retire to sleep until darkness again calls them to light and life: -they have renounced the face of day and the beauties of nature. Would -not one say, to behold them thus surrounded with waxen tapers, that -they were corpses, waiting for the last sad offices that are rendered -to the dead?" "There is no necessity to shut those people from the -world," said Don Cleophas;--"they have ceased to belong to it." - -"I perceive in the arms of sleep," resumed the Cripple, "a man whom I -esteem, and who is also attached devotedly to me,--a being formed in -my own mould. He is an old bachelor, who idolises the fair sex. You -cannot speak to him of a pretty woman, without remarking the delight -with which he hears you; if you say that her mouth is small, her lips -rubies, her teeth pearls, her cheeks roses on an alabaster vase; in a -word, if you paint her in detail, at every stroke he sighs and lifts -his eyes, and is visibly excited by his voluptuous imagination. Only -two days ago, passing the shop of a ladies' shoemaker, he stopped to -look with admiration on a pair of diminutive slippers which were there -exposed. After contemplating them for some time, with more attention -than they deserved, he exclaimed with a languishing air, to a cavalier -who accompanied him: 'Ah! my friend; there now are slippers which -enchant my soul! what darling feet for which they were made! I look on - -them with too much interest: let us away! the very atmosphere around -this place is dangerous.'" - -[Illustration: the old bachelor admires the diminutive slippers] - -"We may mark that gentleman with black, at all events," said Leandro -Perez. "We may indeed," replied the Devil; "and you may tar his -nearest neighbour with the same brush, while you are about it--an -original of an auditor, who, because he keeps a carriage, blushes -whenever he is obliged to put his foot into a public vehicle. He -again may be worthily paired with one of his own relations, a wealthy -dignitary of the church here, who almost always rides in a hired coach, -in order to save two very neat ones, and four splendid mules, which he -keeps in his stables. - -"In the immediate neighbourhood of the auditor and our amatory -bachelor, I discover a man to whom, without injustice, no one could -deny his title to a strait waistcoat. There he is--a cavalier of -sixty, making love to a damsel of sixteen. He visits her daily, and -thinks to win her affections by a recital of the conquests of his -youth; he hopes that she will love him now for the charms of which he -formerly could boast. - -[Illustration: the old cavalier wooing the young girl] - -"We may place in the same category with the aged swain, another who -is sleeping about ten paces from us--a French count, who came to -Madrid to see the court of Spain. This old gentleman, who is nearly -seventy years of age, shone with great lustre in the court of his own -sovereign, fifty years ago; he was indeed perfectly the rage; all the -world envying his manly form, his gallant deportment, and above all -the exquisite taste which he displayed in his apparel. He scrupulously -preserved the dresses so much admired, and has continued to wear them -on all occasions despite the changes of fashion, which in Paris occur -every day. What, however, is most amusing in the matter is, that he -fancies himself at this time as graceful and attractive as in the days -of his youth." - -"There is not the slightest doubt," said Don Cleophas, "that we may -book a place in the _Casa de los locos_ for this French signor." "I -must reserve another though," replied the Demon, "for a lady who -resides in a garret, next to the count's mansion. She is an elderly -widow, who, from excess of affection for her children, has had the -kindness to make over to them all her property; reserving only a small -stipend for herself, which, with proper filial gratitude, they take -good care never to pay. - -"I have another subject for the same establishment, in a youth of -family, who no sooner has a ducat than he spends it; and who, as he -cannot do without the ready, is capable of anything to obtain it. A -fortnight ago, his washer-woman, to whom he owed thirty pistoles, came -to dun him for that sum, stating that she wanted it particularly, as -she was going to be married to a valet-de-chambre, who sought her hand. -'You must have more money than this,' said he, 'for where the devil is -the valet-de-chambre who would take you to wife for thirty pistoles?' -'Oh! yes,' replied the sudorific dame, 'I have two hundred ducats -besides.' 'The deuce!' replied our hero, with emotion--'two hundred -ducats! You have only to give them to me, I will marry you myself, and -we may then cry quits.' He was taken at his word, and the laundress -became his wife. - -"We must retain three places also for the same number of persons, -whom you see returning from supper at a celebrated countess's, and -now stopping before that house on the left, where they at present -reside. One is a nobleman of an inferior grade, who piques himself on -his passion for the _belles lettres;_ the second is his brother, your -ambassador to Timbuctoo, or some such place; and the third is their -foster-brother, a literary toady who follows in their train. They are -almost always together, and especially when visiting in the clique -to which they belong. The noble praises himself only; the ambassador -praises his brother and himself also; but the toady has three things to -look after,--the praises of the other two, and the mixing of his own -praises with theirs. - -"Two places more! One for a floricultural citizen, who, scarcely -gaining his own bread, must need keep a gardener and his wife to look -after a dozen plants that languish at his suburban villa; the other -for an actor, who, complaining the other day to his brethren on the -disagreeables inseparable from a strolling life, observed: 'Well, my -friends, I am utterly disgusted with my profession; yes, so much so, -that I would rather be a humble country gentleman with a thousand -ducats a year.' - -"On whichever side I turn my eyes," continued the Spirit, "I see -nothing but addled brains. There, for instance, is a chevalier of -Calatrava, who is so proud, or rather vain, of being privately -encouraged by the daughter of a noble signor, that he thinks himself -on a par with the first persons of the court. He reminds me of Villius, -who thought himself son-in-law of Sylla, because he was on good terms -with the daughter of that dictator; and the resemblance is the more -striking, because this chevalier, like the Roman, has a _Longarenus;_ -that is to say, a rival of low degree, who, nevertheless, is still more -favoured by the lady than himself. - -"One would be inclined to affirm that the same men are born anew from -time to time, but under other circumstances. I recognize, in that -secretary of department, Bollanus, who kept measures with nobody, and -who affronted all whose appearance was, at first sight, unpleasing to -him. I behold again, in that old president, Fufidius, who lent his -money at five per cent. per month; and Marsoeus, who gave his paternal -mansion to the actress Origo, lives once more in that noble stripling, -who is spending with a dancer of the ballet the proceeds of a country -seat which he has near the Escurial." - -Asmodeus was about to continue, when, suddenly hearing the sound -of instruments which were tuning in the neighbourhood, he stopped, -and said to Don Cleophas: "There are musicians at the end of this -street, who are just commencing a serenade in honour of the daughter -of an _alcade de corte;_ if you would like to witness this piece of -gallantry, you have only to say so." "I am a great admirer of this sort -of concert," replied Zambullo; "let us by all means get near them; -there may chance to be some decent voices among the lot." He had hardly -spoken, when he found himself on a house adjoining that of the alcade. - -The serenade was commenced by the instruments alone, which played some -new Italian airs; and then two of the voices sang alternately the -following couplets: - - "List, while the thousand charms I sing, - Which round thee such enchantment fling, - That even Love has plumed his wing - To seek thy bower. - - "Thy neck, that shames the mountain snow, - Thy lip, that mocks the peach's glow, - Bid Cupid's self a captive bow - Beneath thy power. - - "Thine arched brows as bows are bent - To speed the shafts thine eyes have sent; - E'en armed Love's own mail is rent, - Resisting them. - - "Thou art, in sooth, a queenly maid; - Yet hast thou every heart betray'd, - That thee its trusting pole-star made; - Thou priceless gem! - - "Oh! would that I some spell possess'd, - While painting thee, to touch thy breast; - Thou evening star, thou heaven of rest, - Thou morning sun!"[6] - -[6] - "Si de tu hermosura quieres - Una copia con mil gracias; - Escucha, porque pretendo - El pintarla. - - "Es tu frente toda nieve - Y el alabastro, batallas - Offreciò al Amor, haziendo - En ella vaya. - - "Amor labrò de tus cejas - Dos arcos para su aljava: - Y debaxo ha descubierto - Quien le mata. - - "Eres duena de el lugar - Vandolera de las almas, - Iman de los alvedrios, - Linda alhaja. - - "Un rasgo de tu hermosura - Quisiera yo retratarla; - Que es estrella, es cielo, es sol; - No es sino el alva." - - -"The couplets are gallant and delicate," cried the Student. "They seem -so to you," replied the Demon, "because you are a Spaniard: if they -were translated into French, for instance, they would not be greatly -admired. The readers of that nation would think the expressions too -figurative; and would discover an extravagance of imagination in the -conceptions, which would be to them absolutely laughable. Every nation -has its own standard of taste and genius, and will admit no other: -but enough of these couplets," continued he, "you will hear music of -another kind. - -"Follow with your eyes those four men who have suddenly appeared in -the street. See! they pounce upon the serenaders: the latter raise -their instruments to defend their heads, but their frail bucklers yield -to the blows which fall on them, and are shattered into a thousand -pieces. And now see, coming to their assistance, two cavaliers; one of -whom is the gallant donor of the serenade. With what fury they charge -on the four aggressors! Again, with what skill and valour do these -latter receive them. What fire sparkles from their swords! See! one of -the defenders of the serenade has fallen,--it is he who gave it,--he -is mortally wounded. His companion, perceiving his fall, flies to -preserve his own life; the aggressors, having effected their object, -fly also; the musicians have disappeared during the combat; and there -remains upon the spot the unfortunate cavalier alone, who has paid for -his gallantry with his life. In the meanwhile, observe the alcade's -daughter: she is at her window, whence she has observed all that has -passed. This lady is so vain of her beauty,--although that is nothing -extraordinary either,--that instead of deploring its fatal effect, she -rejoices in the force of her attractions, of which she now thinks more -than ever. - -[Illustration: the cavalier apprehended by the watch] - -"This will not be the end of it. You see another cavalier, who has -this moment stopped in the street to assist, were it possible, the -unfortunate being who is swimming in his blood. While occupied in this -charitable office, see! he is surprised by the watch. They are taking -him to prison, where he will remain many months: and he will almost pay -as dearly for this transaction as though he were the murderer himself." - -"This is, indeed, a night of misfortunes!" said Zambullo. "And this -will not be the last of them," added the Devil. "Were you, this moment, -at the Gate of the Sun, you would be horror-stricken at the spectacle -which is now exhibiting. Through the negligence of a domestic, a -mansion is on fire, which in its rage has already reduced to ashes the -magnificent furniture it contains, and threatens to consume the whole -building; but great as might be his loss, Don Pedro de Escolano, to -whom the house belongs, would not regret it for a moment, could he -but save his only daughter, Seraphina, who is likely to perish in the -flames." - -Don Cleophas expressing the greatest anxiety to see this fire, the -Cripple transported him in an instant to the Gate of the Sun, and -placed him in a house exactly opposite to that which was burning. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -OF THE FIRE, AND THE DOINGS OF ASMODEUS ON THE OCCASION, OUT OF -FRIENDSHIP FOR DON CLEOPHAS. - - -In the street beneath them nothing was to be heard but a confused -noise, arising from cries of fire from one half of the crowd, and the -more appropriate one of water from the other. As soon as Leandro was -able to comprehend the scene, he saw that the grand staircase, which -led to the principal apartments of Don Pedro's mansion, was all in -flames, which also were issuing with clouds of smoke, from every window -in the house. - -"The fire is at its height," said the Demon; "it has just reached -the roof, and its thousand tongues are spitting in the air millions -of brilliant sparks. It is a magnificent sight: so much so, that -the persons who have flocked from all parts around it, to assist in -extinguishing the flames, are awed into helpless amazement. You may -discern in the crowd of spectators an old man in a dressing-gown: it is -the Signor de Escolano. Do you not hear his cries and lamentations? He -is addressing the men who surround him, and conjuring them to rescue -his child. But in vain does he implore them,--in vain does he offer all -his wealth,--none dares expose his life to save the ill-fated lady, -who is only sixteen, and whose beauty is incomparable. The old man is -in despair: he accuses them of cowardice; he tears his hair and beard; -he beats his breast; the excess of his grief has made him almost mad. -Seraphina, poor girl, abandoned by her attendants, has just swooned -with terror in her own apartment, where, in a few minutes, a dense -smoke will stifle her. She is lost to him for ever: no mortal can save -her." - -"Ah! Signor Asmodeus," exclaimed Leandro Perez, prompted by feelings of -generous compassion, "if you love me, yield to the pity which desolates -my heart: reject not my humble prayer when I entreat you to save this -lovely girl from the horrid death which threatens her. I demand it, as -the price of the service I rendered but now to you. Do not, this time, -oppose yourself to my desires: I shall die with grief if you refuse me." - -The Devil smiled on witnessing the profound emotion of the Student. -"The fire warms you, Signor Zambullo," said he. "Verily! you would have -made an exquisite knight-errant: you are courageous, compassionate for -the sufferings of others, and particularly prompt in the service of -sorrowing damsels. You would be just the man, now, to throw yourself -in the midst of the furnace yonder, like an Amadis, to attempt the -deliverance of the beauteous Seraphina, and to restore her safe and -sound to her disconsolate father." "Would to heaven!" replied Don -Cleophas, "that it were possible. I would undertake the task without -hesitation." "Pity that your death," resumed the Cripple, "would be the -sole reward of so noble an exploit! I have already told you that human -courage can avail nothing on the occasion. Well! I suppose, to gratify -you, I must meddle in the matter; so observe how I shall set about it: -you can watch from hence all my operations." - -He had no sooner spoken these words than, borrowing the form of Leandro -Perez, to the great astonishment of the Student, he alighted unobserved -amid the crowd, which he elbowed without ceremony, and quickly passing -through it, rushed into the fire as into his natural element. The -spectators who beheld him, alarmed at the apparent madness of the -attempt, uttered a cry of horror. "What insanity!" said one; "is it -possible that interest can blind a man to such an extent as this? -None but a downright idiot could have been tempted by any proffered -recompence to dare such certain death." "The rash youth," said another, -"must be the lover of Don Pedro's daughter; and in the desperation of -his grief has resolved to save his mistress or to perish with her." - -In short, they predicted for him the fate of Empedocles,[7] when, a -minute afterwards, they saw him emerge from the flames with Seraphina -in his arms. The air resounded with acclamations, and the people were -loud in their praises of the brave cavalier who had performed so noble -a feat. When rashness ends in success, critics are silent; and so this -prodigy now appeared to the assembled multitude as a very natural -result of a Spaniard's daring. - -[7] A Sicilian poet and philosopher, who threw himself into the crater -of Mount Ætna. - -[Illustration: the rescue of Seraphina] - -As the lady was still insensible, her father did not dare to give -himself up to joy: he feared that, although thus miraculously delivered -from the fire, she would die before his eyes, from the terrible -impression made upon her mind by the peril she had encountered. -He was, however, soon reassured, when, recovering from her swoon, -her eyes opened, and looking on the old man, she said to him with -an affectionate voice: "Signor, I should have had more occasion for -affliction than rejoicing at the preservation of my life, were not -yours also in safety." "Ah! my child," replied her father, embracing -her, "nothing is lost since you are saved. But let us thank," exclaimed -he, presenting to her the double of Cleophas,--"let us testify our -gratitude to this young cavalier. He is your preserver; it is to him -you owe your life. How can we repay that debt? Not all that I possess -would suffice to cancel the obligation he has conferred upon us." - -To these observations the Devil replied, with an air which would have -done Don Cleophas credit: "Signor, I am noble, and a Castilian. I seek -no other reward for the service I have had the happiness to render you -than the pleasure of having dried your tears, and of having saved from -the flames the lovely object which they threatened to devour;--surely -such a service is its own reward." - -The disinterestedness and generosity of their benefactor raised for -him the highest feelings of admiration and esteem in the breast of the -Signor de Escolano, who entreated him to call upon them, and offered -him his warmest friendship. The Devil replied in fitting terms to the -frank advances of the old man; and, after many other compliments had -passed, the father and daughter retired to a small building which -remained uninjured, at the bottom of the garden. The Demon then -rejoined the Student, who, seeing him return under his former guise, -said to him: "Signor Asmodeus, have my eyes deceived me? Were you not -but now in my shape and figure?" "Excuse the liberty," replied the -Cripple; "and I will tell you the motive for this metamorphosis. I have -formed a grand design: I intend that you should marry Seraphina, and, -under your form, I have already inspired her with a violent passion -for your lordship. Don Pedro, also, is highly satisfied with you, -because I told him that in rescuing his daughter I had no other object -than to render them both happy, and that the honour of having happily -terminated so perilous an adventure was a sufficient reward for a -Spanish gentleman. The good man has a noble soul, and will not easily -be outdone in generosity; and he is at this moment deliberating within -himself whether he shall not give you his daughter, as the most worthy -return he can make to you for having saved her life. - -[Illustration: Don Pedro and Seraphina thank Zambullo] - -"Well! while he is hesitating," added the Cripple, "let us get out -of this smother into a place more favourable for continuing our -observations." And so saying, away he flew with the Student to the top -of a high church filled with splendid tombs. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -OF THE TOMBS, OF THEIR SHADES, AND OF DEATH. - - -Asmodeus now said to the Student: "Before we continue our observations -on the living, we will for a few moments disturb the peaceful rest of -those who lie within this church. I will glance over all the tombs; -reveal the secrets they contain, and the feelings which have prompted -their elevation. - -"The first of those which are on our right contains the sad remains of -a general officer, who, like another Agamemnon, on his return from the -wars found an Ægisthus in his house; in the second, reposes a young -cavalier of noble birth, who, desirous of displaying in the sight of -his mistress his strength and skill at a bull-fight, was gored to death -by his furious opponent; and in the third lies an old prelate who left -this world rather unceremoniously. He had made his will in the vigour -of health, and was imprudent enough to read it to his domestics, whom, -like a good master, he had not forgotten: his cook was in a hurry to -receive his legacy. - -"In the fourth mausoleum rests a courtier who never rested in his -lifetime. Even at sixty years of age, he was daily seen in attendance -on the king, from the levée until his majesty retired for the night: in -recompense for all these attentions the king loaded him with favours." -"And was he, now," said Don Cleophas, "the man to use his influence -for others?" "For no one," replied the Devil: "he was liberal of his -promises of service to his friends, but he was religiously scrupulous -of never keeping them." "The scoundrel!" exclaimed Leandro. "Were we to -think of lopping off the superfluous members of society,--men that like -tumours on the body politic draw all its nourishment to themselves, it -is with courtiers like this one would begin." - -"The fifth tomb," resumed Asmodeus, "encloses the mortal remains of -a signor, ever zealous for the interests of his country, and jealous -of the glory of the king his master, in whose service he spent the -best years of his life as ambassador to Rome or France, to England or -Portugal. He ruined himself so effectually by his embassies that he -did not leave behind him enough to defray the expenses of his funeral, -which the king has therefore paid out of gratitude for his services. - -"Let us turn to the monuments on the other side. The first is that of -a great merchant who left enormous wealth to his children; but, lest -they should forget, in its flood, the humble source from which it, -like themselves, was derived, he directed that his name and occupation -should be graven on his tomb, to the no small annoyance of his -descendants. - -"The next stone which surpasses every other in the church for its -magnificence, is regarded with much admiration by all travellers." "In -truth," said Zambullo, "it appears to me deserving of its reputation. I -am absolutely enchanted by those two kneeling figures--how exquisitely -are they chiselled? Not Phidias himself could have surpassed the -sculpture of this splendid work! But tell me, dear Asmodeus, what in -their lives were those whom these all-breathing marbles represent?" - -The Cripple replied: "You behold a duke and his noble spouse: the -former was grand chamberlain to his majesty, and the duchess was -celebrated for her extreme piety. I must, however, relate to you -an anecdote of her grace, which you will think rather lively for a -devotee;--it is as follows. - -"She had been for a long time in the habit of confessing her sins to -a monk of the order of Mercy, one Don Jerome d'Aguilar, a good man, -and a famous preacher, with whom she was highly satisfied, when there -suddenly appeared at Madrid a Dominican, who captivated the town by -the novelty of his style, and the comfortable doctrines on which he -insisted. This new orator was named the brother Placidus: the people -flocked to his sermons as to those of Cardinal Ximenes; and as his -reputation grew, the court, led to hear him by curiosity, became more -loud in his praises than the town. - -"Our duchess at first made it a point of honour to hold out against -the renown of the new-comer, nor could even curiosity induce her to go -to hear him, that she might judge for herself of his eloquence. She -acted thus from a desire to prove to her spiritual director, that, -like a good and grateful penitent, she sympathised with him in the -chagrin which the presence of brother Placidus must have caused him. -But the Dominican made so much noise, that at last she yielded to the -temptation of seeing him, still however assured of her own fidelity: -she saw him, heard him preach, liked him, followed him; and the little -inconstant absolutely formed the project of putting herself under his -direction. - -"It was, however, necessary to get rid of her old confessor, and -this was not an easy matter; a spiritual guide cannot be thrown off -like a lover; a devotee would not like to be thought a coquette, or -to lose the esteem of the director whom she abandons; so what did -the duchess? She sought Don Jerome, and with an air of sorrow which -spoke a real affliction, said to him: 'Father, I am in despair: you -see me in amazement;--in a grief,--in a perplexity of mind which -I cannot depict.' 'What ails you then, Madam?' replied d'Aguilar. -'Would you believe it?' she replied; 'my husband, who has ever had -the most perfect confidence in my virtue, after having seen me for so -long a time under your guidance, has, without appearing in the least -suspicious of myself, become suddenly jealous of you, and desires that -you may no longer be my confessor. Did you ever hear of a similar -caprice? In vain have I objected that by his suspicions he insulted not -only myself, but a man of the strictest piety, freed from the tyranny -of the passions; I only increased his jealous fears by my vindication -of your sacred honour.' - -"Don Jerome, despite his shrewdness, was taken in by this story: it -is true that it was told with such demonstrations of candour as would -have deceived all the world. Although sorry to lose a penitent of -such importance, he did not fail to exhort her to obey her husband's -will; but the eyes of his Reverence were opened at last, and the trick -discovered, when he learned that the lady had chosen brother Placidus -as his successor. - -"After the grand chamberlain and his cunning spouse," continued the -Devil, "comes a more modest tomb, which has only recently received the -ill-assorted remains of a president of the council of the Indies and -his young wife. This president, in his sixty-third year, married a -girl of twenty: he had by a former wife two children, whom he was about -to leave penniless, when a fit of apoplexy carried him off; and his -wife died twenty-four hours after him from vexation at his not having -lived three days longer. - -"And now we have arrived at the most respectable monument this church -contains. For it every Spaniard has as much veneration, as the Romans -had for the tomb of Romulus." "Of what great personage, then, does -it contain the ashes?" asked Leandro Perez. "Of a prime minister of -Spain," replied Asmodeus; "and never did that monarchy possess his -equal. The king left, with confidence, the cares of government to -this great man; who so worthily acquitted himself of the charge, -that monarch and subjects were equally contented. Under his ministry -the state was ever flourishing, and its people happy; for his maxims -of government were founded on the sure principles of humanity and -religion. Still, although his life was blameless, he was not free from -apprehension at his death,--the responsibility of his office might -indeed make the best of mortals tremble. - -"In a corner, a little beyond the tomb of this worthy minister, you may -discern a marble tablet placed against one of the columns. Say! shall -I open the sepulchre beneath it, and display before your eyes all that -remains of a lowly maiden who perished in the flower of her youth, -when her modest beauty won for her the love and admiration of all who -beheld her? It has returned to its primeval dust, that fragile form, -which in its life possessed so dangerous a beauty as to keep her fond -parent in continual alarm, lest its bright temptation should expose her -to the wiles of the seducer;--a misfortune which might have befallen -had she lived much longer, for already was she the idol of three young -cavaliers, who, inconsolable for her loss, died shortly afterwards by -their own hands. Their tragical history is engraven in letters of gold -on the stone I shewed you, with three little figures which represent -the despairing lovers in the act of self-destruction: one is draining -a glass of poison; another is falling on his sword; and the third is -tying a cord about his neck, having chosen to die by hanging." - -The Demon finding that the Student laughed with all his might at -this sorrowful story, and that the idea of the three figures thus -depicted on the maiden's monument amused him, said: "Since you find -food for mirth in the artist's imagination, I am almost in the mind to -carry you this moment to the banks of the Tagus, and there shew you -a monument erected by the will of a dramatic author, in the church -of a village near Almaraz, whither he had retired, after having led -a long and joyous life at Madrid. This scribe had produced a vast -number of comedies full of ribald wit and low obscenity; but repenting -of his outrages upon decency ere he died, and desirous of expiating -the scandal they had caused, he directed that they should carve upon -his tomb a sort of pile, composed of books, bearing the names of the -various pieces he had written, and that beside it they should place the -image of Modesty, who, with lighted torch, should be about to consign -them to the flames. - -"Besides the dead whose monuments I have described to you, there are -within this church an infinity of others without a stone to mark the -spot where their ashes repose. I see their shades wandering solemnly -around: they glide along, passing and repassing one after another -before us, without disturbing the profound quiet which reigns in this -holy place. They speak not; but I read in their silence all their -thoughts." "I am annoyed without measure," exclaimed Don Cleophas, -"that I cannot, like you, have the pleasure of beholding them!" "That -pleasure I can give you then," replied Asmodeus; "nothing is more -easy." The Demon just touched the Student's eyes, and by a delusion -caused him to perceive a great number of pallid spectres. - -[Illustration: the sculpture of Modesty burning the books] - -As he looked on these apparitions, Zambullo trembled. "What!" said the -Devil to him, "you are agitated! Is it with fear of these ghostly -visitants? Let not their ghastly apparel alarm you! Look at it well! -It will adorn your own majestic person some of these days. It is the -uniform of the shades: collect yourself, and fear nothing. Is it -possible your assurance can fail you now,--you, who have had the daring -to look on me? These gentry are harmless compared with myself." - -The Student, at these words, recalling his wonted courage, looked on -the phantoms with tranquillity; which the Demon perceiving: "Bravo!" -said he. "Well! now," he continued, "regard these shadows with -attention! You will perceive that the occupant of the stately mausoleum -is confounded with the inhabitant of the unstoned grave. The ranks -by which they were distinguished in their lives died with them; and -the grand chamberlain and the prime minister are no more now than the -lowliest citizen that moulders in this church. The greatness of these -noble shades ended with their days, as that of the strutting hero of a -tragedy falls with the curtain." - -"I have a remark to make," interrupted Leandro. "I see a lonely spirit -hovering about, and seeming to shun all contact with his fellows." -"Rather say," replied the Demon, "and you will speak the truth, that -his fellows shun all company with him: and what now think you is that -poor ghost? He was an old notary, who had the vanity to be buried in a -leaden coffin; which has so offended the self-love of the more humble -tenants of the surrounding tombs, that they resolved to black-ball him, -and will not therefore permit his shade to mix with theirs." - -"I have another observation yet to make," resumed Don Cleophas. "Two -shadows, just now, on meeting, stopped for a moment to look upon each -other, and then passed each on his way." "They are, or rather were, two -intimate friends," replied the Devil; "one was a painter, and the other -a musician: they both drew their inspiration from the bottle; but -were, otherwise, honest fellows enough. It is worthy of note that they -both brushed off in the same year; and when their spirits meet, struck -by the remembrance of their former delights, they say to each other by -their sorrowful but expressive silence: 'Ah! my friend, we shall drink -no more.'" - -"Grammercy!" cried the Student, "what do I see. At the other end of -the church are two spirits, who are passing along together, but badly -matched. Their forms and manners are immensely different: one is of -enormous height, and moves with corresponding gravity, while the other -is of dwarf-like stature, and passes o'er the ground like a breath." -"The giant," replied the Cripple, "was a German, who lost his life in -a debauch, by drinking three healths with tobacco mixed inadvertently -in his wine; and the little ghost is that of a Parisian, who, with -the gallantry belonging to his countrymen, was imprudent enough, on -entering this very church, to present the holy water to a young lady -who was leaving it: as a reward for his politeness, he was saluted on -the same day with the contents of a carbine, which left him here a -moral for all too attentive Frenchmen. - -"For myself," continued Asmodeus, "I have been looking at three spirits -which I discerned among the crowd; and I must tell you by what means -they were separated from their earthly companions. They animated the -charming forms of as many female performers, who made as much noise -at Madrid, in their time, as did Origo, Cytheris and Arbuscula, in -theirs, at Rome; and, like their said prototypes, they possessed the -exquisite art of amusing mankind in public, and of privately ruining -the same amiable animal. But, alas! all things must have an end, and -these were the finales of those celebrated ladies: one died suddenly -of envy, at an apopletic fit of applause, from the pit, which fell upon -a lovely first-night; another found in excessive good cheer, at home, -the infallible drop which follows it; and, the third, undertaking the -dangerous character, for an actress, of a vestal, became so excited -with her part that she died of a miscarriage behind the scenes. - -"But we will leave to their reposes(!) all these shades," again -continued the Demon; "we have passed them sufficiently in review. -I will now present to your sight a spectacle which, as a man, must -impress you with a deeper feeling than the sight of the dead. I am -about, by the same power which has rendered the shades of the departed -visible to your sight, to present to you the vision of Death himself. -Yes! you shall behold that insatiable enemy of the human race, who -prowls unceasingly in the haunts of man, unperceived by his victims; -who surrounds the earth, in his speed, in the twinkling of an eye; and -who strikes by his power, its most distant inhabitants at the same -moment. - -"Look towards the east! He rises on your sight. A million birds of -baneful omen fly before his advent in terror, and announce his presence -with funereal cries. His tireless hand is armed with the fatal scythe -which mows successive generations as they spring from earth. But if, as -mocking at humanity, on one wing is depicted war, pestilence, famine, -shipwreck, conflagration, with other direful modes by which he sweeps -upon his prey, the other shows the priests who offer to him daily -hecatombs in sport; as youthful doctors, who receive from himself their -diplomas, after swearing, in his presence, never to practise surgery or -medicine contrary to the rules of the courts." - -Although Don Cleophas suspected that all he saw was an illusion, and -that it was merely to gratify his taste for the marvellous that the -Devil raised this form of Death before his eyes, he could not look -on it without trembling. He assumed, however, all the courage he was -possessed of, and said to the Demon: "This fearful spectre will not, I -suppose, pass vainly over Madrid: he will doubtless leave some awful -traces of his flight?" "Yes! certainly," replied the Cripple; "he -comes not here for nothing; and it depends but on yourself to be the -witness of his visitation." "I take you at your word," exclaimed the -Student; "let us follow in his train; let me visit with him the unhappy -families on whom he will expend his present wrath. What tears are about -to flow!" "Beyond a doubt," replied Asmodeus; "but many which come at -convenience. Death, despite his horrors, causes at least as much joy as -grief." - -[Illustration: Death flies over the poor man's bed] - -Our two spectators took their flight, and followed the grim monarch -in his progress. He entered first a modest house, whose owner lay in -helpless sickness on his bed; the autocrat but touched the poor man -with his scythe, and he expired in the midst of his weeping relations, -who instantly commenced an affecting concert of cries and lamentions. -"There is no mockery here," said the Demon: "the wife and children -of this worthy citizen loved him with real affection: besides, they -depended on him for their bread; and the belly is rarely a hypocrite. - -"Not so, however, is it in the next house, in which you perceive his -grisly majesty now occupied in releasing a bed-ridden old gentleman -from his pains. He is an aged counsellor who, having always lived a -bachelor of law, has passed his life as badly as he could, that he -might leave behind him a good round sum for the benefit of his three -nephews, who have flocked round his bed on hearing that he is about to -quit it, at last. They of course displayed an extreme affliction, and -very well they did it; but are now, you see, letting fall the mask, -and are preparing to do their duties as heirs, after having performed -their parts as relations. How they will rummage the old gentleman's -effects! What heaps of gold and silver will they discover! 