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diff --git a/old/51145-h/51145-h.htm b/old/51145-h/51145-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 65071d0..0000000 --- a/old/51145-h/51145-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12372 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Asmodeus; Or The Devil on Two Sticks, by Alain René Le Sage. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - color: #CCCCCC; -} /* page numbers */ - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -a:link {color: #800000; text-decoration: none; } -v:link {color: #800000; text-decoration: none; } - -caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.figleft { - float: left; - clear: left; - margin-left: 0; - margin-bottom: 1em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-right: 1em; - padding: 0; - text-align: center; -} - -.figright { - float: right; - clear: right; - margin-left: 1em; - margin-bottom: - 1em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-right: 0; - padding: 0; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poem { - margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; - text-align: left; -} - -.poem br {display: none;} - -.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 51145 ***</div> - - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/cover.png" width="500" alt="cover" /> -</div> - - - - - -<h1>ASMODEUS;</h1> -<h3>OR,</h3> -<h2>The Devil on Two Sticks.</h2> - - -<h2>By ALAIN RENÉ LE SAGE.</h2> - - -<h4>WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR,</h4> -<h4>By JULES JANIN.</h4> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> -<img src="images/ch02pic02andtitlepage.png" width="350" alt="Asmodeus and Zambullo fly over Madrid" /> -</div> - - -<h4>Illustrated by TONY JOHANNOT.</h4> - -<h4>[Translated by Joseph Thomas.]</h4> - - -<h5>GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS,</h5> -<h5>LONDON: BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL.</h5> -<h5>NEW YORK: 416 BROOME STREET.</h5> - - -<h5>1879.</h5> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h4>TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialw.png" width="75" height="78" alt="W" /> -</div> - -<p>When I first determined on the publication -of a new edition of "<span class="smcap">The Devil on Two -Sticks</span>," 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 <span class="smcap">Le Diable Boiteux</span> was so little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> -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 <span class="smcap">Asmodeus</span> for the benefit of those who have -not the inestimable pleasure of comprehending him in -his <i>native</i> tongue—for, as Jules Janin observes, he is a -Devil truly French.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p> - -<p>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 <a href="#Page_162">162</a>: 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 70%; font-size: 0.8em;">JOSEPH THOMAS.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/prefacetailpiece.png" width="100" height="104" alt="dragon tailpiece" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - - -<h4>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h4> - - -<div class="center" style="font-size: 0.8em;"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="70%" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left">TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_vii">vii</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF LE SAGE.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_xv">xv</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER I.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">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.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER II.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">WHAT FOLLOWED THE DELIVERANCE OF ASMODEUS.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER III.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">WHERE THE DEVIL TRANSLATED THE STUDENT; AND THE FIRST -FRUITS OF HIS ECCLESIASTICAL ELEVATION.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE -BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE CESPEDES.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER V.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE -BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE CESPEDES.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">NEW OBJECTS DISPLAYED TO DON CLEOPHAS; AND HIS REVENGE -ON DONNA THOMASA.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE PRISON, AND THE PRISONERS.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">OF VARIOUS PERSONS EXHIBITED TO DON CLEOPHAS BY ASMODEUS, -WHO REVEALS TO THE STUDENT WHAT EACH HAS DONE IN -HIS DAY.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE MADHOUSE, AND ITS INMATES.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER X.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE SUBJECT OF WHICH IS INEXHAUSTIBLE.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">OF THE FIRE, AND THE DOINGS OF ASMODEUS ON THE OCCASION, -OUT OF FRIENDSHIP FOR DON CLEOPHAS.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">OF THE TOMBS, OF THEIR SHADES, AND OF DEATH.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE TRAGIC POET AND THE COMIC -AUTHOR.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">CONTINUATION, AND CONCLUSION, OF THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_289">289</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE DREAMERS.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">IN WHICH ORIGINALS ARE SEEN OF WHOM COPIES ARE RIFE.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_353">353</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">RELATING TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH THE DEVIL EXHIBITED -TO THE STUDENT.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_365">365</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">THE CAPTIVES.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_378">378</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XX.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">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.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_394">394</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><h3>CHAPTER XXI.</h3></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">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.</td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#Page_410">410</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/contentstailpiece.png" width="100" height="89" alt="tailpiece: cul-de-lampe with mask" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 276px;"> -<img src="images/lesagenoticebust.png" width="276" height="213" alt="Bust of Le Sage between Asmodeus and Gil Blas" /> -</div> - -<h4>NOTICE OF LE SAGE.