'How -delightful!' said one of these heart-broken descendants to another, -this moment,--'how delightful is it for nephews to be blessed with -avaricious old uncles, who renounce the pleasures of life for their -sakes!'" "A superb funeral oration," said Leandro Perez. "Oh! as to -that," replied the Devil, "the majority of wealthy parents, who live to -a good old age, ought not to expect a better from their own children. - -"While these heritors are joyfully seeking the treasures of the -deceased, Death is directing his flight to a large house, in which -resides a young nobleman who has the small-pox. This noble, one of the -brightest ornaments of the court, is about to perish, just as his star -is rising, despite the famed physician who attends him,--or rather -because he is attended by this learned doctor. - -[Illustration: Death approaches the pious monk] - -"But see! with what rapidity does the fatal scythe perform its -operations. Already has it completed the destiny of the youthful lord, -and its unblunted edge is turned elsewhere. It hovers over yonder -convent; it darts into its deepest cell, sweeps over a pious monk, and -cuts the thread of the penitent and mortifying life that he has led -during forty years. Death, all-fearful as he is, had no terrors for -this holy man; so, in revenge, he seeks a mansion where his presence -will be unwelcome indeed. He flies towards a licentiate of importance, -who has only recently been appointed to the bishopric of Albarazin. -This prelate is busily occupied with preparations for repairing to his -diocese with all the pomp which in our day accompanies the princes of -the church. Nevertheless, he is about to take his departure for the -other world, where he will arrive with as few followers as the poor -monk; and I am not sure that he will be quite as favourably received." - -"Oh heavens!" cried Zambullo; "Death stoops upon the palace of the -king. Alas! one stroke of his fatal scythe, and ail Spain will be -plunged in dreadful consternation." "Well may you tremble," said -the Cripple; "for the barbarian has no more respect for kings than -for their meanest slaves. But be not alarmed," he added, a moment -afterwards, "he aims not at the monarch yet; his business now is with -a courtier only, one of those noble lords whose only occupation is to -swell his master's train: such ministers as these are not exactly those -the state can least afford to lose." - -"But it would seem," replied the Student, "that the spectre king is -not contented with so mean a prize as the parasite you speak of. -See! he hovers still about the royal house; and, this time, near the -chamber of the Queen." "Just so," replied the Devil, "and he might be -worse employed: he is about to cut the windpipe of an amiable dame who -delights to sow divisions in her sovereign's court; and who is now -mortally chagrined, because two ladies whom she had cleverly set by the -ears, have been unreasonable enough to become sincerely reconciled with -each other. - -[Illustration: the grieving wife tears her hair] - -"And now, my master, you will hear cries of real affliction," continued -the Demon. "Death enters that splendid mansion to the left; and a scene -as touching as the world's stage offers is about to be acted there. -Look, if you can, on the heart-rending tragedy." "In truth," said Don -Cleophas, "I perceive a lady struggling in the arms of her attendants, -and tearing her hair with signs of deepest grief. Tell me its cause!" -"Look in the room adjoining, and you will see cause enough," replied -the Devil. "You observe the man stretched on that stately couch: it is -her dying husband,--to her a loss indeed! Their story is affecting, and -deserves to be written:--I have a great mind to relate it to you." - -"You will give me great pleasure in so doing," interrupted Leandro: -"the sorrows of this world do not move less than its vices and follies -amuse me." "It is rather long," resumed Asmodeus, "but it is too -interesting to annoy you on that account. Besides, I will confess to -you, that, all Demon as I am, I am sick of following the track of -Death: let us leave him in his search of newer victims." "With all my -heart," replied Zambullo: "I am more curious to hear your promised -narrative Of suffering humanity, than to see my fellow-mortals, one -after another, hurried into eternity." The Cripple then commenced as -follows, after having transported the Student on to the roof of one of -the highest houses in the Strada d'Alcala. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP. - - -A young cavalier of Toledo, accompanied by his valet-de-chambre, was -journeying with all possible speed from the place of his birth, in -order to avoid the consequences of a tragical adventure in which he had -unfortunately been engaged. He was about two leagues from the town of -Valencia, when, at the entrance of a wood, he fell in with a lady who -was alighting hastily from a carriage. No veil obscured her charms, -which were more than enough to dazzle a youthful beholder; and, as -the lovely damsel appeared in trouble, it is not to be wondered that -the cavalier, imagining that she sought assistance, offered her his -protection and his services. - -"Generous unknown," said the lady, "I will not refuse your proffered -aid: Heaven, it would seem, has sent you here to avert a dreadful -misfortune. Two cavaliers have met to fight within this wood;--I this -moment saw them enter. Hasten with me, I entreat you, and assist me -to prevent their fatal design." As she spoke, she plunged into the -forest, and the Toledan, throwing his horse's rein to his attendant, -followed her as quickly as he was able. - -They had not gone a hundred yards before they heard the clashing of -arms, and almost immediately discovered the two gentlemen, who were -thrusting at each other with becoming fury. The Toledan drew his sword -but to separate theirs; and by its assistance, and by entreaties -uttered in exclamations, he managed to suspend their pastime, while he -inquired the subject of their difference. - -"Brave cavalier," said one of the combatants, "you see in me, Don -Fabricio de Mendoza, and in my opponent, Don Alvaro Ponza. We both -love Donna Theodora, the lady by whom you are accompanied; but we love -to little purpose, for, despite our endeavours to win her affections, -she treats our attentions with disdain. For myself, I should have been -contented to worship an unwilling deity; but my rival, instead of -acting with as much wisdom, has resolved to have the shrine to himself, -and so has brought me here." - -"It is true," interrupted Don Alvaro, "that I have so determined; and -it is because I believe that, my rival away, Donna Theodora might deign -to listen to my vows. I seek then the life of Don Fabricio, to rid -myself of a man who stands in the way of my happiness." - -"Signor Cavalier," said the Toledan, "I cannot approve of your reasons -for duelling; besides that, you are injuring the lady who is the object -of your strife. You must be aware that it will soon be known that you -have been fighting for her; and the honour of your mistress should -surely be dearer to you than happiness or life itself. And what, too, -can he who may be successful expect to gain by his victory? Can he -hope that, after having staked a lady's reputation on the quarrel, she -will thank him for his folly? What madness! Believe me, it were far -better, that, acting as becomes the names you bear, you should control -your jealous wrath. Be men and pledge me your sacred words to bind -yourselves by the terms I shall propose to you, and your quarrel may be -adjusted without a deed of blood." - -[Illustration: the Toledan cavalier parts the duellists] - -"Ah! but how?" cried Don Alvaro. "Why," replied the Toledan, "let the -lady determine the question; let her choose between yourself and Don -Fabricio; and let the slighted lover, instead of seeking to injure -his more fortunate rival, leave the field at once." "Agreed!" said -Don Alvaro; "and I swear it by all that is sacred. Let Donna Theodora -decide between us. She may prefer, if she will, my rival to myself: -this even would be less unbearable than the dread suspense in which I -now exist." "And I," said Don Fabricio in his turn,--"I call Heaven -to witness, that if the divine object of my love declares not in my -favour, I will fly from the sight of her perfections; and if I cannot -forget them, I will at least behold them no more." - -On this the Toledan, turning to Donna Theodora, said: "Madam, it is -for you now, by a single word, to disarm these two rivals for your -love: you have only to name him whose constancy your favours would -reward." "Signor Cavalier," replied the lady, "try some other means of -reconciling them. Why should I become the victim of their disagreement? -I esteem, in all sincerity, both Don Fabricio and Don Alvaro; but I -love neither: and it were surely unjust, that, to prevent the stain -with which their disputes may sully my name, I should be compelled to -excite hopes that my heart disavows." - -"It is too late to dissemble, Madam," resumed the Toledan; "you -must now declare yourself. Although these cavaliers are equally -good-looking, I doubt not that you can discern more merit in one than -in the other; and I am confirmed in that opinion by the alarm with -which but now I saw you agitated." - -"You misinterpret that alarm," replied Donna Theodora. "The loss of -either of these gentlemen would affect me beyond a doubt, and I should -never cease to reproach myself with his death, although its innocent -cause; but if I appeared to you greatly agitated, I can assure you that -it was the peril to which my own honour was exposed that excited all my -fear." - -The impetuous Don Alvaro Ponza now lost all patience. "Enough!" he -exclaimed, with an air of fury; "since the lady refuses to end the -matter peaceably, let the fate of arms decide;" and as he spoke, he -raised his weapon against Don Fabricio, who on his part prepared to -receive him. - -On this, the lady, more alarmed by the fury of Don Alvaro than decided -by her own inclination, exclaimed wildly: "Hold! noble cavaliers; I -will do as you desire. Since there is no other means of preventing a -strife in which my reputation is involved, I declare in favour of Don -Fabricio de Mendoza." - -These words had no sooner escaped her lips, than the discarded Ponza, -without uttering a syllable, hastened to his horse, which he had -fastened to a tree, released it, threw himself into the saddle, and -disappeared, after casting one look of intense fury on his rival -and implacable mistress. The fortunate Mendoza, on the contrary, -was in ecstasies; now humbling himself in his joy at the feet of -Donna Theodora, and now embracing the Toledan, unable to contain the -satisfaction with which his heart was filled, or to find words to -express his gratitude. - -In the meanwhile the lady, freed from the presence of the burning Don -Alvaro, had become more tranquil; and it was with grief she reflected -that she had engaged to permit the addresses of a lover, whom, while -she truly esteemed his merit, her heart told her she could never love. - -[Illustration: Don Fabricio at the feet of Donna Theodora] - -"Signor Don Fabricio," she said to him, timidly, "I trust you will -not abuse the preference I have just avowed for you; you owe it only -to the necessity in which I found myself placed of declaring between -yourself and Don Alvaro. I can say with truth that I have ever thought -more highly of you than of him;--there are noble qualities that you -possess of which Alvaro cannot boast; I have always looked on you -with justice as the most perfect cavalier Valencia contains; I have -even no hesitation in saying that the attentions of such a man would -be flattering to the vanity of any woman; but, how honourable soever -they might be to me, I feel bound to tell you that my heart is still -untouched, and that it is with sorrow I behold in you an affection -for myself so great as your every action displays. I will not, -however, take from you all hope of winning my affections; my present -indifference may arise from the effects of that grief which still fills -my bosom for the loss of my late husband, Don Andrea de Cifuentes, who -died about a year ago. Although we were not long united, and although -he was advanced in years when my parents, dazzled by his riches, -compelled me to espouse him, I was yet much afflicted by his loss, and -the wound is still green which his death inflicted. - -"Ah! was he not worthy of my regret?" she added. "He was indeed unlike -those aged and jealous tyrants, who, unable to persuade themselves -that a youthful wife can be virtuous enough to excuse their weakness, -watch all her motions with suspicion, or place over her some hideous -duenna as a spy. Alas! he had in my honour a confidence of which a -young and much-loved husband would be hardly capable. His kindness was -unbounded, and his only study, to anticipate my every wish. You may -suppose, then, Mendoza, that such a man as Don Andrea de Cifuentes -is not easily forgotten. No! he is ever present in my thoughts; and -the fond recollection of his amiability and love for me may excuse my -indifference for objects which might otherwise attract me." - -"Ah! Madam," exclaimed Don Fabricio, interrupting Donna Theodora, "how -great is my delight to learn from those lovely lips that it is from no -dislike for myself that you have slighted all my cares! I can still -then hope that the day will come when my constancy may be rewarded." -"It will not be my fault if that do not happen," replied the lady, -"since I consent that you should visit me, and will not forbid you to -speak to me of love. You shall strive, then, to win me to the world -and to yourself by your attentions; and I promise to conceal not from -you any favourable impression you may make: but if, Mendoza, despite -your efforts, my heart refuses to be happy, remember that I give you no -right to reproach me." - -Don Fabricio was about to reply; but the lady, placing her hand in -that of the Toledan, turned away, and hastened towards her carriage. -He therefore unbound his horse, and leading it through the thicket by -the bridle, followed his mistress, and arrived just in time to see her -enter the vehicle, which she did with as much agitation as she had -left it, although arising from a very different cause. The Toledan and -himself accompanied Donna Theodora to the gate of Valencia, where they -separated,--she taking the road to her own house, and Don Fabricio -taking the Toledan with him to his. - -After a slight repose, Mendoza entertained the stranger with a -sumptuous repast, and in the course of conversation asked him what had -brought him to Valencia, and whether he proposed to stay there for any -time. "For as short a time as possible," replied the Toledan; "I am -here only on my way to the sea, that I may embark in the first vessel -that leaves the shores of Spain. It matters little to me in what part -of the world I go to end a life of unhappiness, except that the more -distant from this fatal clime the better." - -"What do I hear?" exclaimed Don Fabricio with surprise. "What can have -disgusted you with your native land, and caused you to look with hate -on that which all men love so fondly?" "After what has occurred to me," -replied the Toledan, "my country is to me unbearable, and to leave -it, for ever, my only desire." "Ah! Signor Cavalier," cried Mendoza, -affected with compassion, "I am impatient to learn your misfortunes! -If I cannot relieve them, I am at least disposed to share them. Your -appearance from the first prepossessed me in your favour, your bearing -and manners charmed me, and already I feel deeply interested in your -destiny." - -"You afford me, Signor Don Fabricio," replied the Toledan, "the -greatest consolation I could receive; and in return for the kindness -you are pleased to express for me, it delights me to be able to say, -with truth, that on seeing you with Don Alvaro Ponza my heart inclined -towards yourself. A feeling, with which I never was inspired at the -first sight of any one before, made me fear lest Donna Theodora should -decide in favour of your rival; and it was with joy I heard her state -her preference for you. Since then, you have so gained upon that first -impression, that, far from desiring to conceal my griefs, I seek with a -sort of pleasure to unbosom them to you: Learn then my misfortunes. - -"I was born in Toledo, and my name is Don Juan de Zarata. I lost my -parents while almost in my infancy; so that at an early age I found -myself in the enjoyment of a yearly income of four thousand ducats, -which I inherited from them. As my hand was at my own disposal, and -as I was rich enough to be able to bestow it where my heart should -dictate, I married, early, a maiden of exquisite beauty; careless that -she added nothing to my fortune, and that her rank was inferior to -my own. I loved her, and I was happy; and that I might enjoy to the -full the pleasure of possessing one so dear to me, I had not been long -married before I sought with her a small estate which I possessed a few -leagues from Toledo. - -"We lived there, for some time, in unity and bliss; when it chanced -that the Duke de Naxera, whose seat was in the neighbourhood, came -one day, when he was hunting, to refresh himself at my house. He saw -my wife, and unfortunately became enamoured of her. I suspected his -passion from the first; and was not long before I was too certainly -convinced of its existence by the eagerness with which he sought my -friendship, that up to this time he had wholly neglected. His hunting -parties were now never complete without me; he loaded me with presents, -and still more with his offers of service. - -"I became alarmed by his evident design, and prepared for our return to -Toledo. Heaven doubtless inspired me with this resolution; for, had I -acted upon it, and thus taken from the Duke his opportunities of seeing -my wife, I should have avoided all the misfortunes which followed a -contrary course. My confidence in her virtue, however, soon reassured -me. It appeared to me impossible that a being whom I had raised from -obscurity to her present position, from motives of affection alone, -could be ungrateful enough to consent to my disgrace. Alas! I little -thought that ambition and vanity, two feelings common to every woman, -were the greatest vices in the character of my wife. - -"No sooner, therefore, had the Duke managed to inform her of his -sentiments towards her, than she took credit to herself for so -important a conquest. The attachment of a man approached by all the -world with the titles of Your Grace and Your Highness tickled her -pride, and filled her mind with the most absurd notions; so that she -was indefinitely exalted in her own opinion, and thought the less of -me. All that I had done for love of her, instead of exciting feelings -of gratitude, now appeared but a contemptible offering to her charms, -of which she no longer thought me worthy; and she seems not to have -doubted that if the noble duke, who flattered her by his homage, had -seen her before she had thrown herself away on me, he would have -eagerly sought her hand. Infatuated by these absurd notions, and -seduced by some well-timed presents which flattered her vanity, she -yielded to the secret assiduities of his grace. - -"Although they corresponded frequently, I had not for some time the -slightest suspicion of their communications; but, at last, my eyes were -unfortunately opened to my disgrace. One day I returned from hunting -somewhat earlier than usual, and went directly to the apartment of my -wife, who expected nothing less than to see me. She had just received -a letter from her paramour, and was at the moment preparing a reply. -She could not disguise her emotion at my unexpected coming; and as I -perceived on the table paper and ink, I trembled,--for the truth rushed -on my mind with the speed of all unwelcome conclusions. I commanded -her to show me what she was writing, which she refused; so that I was -compelled to use violence in order to satisfy my jealous curiosity, and -drew from her bosom, in spite of her resistance, a letter which was to -the following effect:-- - - "'Must I for ever languish in the despair of seeing thee again? Hast - thou then cruelty enough to call sweet hopes into my heart, and let - the short-lived blisses perish from delay? Don Juan leaves thee daily - for the chase, or to repair to Toledo: would not Love then snatch - these happy opportunities with eager joy? Think of the passion which - consumes my life! Pity me, lady! and remember that if the happiness is - great we hope to share, the greater is the torment which bars us its - possession.' - -[Illustration: The Toledan reads the Duke's letter] - -"As I read this epistle, my blood boiled with fury. My hand sought the -hilt of my stiletto, and my first inclination was to plunge it in the -unfaithful breast of her who had betrayed me; but a moment's reflection -told me that I should thus revenge but half my shame, and that another -victim was demanded to appease my wrath. I therefore controlled myself, -and, dissimulating as well as I was able, said to my wife: 'Madam, you -have done wrong in listening to the duke; the splendour of his rank -should not have been sufficient to dazzle you. However, youth finds -delight in the trappings of nobility; and I am willing to believe that -your guilt extends no further, and that my honour is still in safe -keeping with you. I forgive, then, your want of discretion; but it is -on condition that you return to the paths of duty, and that henceforth, -sensible to the affection which animates my bosom, you will think it -enough to deserve it.' - -"I did not wait for a reply, but left the apartment; as much to give -her an opportunity of collecting herself, as to seek that solitude in -which alone my mind could free itself from the anger which inflamed -me. If I did not regain my tranquillity, I at least affected an air -of composure during that and the following day; and on the third, -pretending to have business of importance which called me to Toledo, I -told my wife that I was obliged to leave her for some time, and that I -did so in full confidence of her virtue and good conduct. - -"I set out; but, instead of going to Toledo, as soon as night came -to assist my project, I returned home secretly, and concealed myself -in the room of a trusty servant, whence I could observe any one who -entered the house. I had no doubt that the duke was informed of my -absence, and that he would not fail to make the most of so desirable a -circumstance. How I longed to surprise them together! I promised myself -an ample vengeance. - -"Nevertheless, I was deceived in my expectations. Instead of remarking -any preparations for the reception of an expected lover, I on the -contrary perceived that the doors were scrupulously closed against -everybody; and three days having passed without the appearance of the -duke, or any of his people, I began to think that my wife had repented -of her fault, and that she had broken off all connection with her -seducer. - -"As this opinion took possession of my mind, my desire of revenge -dissipated; until, at last, yielding to those emotions of affection for -my wife which anger had only suspended, I hastened to her apartment, -and, embracing her with transport, exclaimed: 'Madam, I restore you my -esteem and my love. I come to tell you that I have not been to Toledo, -but that I pretended to have gone there only to test your discretion. -You can forgive this deception in a husband whose jealousy was not -entirely without foundation. I feared lest your mind, seduced by too -brilliant illusions, should be incapable of a return to virtue; but, -thank Heaven! you have seen your error, and I trust that our felicity -may henceforth be unbroken.' - -"My wife appeared affected at these words, and, while tears fell from -her eyes, exclaimed: 'Unhappy have I been, to give you reason to -suspect my fidelity! In vain do I detest myself for having so justly -excited your anger against me! In vain is it that, since I saw you, my -eyes have unceasingly o'erflowed with tears; my grief and my remorse -are alike unavailing; I can never regain the confidence I have lost.' -'I restore it to you,' I replied, interrupting her, afflicted by the -sorrow which she displayed--'I restore it to you; you have repented of -the past; and I will, too gladly, forget it.' - -"I kept my word; and, from that moment, my love for her was as great -and as confiding as ever. I began again to taste those joys which had -been so cruelly interrupted; they came to me, indeed, with redoubled -zest; for my wife, as though she had been anxious to efface from my -recollection all traces of the injury she had done me, took greater -pains to please me. I thought I found more warmth in her caresses; in -short, I almost rejoiced at the event which had told me how much was -still left for me to love. - -"Shortly after our reconciliation I was seized with illness. Although -my ailment was not alarming, it is inconceivable how deeply it appeared -to afflict my wife. All day she was by my side; and at night, as I -was in a separate room, she never failed to visit me frequently, -that she might convince herself of the progress of my recovery: her -whole care appeared devoted to me, and all her anxiety to anticipate -my every want; it seemed as though her whole life depended solely on -mine. You may suppose that I was not insensible to all this show of -tenderness, and I was never weary of expressing to her my gratitude for -her attentions. However, Signor Mendoza, they were not so sincere as I -imagined. - -"My health was beginning to improve, when, one night, my -valet-de-chambre came to awaken me. 'Signor,' said he, with emotion, 'I -am sorry to disturb your repose; but I am too much interested in your -honour to conceal from you what is at this moment passing beneath your -roof. The Duke of Naxera is with my mistress.' - -"I was so astounded by this information, that I looked for some time at -my servant without being able to speak; and the more I thought of what -he told me, the more difficulty I found in believing it. 'No! Fabio,' -at last I said to him; 'no, it is impossible that my wife can be -capable of such infamy! You must be mistaken.' 'Signor,' replied Fabio; -'would to Heaven that I could think so! But my eyes are not easily -deceived. Ever since you have been ill, I have suspected that the duke -was introduced almost nightly into my lady's apartment. This evening, -I concealed myself, to confirm or dispel my suspicions; and I have but -too good reason to know that they were not unfounded.' - -[Illustration: Fabio awakens his master] - -"I hesitated no longer; but arose, and putting on my dressing gown, -armed myself with my sword, and went in a perfect phrenzy towards my -wife's chamber, Fabio following with a light. As we entered the room, -the alarmed duke, who was sitting on the bed, rose, and taking a pistol -from his girdle, aimed at me and fired; but thanks to his confusion, -he missed me. I rushed on him, and in a moment thrust my sword into -his heart. Then turning to my wife, who was already more dead than -alive: 'and you!' said I, 'infamous wretch, receive the reward of your -perfidy.' And so saying, I plunged my sword, still reeking with the -blood of her paramour, into her bosom. - -[Illustration: The Toledan prepares to kill his wife] - -"I am sensible of the crime my fury induced me to commit; and I -acknowledge, Signor Don Fabricio, that a faithless spouse may be -sufficiently punished without taking her life; but where is the man -who, under such excitement, could have preserved the cool temperament -of the judge? Picture to yourself this perfidious woman attending me -in sickness; imagine if you can, all that display of affection which -she lavished upon me; think of all the circumstances,--of the enormity -of her deception, and then say if her death weighs heavily against -a husband animated with rage, to whom all this comes suddenly as -lightning from the cloud. - -"My tragical history is finished in a few words. My vengeance thus -fully satiated, I dressed hastily, certain that I had no time to lose; -for I knew well that the duke's relations would search for me in every -corner of Spain, and that, as the power of my own family would be but -as a feather in the scale to turn their wrath, there was no safety for -me but in a foreign country. I therefore chose two of my best horses, -and taking with me all the jewels and money I possessed, I left my -house before daybreak, followed by the servant of whose fidelity I had -recently been so well assured, and took the road to Valencia with the -intention of sailing in the first vessel which should steer for Italy. -It thus happened that, passing yesterday near the wood in which you -were, I met Donna Theodora, and, at her entreaty, followed to assist in -separating yourself and Don Alvaro." - -When the Toledan had ended this narrative, Don Fabricio said to -him: "Signor Don Juan, you have justly avenged yourself on the Duke -de Naxera. Be not alarmed as to anything his relations can do; you -shall stay, if you please, with me, until an opportunity offers for -your passage into Italy. My uncle is governor of Valencia; you will -therefore be more secure from danger here than elsewhere, and you will -remain with one who would be united with you henceforth in bonds of -strictest friendship." - -Zarata replied to Mendoza in terms which expressed his grateful sense -of the former's kindness, and at once accepted the proffered asylum. -"And now it is, Signor Don Cleophas," continued Asmodeus, "that I shall -exhibit to you the power of sympathy: such was the inclination which -drew these two young cavaliers towards each other, that, in a few -days, there existed between them a friendship not surpassed by that -of Orestes and Pylades. With dispositions alike formed for virtue, -they possessed a similarity of tastes which was certain to render -that which pleased Don Fabricio equally agreeable to Don Juan--their -characters were identical; in short, they were formed for each other. -Don Fabricio, especially, was charmed with the deportment of his new -friend; and lost no opportunity of endeavouring to exalt him in the -estimation of the Donna Theodora. - -"This lady now received them frequently at her house; but, though -her doors were open at the bidding of Mendoza, her heart was still -inaccessible to his attentions. Mortified to find his love thus -slighted, he could not forbear complaining of her indifference to -his friend, who endeavoured to console him with the assurance that -the most insensible of women might be won to feeling at the last, -and that nothing was wanting to lovers but patience to await for the -favourable moment: he bade him then to keep up his courage, and to hope -that, sooner or later, his mistress would yield to his assiduity and -affection. This advice, though philosophical enough, was insufficient -to assure the timid Mendoza, who began to despair of success with -the widow of Cifuentes; and the anxiety of suspense so preyed upon -his spirits, that Don Juan could not behold him without feelings of -compassion. Alas! poor Don Juan was himself ere long more to be pitied -than his friend. - -"Whatever reason the Toledan had to be disgusted with the sex, after -the abominable treachery he had met with, he could not long look upon -the Donna Theodora without loving her. Far, however, from yielding -to a passion which he felt to be an injury to Mendoza, he struggled -with all his might to vanquish it; and convinced that this was only -to be accomplished by flying from the bright eyes which had kindled -the flame, he wisely resolved to shun the lady who possessed them. -Consequently whenever Don Fabricio asked his company to his mistress's -house, he managed to find some pretext to excuse himself from going -with him. - -"On the other hand, Mendoza never went to see the Donna Theodora, but -she asked him why he no longer was accompanied by Don Juan. One day, -when, for the hundredth time she put this question to her lover, the -latter answered, smiling, that his friend had his reasons for absenting -himself. 'And what reasons, then, can he have for flying me?' said -Donna Theodora. 'Why, madam,' replied Mendoza; 'yesterday, when I -pressed him, as usual, to come with me, and expressed some surprise at -his refusal to do so, he confided to me a secret, which I must reveal -in order to justify him in your eyes. He told me that he had formed a -liaison in Valencia; and, that as he had not long to stay in this town, -every moment was precious to him.' - -"'I cannot exactly admit the validity of his excuse,' replied the widow -of Cifuentes, blushing; 'it is not permitted to lovers that they should -abandon their friends.' Don Fabricio, who observed the colour which -tinged the cheeks of the Donna Theodora, thought that self-love alone -had caused the blush, and that, like all pretty women, she could not -bear to be neglected, even by a person who was indifferent to her. He -was, however, deceived. A deeper feeling than wounded vanity inspired -the emotion she displayed. She loved: but for fear that Mendoza should -discover her sentiments, she changed the subject, and, during the -conversation that followed, affected a gaiety which would have deceived -him, had he not already deceived himself. - -"As soon as Donna Theodora was alone, she abandoned herself to -reflection. Then, for the first time, she felt all the strength of the -attachment she had conceived for Don Juan; and, little thinking how -deeply that feeling was shared by its object,--'Oh Love!' she cried: -'cruel and unjust art thou, who delightest to kindle passion in the -hearts of those who care not for each other! I love not Don Fabricio, -and he adores me; I languish for Don Juan, and his heart is possessed -by another. Ah! Mendoza, reproach me not with my indifference for thee; -thy friend has indeed avenged thee.' - -"As she spoke, grief filled her eyes with tears, and jealousy possessed -her breast; but Hope, who loves to soothe the sorrows of despairing -lovers, took refuge in her mind, and filled it with bright images of -joys to come. It suggested to her that her rival could not be very -formidable, and that Don Juan was less the captive of her charms than -the object of her favours, and that the ties which bound them could not -therefore be difficult to break. She resolved, however, to judge for -herself, and at once to see the Toledan. With this view she sent word -that she wished to speak with him: he came; and, when they were alone, -she thus addressed him: - -"'I could never have believed that love could make a gallant man -forgetful of his duties to a lady; nevertheless, Don Juan, since it has -possessed you, you have become a stranger to my house. I think I have -a right to upbraid you for this neglect; I am unwilling, however, to -believe that you have yourself resolved to shun me, and will suppose -that your mistress has forbidden your coming here. Tell me, Don Juan, -that it is so, and I will excuse you. I know a lover is not master -of his will, and that he dares not disobey the woman to whom he has -resigned it.' - -"'Madam,' replied the Toledan, 'I confess that my conduct may -reasonably surprise you; but, in pity, ask me not to justify myself: -content yourself with hearing from my lips that I shun you not without -good cause.' 'Whatever may be that cause,' interrupted Donna Theodora, -visibly affected, 'I request you will not conceal it.' 'Well, madam,' -replied Don Juan, 'you shall be obeyed; but be not angry if you learn -from me more than you would wish to know. - -"'Don Fabricio,' he continued, 'has doubtless related to you the -adventure which compelled me to quit Castile. In flying from Toledo, -my heart filled with hatred against womankind, I bade defiance to the -sex ever to touch that heart again. With this disposition, I approached -Valencia; I met you, and, what perhaps none have ever sustained before, -I met your eyes without yielding to their influence. I saw you again -and again with impunity; but, alas! dearly I have paid for my pride of -heart. You have conquered! Your beauty, your mind,--all your charms -were turned against a rebel to your sway; in a word, I feel for you now -all the love that you were formed by nature to inspire. - -"'This, madam, is what has driven me from your sight. The mistress, -to whom they told you I was devoted, exists but in the imagination of -Mendoza; and it was to prevent in him a suspicion of the truth, which -my constant refusals to accompany him here might have engendered, that -I conjured her into life.' - -"This confession, unexpected as it was by Donna Theodora, could not -fail to fill her bosom with delight, nor could she conceal it from the -Toledan. It is true she took no great pains to do so, and that, instead -of regarding him with indignation for his presumption, her eyes beamed -with tenderness as she said: 'You have revealed to me your secret, Don -Juan; it is fair that I should discover mine to you: Listen! - -"'Regardless of the overtures of Alvaro Ponza, and little affected by -the addresses of Mendoza, I lived in tranquil joy, when chance brought -you to the wood where we met. Agitated as I was by the scene which then -was passing, I was nevertheless struck by the gentle and respectful -manner in which you offered me your services; and the frankness and -courage which you displayed in separating the two furious rivals for my -love inspired me with the most favourable opinion of your character. -The means by which you proposed to terminate their disputes, indeed, -displeased me, and it was with repugnance that I resolved to choose -between the combatants; but, I believe I must not disguise from you, -that yourself in great part contributed to increase the difficulty of -my decision. At the moment when, compelled by necessity, my tongue -proclaimed the name of Don Fabricio, I felt that my heart had already -declared in favour of the unknown. From that day, which, after what you -have just avowed, I may call a happy one, your virtues have constantly -augmented the esteem you then inspired. - -"'Why should I affect to hide these feelings from you? I confess them -with no greater candour than I told Mendoza that I loved him not. A -woman whose misfortune is to love a being whom she may not hope to -wed, may bury in her heart the passion which consumes it; but when her -bosom's lord is one who nourishes an equal tenderness for her, silence -were weakness, and dissimulation shame. Yes, I am indeed happy that -your love is mine, and I render thanks to Heaven which I trust has -destined us for each other.' - -"Having thus spoken, the lady waited for Don Juan's answer, and to give -him an opportunity of expressing all the gratitude which she naturally -thought the declaration she had made must inspire; but her lover, -instead of appearing enchanted by the confession he had just listened -to, remained sad and thoughtful. - -"'What means this silence?' she at length exclaimed. 'What! when for -you, Zarata, I forget my sex's pride; and, what another would have -deemed a fate to envy, show you a heart all filled with love for -you,--can you repel the bliss which such a heart bestows;--be coldly -silent to its fond disclosure, and look with grief when all things -promise joy? Alas! Don Juan, my kindness for you has a strange effect, -indeed.' - -"'And what other, madam, can it have upon a heart like mine?' replied -the Toledan, mournfully. 'The greater kindness you avow for me, the -greater is the misery I suffer. You are not ignorant of all I owe to -Don Fabricio; you know the tender friendship which unites us: can I -then build my happiness upon the ruins of his dearest hopes?' 'You -are too scrupulous,' resumed the Donna Theodora: 'I have promised to -Mendoza nothing. I can bestow my love, nor merit his reproaches; and -you may well accept it, nor yet do him a wrong. I acknowledge that the -sorrows of your friend may cause you some unhappiness; but, Don Juan, -can that o'erbalance in your mind the destiny which waits you?' - -"'Yes, madam,' replied the Toledan, with respectful firmness; 'a -friend like Don Fabricio has greater weight with me than you can well -imagine. Could you possibly conceive the tenderness, the strength of -that feeling which binds us to each other, you would pity me indeed. -Mendoza has no secrets now with me; my interests have become his own; -the slightest matter which concerns myself commands his strict regard: -in a word, madam, I share his soul with you. - -"'Ah! if you wished me to profit by your kindness, you should have -disclosed it ere those ties were formed which bind me now to him. -Delighted to have won your affections, I should then have seen in Don -Fabricio but a rival; and my heart, steeled against the friendship -which he offered to me, would have escaped its bonds; I should then -have been free from all obligation towards him: but, madam, it is -now too late. I have received all the services it was in his power -to render me; I have indulged all the feelings which those services -induced; gratitude and esteem now unite to reduce me to the cruel -necessity of renouncing the inestimable prize you present for my -acceptance.' - -"While the Toledan was speaking thus, tears fell fast from the eyes -of Donna Theodora; and, as he concluded, she hid her face in her -handkerchief to conceal her distress. Don Juan was of course affected; -his constancy began to evaporate, and he felt that his stay was -dangerous. 'Adieu, madam,' he continued, while sighs impeded his -utterance,--'adieu! I must fly to preserve my honour; your tears -overcome me--all else I could withstand. I leave you for ever; and go, -far hence, to deplore the loss of that happiness which my friendship -for Don Fabricio inexorably demands as a sacrifice.' And as he -finished, he hastily retired, with as much resolution as just enabled -him to do so. - -[Illustration: the Toledan bids farewell to Donna Theodora] - -"After his departure, the widow of Cifuentes was distracted by a -thousand conflicting emotions. She felt ashamed at having declared her -love to a man whom its bright temptation had not won; but, unable to -doubt his affection for her person, and assured that his refusal of -her hand originated in no other feeling than an unexampled constancy -for his friend, she was sufficiently reasonable to admire so rare an -instance of virtue. Nevertheless, as it is in the nature of men, and -more particularly in the nature of women, to feel annoyed when all -things do not happen as they wish, she resolved to go into the country -on the morrow, in order to dissipate her grief, or rather to augment -it; for Solitude is nurse to Love, and strengthens the young passion -while he strives to hush its cries. - -"Meanwhile, Don Juan, not finding Mendoza on his return, shut himself -in his own apartment, and gave way to the affliction he had restrained -during his interview with Donna Theodora; for, after what he had -sacrificed to friendship, he felt himself at liberty to indulge in -grief for its loss. It was not long, however, before Mendoza came to -break on his retirement, and judging by his friend's appearance that -he was ill, he displayed so much uneasiness that Don Juan was obliged -to plead a want of rest, in order to account for his altered looks. -Mendoza left him to repose; but he went out with so much grief depicted -on his countenance, that the Toledan was still more afflicted by his -sympathy. 'Oh Heaven!' he exclaimed, 'why is it that the most tender -friendship should bring to me nothing but misfortune?' - -"On the following day, Don Fabricio was yet in bed, when they came to -inform him that Donna Theodora had set out, with all her establishment, -for her seat at Villareal, and that it was unlikely she would shortly -return to Valencia. This information caused him less inquietude on -account of his severance from the object of his devotion, than because -a mystery had been made to him of her departure. Without being able to -determine on its cause, a gloomy presentiment pervaded his mind as to -its effect on his happiness. - -"He instantly arose, that he might seek his friend, as much to converse -with him on the subject which occupied his mind, as to inquire the -state of Zarata's health; but, before he had completed his toilet, -Don Juan entered his room, saying: 'I come to dissipate whatever -apprehension you may entertain for me; I feel myself again restored -to health.' 'The good news you tell me,' replied Mendoza, 'consoles -me somewhat for the unwelcome intelligence I have just received.' -'Ah! what is that?' asked the Toledan anxiously. 'Why,' replied Don -Fabricio, after having dismissed his attendants, 'Donna Theodora has -gone this morning into the country, where they expect she will remain -for some time. This sudden resolution astonishes me. Why has it been -concealed? What think you, Don Juan? Have I not cause to be alarmed?' - -"Zarata took good care not to communicate his real thoughts upon the -subject, but endeavoured to persuade Mendoza that Donna Theodora -might change her residence without giving him any reason for alarm. -Don Fabricio, however, unconvinced by the arguments of his friend, -interrupted him, saying: 'That is all very well, Zarata; but you cannot -remove my fears of having imprudently done or said something which has -displeased the Donna Theodora; and it is to punish my indiscretion that -she leaves me without deigning even to inform me of my fault. - -"'I will not, however, remain in uncertainty. Let us hasten, Don Juan, -to follow her; I will at once order our horses.' 'I would advise you,' -said the Toledan, 'to seek her alone; if it be as you think, witnesses -are worse than needless.' 'Don Juan cannot be unwelcome,' replied -Mendoza; 'Donna Theodora is aware that you know all that passes in my -heart: she esteems you; and far from being in my way, you will assist -me to appease her anger against me.' - -"'No, no, Fabricio,' replied the Toledan, 'my presence will avail -you nothing. Take my advice, and go alone, I conjure you!' 'Again -no, my dear Don Juan,' interrupted Mendoza, 'we will go together; I -expect this kindness of your friendship.' 'What tyranny! exclaimed the -Toledan, with evident vexation; 'why ask you of my friendship what that -very feeling should deny you most?' - -"These words, which Don Fabricio could not comprehend, and the tone in -which they were uttered, surprised him greatly. He looked at his friend -for some time without speaking. At last, he said to him gravely: 'Don -Juan, what mean you? What horrible suspicion breaks upon my mind? Ah! -it is too much, to wound me by your terrible constraint! Speak! Whence -arises this unwillingness to accompany me to Donna Theodora?' - -"'I would have concealed it from you,' replied the Toledan, 'but, since -you compel me to disclose the truth, I will dissimulate no longer. -Let us, my dear Mendoza, no more rejoice in the similarity of our -dispositions; it is but too perfect: the shafts which wounded you, have -neither spared your friend. Donna Theodora----' 'What! you my rival?' -interrupted Don Fabricio, turning pale as death. 'From the instant -that my love for the widow of Cifuentes became apparent to myself,' -replied Don Juan, 'I strove to stifle the passion. I have, as you know, -sedulously avoided her sight: I at least triumphed over my feelings, if -I could not destroy them. - -"'Yesterday, however, Donna Theodora sent word that she desired to -see me. I went to her; when she asked me why I seemed to shun her. I -endeavoured to excuse myself as well as I was able; but, as my excuses -did not satisfy her, I was compelled at last to avow the real cause of -my absence. I imagined that, after this declaration, she would have -approved the motives of my apparent neglect; but my unlucky star had -decreed--shall I tell you? yes, Mendoza, it is useless attempting to -deceive you,--I found Theodora disposed to favour my love.' - -"Although Don Fabricio was one of the mildest and most reasonable of -men, yet, at this confession, he was seized with a fury beyond his -control; and, again interrupting his friend, he exclaimed: 'Hold! -Don Juan, plunge at once your dagger in my breast; but continue not -this fatal recital. What! not contented with avowing your passion for -her whom I adore, must you tell me too that your love is returned? -By Heaven! this is a strange confidence you dare to venture on with -me. You put our friendship to a test indeed. But what say I! our -friendship? You have broken it, in nourishing the traitorous feelings -you have just imparted. - -"'Oh! how have I been deceived! I thought you generous even to excess, -and find you basely false; stooping to win the heart of her whose love -were insult to your friend. This is indeed an unexpected blow; and -falls with double weight since coming from the hand ...' 'Do me more -justice,' in his turn interrupted the Toledan; 'reflect with patience -ere you speak: I am not the traitor which you deem me. Hear me. You -will repent the injuries you heap upon your friend.' - -"Don Juan then related all that had passed between the widow of -Cifuentes and himself, the tender confession she had made to him -of love, and all the arguments she used to win him to indulge his -own. He repeated to him then his firm reply; and, as he spoke of -the determination he displayed, the wrath of Don Fabricio yielded -by degrees. 'In short,' added Don Juan, 'friendship conquered love; -and I rejected that of Donna Theodora, despite her tears. But, Gods, -those tears! what trouble filled my soul at sight of them! I cannot -recollect them now without trembling at the danger I encountered. I -began to feel myself relent; and, for a few moments, Mendoza, my heart -indeed betrayed you. I did not, however, yield to my weakness, but -escaped those dangerous tears by hasty flight. Still it is not enough -to have gone safely through the past,--the future must be feared. I -shall therefore hasten my departure from Valencia; I will no more -behold the lovely Theodora. And now, will Don Fabricio accuse his -friend of ingratitude and perfidy?' - -"'No!' replied Mendoza, embracing the Toledan; 'my eyes are opened, -and I find him faithful as my heart could wish. Pardon those unjust -reproaches to a jealous lover, who in a moment finds himself deprived -of all his hopes. Alas! should I have expected that the Donna Theodora -could have long beheld you, and have failed to love?--that she could -resist the influence of those attractions which at once so drew you to -myself? No! and I embrace my friend again. I attribute my misfortunes -but to destiny; and, far from feeling hatred to yourself, my affection -is increased by your noble conduct. What! can you renounce for me -possession of the lovely Theodora,--can you yield for friendship's sake -so great a prize, and shall I be insensible of the sacrifice? Can you -conquer the passion which consumes you, and shall I make no endeavour -so to vanquish mine? No! I will not be outdone in generosity of soul. -Obey, Don Juan, the dictate of your heart; espouse the object of our -mutual affections; my heart may groan in secret if it will; be it so! -Mendoza intreats you to consult your own.' - -"'In vain do you intreat me,' replied Zarata: 'I love her but too -dearly, as I have told you; but, Mendoza, your happiness shall never be -the price of mine.' 'And the happiness of Donna Theodora,' said Don -Fabricio, 'shall that then count for nothing? Let not false delicacy -weigh with us now: her passion for yourself has ended all my hopes. -What though, for me, you shunned those fatal eyes, to lead in distant -lands a life of woe,--what would it serve me now? She loves me not, -and never will; Heaven reserved that bliss for you alone. From the -moment that she saw you, her heart declared for you; nature prompted -the emotion: in a word, you alone can render her happy. Receive then -the heart she offers with her hand; crown her desires and your own; -leave me to my fate; and make not three persons miserable, when the -wretchedness of one alone is all that destiny requires.'" - -Asmodeus was here obliged to suspend his narration, and listen to the -Student, who said to him: "Well, all that you tell me is sufficiently -surprising; but are there really such amiable people upon earth? I -never met within this nether world but friends who strive, not for such -mistresses as you depict the Donna Theodora, but for the arrantest -coquettes. What! a lover to renounce the being he adores, by whom his -love is shared, and all lest he should render some poor friend unhappy? -That may do well for some romancer's pen, which fain would picture men -the creatures they should be, for fear of telling them the things they -are." "I own, with you," Asmodeus replied, "the virtue that I tell you -of is rare; but still, my dear Cleophas, it exists; not in romances -only, but in the principles of man's own nature. It is true that, since -the deluge, I have seen but two examples of the like, and this is one; -but, let us return to our history. - -"The two friends continued still their amicable strife, and, as each -was still unwilling to yield the palm of generosity to the other, -their amorous sentiments remained suspended, during several days. They -ceased to talk of Donna Theodora, each seemed afraid to breathe her -very name; but, while Friendship triumphed over Love in the city of -Valencia, Love, as though he would revenge the insult offered to his -power, reigned with tyranny without its walls, and was there obeyed -without scruple. - -"Donna Theodora was all this time in the solitude of Villareal, which -was not far distant from the sea. There, abandoning herself to her -passion for Don Juan, she dreamt of its reward; and nuptial visions -floated in her mind, despite the friendship the Toledan had recently -displayed for Don Fabricio, his too much loved rival. - -"One day, while the glorious splendour of the setting sun chained her -to the margin of its bed, she perceived a boat which made towards the -shore. As it approached, she saw that it contained seven or eight men, -whose aspect was far from prepossessing; and as they came still nearer, -she observed that their faces were covered with masks, and that they -were armed. - -"Trembling with fear, for it was not easy to divine any good object -for this unlooked-for descent, she turned hastily towards her home. -Looking from time to time behind her as she fled, she saw them land; -and, as they instantly appeared to be endeavouring to overtake her, she -began to run with all her might. But as she was not as swift of foot as -Atalanta, and as the masks were light and fleet, they came up with her, -just as she had reached the entrance of her grounds, and seized her. - -[Illustration: Donna Theodora carried off by the masked men] - -"The shrieks of the Donna Theodora, and a girl who accompanied her, -were loud enough however to attract the attention of some servants -without the house; and these giving the alarm to those within, the -whole establishment, to a man, turned out armed with clubs and -pitchforks. But in the meantime, two of the most robust among the -masqueraders had taken the lady and her damsel in their arms, and bore -them towards the boat, while the remainder remained to give battle to -the domestics, who, albeit not paid for fighting, did their utmost. The -combat was long, but swords carried the day against pitchforks, and -the gentlemen in dominoes were fast regaining the vessel to join their -prize. It was time indeed they did so; for ere their embarkation was -completed, four or five cavaliers were to be distinguished on the road -from Valencia, riding at their topmost speed, and apparently anxious -to be in time for the rescue of the Donna Theodora. The ravishers saw -them; and made such good haste to get out to sea, that the cavaliers -arrived too late to attain the accomplishment of their object. - -[Illustration: the masked men rowing away] - -"These cavaliers were Don Fabricio and Don Juan. Mendoza had received -a letter, only a few hours before, informing him, on good authority, -that Don Alvaro was in the island of Majorca; that he had equipped a -sort of sloop, and that with some twenty scoundrels who had nothing -to lose, he intended to carry off the widow of Cifuentes on the first -occasion of her visiting her seat at Villareal. On this, the Toledan -and himself, with their personal attendants, had set out immediately -from Valencia, in order to inform Donna Theodora of the projected -attempt. They had, unfortunately, arrived just in time to discern on -the sea-shore a number of persons who appeared to be engaged in mortal -strife; and, suspecting that it might be as they feared, had hastened -with all expedition to oppose the infamous design of Don Alvaro. But, -with all their haste, they arrived but to witness the abduction they -had especially come to prevent. - -"In the meanwhile, Alvaro Ponza, joyful at his success, was hurrying -from the coast with his prey, and was observed to join a small armed -vessel which was awaiting him in the distance. Words cannot convey an -idea of the grief of the two friends; the air rang with imprecations -against Don Alvaro: their grief and rage, however, were alike -unavailing. The domestics of the Donna Theodora, excited by so laudable -an example, were not sparing of their lamentations; the shore resounded -with cries: fury, desolation, and despair reigned where all before -had been tranquil joy, or the sweet grief of love. The rape of the -beauteous Helen herself did not excite at the court of Sparta an equal -consternation." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -THE SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE TRAGIC POET AND THE COMIC AUTHOR. - - -Leandro Perez, at this point of the narrative, could not help again -interrupting the Devil: "Signor Asmodeus," said he, "I really cannot -control my curiosity to know the meaning of something which attracts my -attention, in spite of the pleasure I receive in listening to you. I -see, in a room near us, two men fighting in their shirts, and several -others in their dressing-gowns who are hastening to part them: tell me, -I pray you, what it is all about." The Demon, ever ready to please the -Student, without further pressing replied as follows: - -"The persons whom you behold in their shirts, or so much of them as is -left in the struggle, are two French authors; and the mediators in the -strife are two Germans, a Fleming, and an Italian. They all lodge in -that same house, which is a sort of lodging-house devoted exclusively -to foreigners. One of these authors writes tragedies, and the other -comedies. The former, disgusted for some reason or other with his own -country, has come to Spain; and the latter also, discontented with his -prospects in Paris, has performed the same journey, in the hope of -finding in Madrid a better fortune. - -"The tragic poet is vain and presumptuous, having obtained, despite the -opinions of those whose breath should be fame, a tolerable reputation -in his own country. To keep his Pegasus in wind, he rides it daily; and -not being able to sleep this night, he commenced a piece, the subject -of which is taken from the Iliad. He has finished one scene; and as his -smallest fault is that, so common to his brethren, of cramming into -other people's throats the trash which he has ejected, he rose from his -table, where he was writing in his shirt, took a candle, and, as he -was, went to rouse the comic author, who, making a better use of his -time, was sleeping profoundly. - -"The latter, awakened by the noise made at his door, went to open it -to the other, who, with the air of one possessed, entered the room -exclaiming: 'Down on your knees, my friend; down, and worship a genius -whom Melpomene inspires. I have given birth to poetry--: but, what do I -say?--I have done it! Apollo himself dictated the verses to me. Were I -at Paris, I should go from house to house to read the precious lines; I -only wait for day that I may charm with them our talented ambassador, -and every other Frenchman who has the luck to be within Madrid; but, -before I shew them to a soul, I come to recite them to you.' - -[Illustration: the tragic poet at the comic author's door] - -"'I am much obliged by the preference,' replied the comic author, -yawning with all his might; 'it is rather unlucky though, that you -did not choose a better time. I went to bed extremely late,--can -hardly keep my eyes unclosed,--and I will not answer for hearing all -the verses you have to read to me, without tumbling to sleep again.' -'Oh! I will answer for that myself,' interrupted the tragic poet. -'Were you dead, the scene that I have just composed would recall you -to life again. In my writings, there are none of your namby-pamby -sentiments,--none of your common-place expressions, sustained alone -by rhyme: masculine thoughts, and easy versification, move the heart -and strike upon the mind. I am none of those wretched poetasters, whose -pitiable creations glide upon the stage like shadows, and like them -depart;--which go to Utica to amuse the Africans. My compositions, -worthy to be consecrated with my statue in the library of Apollo -Palatinus, draw crowds after thirty representations. But come,' added -this modest poet, 'you shall hear the verses of which I wish to offer -you the first incense. - -[Illustration: Phoenix assists Achilles's captives] - -"'This is my tragedy, THE DEATH OF PATROCLUS. Scene the first, Brisëis -and the other captives of Achilles appear. They tear their hair and -beat their breasts, to express the grief with which they are filled -by the death of Patroclus. Unable even to support themselves, utterly -prostrated by despair, they fall upon the stage. This, you will say, -is a little daring; but that is exactly what I aim at. Let the small -fry who swim in the waters of Helicon keep within the narrow bounds -of imitation, without daring to o'erleap them; it is well, there is -prudence in their timidity: but for me, I love invention; and I hold -that, to move and overcome your spectators, you must present to their -minds images which they could never have expected. - -"'The captives, then, are lying on the earth. Phoenix, governor of -Achilles, is with them. He assists them to rise, one after another; -and, having placed them on their feet, he commences the argument of the -drama in these lines:-- - - Hector shall fall; and Troy itself be spread - In ruins, to avenge Patroclus dead. - Proud Agamemnon, Camelus the grave, - Nestor the wise, and Eumelus the brave, - Leontes, skilled to hurl the spear along, - Smooth-tongued Ulysses, Diomed the strong, - Arm with Achilles. Lo! that hero drives - Tow'rds Ilium's gates--appalling Ilium's wives-- - His steeds immortal, urged across the plain - So swift, the eye toils after them with pain. - But still he cries: Dear Xanthus, Balius, fly! - And when around ten thousand corses lie, - When pallid Trojans scamper off like fillies, - Regain your camp, but not without Achilles. - Xanthus replies, bowing his head: You may - Be sure, Achilles, we'll your will obey; - But, while our pace with your impatience strives, - Know that to you the fatal hour arrives-- - The ox-eyed Juno thus the steed enlightening,-- - And now the car moves with a speed quite frightening. - The Greeks, beholding, utter cries of joy, - So loud, they shake the very walls of Troy. - Achilles, armed by Vulcan for the war, - Appears more brilliant than the morning star; - Or like the sun, when, in its bright career, - It bursts on earth, dispelling night and fear; - Or brilliant as the fires on mountains lighted, - To guide poor swains, bewilder'd or benighted.[8] - -[8] - - Priam va perdre Hector et sa superbe ville; - Les Grecs veulent venger le compagnon d'Achille, - Le fier Agamemnon, le divin Camélus, - Nestor, pareil aux dieux, le vaillant Eumélus, - Léonte, de la pique adroit à l'exercice, - Le nerveux Diomède, et l'éloquent Ulysse. - Achille s'y prépare, et déjà ce héros - Pousse vers Ilium ses immortels chevaux; - Pour arriver plus tôt où sa fureur l'entraîne, - Quoique l'oeil qui les voit ne les suive qu'à peine, - Il leur dit: Chers Xanthus, Balius, avancez; - Et lorsque vous serez du carnage lassés, - Quand les Troyens fuyant rentreront dans leur ville, - Regagnez notre camp, mais non pas sans Achille. - Xanthus baisse la tête, et répond par ces mots: - Achille, vous serez content de vos chevaux, - Ils vont aller au gré de votre impatience; - Mais de votre trépas l'instant fatal s'avance. - Junon aux yeux de boeuf ainsi le fait parler, - Et d'Achille aussitôt le char semble voler. - Les Grecs, en le voynt, de mille cris de joie - Soudain font retentir le rivage de Troie. - Ce prince, revêtu des armes de Vulcain, - Paraît plus éclatant que l'astre du matin, - Ou tel que le soleil, commençant sa carrière, - S'élève pour donner au monde la lumière; - Ou brillant comme un feu que les villageois font - Pendant l'obscure nuit sur le sommet du mont. - - - -"'I stop,' continued the tragic poet, 'to let you breathe a moment; for -if I were to recite to you the whole of my scene at once, the beauty -of my versification, and the great number of brilliant passages and -sublime ideas that it contains, would smother you to a certainty. But -remark the aptness of this comparison,-- - - Or brilliant as the fires on mountains lighted, - To guide poor swains bewilder'd or benighted. - -"'It is not all the world who could appreciate that; but you, who have -mind, and a clearness of perception,--you must be enchanted with it.' -'I am so, doubtless,' replied the comic author, smiling contemptuously; -'nothing can be more beautiful; and I am persuaded you will not fail to -describe, in your tragedy, the care taken by Thetis to drive away the -Trojan flies which approach the body of Patroclus.' 'You may spare your -jests as to that,' replied the tragic poet;--'an author who has talent -may venture everything. The very incident you mention is perhaps the -one most capable of being rendered into heroic verse; and I shall not -lose the opportunity, you may depend upon it. - -"'All my works,' he continued complacently, 'bear the impress of -genius; so that when I read them it would delight you to witness the -applause they elicit: I am compelled to stop after every verse, to -receive its laudatory tribute. I remember that one day, at Paris, I was -reading a tragedy in the house of a wealthy patron of literature, in -which all the wits of the capital generally assemble about dinner-time, -and in which I may say, without vanity, that I do not pass for a -Pradon. The dowager countess of Vieille-Brune was there, a lady of -exquisite taste--I am her favourite poet. Well, at the first scene, -the hot tears ran down her cheeks; during the reading of my second -act, she was obliged to change her handkerchief; her sobs were beyond -her control in the third; at the end of the fourth she was nearly in -hysterics; and I expected, at the catastrophe, that she would have -absolutely died with the hero of my piece.' - -"At these words, although the comic author endeavoured strenuously -to preserve his gravity, a burst of laughter escaped him. 'Ah!' he -exclaimed, 'how well do I recognize her ladyship by your description! -The good countess is one who cannot endure comedy: so strong is her -aversion for the merry muse, that she hurries from her box after the -dagger or the bowl has done its work, that she may not lose an atom of -her mimic grief. Tragedy is her pet passion; and be it good or bad, so -long as it presents unhappy love, so surely may you bid her tears to -flow. Honestly, did I pretend to the heroics, I should wish for other -admirers than the countess.' - -"'Oh! as to that, I have others too,' replied the tragic poet. 'I am -the approved of thousands, male and female, of the highest rank----' -'I should also mistrust the suffrages of the quality,' interrupted the -comic author; 'I should have no great confidence in their judgment: -I will tell you why. Auditors of this description are, for the most -part, too much occupied with themselves to pay great attention to the -reading of a poem; or are caught for the moment by high-sounding verse, -or the feeble delicacy of some sickly sentiment. Either is sufficient -to induce their praise of an author's labours, whatever else of better -they may lack. On the contrary, let but a line rustle their gentle ears -too harshly, and it is enough that they exclaim against the piece, -however good.' - -"'Well!' resumed the lachrymose inditer, 'since you would have me -suspicious of this tribunal, I rely on the applauses of the pit.' 'Bah! -talk not to me of your pit,' replied the other; 'its judgment is guided -by caprice. Stupidly won by the novelty of a first representation, it -will be for months enraptured by a wretched piece. It is true that in -the end it discovers its folly; and, then, it never forgives an author -for having received from it an undeserved renown, or cheated it into -mercy.' - -"'That is a misfortune for which I have nothing to fear,' said the -tragic poet; 'my pieces are reprinted as often as they are played. -This, now, never occurs with comedies; printing exhibits their -feebleness. Comedies being but trifles,--the lighter productions of -mind....' 'Softly! my tragic friend; softly!' interrupted the other: -'you are getting somewhat warm. Speak, I beg of you, of comedy with -less irreverence to me. Do you think, now, a comic piece less difficult -to write than tragedy? Undeceive yourself! It is far less easy to make -good men laugh, than it is to make them weep. Learn that a subject -drawn from ordinary life requires talent of as high an order as do the -stilted heroes of antiquity.' - -"'I'faith,' cried the tragic poet with an air of raillery, 'I am -delighted to hear you so express yourself.' 'Well! monsieur Calidas, -to avoid disputation, I agree henceforth to as greatly admire your -productions as I have heretofore despised them.' 