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiali.png" width="75" height="73" alt="I" /> -</div> - -<p>I shall at once place <span class="smcap">Le Sage</span> by the side of Molière; -he is a comic poet in all the acceptation of that great word,—<span class="smcap">Comedy</span>. -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>René Le Sage was born in the Morbihan, on the 8th of May, -1668:<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> 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 -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span>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.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 10%;"> -"Haud facile emergunt, quorum virtutibus obstat<br /> -Res angusta domi."<br /> -</p> - -<p>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 <i>Hosanna in excelsis!</i> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[Pg xx]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[Pg xxi]</a></span> -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 -<i>continuation</i>. 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[Pg xxii]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[Pg xxiii]</a></span> -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!</p> - -<p>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!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">[Pg xxiv]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>ultima ratio</i> 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.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> -The success of "Turcaret" (1709) was immense; the Parisian -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">[Pg xxv]</a></span>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 <i>chef-d'oeuvre</i> lost to us for ever; and never, -that we know of, would the good men on 'Change have dealt us a -more fatal blow.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">[Pg xxvi]</a></span> -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, "<span class="smcap">Le Diable -Boiteux</span>."</p> - -<p>And now, <i>sauve qui peut!</i> 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."</p> - -<p>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 <i>mélanges</i>, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvii" id="Page_xxvii">[Pg xxvii]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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).</p> - -<p>To give you an idea of the popularity that this man enjoyed even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxviii" id="Page_xxviii">[Pg xxviii]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>But what, I pray you, had they done, were it a question then of -the "<span class="smcap">Diable Boiteux</span>" illustrated by <span class="smcap">Tony Johannot</span>?</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 70%; font-size: 0.8em;">JULES JANIN.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="tailpiece: foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/ch01headpiece.png" width="320" height="170" alt="a street in Madrid" /> -</div> - -<h3>ASMODEUS; -OR, THE DEVIL ON TWO STICKS.</h3> - -<hr class="tb" /> - - -<h5><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></h5> - - -<h4>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.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiala.png" width="75" height="76" alt="A" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic01.png" width="262" height="162" alt="Zambullo fleeing from the hired assassins" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic02.png" width="248" height="285" alt="Lucifer, the mountebank's devil" /> -</div> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> -"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic03.png" width="262" height="262" alt="Uriel, patron of tradesmen" /> -</div> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic04.png" width="269" height="225" alt="Leviathan, Belphegor and Ashtaroth" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 203px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic05.png" width="203" height="250" alt="Flagel" /> -</div> - -<p>"For myself, I have other occupations: I make absurd -matches; I marry greybeards with minors, masters with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -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 -<span class="smcap">Asmodeus</span>, surnamed <span class="smcap">The Devil on Two Sticks</span>."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic06.png" width="265" height="276" alt="Asmodeus revealed to Zambullo" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic07.png" width="220" height="296" alt="Detail of the cloak: the Spanish lady and her admirer" /> -</div> - -<p>But all this was nothing as compared with his cloak, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 260px;"> -<img src="images/ch01pic08.png" width="260" height="174" alt="The gamesters" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecestrapwork.png" width="200" height="97" alt="foliate strapwork tailpiece" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER II.</h5> - - -<h4>WHAT FOLLOWED THE DELIVERANCE OF ASMODEUS.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialu.png" width="75" height="78" alt="U" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -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?"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>do</i> tell tales."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch02pic01.png" width="262" height="286" alt="Asmodeus carried off" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> -<img src="images/ch02pic02andtitlepage.png" width="248" height="174" alt="Asmodeus and Zambullo flying over Madrid" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER III.</h5> - - -<h4>WHERE THE DEVIL TRANSLATED THE STUDENT; AND THE FIRST -FRUITS OF HIS ECCLESIASTICAL ELEVATION.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialc.png" width="75" height="75" alt="C" /> -</div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic01.png" width="266" height="227" alt="The miser counting his gold and silver" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic02.png" width="220" height="284" alt="The miser's nephews consulting the sorceress" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -His valet is now easing him of an arm and one leg, to put him -to bed with the rest."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic03.png" width="254" height="263" alt="The valet removing the sexagenarian's wooden leg" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -dispute her favour;—nay, they have even come to blows on -the occasion. Madmen! two dogs fighting for a bone.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic04.png" width="242" height="304" alt="The old lady being unlaced by her maid" /> -</div> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic05.png" width="254" height="255" alt="The amateur concert" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic06.png" width="266" height="297" alt="Don Torribio soothing Donna Fabula" /> -</div> - -<p>"But see,—a little beyond," continued the Demon: "in that -low room, you may observe an old wretch who is anointing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"That devil and you then," said the Scholar, "are not good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic07.png" width="264" height="142" alt="The apothecary, his wife, and his assistant" /> -</div> - -<p>"I perceive, in the house facing the apothecary's," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 219px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic08.png" width="219" height="215" alt="The poet, composing his dedication" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -contents of his coffers for fear of accidents. They may make -a merit of their visit, by informing his unfortunate depositors -of their loss."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic09.png" width="255" height="276" alt="The brigands opening the banker's safe" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic10.png" width="250" height="164" alt="The registrar and Griffael" /> -</div> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic11.png" width="265" height="267" alt="The widow, her lover , and her uncle" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic12.png" width="251" height="265" alt="Donoso receives the pages in his apartment" /> -</div> - -<p>"In the same house with the registrar lives a stout graduate, -who has been lame from his birth, but who has not his equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> -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.'"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 180px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic13.png" width="180" height="201" alt="The cavalier serenades his inamorata" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic14.png" width="267" height="292" alt="The expiring duellists" /> -</div> - -<p>"How much to be lamented," interrupted the Student, "is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic15.png" width="253" height="201" alt="The canon's nephew and niece steal his possessions" /> -</div> - -<p>"Close by, you may perceive the funeral of two brothers;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -and each deems it a duty to his country, to see the others -under the table."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 194px;"> -<img src="images/ch03pic16.png" width="194" height="167" alt="The three drinkers" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/ch03tailpiece.png" width="100" height="55" alt="tailpiece" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER IV.</h5> - - -<h4>STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT DE BELFLOR AND LEONORA -DE CESPEDES.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiall.png" width="75" height="76" alt="L" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic01.png" width="258" height="259" alt="Leonora, Marcella and the old woman" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -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!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 247px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic02.png" width="247" height="163" alt="At the house of La Chichona" /> -</div> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic03.png" width="239" height="289" alt="Belflor woos Leonora" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic04.png" width="264" height="203" alt="Belflor bribes Marcella" /> -</div> - -<p>As she knew Leonora to be strictly virtuous, she was -extremely cautious of exciting the least suspicion of her intelligence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -you know my affection: does your heart incline towards the -Count, or would it be very disagreeable to marry such a man?"</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -no such favourable thoughts: he thinks not of me as one worthy -to bear his name, but seeks only my dishonour."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 218px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic05.png" width="218" height="263" alt="Belflor climbs up to Leonora's balcony" /> -</div> - -<p>"What do I hear?" exclaimed the Count,—"never to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Only a few days ago," continued he, "the King was pleased<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"And I should die with grief and despair," cried our courtier. -"But madam," continued he, addressing himself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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?"</p> - -<p>"I should never have done, Signor Don Cleophas," continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 165px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic06.png" width="165" height="238" alt="Don Luis de Cespedes looking out of the window" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic07.png" width="264" height="276" alt="Don Luis confronts Leonora and Marcella" /> -</div> - -<p>They were in a moment on their knees before him; and, as -he raised his arm, the trembling duenna exclaimed: "In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -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?"</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch04pic08.png" width="264" height="181" alt="The lady, her husband and her lover" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -sake of his gold; and is unfaithful to him in favour of her -husband, from inclination."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 192px;"> -<img src="images/ch04tailpiece.png" width="192" height="158" alt="Tailpiece of a gentleman in a rustic landscape" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER V.</h5> - - -<h4>CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE LOVES OF THE COUNT -DE BELFLOR AND LEONORA DE CESPEDES.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiald.png" width="75" height="75" alt="D" /> -</div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic01.png" width="239" height="234" alt="Don Luis de Cespedes interviews Belflor" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -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?"</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic02.png" width="265" height="275" alt="Marcella tries to console Leonora" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -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:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">My still dearest Belflor</span>,</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Leonora</span>."</p></blockquote> - -<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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!"