'I care little for -your contempt, monsieur Giblet,' hastily replied the comic author; -'and in return for your insolence, I will plainly tell you my opinion -of the rubbish you have just been inflicting on me: your verse is a -mixture of bombast and absurdity, and the ideas, although borrowed from -Homer, have, in passing through your brain, become tinctured with its -vulgarity. Achilles talks to his horses, and his horses reply to him; -what nonsense! It is a pity they were not asses, for then you could -have put into their mouths with propriety your splendid comparison of -the village bonfire on the top of a mountain. It is doing no honour -to the ancients to pillage them after this fashion: their works are -undoubtedly filled with beauties; but it requires greater taste than -you possess to make of them a fitting use, or to enable you to borrow -from them to advantage.' - -"'Since you have not sufficient elevation of soul,' retorted Giblet, -'to appreciate the merits of my poetry, and to punish you for having -dared to criticise my scene, I will not read to you the remainder.' -'What, I wonder, have I done, that I should have been punished by -being compelled to listen to the beginning?' replied Calidas. 'It well -becomes you indeed to despise my comedies! Learn that the very worst -that I could write will be clever compared with anything that you can -compose, and that it is much easier to inflate the cheeks with hollow -sentiments and sounding words, than it is to enlighten the mind by -pointed wit or a delicate irony.' - -"'Thank Heaven!' exclaimed the tragic poet, with an awful expression -of disdain, 'if in its rigour it denies me your esteem, I may easily -console myself for my misfortune. The court, however, thinks more -favourably of my tragedies; and the pension with which in its grace -it has been pleased----' 'Pshaw! think not to dazzle me with your -pensions,' interrupted Calidas; 'I know too well how they may be -obtained to esteem your works the more for that. And to prove to you -your folly, in thinking more highly of yourself than of comic authors, -and that it is easier to compose serious dramas than comic pieces, I am -resolved if I return to France, and do not succeed in my own line, that -I will descend to making tragedies.' - -"'For a scribbler of farces,' said the tragic poet, 'you are not over -modest.' 'For a versifier who only owes his reputation to borrowed -plumes,' replied the comic author, 'you would fain have one think -rather too highly of you.' 'You are an insolent scoundrel,' exclaimed -the sombre genius. 'If I were not in your room, little monsieur -Calidas, the catastrophe of this adventure should teach you to respect -the buskin.' 'Let not that consideration restrain you, I entreat, lanky -monsieur Giblet,' replied Calidas; 'if you wish to receive a thrashing, -I would as soon give it you in my own room as elsewhere.' - -[Illustration: Calidas and Giblet come to blows] - -"Immediately, they seized each other by the throat and hair; and kicks -and cuffs were exchanged with generous ardour. An Italian, who lay in -a neighbouring chamber, having listened to the overture of this drama, -and hearing the noise of the incidental combat, judged that it was -quite time for the spectators to assemble when the play had begun. He -rose, therefore, and out of compassion for the French authors, although -Italian, he filled the house with his cries. On this the Fleming and -the two Germans hastened with himself in their dressing-gowns to the -theatre of strife, and the piece is, as you see, just terminating by -the separation of the combatants." - -"This squabble is amusing enough," said Don Cleophas. "But, it would -appear from what you tell me that tragic writers in France imagine -themselves to be much more important personages than those who devote -themselves to comedy." "Certainly!" replied Asmodeus. "The former think -themselves as much exalted over the latter, as are the stately heroes -of tragedies above the intriguing servants of comic pieces." "Indeed! -and on what do they found this opinion of themselves?" inquired the -Student. "Is it then really so much more difficult to write the one -than the other?" "The question you put to me," replied the Devil, "is -one which has been a hundred times debated, and is so to this day. For -myself, this is my decision, with all deference to those who differ -from me in opinion. I say that it is not more easy to compose a comic -than a tragic piece; for if it were so, we must conclude that a tragic -poet would be more capable of writing a comedy, than the best comic -author; the which is not borne out by experience. According to me, -then, each of these two descriptions of poem requires a genius of a -different character, but of an equal capability. - -"It is time, however, to end this digression. I will therefore resume -the thread of the history, which you so unceremoniously interrupted." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -CONTINUATION, AND CONCLUSION, OF THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP. - - -Success had not attended the endeavours of the servants of Donna -Theodora to prevent her being carried away; but they had at least -opposed it with courage, and their resistance had been fatal to some -of the companions of Alvaro Ponza. Among others, whose wounds had not -permitted them to follow their comrades, there was a man, stretched -almost lifeless on the sand, whom they recognized as one of Alvaro's -own attendants. Perceiving that he still breathed, they carried him -to the house, and spared no pains to restore him to his senses. In -this they at last succeeded, although the quantity of blood which had -escaped from his numerous wounds had reduced his stream of life to its -lowest ebb, and left him extremely weak. To induce him to speak, they -promised to take every care to prolong his days, and not to deliver him -into the hands of justice, provided that he would inform them of the -place to which his master had designed to take the Donna Theodora. - -Gratified by these assurances, although the state to which he was -reduced left him but small hope to profit by their realization, he -rallied all his remaining strength, and, with a faltering voice, -confirmed by his confession the information that Don Fabricio had -received. He added, however, that Don Alvaro designed to conduct the -widow of Cifuentes to Sassari, in the island of Sardinia, where he had -a relation whose protection and power promised him a safe asylum. - -[Illustration: Alvaro's attendant is carried away] - -The deposition of the dying man, for he expired a few hours afterwards, -raised Mendoza and the Toledan from complete despair; and as their -stay at Donna Theodora's seat was now useless, they at once returned -to Valencia. After debating for some time on the steps most expedient -to be taken, they resolved to seek their common enemy in his chosen -retreat, and in a few days embarked, without attendants, at Denia, -for Port Mahon, not doubting that they would there find some means -of transport to the island of Sardinia. It so happened that scarcely -had they reached their destined port, when they learned that a vessel -freighted for Cagliari was about to sail, and in it they immediately -secured a passage. - -The vessel left the island of Minorca with breezes friendly to their -hopes; but five or six hours after their departure there came on a -calm, and night brought with it winds directly in their teeth; so that -they were obliged to tack about and wait for a favourable change. -Three days were thus passed in sailing without progress; when, on the -fourth, about two hours after noon, they discovered a strange sail, all -its canvas spread, and bearing down directly upon them. At first they -took it for a merchantman, bound for the shores they steered from; but -observing that it came within the range of cannon-shot without showing -its colours, they began to fear it was a corsair. - -They were not deceived: it was a Tunisian pirate, which approached -them in full expectation that the Christians would yield without a -blow. As it came near enough, however, for the corsairs to discern what -was passing on board of their expected prey, and to observe that the -sails were reefed and the guns run out, they guessed that the affair -was likely to turn out more seriously than they had expected. They -therefore shortened sail, wore round, hurriedly cleared the deck, and -prepared for action. - -A brisk exchange of shots soon commenced, and the Christians, taking -advantage of the surprise which their unexpected resistance had -occasioned, began to prevail over their opponent; but an Algerine -pirate, larger and of heavier metal than either of the others, arriving -in the middle of the action, took part with its brother of Tunis, and -the Christians were thus placed between two fires. - -[Illustration: the slave on the bow of the Algerine pirate ship] - -Discouraged by this unlooked-for circumstance, and feeling that it was -useless to continue the unequal strife, they gradually slackened their -fire, and at last it ceased altogether. On this a slave appeared on -the bow of the Algerine vessel, who hailed them in their own language, -bidding them, if they hoped for mercy, to strike to Algiers. A Turk -then advanced, holding in his hand a green silk flag studded with -silver crescents interlacing each other, which he waved in the air. -The Christians, looking upon further resistance as hopeless, gave -themselves up to all the grief that the idea of slavery inspires in -the breasts of freemen, until the master of the vessel, fearing that -a further delay of submission would only serve to irritate their -barbarian conqueror, hauled down his colours, threw himself into a -boat with some of his sailors, and went to surrender to the Algerine -corsair. - -[Illustration: surrender] - -The latter immediately sent a portion of his crew on board the Spanish -vessel to examine, or rather to pillage it of all that it contained. -The Tunisian pirate gave similar orders to some of his men, so that all -the passengers it contained were in an instant disarmed and plundered, -and were shortly afterwards exchanged into the Algerine vessel, when -the two pirates divided their prisoners by lot. - -It would have been at least some consolation for Mendoza and his friend -to have both fallen into the hands of the same corsair; they would have -found their chains somewhat the less heavy to have borne them together; -but Fortune, apparently disposed to make them feel the terrors of her -caprice, allotted Don Fabricio to the pirate of Tunis, and Don Juan -to his competitor of Algiers. Picture to yourself the grief of the -two friends, when told that they must part. They threw themselves at -the feet of the corsairs, and entreated them that they might not be -separated. But their entreaties were vain; the barbarians before whom -they knelt were too much accustomed to the sight of human misery not to -be proof against the prayers of their present victims. On the contrary, -judging by their demeanour that the two captives were men of wealth and -station, and that they would consequently pay a weighty ransom, they -were the more resolved to divide them. - -Mendoza and Zarata, perceiving that they were in the power of men with -hearts insensible to all but gain, turned towards each other, their -looks expressing the depth of their affliction. But when the booty had -been shared, and the Tunisian pirate prepared to return to his own -vessel with his proportion, and the slaves which it included, they -seemed as though they would expire with despair. Mendoza rushed into -the arms of the Toledan, and embracing him, exclaimed: "Must we then -separate? Cruel necessity! Is it not enough that we should be borne -to slavery, and unavenged? Must we even be denied to bear in union -the sorrows to which we are destined? Ah! Don Juan, what have we done -that Heaven should thus visit us with its terrible wrath?" "Seek not -elsewhere the cause of our disgrace," replied Don Juan: "I only am -to blame. The death of two unfortunates, immolated to my revenge, -although excused to mortal eyes, is deep offence to Heaven; and you, my -friend, are punished for the fault of loving one who took upon himself -the vengeance that belongs to God alone." - -[Illustration: Mendoza and Zarata are separated] - -While they spoke thus, tears, strangers to the eyes of men, streamed -down their cheeks, and sighs but choked their utterance. So touching -was their grief, that those who shared their fate were yet as much -affected by the sight as with their own misfortune. Not so the wretches -who formed the crew of the Tunisian corsair. Perceiving that Mendoza -was the last to quit the Algerine vessel, they tore him without -ceremony from the arms of the Toledan; and, as they dragged him away, -added blows to insult. "Adieu, dear friend," he cried: "adieu for ever! -Donna Theodora is yet unavenged! and, parted from you, the miseries -that these wretches prepare will be the least that slavery can bring to -me." - -Don Juan was unable to reply to the exclamations of his friend; the -treatment that he saw him endure filled his breast with a horror which -deprived him of speech. And so, Signor Don Cleophas, as the course -of my narrative requires that we should follow the Toledan, we will -leave Don Fabricio, in solemn silence, to be conducted on board of the -Tunisian pirate. - -The Algerine returned toward his port, where, having arrived, he -conducted his slaves to the house of the superintending basha, and -thence to the public market. An officer of the Dey, Mezzomorto, -purchased Don Juan for his master; and the new slave was at once -employed as an assistant in the gardens of the harem. This occupation, -although laborious for a gentleman, was however, the less disagreeable -to Don Juan, on account of the solitude to which it left him; for, -situated as he was, it was a pleasure to have at least the liberty of -indulging his own melancholy thoughts. Incessantly occupied with his -misfortunes, his mind, far from endeavouring to lighten them with hope, -seemed to delight in dwelling on the past, and to inspire his bosom -with gloomiest presages for the future. - -[Illustration: Mezzomorto approaches Zarata in the garden] - -One day he was occupied with his work, murmuring the while one of his -now usual songs of sorrow, when the Dey, who was walking in the garden, -came upon him without being perceived, and stopped to listen. Pleased -with his voice, and moved by curiosity, he approached the captive and -asked his name. The Toledan replied, that he was called Alvaro; for, -following the usual custom with slaves, of concealing their station, he -thought fit to change his name, and, as the outrage upon Donna Theodora -was ever uppermost in his thoughts, the name of the detested Alvaro -had come soonest to his lips when suddenly asked his own. Mezzomorto, -who spoke the Spanish language tolerably well, then questioned him as -to the customs of Spain, and particularly as to the conduct observed -by those of its cavaliers who would render themselves agreeable to -their ladies;--to all of which Don Juan replied in such a manner as to -greatly please the Dey. - -"Alvaro," said he to him at last, "you appear to be intelligent; and I -judge you to have been a man of rank in your own country: but, however -that may be, you are fortunate enough to please me, and I will honour -you with my confidence." At these words, Don Juan prostrated himself -before the Dey, and with well-affected humility, kissed the hem of his -master's robe, and after touching with it his eyes and forehead, arose, -and stood before him in silence. - -"To begin by giving you proof of my regard," resumed the Dey, "you -know, that in my seraglio, I have some of the fairest women which -Europe can offer for my pleasures. Among these, however, there is one -whose beauty is beyond compare; nor do I believe that the Grand Signor -himself possesses so exquisite a creature, although for him the winds -of heaven daily waft ships with their lovely burden from all quarters -of the globe. In her visage the dazzling sun seems reflected, and her -form is graceful as the rose's stem which grows in the gardens of Eram. -My soul is enchanted with her perfections. - -[Illustration: the unhappy beauty of the seraglio] - -"Alas! this miracle of nature, all beauteous as she is, maintains and -nourishes the deepest grief; which neither time nor all the efforts of -my love can dissipate. Although fortune has yielded her to my will, I -have ever respected her grief, and controlled my desires; and unlike -those who, placed as I am, seek but the momentary gratifications of -sense, I fain would win her heart, and have striven to gain it by -respectful attentions, such as the vilest Mussulman that lives would -feel degraded to offer to the fairest Christian slave. - -"Still, all my cares seem but to add to her affliction; and I will not -disguise that its obstinacy begins to weary me. The sense of slavery -is not imprinted in the minds of others of my slaves in characters so -deep, but that a look of favour from myself can soon efface or gild -them; so that I may well tire of this incessant grief. Nevertheless, -before I abandon myself to the passion which transports me, I would -make one last endeavour to touch her insensible heart; and I will leave -this task to you. As my fair slave is Christian, and even of your own -country, she may confide in you, and you may persuade her to my wishes -better than another. Go, then! tell her of my riches and my power; tell -her that among my many slaves, I care for only her; and, if it must -be so, bid her even hope that she may one day be the honoured wife of -Mezzomorto. Tell her that I would rather win her love, than receive the -hand of a Sultana from the grace of his Highness the Sultan himself." - -Don Juan threw himself a second time before the Dey; and although not -over-delighted with this commission, assured him that he would do his -utmost to execute it to his satisfaction. "Enough!" replied Mezzomorto, -"leave your work and follow me. I am about, contrary to our usages, to -permit you privately to see this slave. But, tremble, if you dare abuse -the confidence I place in you! Tortures, such as even were never yet -inflicted by the Turks, shall punish your temerity. Strive to overcome -your own sorrows, and dream of liberty as the reward of ending the -sufferings that I endure." Don Juan threw down his hoe, and silently -followed the Dey, who, when they entered the palace, left him, that he -might prepare the afflicted captive to receive his messenger of love. - -[Illustration: the unhappy beauty salutes Mezzomorto] - -She was with two aged slaves, who retired as soon as Mezzomorto -appeared. The beauteous slave herself saluted the Dey with great -respect, but she could not behold him without greater fear, as indeed -had ever been the case when he presented himself before her. He -perceived it, and to reassure her mind: "Amiable captive," he said, "I -come but to inform you that among my slaves there is a Spaniard with -whom you would perhaps be glad to converse. If you wish to see him, I -will give him permission to speak with you, and even alone." - -As the lovely slave expressed no objection to receive her countryman: -"I go," resumed the Dey, "to send him to you: may he, by the -information he conveys, serve to relieve you of your troubles!" He left -her as he spoke; and as he went out, meeting the Toledan, said to him -in a low voice: "Enter! and when you have communicated what I desire, -come to my cabinet and inform me of the result." - -Zarata entered as he was directed, closed the door, and bowed -before the favoured slave, who returned his salute, without either -particularly observing the other. When, however, their eyes at last -met, a cry of surprise and joy escaped them both: "Oh Heaven!" -exclaimed the Toledan, approaching the captive, "is it not a vision -that deceives mine eyes? Can it be the Donna Theodora whom I see?" "Ah! -Don Juan," ere he had uttered these words, cried the lady he addressed, -"is it indeed yourself who speaks to me?" "Yes, madam," replied the -Toledan, while he fell upon his knee and tenderly kissed her hand, "it -is Don Juan. Let these tears, that my eyes, rejoiced to behold you -again, cannot restrain; let this transport, that you alone can excite -in the heart of him who kneels before you, witness for my presence! I -murmur no longer against my destiny, since it conducts me to you--Alas! -what does my ecstacy inspire? I forget that you are in chains. By -what unhappy chance do I find you here? How have you escaped from the -frantic passion of Alvaro? Ah, what horror fills my soul to mention his -very name! How do I tremble to learn the fate for which Heaven reserved -you, when it abandoned you to his perfidy!" - -[Illustration: Don Juan kisses Donna Theodora's hand] - -"Heaven," replied the Donna Theodora, "has avenged me on Alvaro -Ponza. Had I but time to relate to you----" "Time!" interrupted Don -Juan,--"you have plenty, and to spare. The Dey himself permitted me -to see you, and, what may well surprise you, alone. Profit by the -happy moments which his confidence affords, and inform me of all that -has happened to you since you were carried off by Alvaro." "And who, -then, told you that it was by him I was taken away?" inquired Donna -Theodora. "Alas! madam, I know it but too well," replied the Toledan. -He then shortly narrated the manner in which he had become acquainted -with Alvaro's design, and had witnessed its execution; how Mendoza -and himself had followed him in the hope of preserving her from his -violence, or to revenge it; and of their unfortunate, but for this -meeting, encounter with the pirates, and its consequence. - -As soon as he had finished this recital, Donna Theodora began -the story of heir own sufferings, as follows: "I need not dwell -upon my astonishment at finding myself seized by a masked band of -ruffians--indeed, I had hardly time to wonder at the outrage, for -I swooned in the arms of the first who laid hold of me; and when I -recovered my senses, which must have been after the lapse of some -hours, I found myself alone with Agnes, one of my own attendants, in a -cabin on the poop of a vessel, in the open sea, sailing with all its -canvass spread before the wind. - -"The perfidious Agnes, on perceiving my tears, exhorted me to bear my -misfortune with patience; but from a few words which dropped from her -as she spoke, I was not long in divining that she was in the confidence -of Alvaro, who shortly afterwards appeared. Throwing himself at my -feet: 'Madam,' he exclaimed, 'pardon to a too fond lover the means by -which he has dared to possess himself of your person! You know how -deeply I have loved you, and how ardently I disputed with Mendoza for -your heart, up to the fatal day when you declared your preference -for him. Had my passion been the cold and empty feeling that mortals -dignify with the name of love, I might have vanquished it as easily as -such a feeling is inspired; but my misfortune was beyond consolation. -I live but to adore those charms; and, despised though I be, I cannot -free myself from their spell. But, madam, let not the fury of my -passion alarm you! I have not deprived you of liberty, that I may rob -you of honour; I seek only that, in the retreat unto which we are -hastening, a sacred tie may unite our hearts for ever.' - -"He continued in this strain for some time, but in terms which I cannot -remember. To hear him, it would have seemed that, in forcing me to wed -him, he did me no wrong; and that where I saw but an insolent ravisher, -I should have beheld alone an impassioned lover. As, however, while he -spoke thus, I answered him but with tears, and exhibited an evident -despair, he left me; but not without making signs to Agnes, which I -plainly understood as directions for her to second, as well as she was -able, the splendid arguments by which he had sought to dazzle my weak -understanding. - -"She did her best; representing to me that, after the éclat of an -abduction, I could not do otherwise than graciously accept the -offered hand of Alvaro Ponza; that, whatever aversion I might feel -for his excessive tenderness, my reputation demanded of my heart this -sacrifice. As, however, the necessity which she painted, of a hated -marriage, was not exactly the way to dry my tears, I still remained -inconsolable; and Agnes had exhausted all her eloquence, when we -suddenly heard upon the deck a noise which attracted the attention of -us both. - -"This noise, which proceeded from Alvaro's people, was caused by the -apparition of a large ship, which was sweeping with its wings all -spread upon us; and from which, as our vessel was by no means so good -a sailer, there was no escaping. Down it came, and we soon heard cries -of 'Lie to, and send a boat aboard!' But Alvaro Ponza and his men, who -knew what they had to expect from yielding, chose rather to die, or at -least to run the chance of a combat. The action was sharp, but of short -duration: I cannot pretend to give you its details, and will therefore -only say, that Alvaro and every one of his crew perished, after -fighting like men who preferred death to slavery. For myself and Agnes, -we were removed into the other vessel, which belonged to Mezzomorto, -and was commanded by Aby Aly Osman, one of his officers. - -[Illustration: Alvaro and his crew are killed] - -"Aby Aly looked at me for some time, with much surprise; and -recognizing me, by my dress, for a Spaniard, he said to me in almost -pure Castilian: 'Moderate your grief, lady, for having fallen into -slavery: it is a consolation in our woes to know that they are -inevitable. But what do I speak of?--Woe! Happiness alone awaits you. -You are far too lovely for the homage of Christian dogs. Heaven never -made you for the pleasure of the miserable wretches whom we trample -under foot. You were formed to receive the admiration of the men of -the world; a Mussulman alone is worthy to possess such beauty. I shall -return at once,' he added, 'to Algiers. Albeit I have made no other -prize, I know our Dey too well not to be persuaded that with you I -shall not be all unwelcome. I have no great fear that he will condemn -my impatience to place within his hands a beauty whom our Prophet must -have sent on earth expressly for his enjoyment, and to be the light of -his harem.' - -"These compliments, Don Juan, told me too plainly all I had to fear, -and my tears flowed the faster as he spoke. Aby Aly was pleased, -however, to interpret my fears after his own fashion; and, laughing at -my timidity, gave orders to sail towards Algiers. Never was port so -dreaded by the ship-bound habitant of ocean! Sometimes I threw myself -on my knees, and implored Heaven for its protection; at others, my -doubting spirit wished for the assistance of man in Christian guise who -might come to my rescue, or sink the pirate vessel, which contained me, -in the waves,--or that these in their mercy would engulph us. Then, -again, I hoped that my tears, and the sorrow which caused them, would -render me so unsightly that the tyrant to whom they bore me might -fly my sight with horror. Vain wishes, that my modesty had formed! -We arrived at the dreaded port; they conducted me to the palace; I -appeared before Mezzomorto. - -"I know not what Aby Aly said on presenting me to his master, nor what -the latter replied, for they spoke in their own tongue; but I thought -I could perceive by the looks and gestures of the Dey that I had the -misfortune to please him. But what, after they had conversed thus -for some time, was addressed to me in my own language, completed my -despair by confirming me in the opinion I had formed. - -[Illustration: Donna Theodora and Aby Aly before Mezzomorto] - -"Vainly I cast myself before him, offering him whatever sum he chose to -name as my ransom; in vain did I tempt his avarice by the promise of -all that I possessed, or could command: he answered me by saying, that -I offered him in my own person more than all the riches in the world -could bestow. He then conducted me to this apartment, the most splendid -his palace contains, and from that hour to the present moment, he has -spared no pains to dispel the grief with which he sees me overcome. All -his slaves who either dance, sing, or play, have tried by his command -their skill before me. He removed from me Agnes, because he thought -that she served to remind me of my home, and I am now attended by two -aged female slaves, whose sole discourse is of love and the Dey, and of -the happiness which through his favour I may secure. - -"Need I say, Don Juan, that all their efforts to divert my grief add -but to its intensity, and that nothing can console me? Captive in this -detestable palace, which resounds from day to day with the cries of -innocence oppressed, I suffer less from the mere loss of liberty than -from the terror which the hated tenderness of the Dey inspires. It is -true I have hitherto found in him but a lover gentle and respectful; -but I am not the less alarmed. I fear lest, wearied by a semblance of -devotion, which cannot but constrain him to put on, he should resume -the rights of power; and this fear agitates me without ceasing, making -of my life but one long torment." - -As Donna Theodora finished these words, she wept; and her tears fell -like iron on the heart of poor Don Juan. "It is not without cause," -he at last exclaimed, "that you look on the future with dread; I am, -myself, as much alarmed for it as you. The respect of the Dey is -melting faster than even you imagine; your submissive lover will soon -abandon all the mildness he assumes. Alas! I know too well the dangers -which surround you. - -"But," he continued, his voice changing as he spoke, "shall I calmly -witness your dishonour? Slave though I be, he may feel the weight of my -despair. Before Mezzomorto injures you, I will plunge in his heart----" -"Ah! Don Juan," interrupted the widow of Cifuentes, "what dreadful -project do you dream of? For Heaven's sake, think of it no more! With -what dreadful cruelties would they avenge his death! Torments the most -refined--I cannot think of them without trembling! Besides, to what -end would you encounter such a peril? In taking the life of the Dey, -would you restore me to liberty? Alas! I should be sold to some other -tyrant who would treat me with less respect than Mezzomorto. No!" she -exclaimed, throwing herself on her knees, "it is thou, Almighty Father, -who canst alone protect me. Thou knowest my weakness, and the infamous -designs of him in whose power I am placed. Thou, who forbiddest me to -save myself by poison or the steel, Thou wilt save me in Thy justice -from a crime that is abhorrent in Thy sight." - -"Yes, madam," replied Zarata, "Heaven will avert the misfortune with -which you are threatened! I feel already that it inspires me;--the -ideas which flash across my mind are doubtless prompted by its mercy. -Hear me! The Dey has permitted me to see you, only that I might induce -you to return his love. It is time that I rendered him an account of -our interview; and, in so doing, I shall deceive him. I will tell him -that your grief may be overcome; that his conduct towards you has -already won for him your esteem, and that, from a continuance in that -conduct, he has everything to hope. Do you assist me in my design? When -he comes next to visit you, let him find you less sorrowful than usual; -and appear, at least, to be interested in his conversation." - -"What a task would you impose on me!" interrupted Donna Theodora. "How -is my soul, always frank and open, to assume such a disguise, and -what will be the fruit of so painful a deception?" "The Dey," replied -Zarata, "will be flattered by this change in your deportment, and -will be anxious to complete his conquest of you by gentle means. In -the meanwhile, I will endeavour to effect your freedom: it will be -difficult, I acknowledge; but I am acquainted with a slave on whose -address and enterprise some reliance may be placed. - -"I leave you," he continued, "as no time is to be lost: we shall meet -again. I now go to the Dey; whose impetuous ardour I hope to restrain -by some well-invented fables. And you, madam, prepare to receive -him; constrain yourself to deceit. Let your eyes, which his presence -offends, display neither hatred nor pride; let your lips, which now -unclose but to express your affliction, form for him honeyed words of -respect; you must indirectly promise all, in order that you may concede -nothing." "Enough!" replied the lady, "I will do as you desire, since -the danger that impends over me compels me to this cruel necessity. Go! -Don Juan, employ all your thoughts to end my slavery: my freedom will -be doubly sweet, if owing to you." - -As soon as the Toledan repaired to Mezzomorto, the latter cried with -great emotion: "Well! Alvaro, what news do you bring to me of my lovely -captive? Have you inclined her to listen to my vows? Tell me not that -her ceaseless grief refuses to yield to my tenderness; or I swear, by -the head of the Commander of the Faithful himself, that force shall -wring from her what affection cannot win." "Signor," replied Don Juan, -"that oath were useless now: you will have no need of violence to -gratify your passion. Your slave is young,--has never loved;--and she -whose pride disdained the offers of the noblest of her native land, -in which she lived as queen, and here exists in chains, may well ask -time to reconcile her haughty spirit to her new condition. This, proud -as she is, habit will soon effect; and even now, I dare affirm, the -yoke is felt less heavy: the kindness you have shown, the respectful -cares which she could never have expected from yourself, have already -lessened her misfortune, and must triumph over her disdain. Continue, -Signor, this gentle observance; continue--and complete the charm which -dissipates her grief, by new attentions to each fond caprice; and you -will shortly find her yield to your desires, and lose her love of -liberty, encircled in your arms." - -"Your words enrapture me," exclaimed the Dey: "the hopes which you -inspire engage me to what you will. Yes! I will restrain my impatient -love, that I may satisfy it the more worthily. But, do you not deceive -me, or are you not deceived yourself? I will this moment see my lovely -mistress; I will endeavour to discern in her eyes some expression of -the flattering appearances you speak of." And so saying, he hastened to -seek Theodora; while the Toledan returned to the garden, where he found -the slave whose skill he proposed to employ in the liberation of the -widow of Cifuentes. - -This slave, named Francisco, was a Navarrese, and was perfectly -acquainted with Algiers and its customs, having there served two -or three masters before he was purchased by the Dey as a gardener. -"Francisco, my friend," said Don Juan, accosting him, "you see me in -deep affliction. There is, in the harem of the Dey, a young lady of the -highest distinction of Valencia: she has entreated Mezzomorto to name -a ransom of any amount; but he refuses to do so, having fallen in love -with her." "And why should that annoy you so much?" asked Francisco. -"Because I come from the same town," replied the Toledan; "her -relations and my own are intimately connected; and there is nothing -which I would not do to restore her to liberty." - -"Well! though that is no easy matter to accomplish," said Francisco, -"I dare undertake to bring it about, provided her relations are -disposed to come down pretty handsomely." "Be assured of that," replied -Don Juan; "I answer for their gratitude, and especially for her own. -Her name is Donna Theodora: she is the widow of a man who has left her -immense possessions, and she is generous as rich. For myself, I am a -Spaniard, and a noble; my word may suffice to convince you of what I -state." - -"Well, again!" resumed the gardener: "on the faith of your word then, -I will seek a Catalonian renegade whom I know, and propose to him----" -"What say you?" interrupted the Toledan, in alarm;--"would you confide -in a wretch who has not been ashamed to abandon his religion for----" -"Although a renegade," interrupted Francisco, in his turn, "he is -nevertheless an honest man. He is rather deserving of your pity than -contempt; and, if the crime he has committed can be excused at all, I -think he may be pardoned. I will tell you his history in a few words. - -"He was born in Barcelona, where he practised as a surgeon. Finding, -however, that he was worse off there than his patients, he resolved -to establish himself at Carthagena, thinking of course to better his -condition. He accordingly embarked with his mother, for that town; -but they were taken on the way by a pirate, who brought them hither. -They were sold; his mother to a Moor, and he to a Turk, who used him -so badly that he assumed the turban to release himself from slavery, -as also to enable him to free his parent, who was no better off in the -house of the Moor, her master. With this view, he entered into service -with the Dey, and made several voyages, in which he gained four hundred -patacoons: he employed a portion of this in the ransom of his mother; -and, to make the best use of the remainder, took it in his head to -scour the seas on his own account. - -"Appointed captain, he purchased a small open vessel, and with some -Turkish seamen who had sailed with him before, he set out to cruize -between Alicant and Carthagena, and returned to Algiers, laden with -booty. He repeated this several times; and succeeded always so well -that at last he was able to arm a large vessel, with which he made -several prizes, but was in the end unfortunate. One day, he was -imprudent enough to attack a French frigate, which so mauled his ship -that it was with difficulty he escaped, and regained Algiers. As -pirates are judged here, like their betters elsewhere, according to -their success, the renegade gained the contempt of the Turks as the -reward of his misfortune. Disgusted by this injustice, he sold his -vessel, and retired to a house without the town; where, since then, he -has lived on the produce of his ship, and what remained of the fruits -of his former enterprises, in company with his mother, and attended by -several slaves. - -"I often go to see him, for he served with me under my first master, -and we are intimate friends. He conceals nothing from me; and, only -three days ago, he told me, with tears in his eyes, that, despite his -wealth, he had known no peace since he had renounced his faith; that -to appease the remorse which preyed on him without ceasing, he was -sometimes tempted to trample his turban under foot, and, at the risk of -being burned alive, to repair, by a public avowal of his repentance, -the insult he had offered to the Mediator whom in secret he still -adored. - -"Such is the renegade whom I am about to consult," continued Francisco: -"surely, a man like him may be trusted by you. I will seek him, -under pretext of going to the bagnio; I will represent to him, that -instead of consuming his life in vain regret at his exclusion from the -bosom of the church, he should act so as to assure his forgiveness -and reception; that to do this he has only to equip a vessel, as if, -disgusted with a life of inaction, he intended to resume his piracies; -and that, with this vessel, we may gain the coast of Valencia, where, -once arrived, Donna Theodora will give him wherewith to pass the -remainder of his life in tranquillity at Barcelona." - -"Yes! my dear Francisco," cried Don Juan, transported with joy at the -hope thus raised by the Navarrese slave,--"yes! you may promise all -this, and more, to your renegade friend; both he and yourself may be -sure of a rich reward. But, do you conceive it possible to execute the -project you conceive?" "There may be difficulties," replied Francisco, -"which I do not contemplate; but, rely on it, that I and my friend will -overcome them all." "Alvaro," he added, as they parted, "I hope well -for our enterprise; and I trust that, when we meet again, I shall have -good news to tell you." - -With what anxiety did the Toledan await the return of Francisco! At -last he came. "I have seen the renegade," he said, "and have opened -to him our design. After much deliberation, we have arranged that, to -save time, he shall purchase a vessel already fitted for sea; that, as -it is permitted to employ slaves as sailors, he shall take with him -those who now serve him; that, however, to guard against suspicion, he -shall also engage some dozen others, as if he really designed what he -pretended; but that, two days before the time fixed for his departure, -he shall embark, by night, with his own people, and weigh anchor, after -coming for us with his boat to a little door which leads from the -garden, close by the sea. This is our plan; of which you can inform -the captive lady, assuring her that in a fortnight from this time she -shall be free." - -How great was the joy of Zarata, to be able to convey such welcome -intelligence to the Donna Theodora! To obtain permission to see her, on -the following day, he sought, without appearing to do so, Mezzomorto; -and, having met with him: "Signor," said he, "dare I enquire how -you have found your lovely slave? Are my hopes fulfilled?