</p> - -<p>Belflor, thus divided between love and ambition, knew not -how to resolve; but although undetermined whether he should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"But this young man," resumed Asmodeus, "was not then -at Alcala, as his father imagined. Love had brought him also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 214px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic03.png" width="214" height="280" alt="Portrait of Don Pedro" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>Don Pedro also drew his sword, their weapons were crossed -in a moment, and a furious combat ensued; but although the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Don Pedro, filled with a natural gratitude, then begged the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic04.png" width="245" height="276" alt="The swordfight" /> -</div> - -<p>"Well," said Belflor to him, "I will this night give you an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -it was not exactly paid after the kind of that of Leonora for the -Count."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -every servant in my house, to punish his treachery and thy -despicable meanness."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic05.png" width="268" height="290" alt="Don Pedro restrains Don Luis from attacking Belflor" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 269px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic06.png" width="269" height="198" alt="Don Luis raises Leonora" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>After his departure, Don Luis left Leonora with the duenna, -taking with him his son, who, when they had reached his father's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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!</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic07.png" width="242" height="255" alt="Don Pedro kneels before his fair unknown" /> -</div> - -<p>She accompanied these words with so many and such heart-rending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> -<img src="images/ch05pic08.png" width="263" height="204" alt="Belflor presents Eugenia" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>As Belflor remarked his sister with great attention, he thought -he could discover, notwithstanding her reserve, which he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <i>Monasterio de las Arrepentidas</i>, where the thousand pistoles -she received for seducing Leonora will enable her to -repent having done so for the rest of her days.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 184px;"> -<img src="images/ch05tailpiece.png" width="184" height="176" alt="talilpiece of a gentleman in a landscape with a tower" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER VI.</h5> - - -<h4>NEW OBJECTS DISPLAYED TO DON CLEOPHAS; AND HIS REVENGE -ON DONNA THOMASA.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialt.png" width="75" height="78" alt="T" /> -</div> - -<p>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.'</p> - -<p>"While the marquis enjoys so tranquilly the sweet repose of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> -<img src="images/ch06pic01.png" width="259" height="290" alt="The author at work" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> -<img src="images/ch06pic02.png" width="263" height="273" alt="La Chichona and La Pebrada divide the profits" /> -</div> - -<p>"La Pebrada is the more successful of the two: she has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -the first to answer it with a horsewhip. What! can Religion -forbid the preservation of one's honour?"</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch06pic03.png" width="264" height="221" alt="The inquisitor nursed by two penitents" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -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.'"</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>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?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -tenderness for your mistress: their swords will be out in no -time, and you will be delighted with the uproar."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch06pic04.png" width="264" height="232" alt="The guests quarrel over Donna Thomasa" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -though it interfered with mine and my interests,—provided -always, that it is safe to indulge you."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 193px;"> -<img src="images/ch06pic05.png" width="193" height="136" alt="Donna Thomasa in prison" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecestrapwork.png" width="200" height="97" alt="foliate strapwork tailpiece" /> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER VII.</h5> - - -<h4>THE PRISON, AND THE PRISONERS.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiala.png" width="75" height="76" alt="A" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"To begin, in that large cell to the right are four men sleeping -in two beds; one of them is an innkeeper, accused of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"His bedfellow is an assassin by profession;—not a soldier, -but one of those scoundrels who are called <i>Valientes</i>, 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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -boast, in broad day-light, for the express purpose of proclaiming -her disgrace."</p> - -<p>"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 <i>aúto de fé</i>."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -ghosts, depend upon it, have the highest respect for an old -campaigner, whose hairs have whitened under arms.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic01.png" width="266" height="291" alt="William kneels before the serjeant" /> -</div> - -<p>"'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -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!"'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic02.png" width="266" height="270" alt="The serjeant speaks to his host and hostess" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -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."'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic03.png" width="264" height="252" alt="The serjeant is restrained from attacking William" /> -</div> - -<p>"Egad!" cried Don Cleophas, "our holy inquisition is ever -alive to its interests. No sooner do they light upon a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>picaros;</i> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> -and in whose favour he stood so high that she had none left to -grant him.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"Don Como failed not to ask what it was that Domingo's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic04.png" width="259" height="279" alt="The page flattering Don Como" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Don Como de la Higuera</span>.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"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:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -still more wrong to dare to tell you so. If it be a fault in me, -your virtues have caused, and must excuse it.</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Donna Luziana</span>.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>fiesta del sotillo</i>, Domingo -undertook to enliven this dance by a magnificent breakfast at -the intendant's expense.