--" "I am -delighted," interrupted the Dey; "her eyes no longer shun the tender -glance of mine; her words, which heretofore presented but the picture -of her griefs, no longer breathe complaint; and for the first time, she -seemed to listen to my own without aversion. - -"It is to you, Alvaro," he continued, "that I owe this happy change: -I see," he added, good-humouredly, "that you are in favour with the -ladies of your country. I will trust you, however, to speak with her -again, that you may finish well what you have so well begun. Exhaust -thy fertile genius to attain the bliss I seek, and thy chains are -turned to gold. Yes! I swear, by the spirit of our Holy Prophet, that -I will restore you to your home, so loaded with my favours, that your -Christian friends shall not believe you, when you tell them you return -from slavery." - -The Toledan, although somewhat conscience-stricken, did not fail to -continue Mezzomorto in the flattering error he indulged. Affecting -gratitude for his kindness, and under pretext of hastening its -accomplishment, he left the Dey at once to see the charming slave; and, -finding her alone in her apartment, he lost no time in informing her of -what the Navarrese and the renegade intended on her behalf. - -The lady was of course greatly delighted to hear that already such -strides were making towards her deliverance. "Is it possible," she -cried, "that I may hope again to see Valencia, my own dear native land? -Joy, joy!" she continued,--"after so many dangers and alarms, to live -in peace once more with you! Ah! Don Juan, this is happiness indeed! -Can I doubt that your heart partakes of it? Remember, Zarata, that, in -snatching me from the Dey, you bear away your wife!" - -"Alas!" replied the Toledan, sighing deeply, "how delicious were those -words to my expecting soul, did not the remembrance of an unhappy -aspirant for thy love dash their sweet fragrance with alloy! Pardon -me, madam, that at such a moment I should think of aught but you! But -you must acknowledge that a friend like Mendoza merits thy pity as my -own. It was for thee he left Valencia; it was in search of thee that he -became a slave; and I feel sure that, at Tunis, he is not bowed down so -much by the weight of his chains, as with despair at failing to avenge -thee." - -"He merited indeed a happier lot," said Donna Theodora; "and I call -Heaven to witness that I am deeply affected at what he suffers on my -account. Yes! I accuse myself of the pains which he endures; but, such -is my destiny, my heart can never be their recompense." - -This conversation was interrupted by the coming of the two old dames -who attended on the widow of Cifuentes. Don Juan immediately assumed -the confidant of the Dey: "Yes, fair lady," said he to Theodora, "you -have deprived him of liberty who keeps you in chains. Mezzomorto, your -master and my own, the most loving and the most amiable of Turks, is -your slave. Treat him with the favour you now deign to show him, and -soon will a joyous end arrive to his sufferings and your own." Zarata -bowed respectfully as he pronounced these words, the purport of which -was well understood by the lady to whom they were addressed, and left -the apartment. - -[Illustration: portrait of Mezzomorto] - -During the following week, affairs remained in this position in the -palace of the Dey. In the meantime, however, the renegade had purchased -a small sloop, and was making preparations for its putting to sea; but, -six days before it was ready, a new subject for alarm occurred to Don -Juan. - -Mezzomorto sent for him, and, taking him into his cabinet: "Alvaro," -he said, "thou art free!--free to return when thou wilt to Spain; the -reward that I have promised now awaits thee. I have seen my lovely -slave this day;--ah! how unlike the creature whose sorrow filled my -breast with anguish! Daily does the feeling of captivity grow weaker; -and so bright are now her charms, that I have resolved at once to make -her mine: in two days she shall be my wife." - -Don Juan changed colour at these words, and, with all the effort that -he made to constrain them, could not conceal his trouble and surprise -from the Dey, who asked him the cause of this emotion. - -"Signor," replied the Toledan, with embarrassment, "I cannot control -my astonishment at hearing one of the greatest princes of the Ottoman -empire avow his intention of so far humbling himself as to wed with -a slave. I know that this is not without precedent; but, for the -illustrious Mezzomorto, who might aspire to the daughter of the -highest in the service of the Sultan, to"--"I agree to what you say," -interrupted the Dey; "I might marry with the daughter of the Grand -Vizier, and even hope to succeed him in his office: but I have great -wealth, and small ambition. I prefer repose, and the delights I enjoy -here in my vice-royalty, to the dangerous honours to which we are no -sooner elevated, than the fear of our sovereign, or the jealousy of the -envious who surround him, prepares for us a fall. Besides, I love this -slave; and her beauty and virtue render her worthy of the rank to which -my affection calls her. - -"It is however necessary," he added, "that she should at once renounce -her religion, to attain the honour for which I destine her. Think you -that absurd prejudices will induce her to despise that honour?" "No, -Signor," replied Don Juan; "I am persuaded that on reflection, she will -hold her faith as too small a sacrifice to your love. But, permit me to -say that this should not be proposed too hastily. There is no doubt -that the idea of abandoning the creed she lisped almost on her mother's -bosom will at first revolt her: give her therefore time to reflect -on the inducements to a change. When she remembers that, instead of -using your power over her person, and then abandoning her to grow old -among the neglected slaves of your caprice, you seek to unite her to -yourself for ever, by a marriage which crowns her with honour, her -gratitude--her woman's vanity--will by degrees vanquish her scruples. -Defer therefore for a week, at least, the execution of your design." - -The Dey remained for some time in deep thought: the delay that his -confidant proposed suited but ill to his desires; nevertheless, the -counsel appeared judicious. "I yield to your advice, Alvaro," at last -he said, "impatient as I am to press the lovely captive to my heart. I -will wait a week, as you request. Go!" he continued, "see her at once, -and dispose her to fulfil my wishes, when that time shall have passed. -I am anxious that Alvaro, who so well has tutored the fair one to my -will, should have the honour of tendering to her my hand." - -Don Juan hastened to the apartment of Theodora, and informed her of -what had passed between the Dey and himself, that she might conduct -herself accordingly. He also informed her that in six days the vessel -would be ready; and, as she was anxious to know how, when the time -arrived, she was to escape, seeing that all the doors of the rooms -she had to traverse, in the usual way of reaching the staircase, were -well secured: "Let not that embarrass you," he answered; "a window of -your ante-room looks upon the garden; and you may thence descend, by a -ladder which I will take care to provide." - -The six days added their units to eternity, and Francisco informed the -Toledan that the renegade was prepared to sail on the coming night: -you may guess with what impatience it was expected. It came, and, -graciously for the fugitives, shrouded in its thickest mantle to cover -their flight. At the appointed moment, Don Juan placed the ladder -against the window of the ante-room, and the watchful captive hastened -to descend, trembling with agitation and suspense. She reached the -ground in safety, and leaning on the arm of the Toledan, the latter -lost no time in conducting her to the little door which opened on the -sea. - -[Illustration: Donna Theodora descends the ladder] - -They walked with hasty steps, enjoying, by anticipation, the happiness -of recovered freedom; but fortune, not even now disposed to favour -these unhappy lovers, plunged them into grief more dire than they had -yet experienced, and of a nature that they least expected. - -[Illustration: Donna Theodora and Zarata hurry away] - -They had already left the garden, and were advancing to the shore, -where the sloop awaited them, when a man whom they took for an -accomplice in their escape, and of whom, therefore, they had no -suspicion, came upon Don Juan, sword in hand, and thrust it in his -breast. "Perfidious Alvaro Ponza!" he exclaimed, "it is thus that Don -Fabricio de Mendoza punishes a base seducer: you deserve not that I -should attack you openly as an honest man." - -The Toledan could not resist the force of the blow, which stretched -him on the earth; and, at the same moment, Donna Theodora, whom he -supported, struck with surprise, with grief and fear, fell in a swoon -beside him. "Ah! Mendoza," cried Don Juan, "what have you done? It -is your friend whose bosom you have pierced!" "Gracious Heaven!" -exclaimed Don Fabricio, "is it possible that I have assassinated----" -"I pardon you my death," interrupted Zarata; "destiny is alone to -blame, or rather it has so willed it, to end our misfortunes. Yes! my -dear Mendoza, I die contented, since I restore to your hands the Donna -Theodora, who will convince you that my friendship for you has never -belied itself for an instant." - -[Illustration: Zarata stabbed by Mendoza] - -"Too generous friend," said Don Fabricio, prompted by a feeling of -despair, "you shall not die alone; the same point which wounded you -shall punish your assassin: if my error may excuse my crime, it cannot -console me for its committal." As he spoke, he turned his sword against -his breast, plunged it therein nearly to the hilt, and fell upon the -body of Don Juan, who fainted less from loss of blood, than from horror -at the frenzy of his friend. - -Francisco and the renegade, who were not ten paces from the spot, and -who had their reasons for not having defended the slave Alvaro, were -amazed to hear the last words of Don Fabricio, and still more so to -witness his last act. They had heard enough, however, to know that he -had been mistaken, and that the wounded pair were friends, instead of -deadly enemies, as they had believed. They now therefore hastened to -their assistance; but, finding them both senseless, as also the Donna -Theodora, they were at a loss how to proceed. Francisco advised that -they should content themselves with bearing off the lady, leaving the -two cavaliers on the shore; where, according to him, if they were not -already dead, they would soon be so. The renegade, however, was not -of this opinion: he said that it would be cruel to abandon the two -unfortunates; that their wounds were probably not mortal, and that -he would look to them when on board his vessel, where he had been -provident enough to stow away all the implements of his ancient trade. - -To this, Francisco made no objection; so, as they both agreed that -there was no inducement to stay where they were, by the assistance -of some slaves, they carried the unhappy widow of Cifuentes, and her -still more unfortunate lovers, to the boat, and soon joined their ship. -There, no time was lost in spreading the sails; while some upon their -knees poured forth to Heaven the most fervent prayers which fear could -suggest, that they might escape the cruisers of the Dey. - -[Illustration: Theodora, Zarata and Mendoza are carried to the boat] - -The renegade, having left the management of the vessel to a French -slave whom he could trust, gave his attention to his passengers. The -lady, of course, claimed his first care; and, having restored her to -life, he took his measures so skilfully, that Don Fabricio and the -Toledan also speedily recovered their senses. Donna Theodora, who had -swooned the instant Don Juan was struck, was greatly astonished on her -recovery to behold Mendoza; and, although she soon comprehended that -the latter had wounded himself for having incautiously assailed his -friend, she could not look upon him but as the murderer of the man she -loved. - -"You would have been affected, Don Cleophas, could you have seen these -three persons at the moment I speak of: the deathlike stillness from -which they had emerged would not have commanded half your pity. There -was Donna Theodora, gazing on Don Juan with eyes which spoke all -the feelings of a soul filled with grief and despair; while the two -friends, each fondly turning upon her their dying looks, were striving -to control the sighs which rent their hearts." - -The scene lasted for some time in silence, which Mendoza was the first -to break. "Madam," said he, addressing Donna Theodora, "I die; but I -have the satisfaction of knowing you are free. Would to Heaven that -thy liberty were owing to myself! But it has decreed that you should -owe that obligation to him whose image you cherish in your heart. I -love too much my rival to complain; and trust that the blow which my -blindness dealt may be too light to prevent his sweet reward." The lady -answered not this touching speech. Insensible, for the time, to the -fate of Mendoza, she could not restrain the feelings of aversion which -the condition of the Toledan, over whom she hung, inspired in her bosom -towards him who had caused it. - -The regenade surgeon now examined and probed the wounds of the two -friends. Beginning with Zarata, he pronounced it favourable, inasmuch -as the sword had only glanced through the muscles of the left breast, -without touching any of the vital parts. This report, while it lessened -the grief of Donna Theodora, gave great delight to Don Fabricio, who, -turning his head towards the lady, exclaimed, "Madam, I die without -regret, since the life of my friend is out of danger: you will forgive -me now." - -He pronounced these words with so much pathos, that the widow of -Cifuentes was moved beyond expression. As she no longer feared for Don -Juan, she ceased to hate Mendoza, and beheld in him now but an object -of the deepest pity. "Ah! Don Fabricio," she exclaimed, her generous -nature resuming its influence, "let them attend to your wound; it is, -I trust, not more dangerous than that of your friend. Let not your -feelings interfere to render the cares of those who love you useless. -Live!--if I cannot yield felicity to you, at least I will never bestow -it on another. Friendship and compassion shall restrain the hand that I -would give to Don Juan: I will sacrifice for you, as he has done, the -dearest wishes of my heart." - -[Illustration: Mendoza addresses Donna Theodora] - -Don Fabricio would have replied; but the surgeon, fearing that in his -case, as in trouble generally, talking would only increase the ill, -imposed silence, while he examined his wound. On so doing, he saw that -it was likely to prove mortal, as the sword had penetrated the lungs, -and the consequent loss of blood had been excessive. Having however -dressed it with care, he left the cavaliers to repose; and that a -matter so essential to them, in their present state, might be secured, -he took with him, as he left the cabin, Donna Theodora, whose presence -seemed likely to disturb it. - -But despite all these precautions, Mendoza was seized with fever, and -towards midnight the wound began to bleed afresh. The renegade then -thought it right to inform him that all hope of recovery was over, and -that, if he had anything which he wished to communicate to his friend, -or to Donna Theodora, he had no time to lose. The Toledan was greatly -affected on hearing the declaration of the surgeon: for Don Fabricio, -he listened to it with indifference. He calmly requested that the -regenade would summon the widow of Cifuentes to his side. - -Donna Theodora hastened to the dying man, in a state more easy to -conceive than to describe: tears streamed down her cheeks, and sobs -choked her utterance;--so violent was her affliction, that Mendoza -could not repress his agitation at the sight. "Madam," he exclaimed, "I -am unworthy of the precious drops which dim those lovely eyes: restrain -them, I entreat you, and listen to me for a few moments. And you also, -my dear Zarata," he continued, observing the excess of grief in which -his friend indulged, "control your feelings for a while, and hear -me. I well know that to you this separation is a painful shock; your -friendship is too well assured for me to doubt it; but wait, both of -you, until the earth shall have hidden me from your sight; and honour, -with those marks of tenderness and pity, my silent grave. - -"Suspend until then your affliction; I feel it now more than the loss -of life. Let me relate to you the way by which the fate that pursues me -conducted me this night to the fatal shore which I have stained with -the blood of my friend, and my own. You must be anxious to learn how it -happened that I mistook Don Juan for Alvaro; I will tell you, if the -short time which it is permitted me to live will enable me to do so. - -"Some hours after the vessel in which I was had quitted that wherein -I had left Don Juan, we met a French privateer, which attacked and -took the Tunisian pirate, and landed us near Alicant. I was no sooner -free, than I thought on the ransom of my friend; and, to effect this -I went to Valencia to obtain the necessary funds. There, learning -that at Barcelona some brothers of the Holy Order of Redemption -were just about to sail for Algiers, I set out for the former town. -Before leaving Valencia, however, I begged my uncle the governor, Don -Francisco de Mendoza, to use all his influence with the court of Madrid -to obtain the pardon of Zarata, that, on his return with me, he might -be reinstated in his former possessions, which had been confiscated in -consequence of the death of the Duke of Naxera. - -"As soon as we had arrived at Algiers, I went to all the places -frequented by the slaves; but in vain did I run them through, I -found not the object of my search. This morning, I met the regenade -Catalonian, to whom this vessel belongs, and whom I recognized as a man -who had formerly attended my uncle. I told him the motive of my voyage, -and requested him to make strict inquiry for my friend. 'I am sorry,' -he replied, 'that it is out of my power to serve you. I leave Algiers -to-night, with a lady of Valencia, one of the Dey's slaves.' 'And who -is this lady,' I demanded. 'She is called the Donna Theodora,' was his -startling answer. - -"The surprise which I exhibited at this information told the regenade -at once that I was interested in this lady's fate. He therefore -informed me of the design which he had formed for her liberation; -and as, during his recital, he mentioned the slave Alvaro, I had no -doubt that it was Alvaro Ponza himself of whom he spoke. When he had -finished: 'Assist me in my resentment!' I exclaimed, with transport; -'furnish me with the means of avenging myself upon my enemy!' 'You -shall soon be satisfied,' replied the regenade; 'but, tell me first -what subject of complaint you have against this same Alvaro.' I related -to him all our history; which, when he had heard: 'Enough!' he cried, -'you shall accompany me to-night. They will point out to you your -rival; and, when you have punished him for his villany, you shall take -his place, and join with us in conducting Donna Theodora to Valencia.' - -"Nevertheless, my impatience did not cause me to forget Don Juan. I -left the money for his ransom in the hands of Francisco Capati, an -Italian merchant, who resides at Algiers, and who promised me to effect -it, if by any means he could discover him. At last, the night arrived; -I went to the house of the regenade, who led me, as he had promised -to the sea shore. We concealed ourselves near a little door, whence -shortly issued a man who came directly towards us, and, pointing to two -persons who followed him, said 'There are Alvaro and Donna Theodora.' - -"Furious at this sight, I drew my sword, ran to meet the unfortunate -Alvaro, and, imagining that it was my hated rival whom I struck, I -thrust my weapon into the bosom of the faithful friend whom I had come -to seek. But, Heaven be praised!" he continued with emotion, "my error -will not cost him his life, nor cause eternal grief to Donna Theodora." - -"Ah! Mendoza," interrupted the lady, "you do injustice to my -tears; never shall I console myself for your own loss. Even should -I espouse your friend, it will be only to unite our griefs: your -love, your friendship, your misfortunes will ever be present to our -recollection,--the sole topic for our tongues." "It is too much, -madam," replied Don Fabrido; "I am not worthy thus to trouble thy -repose. Permit, I entreat thee, Zarata to call thee his, on the day -when he shall have revenged thy wrongs on Alvaro Ponza." "Don Alvaro," -said the widow of Cifuentes, "is no more; on the same day that he -forced me from my home, he was killed by the pirate who enslaved me." - -"Madam," replied Mendoza, "my wavering soul rejoices at the welcome -news; my friend will be the sooner happy. Follow without control your -mutual inclinations. I see, with joy, the hour approach which removes -from you, for ever, the obstacle which your generous compassion has -raised against your happiness. May your days glide in peace, and in -an union which the envy of fortune may never dare to trouble! Adieu, -Madam;--adieu, Don Juan!--think sometimes, in your joy, of one who has -never loved but you." - -Donna Theodora and the Toledan were unable to reply to this -affectionate address, except by tears, which redoubled as he spoke. -Mendoza, therefore, perceiving their grief, thus continued: "But I have -done with earth! Death already points me out my way; and I have not yet -supplicated the Divine mercy to pardon me for having, by my own folly, -shortened a life of which it should have alone disposed." He spoke no -more; but, raising his eyes to Heaven, appeared to be engaged in mental -prayer for its forgiveness; when a gurgling in his throat told that a -last outbreaking of his wound had taken place, and he expired. - -Don Juan, as he heard the fatal rattling which indicated what was -passing, was maddened with despair. His hands sought his own wound; -and tearing it open, he would have soon joined his friend, but that -the renegade and Francisco threw themselves upon him, and withheld his -fury: Donna Theodora, woman-like, forgetful of her own woes at sight of -the transport of the Toledan, hastened to soothe him by her tenderness; -and--what will not love do?--soon brought him to himself: in short, the -lover triumphed over the friend. But, if reason regained its sway, it -was only to resist the insensate frenzy of his grief, and not to weaken -its sentiment. - -The renegade, who, among the many things which he was bearing from -Algiers, happened to have balsam of Arabia, and other precious -requisites, undertook to embalm the body of Mendoza, at the request of -Donna Theodora and her now unrivalled lover; who were anxious to render -to their friend's remains all proper honours of sepulture at Valencia. -Love, with them, did nothing but sigh and moan, during the voyage; not -so, however, with their companions: they were rejoiced by favourable -winds, which soon brought them in sight of the coast of Spain, to the -inexpressible delight of those, which included the whole crew, who had -never expected to behold it again. - -When the vessel had happily arrived at the port of Denia, every one -took his own course. For the widow of Cifuentes and the Toledan, they -sent a courier to Valencia, with letters for the governor and the -friends of Donna Theodora. Alas! while the intelligence of the return -of this lady brought joy to her relations, that of the death of his -nephew caused the deepest affliction to Don Francisco de Mendoza. - -The poor old man, accompanied by the relatives of the released lady, -lost no time in repairing to Denia; and there, insisting on beholding -the body of the unhappy Don Fabricio, he bathed it with his tears, -uttering such deep complaints as melted the hearts of the beholders. -Then, turning to the Toledan, he requested to be informed of the -unfortunate events which had brought his nephew to so sad an end. - -[Illustration: Don Francisco de Mendoza mourning his nephew] - -"I will tell you," replied Zarata: "far from seeking to efface them -from my memory, I feel a mournful pleasure in recalling them to my -mind, and in indulging my grief." He then related to Don Francisco -all that had occurred; and this recital, while it brought fresh -tears to his own eyes, added to those which flowed from those of his -aged listener. Meanwhile the friends of Theodora were occupied in -testifying the delight which was elidted by her unexpected return, and -in felicitating her on the miraculous manner in which she had been -delivered from the tyranny of Mezzomorto. - -After all things had been satisfactorily explained, they placed the -body of Don Fabricio in a hearse, and bore it to Valencia. It was not, -however, buried there, because, as the period of the vice-royalty of -Don Francisco was nearly expired, that nobleman was preparing to return -to Madrid, where he had resolved that his nephew should be interred. -While the preparations for the funeral were making, the widow of -Cifuentes was employed in loading Francisco and the renegade with the -fruits of her gratitude. The Navarrese retired to his own province, -and the surgeon returned with his mother to Barcelona, where he sought -once more the bosom of the church, in which he lives to this day snugly -enough. And now, when all was completed, Don Francisco received an -express from the court, conveying the pardon of Don Juan, which the -king, notwithstanding his consideration for the house of Naxera, had -been unable to refuse to all the Mendozas who had united to ask the -grace. This pardon was the more welcome to the Toledan, inasmuch as it -gave him liberty to accompany the body of his friend to its last home, -which he would not otherwise have dared to do. - -At last the sorrowful procession, attended by a numerous concourse of -noble mourners, set out for Madrid; where it was no sooner arrived, -than all that remained of Don Fabricio was deposited in yonder church, -where Zarata and the Donna Theodora, with the permission of the -Mendozas, erected a splendid monument to his memory. Nor did they bury -their grief with their friend: they bore at least its outward sign for -the unusual space of an entire year, that the world might know how -deeply they deplored his loss. - -[Illustration: Zarata falls from his horse] - -After having exhibited such signal proofs of their affection for -Mendoza, they married; but by an inconceivable effort of the force of -friendship, Don Juan for a length of time still preserved a melancholy -that not even love could banish. Don Fabricio, his dear Don Fabricio, -was ever present in his thoughts by day; and, by night, he saw him in -his dreams, and mostly as he had beheld him when the last sigh escaped -him. His mind, however, began to be relieved from these saddening -visions,--the charms of his beloved Theodora, which had ever possessed -his soul, commenced their triumph over his baneful remembrances; in -short, Don Juan once more touched upon happiness. But, a few days -since, while hunting, he was thrown from his horse, fell upon his head, -and fractured his skull. Physicians could not save him; he is just -dead: and it is Theodora whom you see, in the arms of the two women, -and who will probably soon follow him to the grave. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE DREAMERS. - - -Leandro Perez, as soon as Asmodeus had finished this narrative, said -to him: "A very pretty picture of friendship have you presented! But, -rare though it be to see two men so bound by love as the Toledan and -Don Fabricio, I imagine it were quite impossible to find two rivals of -the softer sex, who could so generously sacrifice to each other, for -friendship's sake, the man they love." - -"Doubtless!" replied the Devil: "that is a sight the world ne'er saw, -and one that, as it grows older, it probably never will see. Women have -no affection for each other. I will suppose two who think themselves -friends; I will even go the length to suppose that they never speak ill -of one another when apart,--so extraordinary are the ties which bind -them. Well! see them together; and incline the least towards the one, -and rage shall fill the bosom of the other; not that she cares an atom -for yourself, but because she would be preferred by all. Such is the -character of woman: jealousy occupies too large a portion of her heart -to leave room for friendship." - -"The history of these peerless friends," replied Don Cleophas, -"possesses a slight touch of the romantic, and has led us somewhat -from our object. The night is far advanced, and we shall soon behold -the brilliant heralds of the coming day: I expect of you, therefore, -a new pleasure. I perceive a great number of persons still sleeping, -and wish you to satisfy my curiosity by informing me of their dreams." -"Willingly!" replied the Demon. "You are, I see, an admirer of _les -tableaux changeants;_ I will gratify your taste." - -"Thanks!" said Zambullo: "I expect that I am about to hear of rare -absurdities in these same dreams." "And why?" asked the Cripple: "you, -so well versed in Ovid, do you not know that it is towards break of -day that dreams visit the mind with presages of truth, because at that -time the soul is disengaged from the vapours of digestion?" "Oh! as to -that," replied the Student, "despite of master Ovid, I have no faith -in dreams." "You are wrong, then," exclaimed Asmodeus: "you should -neither treat them as fantastic visions, nor yet believe them all; they -are liars, who sometimes speak the truth. The emperor Augustus, whose -head had well adorned a student's shoulders, despised not dreams which -turned upon his fate; and nearly took it in his head, at the battle -of Philippi, to strike his tent, on hearing of a dream which regarded -himself. I could cite a thousand examples to you, which would convince -you of your folly in this respect; but I forbear to do so, that I may -at once satisfy the new desire which prompts you. - -"We will begin by this handsome mansion on our right. Its proprietor, -whom you see ensconced in that superb apartment, is a liberal and -gallant noble. He is dreaming that he is at the opera, listening to a -new prima donna; and that the voice of the syren is just enslaving his -heart. - -"In the next apartment lies the countess, his wife, who loves play to -madness. She dreams that she has no money, and that she is pawning her -diamonds with a jeweller, who is lending her thereon three hundred -pistoles, deducting only a very moderate discount. - -"In the next house, on the same side, lives a marquis of the same stamp -as the count, and who, for the moment, is in love with a celebrated, -but capricious, beauty. He dreams that he is borrowing largely of an -usurer for the purpose of securing her to himself; while his steward, -who is sleeping at the top of the house, is dreaming that he is growing -rich as fast as his master is hastening to ruin. Well! what think you -of these dreams? Is there anything in them so extravagant?" "No! on -my life," replied Don Cleophas, "I begin to think Ovid is right: but -who is that man whom I see, lying with his mustachios in paper, and -preserving in his sleep an air of gravity which would indicate that -he is no ordinary cavalier." "He is a country gentleman," replied -the Demon,--"a viscount of Aragon, imbued with all the pride of that -province. His soul at this moment swims in delight; he dreams that -he is with a grandee who is yielding to him precedence in a public -ceremony. - -"But," continued Asmodeus, "I observe in the same house two brothers, -apothecaries, whose dreams are particularly unpleasant. One of them -is reading, in his sleep, an ordinance which decrees that doctors -shall not be paid, except when they have cured their patients; and his -brother is occupied with a similar law, which ordains that medical -attendants shall head the procession at the funeral of all who die -in their hands." "I could wish," interrupted Zambullo, "that these -decrees were as true as they would be just; and that your doctor were -thus compelled to be present at the burial of his innocent patient, as -a _lieutenant criminel_, in France, is bound to witness the execution -of the guilty wretch whom he has condemned." "I like your comparison," -exclaimed the Devil: "it might be said in such a case, however, that -the one merely superintends the execution of his own sentence; but that -the other, having already performed his especial function, pursues his -victim after death." - -"Hollo!" cried the Student, "who is that personage rubbing his eyes, -and rising in such tremendous haste?" "He," replied Asmodeus, "is a -noble signor who is soliciting an appointment, as governor, in the -Indies. A frightful dream has startled him from sleep: he fancied -himself at court, and that the premier had passed him with averted -eyes. And there, too, is a youthful damsel, waking to the world, -not over contented with her dream. She is a lady of rank, and not -more handsome than discreet. She has two lovers; for one of whom she -nourishes a passion the most tender, and for the other an aversion, -almost amounting to horror. Well! in her sleep just now, she saw, -upon his knees before her, the gallant she detests; and he was so -impassioned, so assiduous, that had she not awakened, she would have -treated him with even greater kindness than she ever bestowed on the -lover whom she favours: nature, during sleep, signor Student, throws -off the yoke of reason, and of virtue. - -"Cast your eyes upon that house at the corner of this street: it -belongs to an attorney. Behold him and his wife sleeping in twin -bedsteads, in that room hung with ancient tapestry, embroidered with -grotesque figures. The man of law dreams that he is about to visit -one of your hospitals for the charitable purpose of relieving a sick -client with his own money; while the lady imagines that her husband is -driving out of his house a sturdy clerk, of whom he has become suddenly -jealous." - -[Illustration: the lady of rank's dream] - -"I hear ungentle snorings break on the stillness round us," said -Leandro Perez; "and I fancy they proceed from yonder plump old man, -whom I discern in the house adjoining that of the attorney." "Precisely -so," answered Asmodeus. "It is a canon chanting in his sleep his -_Benedicite_. - -"His neighbour, there, is a silk-mercer, who vends his costly wares, at -his own price, to titled customers, for their time. His lordly ledger -is inscribed with debts amounting to above a hundred thousand ducats; -and he is dreaming that his debtors are bringing him their gold; while -his creditors are horrified with visions of his own bankruptcy." "These -dreams," said the Student, "certainly have not emerged from Sleep's -dark temple by the same gate." "I fancy not, indeed," replied the -Demon: "the first has passed by the ivory portal of the leaden god, and -the other from that of horn. - -"The house adjoining that of the mercer is occupied by a celebrated -bookseller. He has recently published a work which has been extremely -successful. On bringing it out, he promised to give the author fifty -pistoles, in addition to the price agreed for, should the book run to a -second edition; and he is at this moment dreaming that he is reprinting -it without informing the unfortunate scribe of the fact." - -"Ah!" exclaimed Zambullo, "there is no need to ask from which door that -dream proceeded; and I have not the slightest doubt of its proving one -of the least deceitful visions he ever had in his life. I am perfectly -acquainted with those worthy gentlemen, the booksellers. Heaven help -the poor authors who fall into their hands! To cheat them, is the -mystery of their craft." "Nothing can be more true," replied the -Cripple; "but, it appears, you have yet to become acquainted with those -as worthy gentry--the authors. They are six of one and half-a-dozen of -the other: it is impossible to decide on their relative merits. By the -bye, I will relate to you an adventure which occurred not a century -ago, in this very town, and which will enlighten you on the subject. - -"Three booksellers were supping together at a tavern; and the -conversation naturally turned on the scarcity of good modern authors. -Thereupon, one of them said to his brethren: 'My friends, I must tell -you, however, in confidence, that I have been in luck's way within -these few days. I have purchased a manuscript, for which I paid -rather dearly, it is true, but it is by an author--oh! it is uncoined -gold.' One of those whom he addressed now interrupted him; and boasted -of having been equally fortunate on the preceding day in a similar -purchase. 'And I, gentlemen,' at last exclaimed the third, in his -turn,--'I will not be behindhand in confidence with you; I will show -you the gem of manuscripts, of which I only this morning became the -happy owner.' As he finished, each drew from his capacious pocket the -precious acquisition he had made; when these miracles of authorship -turned out to be as many copies of a new theatrical piece, entitled the -Wandering Jew, which the astonished bibliopoles found had been sold to -each of them separately. - -"Near the bookseller, in the next house," continued the Devil, "you may -perceive a timid and respectful lover just awaking. He loves one of -the most sprightly of widows; and was dreaming, but this moment, that, -beside her in the covert of a dusky wood, whose shade lent courage to -his modest spirit, he was so tender,--so gallant in his speech, that -his fair mistress could not help exclaiming: 'Ah! you are becoming -absolutely dangerous! If I were not steeled against the flattery of -men, I should be lost. But you are all deceivers! I never trust to -words;--actions alone can win me,'--'And what actions, madam, do you -ask of me?' interrupted the gentle swain: 'must I, to prove the excess -of my passion, undertake the twelve labours of Hercules?' 'Lord! no, -Nicaise,' replied the lady, 'much less would content me.' Thereupon--he -awoke." - -[Illustration: the timid lover's dream] - -"Prythee, tell me," said the Student, "why yonder man, in that -dark-coloured bed, tosses about so furiously." "He," replied the -Cripple, "is a talented licentiate; and his present agitation arises -from a dream, in which he is disputing in favour of the immortality of -the soul, with a little doctor of medicine, who is as good a catholic -as he is a physician. In the same house, over the licentiate, lodges -a gentleman of Estramadura, named Don Balthazar Fanfarronico, who has -come post-haste to court, to demand a reward for having valiantly -slain a Portuguese, by a musket-shot, in ambush. And of what do you -imagine he is dreaming? Nothing less than that he is appointed to the -government of Antequera, at which he is very naturally dissatisfied: he -thinks he deserves a viceroyalty at least. - -[Illustration: man on horseback shot by another, in ambush] - -"In a furnished house close by, I discover two distinguished -personages, whose dreams are far from pleasant. One of them is governor -of a fortress, where he is now sustaining a fancied siege, and which, -after a faint resistance, he is on the point of surrendering, with -himself and garrison, at discretion. The other is the bishop of Murcia, -whom his majesty has charged with the task of eulogising a deceased -princess, whose funeral takes place in a day or two. He has, in -imagination, just ascended the pulpit; and there has his imagination -left him, for he has stopped short in the exordium of his discourse." -"It is not impossible," said Don Cleophas, "that this misfortune may -really befall the worthy prelate." "No, truly," replied the Devil; -"for it is not very long since his grace found himself in a similar -predicament on a like occasion. - -"And now, if you would like to behold a somnambulist, look into the -stables of this same house: what see you?" "I perceive," answered -Leandro Perez, "a man walking in his shirt, and holding, what seems -to me, a horse-comb in his hand." "Well!" replied the Demon, "he is a -sleeping groom. Nightly does he rise in sleep to curry his pampered -charge, and then betake himself to bed again. His fellow-servants look -on the sleek coats of the horses as the frolic work of some wanton -sprite; and the groom himself shares this opinion with them. - -"In the large house, opposite, lives an aged chevalier of the Fleece, -who was formerly viceroy of Mexico. He has fallen sick; and, as he -fears he is about to die, his viceroyalty begins to trouble him: true -it is that he exercised his functions so as to justify his present -inquietude; the chronicles of New Spain, unless they be belied, make no -too honourable mention of his name. He has just started from a dream, -whose horrid visions float before him still, and which will probably -bring about their own fulfilment in his death." "Ah!" exclaimed -Zambullo, "that must be something extraordinary." "You shall hear," -replied Asmodeus: "there is really something in it rather singular. -The sickly lordling dreamt he was in the valley of the dead, where all -the victims of his injustice and inhumanity thronged fiercely round, -and heaped upon him menaces and insult. They pressed upon, and would -have torn him limb from limb; but, as their hot breath seemed to burn -his very brain, he thought he took to flight, and saved himself from -their fury. He had no sooner escaped, than he found himself in a large -hall, hung all around with black cloth, where, sitting at a table upon -which were three covers, he saw his father and his grandfather. His two -dismal companions solemnly beckoned him to approach; and, with all the -gravity which belongs to the dead, said to him: 'We have waited for you -long: come, take your place beside us.'" - -"Oh! the wretched dream," interrupted the Student; "I could forgive the -poor devil, for the fright he is in!" "To make up for it," resumed the -Cripple, "his niece, who reposes in the apartment over his, passes the -night in bliss: sleep brings to her its brightest illusions. She is -a maiden of from twenty-five to thirty, ugly as myself, and not much -better made. She dreams that her uncle, to whom she is sole heiress, -has ceased to live; and that she sees, in swarms around her, amiable -signors, who dispute for the honour of her slightest glance." - -"If I do not deceive myself," said Don Cleophas, "I hear some one -laughing behind us." "It is no deception," replied the Devil; "it is a -widow laughing in her sleep, a few paces from us. She is a woman who -affects the prude, and who loves nothing so well as a little friendly -scandal: she dreams that she is chatting with an ancient devotee, -whose conversation could hardly fail to delight one of her taste. - -"I cannot help laughing in my turn, to see, in the room under that of -the widow, an honest cit, who lives with difficulty on the little he -possesses, but who dreams that he is picking up pieces of gold and -silver, and that the more he gathers the more remain to glean: he has -already filled a large coffer." "Poor fellow!" said Leandro; "he will -not enjoy his treasure long." "No!" replied the Cripple; "and when he -awakes he will be like the really rich, when dying: he will see all his -wealth disappear." - -"If you are curious to know the dreams of two actresses who live near -each other, I will relate them to you. One is dreaming that she is -catching birds with a call; that she strips them as she takes them, -and then throws them to be devoured by a large tom-cat in which she -delights, and which has all the profit of her skill. The other dreams -that she is driving from her house greyhounds and coach-dogs, which for -a long time have sunned themselves in her presence, having resolved to -confine her affections to a pretty little lap-dog, which has recently -gained her favour." - -"Two dreams absurd enough!" cried the Student; "I fancy that if at -Madrid, as formerly in Rome, there were interpreters of dreams, they -would be sadly puzzled to explain these." "Not so much as you think," -replied the Devil: "a very small acquaintance with the domestic habits -of your syrens of the stage, would enable them to render their sense -perfectly intelligible." - -[Illustration: the actress feeding birds to the tom-cat] - -"Well! for myself," exclaimed Don Cleophas, "they are past my -comprehension, and that troubles me little: I would rather be informed -who is that lady sleeping in a bed with amber velvet hangings, -bordered with silver fringe, and near which, upon a small table, I -perceive a book and a wax-candle." "She is a lady of illustrious -family," replied the Demon, "whose establishment is mounted in gallant -style, and who loves to see her livery adorned by young and handsome -men. She is accustomed to read in bed, and cannot sleep without her -favourite author. Last night she was indulging in the Metamorphoses of -Ovid: in consequence, she is at this moment dreaming, extravagantly -enough, that Jupiter has become amorous of her charms, and has entered -her service in the form of a favourite page. - -[Illustration: the actress, lap-dog under her arm, driving out the -other dogs] - -"Apropos of metamorphoses, there is another subject who will amuse -you. You perceive that man, tasting in the calm of sleep the exquisite -pleasure of imagined flattery. He is an actor, a veteran of such -ancient service, that there is not a grey-beard in Madrid who can -say he witnessed his first appearance. He has been so long behind the -scenes, that he may be said to have become theatrified. He is not -without talent, but, like most of his profession, he is so vain that he -thinks the part of Man beneath him. Of what think you is this hero of -the slips now dreaming. He imagines that he is on the point of death; -and that round his couch are assembled all the deities of Olympus, -to decide on what they are to do with a mortal of his importance. He -listens while Mercury insists before the council of the gods that a -comedian so famed, after having so often had the honour of mimicking -themselves, and Jove's own person, on the stage, should not be subject -to the common fate of man, but merits a reception as a brother god by -those who now surround him. Mercury finishes by moving accordingly, -and Momus seconds the motion; but the male and female members of the -celestial parliament murmuring at the proposition of so extraordinary -an apotheosis, Jupiter, to put an end to the debate, is about to -decree, of his sovereign authority, that the aged son of Thespis shall -be transformed into a theatrical statue, for the amusement of future -generations." - -The Devil was about to continue, but Zambullo interrupted him, -exclaiming: "Hold! Signor Asmodeus, you forget that it is day. I am -afraid they will perceive us from the street. If the gentle public -should remark your lordship, we shall hear such an uproar as we may be -glad to put an end to." - -[Illustration: the actor transformed into a statue] - -"Never fear!" replied the Demon; "they will not see us. I have the -power ascribed to the fabulous deities of whom I spoke but now; and -like to the amorous son of Saturn, who, upon Mount Ida, shrouded -himself in a cloud, to hide from the world the blisses he shared with -Juno, I am about to envelope you and myself in a misty veil which the -searching eye of man cannot pierce, but which shall not prevent you -from beholding those things which I wish you to observe." As he spoke, -they were suddenly surrounded by a vapour, which, although dense as -the smoke of a battle-field, offered no obstacle to the sight of the -Student. - -"So now to return to our dreamers," continued the Cripple,----"but I -do not consider," he added, "that the mode in which you have consumed -the night must have fatigued you. I advise, therefore, that you let -me bear you to your home, and leave you to a few hours' sleep. In the -meanwhile, I will just take a turn round the earth, and amuse myself -after my fashion; taking care to rejoin you by the time you awake, when -we will continue our laugh at the expense of the swarming world." "I -have no desire to sleep, and am not in the least fatigued," replied Don -Cleophas; "so, instead of leaving me, do me the pleasure to expound the -various objects which occupy the yawning brains of the persons whom I -see already risen, and who are preparing as it seems to me, to leave -their houses: what can possibly call them out so early?" "What you -ask me is well worth your knowledge," answered the Demon; "you shall -gaze on a picture of the cares, the emotions, the anguish that poor -mortal man gives himself during life, to occupy, with the vain hope of -happiness, the little space which is granted him between the cradle and -the tomb." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -IN WHICH ORIGINALS ARE SEEN OF WHOM COPIES ARE RIFE. - - -"Observe, in the first place, that troop of beggars which you see -already in the street. They are libertines, mostly of good birth, who, -like the monks, live on the principle of community of property; and -who pass their nights in debauch at their haunts, where they are at -all times well supplied with bread, meat, and wine. They are about to -separate, each to perform his part in the churches of this godly city; -and to-night, when reassembled, they will drink to the charitable fools -who piously contribute to their orgies. You cannot but admire these -scoundrels, who so well know the semblances which art adopts to inspire -pity: why, coquettes are less adept to elicit love. - -"Look at those three rogues who are walking off together. He who, -leaning upon crutches, trembles as he moves, and seems to halt with -pain,--who, as he hobbles on, you would momentarily think must fall -upon his face,--despite his long white beard and wrinkled front, he is -a youthful scamp, so strong and swift, would head the hunted deer. The -one beside him, with that awful scald, is a graceful adolescent, whose -head is covered with a bladder skin which hides as beauteous curls as -ever adorned a courtly page. The third, who gyrates in a bowl, is a -comic rascal, that can bring such lamentable noises from his stomach -as to move the bowels of all ancient ladies, who even hasten from the -topmost floors to his relief. - -"While these mummers, under the mask of poverty, prepare to cheat the -public into charity, I observe hosts of worthy artisans, who, Spaniards -though they be, are on the road to earn their bread by the sweat of -their careworn brows. On all sides you may behold men rising from their -beds, or dressing hastily, that they may begin anew their various parts -upon this busy stage. How many projects formed in the visionary night -are about to be carried into execution, or to vanish with the sober -light of morn! What schemes prompted by love, by interest, or ambition, -are about to be attempted!" - -"What see I in the street?" interrupted Don Cleophas. "Who is that -woman loaded with saintly medals, who walks, preceded by a footman, -in such anxious haste? She has some pressing business in hand, beyond -a doubt." "Indeed she has," replied the Devil; "she is a venerable -matron, hurrying to a neighbouring house where her ministry is suddenly -required. She seeks a fair comedian who suffers for the fault of Eve, -and near whom are a brace of cavaliers in sore perplexity. One of these -is her spouse, and the other a noble friend, who is greatly interested -as to the result: for the labours of your actresses resemble those of -Alcmena; there being ever a Jupiter and an Amphitryon who share in -their production. - -"Would not one swear now, to look on that mounted cavalier, carrying -a carbine in his hand, that he was a sportsman about to war with -the hares and partridges who besiege the neighbourhood of Madrid? -Nevertheless, it is no love of shooting which calls him forth so early: -he is after other game; and is bent towards a village, where he will -disguise himself as a peasant, that he may enter, without suspicion, -the farm where his mistress resides, under the vigilant eye of an -experienced mother. - -"That young graduate, passing along with such enormous strides, is -going, according to his daily custom, to inquire after the health of an -aged canon, his uncle, whose prebendary he has in his eye. Do you see, -in that house opposite to us, a man putting on his cloak, evidently -preparing to go out? He is an honest and rich citizen, whom a matter -of grave interest has kept awake all night. He has an only daughter, -of marriageable years, and he is unable to make up his mind whether -he shall give her hand to a young attorney who solicits it, or to a -proud hidalgo who demands it; and he is therefore going to consult his -friends on the subject: in truth, he may well feel embarrassed. He is -justly alarmed lest, by resolving on the gentleman, he should have a -son-in-law who would despise him; and on the other hand he fears, that -if he decide for the attorney, he will introduce into his house a worm -which will consume all that it contains. - -"Look at the neighbour of this anxious parent. You may perceive, -in that house so magnificently furnished, a man in a dressing-gown -of scarlet brocade, embroidered with flowers of gold: there is a -wit for you, who affects the lord in spite of his lowly origin. Ten -years ago, he had not twenty maravedis wherewith to bless himself; -and now, he boasts an annual revenue of ten thousand ducats. His -equipage is in the best taste; but he keeps it on the savings of his -table; whose frugality is such that he generally picks his chicken by -himself. Sometimes, however, his ostentation compels him to regale his -illustrious friends: to-day, for instance, he gives a dinner to some -councillors of state; and, in anticipation, he has just sent for a -pastry-cook, with whom he will haggle for a maravedi, before he agrees -with him on the bill of fare, which it will be his next care to display -to advantage." "You are describing a scaly villain, indeed!" cried -Zambullo. "Oh! as to that," replied Asmodeus, "all beggars whom fortune -suddenly enriches become either misers or spendthrifts: it is the rule." - -"Tell me," said the Student, "who is that lovely woman at her toilet, -talking with that handsome cavalier?" "Ah! truly," exclaimed the -Cripple, "you have hit on a subject which well deserves your attention. -The lady is a German widow, who lives at Madrid on her dower, and who -visits in the best society; and the young man who is with her is the -Signor Don Antonio de Monsalva. - -"This cavalier, although a member of one of the noblest families -in Spain, has pledged himself to the widow to espouse her; he has -even given her a conditional promise of forfeiture to the amount of -three thousand pistoles. He is, however, crossed in his love by his -relations, who threaten to confine him if he do not immediately break -off all connexion with the fair German, whom they look upon as an -adventurer. The gallant, mortified to find his friends all thus opposed -to his design, went yesterday evening to his mistress, who, perceiving -his uneasiness, asked him its cause. This, after some hesitation, he -told her, assuring her at the same time that whatever obstacles his -family might raise, nothing should shake his constancy. The widow -appeared delighted at his firmness, and they parted at midnight highly -satisfied with each other. - -[Illustration: the cavalier visits the German widow] - -"Monsalva has returned this morning, as you see, to pay his devoirs to -the lady, whom finding at her toilet, he used every effort to beguile -the time by new protestations of devotion. During the conversation, his -Saxon mistress was releasing her auburn curls from the papers which had -confined them during the night; and our cavalier, happening to take -up one of these, heedlessly unfolded it, and, to his great surprise, -observed therein his own hand-writing. 'What! madam,' said he, smiling, -'is this the use you make of these pledges of my affection?' 'Yes! -Monsalva,' replied the lady; 'you behold the value that I put upon -the promises of lovers who would marry me in opposition to their -friends; they make excellent _papillotes_.' When, indeed, the cavalier -discovered that it was his pledge of forfeiture which his mistress had -thus destroyed, he was filled with admiration at this unlooked-for -proof of disinterestedness, and he is now very properly vowing to her -for the thousandth time, eternal fidelity. - -"Cast your eyes," continued the Devil, "upon that tall man who is -passing beneath us; he has a large common-place book under his arm, -an ink-bottle hanging at his girdle, and a guitar slung at his back." -"He is an odd-looking fellow indeed," cried the Student: "I would lay -my life he is an original." "It is beyond a doubt," replied the Demon, -"that he is a curious compound enough. There are such things as cynical -philosophers in Spain; and there goes one. He is walking towards the -Buen-Retiro, to reach a meadow in which there is a fountain, whose -refreshing waters form a brook that glides like a silver serpent -through the flowers. There will he pass the day, contemplating the -beauties of nature, tinkling his guitar, and noting the reflections -that the scene inspires in his common-place book. He carries in his -pockets his ordinary food, that is to say, a piece of bread and some -onions. Such is the sober life that he has led during ten years past; -and were some Aristippus to say to him, as was erst spoken to Diogenes: -'If thou knewest how to pay thy court to the great, thou wouldst not -eat onions;' this modern philosopher would reply: 'I could pay my court -to the great as well as thou, if I would abase one man so low, as to -make him cringe before another.' - -"In truth, however, this philosopher formerly mixed greatly with the -nobility; he even owes his fortune to their patronage; but, compelled -to feel, as all must who move among persons more exalted than -themselves, that the friendship of these lordlings was to him but an -honourable species of servitude, he broke off all connection with them. -At the time I speak of he kept his carriage; this he subsequently put -down, on reflecting that, as he rolled along, the mud from his wheels -was splashed perhaps upon his betters. Distributing his wealth among -his indigent friends, he reserved for himself no more than would enable -him to live as moderately as he does; and he kept so much, only because -it appeared to him no less shameful for a philosopher to beg his bread -from the people than from the aristocracy. - -"Pity the cavalier who follows this philosopher, and whom you see -accompanied by a dog. He can boast his descent from one of the most -ancient and noble houses of Castile. He has been rich; but he ruined -himself, like the Timon of Lucian, by feasting his friends every -day; and, particularly, by giving splendid fêtes on the births and -marriages of all the princes and princesses of Spain; in a word, on -every occasion for rejoicing that he could make or find. No sooner did -the discreet parasites who flocked round him see the ring slip over -his purse than they abandoned his house and himself; one friend alone -remains faithful to him now;--it is his dog." - -[Illustration: the ruined cavalier and his dog] - -"Tell me! Signor Asmodeus," cried Leandro Perez; "to whom belongs the -carriage stopping before that house?" "It is the property of a rich -contador, who comes here every morning to visit a frail beauty, whom -this ancient sinner of Moorish race protects, and whom he loves to -distraction. He learned last night that his female friend had been -unfaithful, and in the fury which this intelligence induced, he wrote -her a letter full of reproaches and threats. You would never guess what -part the lady took on this occasion: instead of having the impudence to -deny the fact, she sent to the treasurer this morning, owning that he -was justly angered at her conduct; that he ought henceforth to despise -her, since she had been capable of deceiving so gallant a lover; that -she acknowledged and detested her fault; and that, to punish herself, -she had already sacrificed those locks which he had so often admired; -in short, that she had resolved to consecrate, in a nunnery, the -remainder of her days to repentance. - -"The old dotard was unable to withstand the well-feigned remorse of -his mistress, and has risen thus early to console her. He found her in -tears; and so well has she played her part that he has just assured -her of a full pardon for the past: nay, more, to compensate for the -sacrifice of her much-prized tresses, he is, at this moment, promising -to enable her to cut a figure in the world, by purchasing for her -a handsome country-house, which is just about to be sold, near the -Escurial." - -"All the shops are opened, I perceive," said the Student; "and I -observe already a cavalier now entering a tavern." "That cavalier," -replied Asmodeus, "is a youth of family, who is troubled with the -prevailing mania for writing nonsense, that he may pass as an author. -He is not absolutely without talent; he has even enough to enable him -to detect its want in the dramas which are at present produced on your -stage; but not so much as to qualify him to write a tolerable one -himself. He has gone into that house to order a grand repast: he gives -a dinner to-day to four comedians, whose good graces he would purchase -in favour of a wretched comedy of his concoction, which he is on the -point of presenting to their company. What will not money do? - -"Apropos of authors," continued the Devil, "there now are two just -meeting in the street. Do you notice the mocking style of their -salutes? They despise each other thoroughly: and they are right. One -of them writes as easily as the poet Crispinus, whom Horace compares -to the bellows of a forge; and the other wastes a vast deal of time in -composing works as cold and insipid as a water ice." - -"Who is the little man descending from his carriage at the door of -that church?" asked Zambullo. "He is a person worthy your remark," -replied the Cripple. "It is not yet ten years since he abandoned the -office of a notary, in which he was senior clerk, to shut himself up -in the Carthusian monastery of Saragoza. At the end of a six-months -noviciate, however, he left the convent, and re-appeared in Madrid; -where those who had formerly known him were amazed to see him all at -once become one of the principal members of the Council of the Indies. -His sudden fortune is still the wonder of the town. Some say he has -sold himself to the Devil; others, that he is the beloved of some rich -dowager; and some, again, insist that he must have found a treasure." -"Well! you know all about it, of course," interrupted Don Cleophas. "I -should wonder if I did not," replied the Demon; "but I will unveil this -mystery for you. - -[Illustration: the novice unearths the casket] - -"During his aforesaid noviciate, it happened one day that our intended -monk, in digging a deep hole in his appointed garden, lighted on a -brazen coffer, which he opened, of course, and within which he found -a golden casket containing some thirty diamonds of the purest water. -Although the pious horticulturist knew little enough of precious -stones, he shrewdly suspected that whoever had placed them there was -wiser; so resolving on the course which, in one of the comedies of -Plautus, is adopted by Gripus, who abandons fishing when he has found -a treasure, he threw off his gown, returned to Madrid, and by the -assistance of a friendly jeweller, transmuted his diamonds into pieces -of gold, and his pieces of gold into an office which has procured for -him an exalted station in society." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - -RELATING TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH THE DEVIL EXHIBITED TO THE STUDENT. - - -"I must indulge you with a laugh," continued Asmodeus, "at the cost of -an amusing character whom you see walking into that coffee-house, over -the way. He is a Biscayan physician, and is going to sip his cup of -chocolate; after which he will return to his home to pass the day at -chess. - -"While he is thus engaged, do not be alarmed for his patients; he -has none: and if he had, the moments he employs in play would not be -the worst for them. He moves from his chess-board in the evening to -repair to the house of a rich and handsome widow, with whom he would -be happy to mate, and for whom he affects a knightly passion. When he -is with her, a rascally valet, his only domestic, and who is aware of -his practice with the widow, brings him a false list, studded with the -names of noble lords and ladies who have sent to seek the doctor. The -lady dreams not he is playing false, and the Biscayan is therefore fast -entrapping her into a false move, which will win him the game. - -[Illustration: three girls getting up] - -"But," continued the Devil, "let us stop a moment at that house close -by; I would have you remark what is passing there before we look -elsewhere. Run your eyes over the rooms: what do you observe?" "Why, -I can discern some maidens, whose beauty dazzles me," replied the -Student. "Some are just leaving their beds, and others have already -risen. What charms do they present to my feasting eyes! I can fancy -I behold the nymphs of Diana, but more lovely than the poets have -depicted them." - -"If those maidens, as you call them, and whom you admire so much," -replied the Cripple, "have the graces of Diana's nymphs, they assuredly -want their chastity to complete the picture. They are a parcel of -good-natured females, who live upon a common fund. As dangerous as the -fair damsels of chivalry who arrested, by their charms, the knights who -passed before their castle walls, they seek to draw your less heroic -youths within their bowers. And woe betide those whom they ensnare! To -warn the passer-by of the peril which awaits him, beacons should be set -before their doors, as such friendly monitors are placed on dangerous -coasts to mark the places mariners should shun." - -"I need not ask you," said Leandro Perez, "whither go those signors -whom I see lolling in their carriages: they are doubtless going to the -levée of the king." "You have said it," replied the Devil; "and if you -also would attend it, I will carry you there before them: we shall have -amusement enough, I promise you." "You could not have proposed a thing -more suited to my taste," replied Zambullo; "and I anticipate all the -pleasure you have promised me." - -The Demon, although eager to satisfy Don Cleophas in his desires, -carried him leisurely towards the palace, so that, in their way, the -Student, perceiving some workmen employed upon a lofty doorway, asked -if it were the portal of a church they were constructing. "No," replied -Asmodeus, "it is the entrance to a new market; and it is magnificent as -you see. However, though they raised its arch until its point were lost -in clouds, it would be still unworthy of two Latin lines which are to -adorn its front." - -"What say you?" cried Leandro;--"what a notion would you give me of the -verses that you speak of! I die with anxiety to hear them." "I will -repeat them, then," replied the Devil; "and do you prepare to admire -them. - - 'Quam bene Mercurius nunc merces vendit opimas, - Momus ubi fatuos vendidit ante sales! - -"In these two lines is concealed one of the most delicate puns -imaginable." "I cannot say I yet perceive its point," said the Student; -"I do not clearly understand what is referred to by your _fatuos -sales_." "You are not then aware," replied the Devil, "that on the spot -where they are building this market for the sale of provisions, there -formerly stood a monkish college in which youth was inducted to the -humanities. The rectors of this college were in the habit of getting up -plays, in which the students figured on the stage. These plays were, -as you may suppose, flat enough as to effect and language; and were -enlivened by ballets, so amusingly absurd, that everything danced, even -to preterites and supines." "There! that is quite enough," interrupted -Zambullo; "I am quite alive to the stuff of which college pieces are -composed--excuse my pun--but the inscription is admirable." - -Asmodeus and Don Cleophas had scarcely reached the grand staircase -of the palace, when the courtiers commenced the inflating labour of -mounting its polished steps. As they passed our unseen watchers, the -Devil did the honour of announcing them to the Student: "There," said -he, pointing with his finger as he spoke, "there is the Count de -Villalonso, of the house of Puebla d'Ellerena; this is the Marquis de -Castro Fueste; that is Don Lopez de Los Rios, president of the council -of finance; and here is the Count de Villa Hombrosa." He did not, -however, content himself thus with naming them; each had his legend: -and the Demon's sardonic spirit found in the character of each some -weakness to laugh at, or some vices to lay bare. None passed before him -unnoted. - -"That signor," said he of one, "is affable and obliging; and listens -to you with an air of kindness. Do you ask his protection, he grants -it freely; nay, proffers you his interest. It is pity that a man who -loves so much to assist his fellow-creatures should have a memory so -bad, that a quarter of an hour after you have spoken to him, he should -forget all you have asked and he has promised. - -"That duke," said he, speaking of another, "is one of the best -characters that haunts the court. He is not, like most of his equals, -one man at this moment and another the next; there is no caprice, no -inequality in his disposition. I may add to this, that he pays not with -ingratitude the affection that is shown for him, or the services that -are rendered in his behalf. Unfortunately, again, he is too slothful -to reward these kindnesses as they deserve: he leaves so long to be -desired what is so rightfully expected, that when the favour is at last -obtained, it is felt to have been dearly purchased." - -After the Demon had thus exhibited to the Student the good and evil -qualities of a great number of signors, he conducted him into a room -in which there were all sorts and conditions of men, but especially so -many chevaliers, that Don Cleophas could not help exclaiming: "What -numberless knights! By our Lady! there must be enough and to spare of -them in Spain." "I can answer for that," replied the Cripple; "and it -is not at all surprising, since to be dubbed companion of St. Jago, or -of Calatrava, your vigilants require no five-and-twenty thousand crowns -in pocket or estate, as did formerly the knights of ancient Rome: -you perceive therefore that knighthood is an article most admirably -assorted. - -"Observe," continued the Devil, "that common-looking fellow behind us." -"Hush!" interrupted Zambullo; "speak softly, or the man will hear you." -"No, no," replied Asmodeus; "the same charm which renders us invisible, -prevents our being heard. Examine him well: he is a Catalonian, -returned from the Philippines, where he ranged the seas as a pirate. -Could you conceive, to look on him, that you beheld a thunderbolt of -war? Nevertheless, he has performed, in his vocation, prodigies of -valour. He is here this morning, to present a petition to the king, in -which he asks, as a recompense for his services, a certain post, which -is vacant. I doubt, however, if he will succeed, inasmuch as he has -neglected duly to possess the prime minister with a proper notion of -his merits." - -"I perceive on the right of the pirate," said Leandro Perez, "a tall -and bulky man, who is sufficiently impressed with an idea of his own -importance: to judge of his station by the pride of his bearing, he -is some wealthy grandee, certainly." "Nothing can be further from the -truth," replied the Demon: "he is one of the poorest of Hidalgos, who -lives on the profits of a gaming-table, under the protection of one of -the ministers. - -"But I see a licentiate, who must not pass without your notice: it is -he whom you can perceive near the first window, in conversation with -a cavalier clad in velvet of a silver grey. They are discoursing of a -matter yesterday decided by the king; but I will tell you its history. - -"Two months ago, this licentiate, who is an academician of Toledo, -published a work on morals, which shocked the orthodox opinions of all -your grey-headed authors of Castile: they found it full of vigorous -expressions and words newly introduced. It required no more to unite -them against so singular a production; and they therefore instantly -assembled, and agreed upon a petition to his majesty, praying him to -condemn the book as one written in a style dangerous to the purity and -simplicity of the Spanish tongue. - -[Illustration: the three commissioners reporting to the king] - -"The petition appearing worthy of attention to his majesty, he named -three commissioners to examine the work; and they estimating its -style to be really reprehensible, and the more so from its peculiar -brilliancy, upon their report the king has decreed that, under pain -of his displeasure, those academicians of Toledo who write after the -manner of the licentiate shall not dare to publish another book; and -further that, in order to preserve the language of Castile in all its -purity, such academicians, after their decease, shall be replaced by -persons of the first quality alone." - -"That is indeed a marvellous decision!" cried Zambullo, laughing: "the -lovers of our vulgar tongue have henceforth nought to fear." "Excuse -me," replied the Devil; "but your writers who endanger that noble -chastity of style which forms the delight of all discerning readers, -are not confined to the Toledan academy." - -Don Cleophas was now curious to learn who was the cavalier in -silver-grey habiliments, whom he beheld conversing with the hardy -moralist. "He," said the Cripple, "is a Catalonian, an officer of the -Spanish guard, and of course a younger son; but he is a youth whose -tongue is pointed as the sword he wears. To give you an example of his -wit, I will tell you of a repartee that he made yesterday to a lady -whom he met in high society. But to enable you to enjoy its pungency, -I must inform you that he has a brother, Don Andrea de Prada, who was -some years since, an officer, like himself, in the same corps. - -"It happened one day that a farmer of the king's revenues came to this -Don Andrea, and said to him: 'Signor de Prada, I bear the same name as -you, but our families are different. I am aware that you belong to one -of the noblest houses in Catalonia, but at the same time that you are -not rich. Now, I am of a poor family, and have lots of wealth. Can we -not find a means, therefore, to communicate to each other that which we -mutually want? Have you your titles of nobility?' 'Certainly!' replied -Don Andrea. 'That being the case,' continued the other, 'if you will -confide the documents to my hands, I will place them in those of an -ingenious genealogist, who will set to work upon them, and will make -us relations in spite of our ancestors. On my part, as in duty bound, -I will make my kinsman a present of thirty thousand pistoles: is it a -bargain?' Don Andrea, dazzled by the proposition, accepted it at once, -gave the parchments to the farmer, and with the money he received -purchased an estate in his native province, where he now resides at his -ease. - -"His younger brother, who gained nothing by the transaction, was dining -yesterday at a house where the conversation turned by chance on the -Signor de Prada, farmer of the king's revenues. On this, the lady of -whom I spoke, turning to the young officer, asked if the wealthy signor -were not related to him. 'No,' replied he, 'I have not that honour; but -I believe he is a relation of my brother's.'" - -The Student laughed, as well he might, at this family distinction, -which appeared to him rather novel. But perceiving at the moment a -little man following a courtier, he cried out: "Bah! but yon homunculus -will lose nothing for the want of reverence to the signor whom he -shadows. He has some precious favour to intreat, beyond all doubt." "I -shall not occupy your time in vain," replied the Devil, "in telling -you the object of the obsequiousness you observe. The little man is an -honest citizen, who is proprietor of a country house in the suburbs of -Madrid, near which are some mineral springs of fashionable celebrity. -He has lent this house, rent free, for three months to this signor, -that the latter may drink the waters: he is at this moment very humbly -beseeching his noble tenant to serve him on a pressing opportunity -which offers; and the signor is very politely declining to do so. - -"I must not let yon cavalier of plebeian race escape me. See, where he -wades through the expecting throng with all the air of one of note. -He has become immensely rich by force of calculation, and in his proud -mansion has as many servants as your first grandee; his table would -put to shame for delicacy and abundance that of a minister of state. -He has a carriage for himself, one for his wife, and another for his -children; and in his stables may be seen the best of mules and the most -splendid horses in the world. Only yesterday, he bought, and paid for -on the nail, a superb train of noble animals, that the prince of Spain -had partially agreed for, but had thought too dear." "What insolence!" -exclaimed Leandro. "A Turk, now, who beheld that lump of arrogance, -poised on so dangerous a height, would watch each instant for its -sudden fall." "I know nothing of the time to come," replied Asmodeus, -"but think your Turk would not be far from right. - -"Ah! what is that I see?" continued the Demon with surprise. "Did -I wonder at any thing, I should disbelieve my eyes. I absolutely -discern within this room a poet--the last whom I should expect to see. -How dares he come within these walls?--he who could write in terms -offensive to their noblest visitants. He must count indeed on the -contempt that he is held in! - -[Illustration: the chief magistrate and his page] - -"But mark particularly that venerable man who enters now, supported by -a page. Observe with what respect the crowd divides to make way for -him. That is the signor Don José de Reynaste e Ayala, chief magistrate -of the police: he comes hither to inform the king of the events of last -night in the capital. Methinks, signor Student, that we could assist -him in his report! However, regard him with admiration, for he deserves -it." "In truth," replied Zambullo, "he looks like a man of worth." "It -would be well for Spain," replied the Cripple, "if all its corregidors -would take him for their model. He has none of that intemperate zeal -which urges those who should administer the law to violate its spirit -from impetuosity or caprice; and he respects too much the sacred -freedom of the person to deprive the meanest of his fellow-subjects of -that blessed right on the mere information of an alguazil, a clerk, -or even a secretary of police. He knows those gentlemen too well; and -that, for the most of them, their venal souls will scruple not to -traffic on the fund of his authority. When a man stands before him, -accused of crime, he may be sure that justice will be done towards him; -the evidence is sifted until truth is discovered; and thus the prisons, -instead of echoing the sighs of innocence, perform their proper office -of holding the guilty. Even these are not abandoned to the licence -which ordinarily reigns in gaols. He visits, as a man, those whom, as -a magistrate, he has condemned, and is careful that inhumanity, in its -dispensers, shall not add rigour to the law." - -[Illustration: the chief magistrate visiting a prisoner] - -"What an eulogium!" exclaimed Leandro; "you paint a man whom angels -might agree to worship! You rouse my curiosity to witness his reception -by the king." "I am annoyed," replied the Devil, "to be obliged to -tell you of my inability to gratify a wish that I expected, without at -least exposing myself to insult. It is not in my vocation, nor am I -permitted, to intrude myself on kings; their cabinet is the domain of -Leviathan, Belphegor, and Ashtaroth; I informed you, from my bottle, -that these three demons preside over the councils of princes. All -others of our craft are denied the entrée at court; and I know not what -I could have been thinking of, when I offered to bring you here: it -was a dangerous flight to take, I can assure you. If my three loving -brethren should perceive me, they would show me no favour, I promise -you, and between ourselves, I would rather avoid the conflict." - -"That being so," replied the Student, "let us be off as quickly as you -please: I should die with grief to see you curried by those wretched -grooms, without being able to help you; for if I lent you a hand, I -expect you would shine none the brighter for my assistance." "Most -decidedly not," replied Asmodeus; "they would never feel the blows that -you could deal them, and you would have the satisfaction of dying under -theirs. - -"But," he continued, "to console you for your exclusion from the -cabinet of your potent sovereign, I will procure you a pleasure quite -equal to the one you lose." And as he finished these words, he took the -Student's hand, and away they went, as fast as the Devil could fly, -toward the monastery of Mercy. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - -THE CAPTIVES. - - -In a moment they were on a house adjoining the monastery, at the gate -of which there was a vast concourse of persons, of all ages and of -both sexes. "Here's a crowd!" exclaimed Leandro Perez. "What ceremony -can call so many good folks together?" "Why," replied Asmodeus, "it -is one which you have never witnessed, though it may be seen from -time to time within Madrid. Three hundred slaves, all subjects of the -crown of Spain, are expected to arrive each minute: they return from -Algiers, where they have been recently purchased by some fathers of the -Redemption. Every street through which they are to pass will be lined -with spectators to welcome them." - -"It is true, indeed," replied Zambullo, "that I have never had the -curiosity to behold a similar exhibition; and, if this be the treat -which your worship has reserved to gratify my taste, I must tell you -frankly that you need not have so boasted of its piquancy." "Oh! I -know you well enough," replied the Devil, "not to be aware that it is -no joyous spectacle for you to look upon the misery of your fellows; -but when I tell you that, in bringing you here to view it under its -present form, I am about to reveal certain singular circumstances -attending the captivity of some, and the equally curious embarrassment -in which others will find themselves on returning to their homes, I -am persuaded that you will not be unthankful for the amusement I have -provided." "Certainly not," replied the Student; "you put another face -upon the matter; and you will afford me much pleasure by your promised -revelations." - -During this discussion, loud shouts were suddenly heard from the -populace as they beheld the approaching captives, who marched two -by two, in their slaves' dresses, each bearing his chain upon his -shoulders. They were preceded by a considerable number of monks of -the order of Mercy, who had been to meet them, and who rode on mules -caparisoned in black serge, as if they headed a funeral: one of these -good fathers carried the standard of Redemption. The younger captives -came first; the more aged followed; and the procession was closed -by an aged monk of the same order as the first, who, mounted on a -diminutive steed, had all the air of a prophet: this was the chief of -the missionary expedition. To him every eye was attracted, as much -by his excessive gravity, as by a long white beard which flowed down -his bosom, and gave to the features of this Moses of the Spaniards a -venerable aspect, lighted as they were by a heartfelt joy at having -been the instrument of restoring so many of his Christian brethren to -their country. - -"The captives whom you see," commenced the Cripple, "are not all -equally rejoiced at their restoration to liberty. If there be some -whose hearts beat with pleasure at the thought that they are about -to see once more their dearest friends, there are others not a little -fearful that, during the time they have been estranged from their -families, events may have occurred which will bring tortures to their -minds more cruel than the most refined of slavery itself. - -[Illustration: the procession] - -"For instance, the two who first approach are in the latter category. -The one, a native of the little town of Velilla in Aragon, after having -passed ten years in bondage with the Turk, without once hearing of his -much-loved wife, comes home to find her bound again in wedlock, and the -mother of five little ones who can claim no kin with him. The other, -son of a wool-merchant of Segovia, was carried off by a corsair nearly -twenty years ago: he returns with a lively apprehension that matters -have gravely changed during that time with his family, and he will find -himself a prophet in his loss. His father and mother are dead; and -his brothers, who shared their wealth, have dissipated it foolishly -enough." - -"My attention is rivetted," exclaimed the Student, "upon a slave whom, -by his looks, I judge to be delighted that he is no longer exposed to -the seducing influence of the bastinado." "The captive whom you speak -of," replied the Devil, "has good reason to rejoice at his deliverance: -he has learnt, since his return, that an aunt to whom he is sole heir -has just been released from her troubles, and that he is consequently -about to enjoy the free use of her brilliant fortune. This it is which -now occupies his thoughts so agreeably, and gives to his appearance -that air of satisfaction which you remark. - -"How all unlike is he to the unhappy cavalier who walks beside him; -the tortures of suspense fill his bosom incessantly: I will tell you -on what they impend. When he was taken by a pirate of Algiers, as he -was passing into Italy from Spain, he loved a maiden and by her was -loved: he dreads lest, while he was in chains, his fair one's constancy -may have failed her." "Has he been long a slave then?" asked Zambullo. -"Eighteen months," replied Asmodeus. "Pooh!" exclaimed Leandro Perez, -"I fancy our gallant is a prey to causeless fear; he has hardly put his -mistress's fidelity to such a test as to have need for great alarm." -"There you are mistaken," replied the Cripple; "his princess no sooner -heard that he was captive to the Moor, than she hastened to provide -herself with a more fortunate lover. - -"Would you credit now," continued the Demon, "that the man who follows -immediately behind the two we have been speaking of, and whom that -thick and sandy beard so horribly disfigures, was once a very handsome -man? Nothing, however, can be more certain; and you see, in that bent -and hideous figure, the hero of a story remarkable enough to induce me -to relate it to you. - -[Illustration: Fabricio] - -"His name is Fabricio, and he was hardly fifteen years of age when -his father, a wealthy cultivator of Cinquello, a large village of the -kingdom of Leon, died. He lost his mother shortly afterwards; so that, -being an only son, he became thus early the master of a considerable -property, the management of which was confided to an uncle, who -happened to be honest. Fabricio completed his studies at Salamanca, -where he had been previously placed; he then particularly devoted -himself to the noble accomplishments of riding and fencing; in a word, -he neglected nothing which might concur to render him worthy the sweet -regards of Donna Hippolita, sister of a vegetating signor, whose -cottage was about a couple of gun-shots from Cinquello. - -"This lady was beautiful in the extreme, and about the age of Fabricio, -who, having seen her from his infancy, had, to speak vulgarly, sucked -in with his mother's milk the love which occupied his soul in manhood. -Hippolita, on her side, could not help perceiving that Fabricio was not -ill-made; but, knowing him to be the son of a husbandman, she had never -deigned to look on him with attention. Her pride was only equalled by -her loveliness, and by the haughty bearing of her brother, Don Thomaso -de Xaral, who was probably unsurpassed, even in Spain, for his lordly -want of money, and his beggarly pride. - -"This inflated country gentleman lived in a small house which he -dignified by the name of castle, but which to speak properly was a -ruin, so little had the winds respected his nobility. However, although -his means did not enable him to repair his mansion, and although he had -hardly enough to sustain himself, he must needs keep a valet to attend -upon his person; nay, he even kept a Moorish female to wait upon his -sister. - -"It was a refreshing sight to witness, in the village, on Sundays and -at every festival, Don Thomaso habited in crimson velvet, but sadly -faded, and a little hat, overshadowed with an ancient plume of yellow -feathers, which were carefully enshrined, like relics, on the common -days of the year. Disporting this frippery, which to him was proof -apparent of his noble birth, he would affect the grandee, and seemed to -think that he amply repaid the reverence that was offered to him when -he condescended to notice it by an approving smile. His fair sister was -not less vain than himself of the antiquity of her race; and she joined -to this folly that of such self-congratulation on her charms, that she -lived in the most perfect confidence that ere long some noble signor -would come to beg the honour of her hand. - -"Such were the characters of Don Thomaso and the beauteous Hippolita. -Fabricio, aware of their foibles, and in order to insinuate himself -into the estimation of persons so exalted, lost no opportunity of -flattering their pride by the most respectful seeming; and so well -did he manage, that the brother and sister at last were graciously -pleased to allow him frequent occasions for paying his homage to them. -As he was as well informed of their poverty as of their vanity, he was -tempted every day to make offer of his purse; and was only withheld -from doing so by the uncertainty as to which of their failings was -the greater: nevertheless, his ingenious generosity found a way of -relieving the one without causing the other to blush. 'Signor,' said he -one day to Don Thomaso in private, 'I have a thousand ducats which I -would entrust in safe hands: have the kindness to take care of them for -me;--permit me to owe this obligation to you.' - -"I need hardly tell you that Xaral consented; but besides being short -of money, he had the very soul for a trustee. He therefore made no -scruple of taking charge of the sum proposed; and no sooner was it in -his possession, than, without ceremony, he employed a good part of -it in putting his house in order, and adding thereto sundry little -conveniences. A new dress of splendid light blue velvet was bought, and -made at Salamanca; and a green plume, also purchased there, came to -snatch from the olden plume of yellow the glory which had pertained to -it from time immemorial, of adorning the noble front of Don Thomaso. -The lovely Hippolita had also her compliment, and was entirely -new-rigged. And thus did Xaral quickly melt the ducats which had been -confided to him, not once reflecting that they did not belong to him, -or that he would never be able to restore them. Indeed, he would not -have scrupled thus to use them, had such extraordinary thoughts -occurred to him; he would have felt that it was perfectly proper a -plebeian should pay for the patronage of so noble a person as himself. - -"Fabricio had foreseen all this; but had at the same time flattered -himself, that out of love for his money, if not for himself, Don -Thomaso would live with him on terms of greater intimacy; that -Hippolita by degrees would become accustomed to his attentions, and -finally pardon the audacity which had inspired him to elevate his -thoughts to her. In effect, his intercourse with them certainly -increased, and they displayed for him a consideration that he had -never before appeared to deserve: a rich man is ever appreciated by -the great, when he will consent to act for them the part of the wolf -to Romulus and Remus. Xaral and his sister, who until now had nothing -known of riches but the name, had no sooner tasted the intoxicating -draught, than they deemed Fabricio, the source whence it flowed, an -object not to be neglected; and they therefore exhibited towards him -such marks of respect, and almost affection, as made him think his -money well bestowed. He was soon convinced that he had really won upon -them; and that wisely reflecting it is the lot of the proudest signors -to be obliged, in order to sustain their pretensions, to graft their -noble scions on the stocks of the fortunate vulgar, they now looked -on him without disdain. With this notion, which flattered his own -self-love, Fabricio resolved to propose for Hippolita to her brother. - -"On the first favourable opportunity which offered to speak with Don -Thomaso on the subject, he informed him that he had dared aspire to -the honour of becoming his brother-in-law; and that, as the price of -such concession, not only would he abandon all claim to the money -deposited in his hands, but that he would add to it a present of a -thousand pistoles. The haughty Xaral coloured at this proposition, -which awakened his slumbering pride; and in the excitation of the -moment, could scarcely refrain from displaying the utter contempt in -which he held the son of an industrious father. But, however insulted -he felt at the temerity of Fabricio, he constrained himself; and, as -respectfully as his nature would permit, replied that in a matter of -such importance he could not at once determine; that he must consult -Hippolita, and that it would even be necessary to summon a conclave of -his noble relatives thereupon. - -"With this answer he dismissed the gallant, and forthwith convoked -a diet composed of certain hidalgos of his neighbourhood, with whom -he claimed affinity, and who, like himself, were all infected with -demophobia. With these he consulted, not as to whether they were of -opinion that he should bestow his sister upon Fabricio, but on the most -proper steps to be adopted in order sufficiently to punish the insolent -young man, who, forgetful of the meanness of his origin, had dared -pretend to the hand of a lady of the rank of Hippolita. - -"As soon as he had exposed to the assembly this presumptuous -demand,--as he mentioned the name of Fabricio, and uttered the words, -'Son of a husbandman,'--you should have seen how the eyes of all the -nobles lighted up with fury. Each of them vomited fire and flame -against the audacious groundling; and with one voice they all insisted, -that his death beneath the cudgels of their domestics alone could -expiate the vile affront he had offered to their family by the proposal -of so scandalous an union. However, on mature consideration, the -offended members of the diet agreed to spare the culprit's life; but, -in order to teach him that first and far most useful knowledge--of -himself, they resolved to play him such a trick as he should have -reason to remember while he lived. - -"Various were the schemes proposed: the one on which they at last -decided was as follows. Hippolita was to feign a sensibility for the -passion of Fabricio; and, under pretence of consoling her unhappy lover -for the refusal which Don Thomaso would have given to his proposal for -her hand, she was to make an assignation for some particular evening to -receive him at the castle; where, at the moment of his introduction by -the Moorish female, the friends of the signor would surprise him with -the waiting-maid, and compel him to espouse her. - -"The sister of Xaral at first inclined to favour this piece of -rascality; she even joined in thinking that her reputation demanded of -her to consider as an insult the addresses of a person in a station so -inferior to her own. But these haughty feelings soon yielded to others -more gentle, prompted by pity; or rather, love suddenly vanquished all -pride of heart in the bosom of Hippolita. - -"From that moment, she looked on all things with a different eye. The -obscure origin of Fabricio now appeared to her more than compensated -by a nobility of disposition; and she perceived in him but a cavalier -worthy of her tenderest affection. Remark again, Signor Student, -and with all due admiration, how prodigious are the changes which -this passion can effect: the very girl who yesterday imagined that a -monarch's heir scarce merited the honour of possessing her, to-day is -all enamoured of a ploughman's son, and is flattered by pretensions -which before she had regarded as disgraceful. - -Far therefore from assisting her brother in his purposed revenge, and -yielding to the new-born passion which now reigned supreme within her -soul, Hippolita entered into secret correspondence with Fabricio, by -means of her Moorish attendant, who frequently of an evening introduced -the gallant into the cottage. Thus baffled in his design, Don Thomaso -soon became suspicious of the truth; and watching his sister, he was -convinced by his own eyes that, instead of fulfilling the wishes of her -relations, she had betrayed them. - -[Illustration: Hippolita's Moorish servant admits Fabricio] - -"He instantly informed two of his cousins of the discovery he had made: -'Vengeance! Don Thomaso, vengeance!' they exclaimed, infuriate at such -baseness in one of their illustrious race. Xaral, who did not require -urging to exact satisfaction for an indignity of this nature, replied, -with true Spanish modesty, 'that they should find he knew well how to -use his sword when its employment was called for to avenge his honour;' -and he entreated them to come to his house on a particular night. - -[Illustration: Don Thomaso and his cousins surprise Fabricio and -Hippolita] - -"They came at the appointed time, and were secretly received and -concealed in a small room by Don Thomaso; who left them, saying that -he would return the instant the lover entered his doors, should he -think fit to come at all that evening. This did not fail to happen; the -unlucky stars of our lovers had decreed that they should choose that -very night for their meeting. - -"Don Fabricio was already with his dear Hippolita, listening to and -repeating for the hundredth time those sweet avowals which make up the -dialogue of lovers, but which, though spoken from eternity, have still -the charm of novelty, when they were disagreeably interrupted by the -cavaliers who waited to surprise them. Don Thomaso and his cousins, -with all the courage of three against one, rushed upon Fabricio, who -had scarcely time to draw in his defence; but perceiving at once that -their object was to assassinate him, he fought with a courage which -makes one equal to three; he wounded all his assailants, and exerting -the skill he had acquired at Salamanca, managed to keep them at his -sword's point till he had gained the door, when he made off at full -speed. - -"Upon this, Xaral, maddened with rage at beholding his enemy escape -him, after having with impunity dishonoured his house, turned all his -fury against the unfortunate Hippolita, and plunged his sword into -her heart. After which his two relatives returned to their homes, -extremely mortified at the bad success of their plot, and with no other -consolation than their wounds. There we will leave them," continued -Asmodeus. "When we have passed in review the other captives, I will -finish the history of this one. I will relate to you how, after -justice, or rather the law, had possessed itself of his effects on -account of this mournful event, the pirates seized his person, with -about as good reason, when he happened to be making a voyage." - -"While you were telling me this story of love and pride," said Don -Cleophas, "I observed a young man whose countenance bespeaks such -sorrow at his heart, that I wonder I did not interrupt you to inquire -its cause." "You will lose nothing by your discretion," replied the -Demon; "I can tell you now all you desire to know. The captive whose -dejection attracted your notice, is a youth of family from Valladolid. -Two years was he in slavery, but with a patron who possessed a very -pretty wife. The lady looked with favour on the slave, and the slave, -as in duty bound, repaid the lady's favours with interest. The patron, -becoming suspicious as to the nature of his slave's labours, hastened -to sell the Christian to the brothers of the Redemption, lest he should -be irreligiously employed in the propagation of Mahometanism. The -tender Castilian, ever since, has done nothing but weep for the loss of -his patroness; liberty itself cannot console him." - -"An old man of good appearance attracts my attention there," said -Leandro Perez; "who, and what, is he?" The Devil replied: "He is -a barber, of Guipuscoa, who is about to return to Biscay after a -captivity of forty years. When he fell into the hands of a corsair, -in going from Valencia to the island of Sardinia, he had a wife, two -sons, and a daughter. Of all these, one son alone remains; and he, -more lucky than his father, has been to Peru, whence he has safely -returned with immense wealth to his native province, in which he has -recently purchased two handsome estates." "What pleasure!" exclaimed -the Student, "what delight awaits this happy son, to behold again his -long-lost parent, and to be enabled to render his declining years -peaceful and agreeable!" - -"You," replied the Cripple, "speak like a child whom tenderness and -duty prompt; the son of the Biscayan barber is of a sterner mould: -the unlooked-for coming of his sire to him will bring more grief than -joy. Instead of welcoming him to his mansion at Guipuscoa, and sparing -nothing to mark the bliss he feels at pressing him once more to his -bosom, he will probably be filial enough to make him steward of one of -his estates. - -"Behind this captive, whose good looks you admire so much, is another -as like an old baboon as are two drops of water to each other: he is -a little Aragonese physician. He has not been a fortnight in Algiers; -for as soon as the Turks knew what was his profession, they resolved, -rather than suffer him to remain among them, to place him without -ransom in the hands of the fathers of Mercy, who would certainly never -have purchased him, and who bring him back with compunction to Spain. - -"You who feel so sensibly the woes of others, ah! how would you grieve -for that other slave, he who wears upon his head that little cap of -brown cloth, did you but know the ills he has endured during twelve -years, in the house of an English renegade, his patron." "And who is -this unhappy captive?" asked Zambullo. "He is a cordelier of Navarre," -replied the Demon. "I must own, however, that for myself, I rejoice -that he