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic05.png" width="245" height="292" alt="Don Como serenades Luziana" /> -</div> - -<p>"'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 <i>sotillo</i>. 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic06.png" width="267" height="170" alt="Don Como at the sotillo" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> -with his lady. They were quickly brought back to -Madrid: the girl has been sent to join our friend Marcella in -<i>las Arrepentidas</i>, and Domingo is, as you perceive, as gay as -ever within the walls of this prison."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Cast your eyes into a large dungeon beneath the prisoners -I have just pointed out to you, and observe what is passing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch07pic07.png" width="266" height="165" alt="A prisoner being beaten up by his fellow inmates" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="tailpiece: foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER VIII.</h5> - - -<h4>OF VARIOUS PERSONS EXHIBITED TO DON CLEOPHAS BY ASMODEUS, -WHO REVEALS TO THE STUDENT WHAT EACH HAS DONE IN -HIS DAY.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiali2.png" width="75" height="76" alt="I" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"Well! yesterday, our hero, being without cash, applied to -one of those gentry who, instead of giving to the poor, wisely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -prescribed for my conduct, and I will endeavour religiously to -observe it while I live.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 219px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic01.png" width="219" height="258" alt="The captain and the usurer leaving church" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'"</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -'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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic02.png" width="256" height="169" alt="The two sisters in bed" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -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.'"</p> - -<p>"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, <i>en déshabille</i>, 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.'</p> - -<p>"The cavalier, as an honourable man, made up his mind on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic03.png" width="265" height="286" alt="The lover about to kiss the widow" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic04.png" width="264" height="155" alt="Breakfast at the inn" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 183px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic05.png" width="183" height="176" alt="Patricio kisses Luisita's hand" /> -</div> - -<p>"Patricio, consoled by this promise, kissed with transport -the hand of Luisita, who returned his caresses, in order to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic06.png" width="264" height="231" alt="Patricio lulled to sleep by his wife's lecture" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic07.png" width="264" height="272" alt="The two beggars in conversation" /> -</div> - -<p>"'Very true!' replied he of the one arm. 'Well, now! I -am a brother beggar; and I should be happy to ally myself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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 <i>café</i> 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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -cobbler of Mediana,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> 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.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 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 <i>capareto</i> de Viejo et de Mediana." There is a note -to the word "<i>capareto</i>" giving its translation into French as <i>savetier</i>. -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 "<i>zapatero de viejo</i>," -or, "shoemaker of old (things)," and that it should consequently have -stood in the original "<i>zapatero de viejo</i> 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.</p></div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic08.png" width="262" height="230" alt="The banker reunited with his parents" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -satisfied to accept it on these terms, immediately departed for -Mediana."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 198px;"> -<img src="images/ch08pic09.png" width="198" height="240" alt="The cobbler attempts to return the purse to his son" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -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 -<i>Casa de los locos</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 214px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecemanrock.png" width="214" height="224" alt="tailpiece of a man in a rocky landscape" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER IX.</h5> - - -<h4>THE MADHOUSE, AND ITS INMATES.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialz.png" width="75" height="78" alt="Z" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>paulo post futurum</i> 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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic01.png" width="268" height="281" alt="Zanubio and Aurora at church, observed by Don Garcia" /> -</div> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic02.png" width="263" height="219" alt="Don Garcia accosts the female gardener" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -his wife, flattering himself that this adventure would not end -disagreeably to himself.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic03.png" width="248" height="284" alt="Zanubio discovers Aurora in Garcia's embrace" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic04.png" width="251" height="284" alt="Zanubio throws himself out of the window" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -"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.</p> - -<p>"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:</p> - -<p class="p2" style="margin-left: 10%;"> -<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">SPANISH SONG.</span><br /> -<br /> -'Mine eyes gush o'er with floods of wild desire,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And hopeless love burns fiercely in my breast;</span><br /> -Yet not my tears can quench my bosom's fire,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor passion's fire my scalding tears arrest.'<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></span><br /> -</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="p2"><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> -<br /> -'Ardo y lloro sin sosiego:<br /> -Llorando y ardiendo tanto,<br /> -Que ni el llanto apaga el fuego,<br /> -Ni el fuego consume el llanto.'<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<p class="p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -"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:</p> - -<p class="p2" style="margin-left: 10%;"> -<span style="font-size: 0.8em;">FRENCH SONG.