has suffered so severely; since, by his eternal preaching, he -has prevented more than a hundred Christian slaves from adopting the -turban." - -"Well! to imitate your frankness," replied Don Cleophas, "I must say -that I am really afflicted to think that this good father should have -been so long at the mercy of the barbarian." "As to that," replied -Asmodeus, "you are as unwise to regret it, as I to rejoice. The good -monk has turned his dozen years' captivity to so good account, that he -will find his advantage in having passed that time in suffering instead -of in his cell, where he would have striven with temptations that he -would not at all times have vanquished." - -"The first captive after the monks," said Leandro Perez, "has a most -complacent air for a man who returns from slavery: he excites my -curiosity to know his history." "You anticipate me," replied the -Cripple; "I was just about to tell you all about him. You see in him, -a citizen of Salamanca, an unfortunate father, a mortal rendered -insensible to misfortune by the weight of those he has experienced. -I am tempted to relate to you the painful details of his life, and -to leave the rest of the captives to their fates; besides, there is -scarcely another whose adventures are worth the trouble of telling." - -The Student, who began to tire of this sombre procession, stated that -he asked for nothing better; whereupon, the Devil began the history -contained in the following chapter. - -[Illustration: tailpiece of the Aragonese physician and the cordelier -of Navarre] - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - -OF THE LAST HISTORY RELATED BY ASMODEUS: HOW, WHILE CONCLUDING IT, HE -WAS SUDDENLY INTERRUPTED; AND OF THE DISAGREEABLE MANNER, FOR THE WITTY -DEMON, IN WHICH HE AND DON CLEOPHAS WERE SEPARATED. - - -"Pablos de Bahabon, son of an alcade of a village in Old Castile, after -having divided with his sister and brother the small inheritance which -their father, although one of the most avaricious of men, had left -them, set out for Salamanca with the intention of increasing the number -of students in its university. He was well made, not without wit, and -was just entering upon his twenty-third year. - -"With a thousand ducats in his possession, and a disposition fitted -to get rid of them, it was not long before he was the talk of the -town. The young men, without exception, were eager to cultivate his -friendship; the strife, was who were to be included in the joyous -parties which Don Pablos gave every day. I say Don Pablos, because -he had assumed the Don, that he might live on equal terms with the -students whose nobility would otherwise have demanded a formality in -his intercourse with them, anything but pleasant. So well did he love -gaiety and the good things of this world, and so badly did he manage -the only thing which can always command them,--his purse, that at the -end of fifteen months he found it one morning empty. He contrived, -however, to get on for some time longer, partly by credit and partly by -borrowing; but he soon found that these are resources which speedily -fail when a man has no other. - -"This having come to pass, his friends perceiving that their visits -were anything but agreeable,--to themselves, they ceased to call; and -his creditors commenced paying him their respects, with an assiduity -which was anything but delightful to poor Don Pablos. For although he -assured the latter that he was in daily expectation of receiving bills -of exchange from his relations, there were some who were uncivil enough -to decline waiting their arrival; and they were so sharp in their legal -proceedings that our hero was on the point of finishing his studies in -jail, when one day he met an acquaintance while walking on the banks -of the Tormes, who said to him: 'Signor Don Pablos, beware! I warn you -that an alguazil and his archers are on the look-out for you, and they -intend to pay you the honour of a guard on your return to the city.' - -"Bahabon, alarmed at this intended public attention to his person, -which suited so ill to the state of his private affairs, resolved to -shun this demonstration of respect, and instantly took to flight and -the road to Corita. In his anxiety for privacy, he had not walked far -before he turned off to plunge into a neighbouring wood, in which he -resolved to conceal himself until night should lend her friendly shades -to enable him to travel more secure from observation. It was at that -season of the year when the trees are decked in their proudest apparel, -and he therefore chose the best dressed in the forest, that it might -spare a covering for him: into this he mounted, and arranged himself -upon a branch whose wavy ornaments shrouded him from sight. - -"Feeling secure in his elevated seat, he by degrees soon lost all -fear of the too attentive alguazil; and as men usually make the best -reflections on their conduct when thought is too late to avail them, -he recalled all the follies he had committed, and promised to himself, -that if ever he again should be in fortune's way, he would make a -better use of her favours. Most especially he vowed to be no more the -dupe of seeming friends, who lead young men into dissipation, and whose -attachment finishes with the last bottle. - -"While thus occupied with the busy thoughts which come like creditors -into the distressed mind, night recalled him to his situation. -Disengaging himself from the sheltering leaves, and shaking hands with -the friendly branch, he was preparing to descend, when, by as much -light as the moon could throw into the forest, he thought he could -discern the figure of a man. As he looked, his former fears returned: -and he imagined it must be the alguazil, who, having tracked his -footsteps, was seeking him in the wood. His fears redoubled when he saw -the man, after walking round it two or three times, sit himself down at -the foot of the very tree in which he was." - -Asmodeus interrupted the course of his narrative in this place: "Signor -Don Cleophas," said he, "permit me to enjoy for a while the perplexity -I occasion in your mind at this moment. You are desperately anxious to -know now, who can this mortal be that comes so inopportunely, and what -can have brought him thither. Well, that is what you shall learn: I -will not abuse your patience. - -[Illustration: Bahabon watches the bag being buried] - -"After the man had seated himself at the foot of the tree, whose -thick foliage almost hid him from the sight of Don Pablos, he reposed -for a few seconds, and then rose and began digging the ground with a -poniard. Having made a deep hole, and placed therein a leathern bag, -he refilled it, covered it over carefully with the moss-grown turf he -had removed, and then retired. Bahabon, who had strained his eyes to -watch these operations, and whose fears were changed to anxious joy -during their progress, scarcely waited until the man was out of sight -ere he descended from his hiding-place to disinter the sack, in which -he doubted not to find a good store of silver or of gold. His knife -was sufficient for the purpose; but, had he wanted that, he felt such -ardour for the work, that he would have penetrated with his nails into -the bowels of the earth. - -"The instant that he had the bag in his possession, just handling it -sufficiently to feel convinced that it contained good sounding coin, -he hastened to quit the wood with his prey, less fearing to meet the -alguazil in his altered state, than the man to whom the bag of right -belonged. Intoxicated with delight at having made so good a stroke, -our student walked lightly all the night, without caring whither he -went, or feeling in the least degree incommoded with his burden. But, -as day broke, he stopped under some trees near the village of Molorido, -less, in truth, to repose, than to satisfy at last the curiosity -which burned within him to know what it was indeed the sack enclosed. -Untying it with that agreeable trembling which you experience at the -moment you are about to enjoy an anticipated but unknown pleasure, he -found therein honest double-pistoles, and, to his unspeakable delight, -counted no less of these than two hundred and fifty. - -"After having contemplated them for some time with a voluptuous -eagerness, he began seriously to reflect on what he ought to do; and -having made up his mind, he stowed away the doubloons in his pockets, -threw the bag into a ditch, and repaired to Molorido. He entered the -first decent inn; and then, while they were preparing his breakfast, -he hired a mule, upon which he returned the same day to Salamanca. - -"He clearly perceived, by the surprise which his acquaintances -displayed at seeing him again, that they were in the secret of his -sudden evasion; but he had his story by heart. He stated that, being -short of money, and not receiving it from home, although he had written -twenty times to relate his pressing need, he had determined to go for -it himself, and that, the evening previous, as he entered Molorido, he -had met his steward with the needful, so that he was now in a situation -to undeceive all those who had decreed him a man of straw. He added, -that he intended to convince his creditors that they were wrong in -distressing an honest man who would have long since satisfied their -claims, had his steward been more punctual in the remittance of his -rents. - -"In reality, on the following day he called a meeting of his creditors, -and paid them all to the last maravedi. No sooner did the very -friends who had abandoned him in poverty hear of these extraordinary -proceedings, than they quickly flocked around him, to flatter him by -their homage, hoping to enjoy themselves again at his expense; but he -was not to be caught a second time. Faithful to the vow he had made in -the forest, he treated them with disdain, and changing entirely his -course of life, he devoted himself to the study of the law with zeal -and assiduity. - -"However, you will say, he was all this while conscientiously expending -double-pistoles not very honestly acquired. To this I have no reply to -make than that he did what nine-tenths of the world are daily doing in -similar circumstances. He of course intended to make proper restitution -at some future time; that is, if he should chance to discover to whom -the doubloons belonged. In the meantime, tranquillizing himself with -the goodness of his intentions, he disposed of the money without -scruple, patiently awaiting this discovery, which nevertheless he made -before twelve months were over. - -"About this time, it was reported in Salamanca that a citizen of that -town, one Ambrosio Piquillo, having gone to the neighbouring wood to -seek for a bag, filled with gold and silver coin, which he had there -deposited nearly a year before, had turned up only the earth in which -he had buried it, and that this misfortune had reduced the poor man to -beggary. - -"I must say, in justice to Bahabon, that the secret reproaches of -his conscience were not made in vain. He ascertained the dwelling of -Ambrosio, whom he found in a wretched chamber whose entire furniture -consisted of a truckle-bed and a single chair. 'My friend,' said he -with admirable hypocrisy as he entered, 'I have heard the public report -of the cruel accident which has befallen you, and, charity obliging us -to aid one another according to our means, I have come to bring you a -trifling assistance; but I should like to hear from yourself the story -of your misfortune.' - -"'Signor cavalier,' replied Piquillo, 'I will relate it to you in a few -words. I had the misfortune to have a son who robbed me. Discovering -his dishonesty, and fearing that he would help himself to a leathern -sack in which there were two hundred and fifty doubloons, I thought -I could not do better than bury them in the wood to which I had the -imprudence to take them. Since that unlucky day, my son has stripped me -of all else that I possessed, and he at last disappeared with a woman -whom he had carried off by force. Finding myself thus reduced by the -libertinage of my worthless child, or rather by my misplaced indulgence -for his faults, I determined on recourse to the leathern bag; but -alas! my only remaining means of subsistence had been cruelly carried -away.' - -"As the poor man recounted his loss, his grief was renewed, and his -tears fell fast as he spoke, Don Pablos, affected at beholding them, -said to him: 'My dear Ambrosio, we must console ourselves for all the -crosses we encounter during life. Your tears are useless; they cannot -bring back your double-pistoles, which, if some scoundrel has laid -hands on them, are indeed lost to you. But who knows? They may have -fallen into the possession of some worthy man, who, when he learns -that they belong to you, will hasten to restore them. You may yet see -them again: live at least in that hope; and, in the meanwhile,' added -he, giving him ten of his own doubloons, 'take these, and come to me -in a week from this time.' He then gave his name and address, and went -out overwhelmed with confusion at the benedictions heaped upon him by -Ambrosio, who could not find words to express his gratitude. Such, for -the most part, are your generous actions: you would find little cause -for admiration, could you but penetrate their motives. - -"At the week's end, Piquillo, mindful of what Don Pablos had said to -him, went to his house. Bahabon received him kindly, and said to him: -'My friend, from the excellent character I everywhere hear of you, I -have resolved to contribute all in my power to set you on your feet -again: my interest and my purse shall not be wanting to effect this. -As a beginning in the business,' he continued, 'what think you I have -already done? I am intimate with several persons as much distinguished -by their charity as their station: these I have sought; and I have so -effectually inspired them with compassion for your situation, that I -have collected from them two hundred crowns, which I am about to give -you.' As he finished, he went into his cabinet, whence he returned in -a moment with a linen bag, in which he had placed this sum in silver, -and not in doubloons, for fear that the citizen, on receiving so many -double-pistoles, should begin to suspect the truth; whereas, by this -piece of management, he effectually secured his object, which was to -make restitution in such a manner as might conciliate his reputation -with his conscience. - -"Ambrosio, far from thinking that these crowns were a portion of -his money restored, took them, in good faith, as the product of a -collection made on his behalf; and, after repeatedly thanking Don -Pablos for his kindness, he returned to his habitation, grateful to -Heaven for having created a cavalier who took so much interest in his -misfortunes. - -"On the following day he met one of his friends, who was in no better -plight than himself, and who said to him: 'I leave Salamanca to-morrow, -to set out for Cadiz, where I intend to embark in a vessel bound for -New Spain. I have no great reason to be contented with my position -here, and my heart tells me I shall be more fortunate in Mexico. If you -will take my advice, you will go with me; that is, if you have but a -hundred crowns.' 'I should not have much trouble to find two hundred,' -replied Piquillo; 'and I would undertake this voyage willingly, were -I sure to gain a living in the Indies.' Thereupon, his friend boasted -of the fertility of New Spain, and represented to him so many ways -of there enriching himself, that Ambrosio, yielding to his powers of -persuasion, now thought of nothing but the necessary preparations for -setting out with his friend to Cadiz. But before he left Salamanca, he -took care to address a letter to Bahabon, informing him that, finding a -promising opportunity of going to the Indies, he was anxious to profit -by it, in order to see whether Fortune could be induced to smile more -kindly on him in another country than in his own; that he took the -liberty of stating this to him, assuring him that he should gratefully -preserve during life the remembrance of his goodness. - -"The departure of Ambrosio somewhat annoyed Don Pablos, as it -disconcerted the plan he had formed for discharging the debt he owed -him. But, when he reflected that the poor citizen might in a few -years return to Salamanca, he became gradually reconciled to what had -happened, and applied himself more diligently than ever to master the -complications of civil and ecclesiastical legalities. So great was the -progress he made, as much by the powers of his mind and its aptitude -for his profession, as by the application I have spoken of, that he -became a shining light in the university, of which he was ultimately -chosen rector. In this position he was not contented to sustain its -dignity by the extent and solidity of his scientific acquirements; -he searched so deeply into his own heart, that he acquired all those -habits of virtue which constitute a man of worth. - -"During his rectorship, he learned that in one of the prisons of -Salamanca there was a young man accused of rape. On hearing this, he -remembered that Piquillo's son had carried off a woman by force. He -therefore made inquiries as to this prisoner, and, finding that it was -indeed the son of Ambrosio, he generously undertook his defence. What -deserves most to be admired in the science of the law, Signor Student, -is, that it furnishes arms for offence and defence equally; and as our -rector was an adroit fencer with these deadly weapons, he used them to -good effect on this occasion in favour of the accused. It is true, that -he joined to his legal skill the interest of his friends, and the most -pressing solicitation, which, probably, as in most cases, did more than -all the rest. - -"The guilty youth, therefore, came out of this affair whiter than snow. -On going to thank his liberator, the latter said to him: 'It is out -of respect for your father that I have rendered you this service. I -love him; and to give you a further proof of my affection for him, if -you will live in this town, and here lead the life of an honest man, I -will take care of your welfare; if, on the contrary, you desire, like -Ambrosio, to seek your fortune in the Indies, you may reckon on fifty -pistoles for your outfit: I present them to you.' The young Piquillo -replied: 'Since I am honoured by the protection of your lordship, I -should be wrong to quit a place where I enjoy so great an advantage. -I will not leave Salamanca, and I promise you solemnly that I will -conduct myself to your satisfaction.' On this assurance, the rector -placed in his hands twenty pistoles, saying: 'Take this, my friend; -embrace some honest profession; employ your time well, and rely on it -that I will not abandon you.' - -"Two months afterwards, it happened that the young Piquillo, who from -time to time paid his respects to Don Pablos, one day appeared before -him in tears. 'What ails you?' asked Bahabon. 'Signor,' replied the -son of Ambrosio, 'I have just heard news which cuts me to the soul. My -father has been taken by a corsair of Algiers, and is at this moment in -chains: an old Salamancan, lately returned from Barbary, where he was -ten years in captivity, and whom the fathers of Mercy have redeemed, -told me not an hour since that he had left Ambrosio in slavery. Alas!' -he added, striking his breast and tearing his hair, 'wretch that I am! -it was my infamous behaviour which reduced my father to the necessity -of burying his money, and afterwards to leave his country! It is I -who have delivered him to the barbarian who loads him with fetters. -Ah! Signor Don Pablos, why did you shield me from the vengeance of the -law? Since you love my father, you should have avenged him, and have -suffered me to expiate, by an ignominious death, the crime of having -caused all his misfortunes.' - -[Illustration: Piquillo's son before Bahabon] - -"These exclamations, evidently betokening an erring mind's return to -virtue, together with the natural expressions of the young Piquillo's -sincere grief, greatly affected the rector. 'My child,' he said to him, -'I see with pleasure that you repent of your past transgressions. Dry -up your tears: it is enough for me to know what has become of Ambrosio -to give you assurance of beholding him again. His deliverance depends -but on an easy ransom, which I shall cheerfully provide; and how great -soever may have been the sufferings he has endured, I feel persuaded -that on his return, to find in you a son restored to virtue, and filled -with tenderness for him, he will not complain of the rigour of his -destiny.' - -"Don Pablos, by this assurance, dismissed the son of Ambrosio with a -lightened heart; and, a few days afterwards, he set out for Madrid. -On his arrival in this capital, he placed in the hands of the fathers -of Mercy a purse containing a hundred pistoles, to which was attached -a label bearing these words: 'This sum is given to the fathers of -the Redemption, for the ransom of a poor citizen of Salamanca, named -Ambrosio Piquillo, now captive in Algiers.' The good monks, in their -recent voyage, acting in pursuance of the directions of the rector, did -not fail to purchase Ambrosio, and you beheld him in that slave whose -tranquil air excited your attention." - -"In my opinion," said Don Cleophas, "Bahabon has worthily repaid the -debt he owed to this luckless citizen." "Don Pablos, however," replied -Asmodeus, "thinks differently. He will not be contented until he has -restored to him both principal and interest; the delicacy of his -conscience even extends so far as to scruple at his retention of the -wealth he has gained since he has become rector of the university; and -when he sees Ambrosio, he intends saying to him: 'Ambrosio, my friend, -do not regard me as your benefactor; you behold in me the scoundrel who -disinterred the money you had buried in the wood. It is not enough that -I restore to you the doubloons I robbed you of, since by their means -it is that I have raised myself to the station I now enjoy: all that I -possess belongs to you; I will retain so much alone as you shall please -to----'" Asmodeus suddenly stopped in his relation; a trembling seized -him as he spoke, and an unearthly paleness overspread his visage. - -[Illustration: the magician discovers Asmodeus's absence] - -"Why, what's the matter now?" exclaimed the Student; "what wonderful -emotion agitates you thus, and chains your willing tongue?" "Ah! Signor -Leandro," answered the Demon with tremulous voice, "what misery for me! -The magician who kept me prisoned in my bottle, has discovered that I -am absent without leave; and prepares e'en now such mighty spiritings, -to call me back to his laboratory, as I must fain obey." "Alas!" -exclaimed Zambullo, quite affected, "I am mortified beyond expression! -What a loss am I about to suffer! Must we, then, my dear Asmodeus, -separate for ever?" - -"I trust not," replied the Devil. "The magician may require some -office of my ministry; and if I have the fortune to assist him in his -projects, perhaps, out of gratitude, he may restore me to liberty. -Should that arrive, as I hope it may, rely on my rejoining you at once; -on condition, however, that you reveal not to mortal ears what has this -night passed between us. Should you be weak enough to confide this to -any one, I warn you," continued Asmodeus emphatically, "that you will -never see me more. - -[Illustration: Asmodeus embraces Zambullo] - -"I have one consolation in leaving you," he resumed, "which is, that at -least I have made your fortune. You will marry the lovely Seraphina, -into whose bosom it has been my business to instil a doting passion -for your lordship. The Signor Don Pedro de Escolano, too, has made up -his mind to bestow her hand upon you: and do you take care not to let -so splendid a gift escape your own. But, mercy on me!" he concluded, -"I hear already the potent master who constrains me; all Hell resounds -with the echoes of the fearful words pronounced by this redoubtable -magician: I dare not stay a moment longer. Farewell, my dear Zambullo! -We may meet again." As he ceased, he embraced Don Cleophas, and, after -having dropped the Student in his own apartment on his way to the -laboratory, disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - -OF THE DOINGS OF DON CLEOPHAS AFTER ASMODEUS HAD LEFT HIM; AND OF THE -MODE IN WHICH THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK HAS THOUGHT FIT TO END IT. - - -Upon the retreat of Asmodeus, the Student, feeling fatigued at having -passed all the night upon his legs, and by the extraordinary bustle in -which he had been occupied, undressed himself and went to bed. Agitated -as his mind may be supposed to have been, it is no wonder that he lay -for some time restless; but at last, paying with compound interest to -Morpheus the tribute which all mortals owe to his sombre majesty, he -fell into a deathlike sleep, in which he passed the whole of that day -and the following night. - -Twenty-four hours had he been thus lost to the world, when Don Luis de -Lujana, a young cavalier whom he numbered among his friends, entered -his chamber, singing out lustily, "Hollo! Signor Don Cleophas, get up -with you!" At this salutation, Zambullo awoke. "Are you aware," said -Don Luis to him, "that you have been in bed since yesterday morning?" -"Impossible!" exclaimed Leandro. "Not the less true for that," replied -his friend; "twice have you slept the clock's dull round. All the -inmates of the house assure me of this fact." - -[Illustration: Zambullo awakened by his friend] - -The Student, astonished at the trance from which he emerged, feared at -first that his adventures with Asmodeus were but an illusion. He could -not, however, persist in this belief; and when he recalled to himself -certain circumstances of his intercourse with the Demon, he soon ceased -to doubt of its reality. But, to make assurance doubly sure, he rose, -dressed himself quickly, and went out with Don Luis, whom he took, -without saying why, in the direction of the Gate of the Sun. Arrived -there, and perceiving the mansion of Don Pedro almost reduced to ashes, -Don Cleophas feigned surprise. "What do I behold?" he cried. "What -dreadful ravages has fire made here! To whom did this unlucky house -belong, and when was it thus consumed?" - -Don Luis de Lujana, having replied to these two questions, thus -continued: "This fire is less spoken of in the town on account of the -great damage it has done, than for a circumstance which attended it, -and of which I will tell you. The Signor Don Pedro de Escolano has an -only daughter, who is lovely as the day: they say that she was in a -room all filled with fire and smoke, in which it seemed certain she -must perish; but that nevertheless her life was saved by a youthful -cavalier, whose name I have not heard;--it forms the subject of -conversation throughout Madrid. The young man's daring is lauded to the -skies; and it is believed that, as a reward for his success, however -humble my gentleman may be, he may well hope to gain a life interest in -the daughter of the Don." - -Leandro Perez listened to Don Luis without appearing to take the -slightest interest in what he heard; then getting rid of his friend, -under some specious pretext, he gained the Prado, where, seating -himself beneath a tree, he was soon plunged in a profound reverie. The -Devil first came flitting through his mind. "Ah! my dear Asmodeus," -he exclaimed, "I cannot too much regret you. You, in a moment, would -have borne me round the world; and, with you, should I have journeyed -without any of the usual devilries of travelling: gentle spirit, you -are a loss indeed! But," he added a moment afterwards, "my loss, -perhaps, is not quite irreparable: why should I despair of seeing -the Demon again? It may fall out, as he himself suggested, that the -magician will shortly restore him to freedom and to me." As the Devil -left his mind the lady entered it; upon which he resolved at once to -seek Don Pedro in his temporary abode, moved principally by curiosity -to see the lovely Seraphina. - -As soon as he appeared before Don Pedro, that signor rushed towards -him with open arms, and embracing him, exclaimed: "Welcome! generous -cavalier, I began to feel angry at your absence. 'What!' said I, 'Don -Cleophas, after the pressing invitation which I gave him to my house, -still to shun my sight! He ill indeed repays the impatience of my soul -to testify for him the friendship and esteem which fill it.'" - -Zambullo bowed respectfully at this kindly objurgation; and, in -order to excuse his seeming coldness, replied to the old man, that -he had feared to incommode him in the confusion which the event of -the preceding day must have occasioned. "I cannot listen to such an -excuse," resumed Don Pedro; "you can never be unwelcome in a house -which but for your noble conduct would have been a house of mourning -indeed. But," he added, "follow me, if you please; you have other -thanks than mine to receive." And taking the Student's hand, he led him -to the apartment of Seraphina. - -"My child," said Don Pedro, as he entered the room, where this lady was -reposing from the noon-day heat, "I present to you the gentleman who so -courageously saved your life. Show to him now, if you can, how deeply -sensible you are of the obligation he conferred, since the danger from -which he rescued you deprived you of the power to do so on the spot." -On this, the Signora Seraphina, opening a mouth of roses to express the -gratitude of her heart to Leandro Perez, paid him in compliments so -warm and graceful, as would charm my readers as much as they did their -blushing object, could I repeat each honeyed word; but as they have not -been faithfully reported, I think it better to omit them altogether, -than chance to spoil them by my own imperfect knowledge in such -matters. - -[Illustration: Seraphina thanks Zambullo] - -I will only say, that Don Cleophas thought he beheld and listened to -some bright divinity, and that he was at once the victim of his eyes -and ears. To say that he loved her, is a thing of course; but, far -from regarding the beauteous form before him as a possession to which -he might aspire, his heart foreboded, despite all that the Demon had -assured him, that they would never pay at such a price the service they -imagined him to have rendered. As her charms increased in their effect -upon his mind, doubts, teasing doubts, came threatening to destroy the -infant Hope, first-cherished child of Love. - -What completed his mystification on the subject, was, that Don Pedro -during the lengthened conversation which ensued, not once e'en touched -upon the tender theme; but contented himself with loading him with -civilities, without hinting in the slightest degree that he had any -desire for the honour of his relationship. Seraphina, too, as polite -as her father, while she did not fail in expressions of the deepest -gratitude, dropped no one word whose magic charm would serve Zambullo -to conjure visions of wedding joys; so that our Student left the Signor -Escolano and his daughter with Love as his companion, but leaving Hope -behind him. - -"Asmodeus, my friend," he muttered as he walked along, as though the -Devil still were by his side, "when you assured me that Don Pedro was -disposed to adopt me as his son-in-law, and that Seraphina burned with -passion lighted in her heart by you for me, it must have pleased you to -make merry at my cost, or else you know as little of the present time -as of that which is to come." - -He now regretted that he had ever seen the dangerous beauty; and -looking on the love which filled his breast as an unhappy passion -which he ought to stifle in its infancy, he resolved to set about it -in earnest. He even reproached himself for having desired to gain his -point, supposing he had found the father all disposed to give his -daughter to him; and represented to himself that it would have been -disgraceful to have owed his happiness to a deception like that he had -projected. - -He was yet occupied with these reflections, when Don Pedro, having sent -to seek him on the following day, said to him: "Signor Leandro Perez, -it is time I proved to you by deeds, that in obliging me you have not -to do with one of those who repay a benefit in courtly phrases. You -saved my daughter: and I wish that she, herself, should recompense -the peril you encountered for her sake. I have consulted Seraphina -thereupon, and find her ready to obey my will; nay, I can say with -pride, I recognized her for my child indeed when I proposed that she -should give her hand to him who saved her life. She showed her joy by -transports which at once convinced my soul her generosity responds to -mine. It is settled therefore that you shall marry with my daughter." - -After having spoken thus, the good Signor de Escolano, who reasonably -expected that Don Cleophas would have gone down on his knees to thank -him for so great a boon, was sufficiently surprised to find him -speechless, and displaying an evident embarrassment. "Speak, Zambullo!" -he at length exclaimed. "What am I to infer from the confusion which -my proposition to you has occasioned? What possible objection can you -have? What! a private gentleman--although respectable--to refuse an -alliance which a noble would have courted! Has then the honour of my -house some blemish of which I am ignorant?" - -[Illustration: the marriage of Zambullo and Seraphina] - -"Signor," replied Leandro, "I know too well the space that Heaven has -set between us." "Why then," returned Don Pedro, "seem you to care -so little for a marriage which does you so much honour? Confess! Don -Cleophas, you love some maiden, and have pledged your faith; and it -is your honour now which bars your road to fortune." "Had I," replied -the Student, "a mistress to whom my vows had bound my future fate, it -is not fortune that should bid me break them; but it is no such tie -that now compels me to reject your proffered bounty. Honour, it is -true, compels me to renounce the glorious destiny that you would tempt -me with; but, far from seeking to abuse your kindness, I am about to -undeceive you to my own undoing. I am not the deliverer of Seraphina." - -"What do I hear!" exclaimed Don Pedro, in utter astonishment. "It was -not you who rescued Seraphina from the flames which threatened her with -instant death! It was not Don Cleophas who had the courage to risk his -life to save her!" "No, Signor," replied Zambullo; "mortal man would -have vainly essayed to shield her from her fate; learn that it was a -devil to whom you owe your daughter's life." - -These words only increased the astonishment of Don Pedro, who, not -conceiving that he was to understand them literally, entreated the -Student to explain himself. Upon which Leandro, regardless of the loss -of the Demon's friendship, related all that had passed between Asmodeus -and himself. Having finished, the old man resumed, and said to Don -Cleophas: "The confidence you have reposed in me confirms me in my -design of giving you my daughter. You were her chief deliverer. Had you -not thus intreated the Devil whom you speak of to snatch her from the -death which menaced her, it is clear that he would have suffered her -to perish. It is you then who preserved the life of Seraphina, which -cannot be better devoted than to the happiness of your own. You deserve -her; and I again offer you her hand with the half of my estate." - -Leandro Perez at these words, which removed all his conscientious -scruples, threw himself at the feet of Don Pedro to thank him for -his generosity. In a few weeks, the marriage was celebrated with -a magnificence suitable to the espousal of the heir of the Signor -de Escolano, and to the great satisfaction of the relations of our -Student, who was thus amply repaid for the few hours' freedom he had -procured for the Devil on Two Sticks. - -[Illustration: tailpiece of Asmodeus in his bottle] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Asmodeus; or, The Devil on Two Sticks, by -Alain-René Le Sage - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 51145 *** |