</span><br /> -<br /> -'She who within my bosom reigns,<br /> -A tyrant's stern control maintains;<br /> -Nor sighs, nor tears, nor prayers can move<br /> -The least relenting look of love.<br /> -A kind word, kindly spoken, might<br /> -Have turn'd my darkness into light;<br /> -But, since my suit is urged in vain,<br /> -I fly to feed my griefs with Payen.'<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a><br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="p2"><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> -<br /> -'L'objet qui règne dans mon coeur<br /> -Est toujours insensible à mon amour fidèle,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mes soins, mes soupirs, ma langueur,</span><br /> -Ne sauraient attendrir cette beauté cruelle.<br /> -O ciel! est-il un sort plus affreux que le mien?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah! puisque je ne puis lui plaire,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Je renonce au jour qui m'éclaire;</span><br /> -Venez, mes chers amis, m'enterrer chez Payen.'<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<p class="p2">"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.</p> - -<p>"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 -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -unable to keep up his menagerie. Well! now let us pay our -respects to the ladies," added the Devil.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> -his affections inclined towards the Donna Mencia, he paid his -court to that lady, and she shortly became his wife.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> -the chevalier, and chagrin for her wrongs, still unpunished, -drove the lady into this asylum.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Donna Emerenciana, only daughter of Don Guillem Stephani,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 238px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic05.png" width="238" height="244" alt="The mad-woman Donna Emerenciana" /> -</div> - -<p>"The lovers were of equal birth; but the lady was one of the -richest heiresses of Spain, while Don Kimen was a younger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -your heart, unless with truth upon your lips you name the -daring villain who brought, last night, dishonour on my house.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic06.png" width="263" height="293" alt="Stephani threatens Emerenciana with a dagger" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'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</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Emerenciana</span>.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> -the village of Miedes, four leagues from Siguença, where they -arrived before daybreak.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic07.png" width="232" height="181" alt="Don Kimen is kidnapped" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 260px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic08.png" width="260" height="266" alt="Assassination of the maid-servants and page" /> -</div> - -<p>"Nothing remaining to be feared from any want of discretion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic09.png" width="256" height="231" alt="The liberation of Don Kimen" /> -</div> - -<p>"'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch09pic10.png" width="268" height="189" alt="Don Kimen discovers Emerenciana has gone mad" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"The officer and his followers could not resist an inclination<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 190px;"> -<img src="images/ch09tailpiece.png" width="190" height="137" alt="Tailpiece of a physician taking Emerenciana's pulse" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER X.</h5> - - -<h4>THE SUBJECT OF WHICH IS INEXHAUSTIBLE.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialr.png" width="75" height="78" alt="R" /> -</div> - -<p>"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!"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch10pic01.png" width="264" height="270" alt="The two ladies before the magistrate" /> -</div> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -'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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>'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.'</p> - -<p>"I perceive in that house opposite," continued the Spirit,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> -"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! <i>Inter stultos referatur.</i>"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.'"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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.'"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 168px;"> -<img src="images/ch10pic02.png" width="168" height="224" alt="The old bachelor admires the diminutive slippers" /> -</div> - -<p>"We may mark that gentleman with black, at all events," -said Leandro Perez. "We may indeed," replied the Devil;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 209px;"> -<img src="images/ch10pic03.png" width="209" height="316" alt="The old cavalier wooing the young girl" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"There is not the slightest doubt," said Don Cleophas, -"that we may book a place in the <i>Casa de los locos</i> 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.</p> - -<p>"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?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -'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.</p> - -<p>"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 <i>belles -lettres;</i> 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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -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 <i>Longarenus;</i> that is to say, a -rival of low degree, who, nevertheless, is still more favoured by -the lady than himself.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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 <i>alcade de corte;</i> 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.</p> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p class="p2" style="margin-left: 10%;"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -"List, while the thousand charms I sing,<br /> -Which round thee such enchantment fling,<br /> -That even Love has plumed his wing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 4em;">To seek thy bower.</span><br /> -<br /> -"Thy neck, that shames the mountain snow,<br /> -Thy lip, that mocks the peach's glow,<br /> -Bid Cupid's self a captive bow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Beneath thy power.</span><br /> -<br /> -"Thine arched brows as bows are bent<br /> -To speed the shafts thine eyes have sent;<br /> -E'en armed Love's own mail is rent,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Resisting them.</span><br /> -<br /> -"Thou art, in sooth, a queenly maid;<br /> -Yet hast thou every heart betray'd,<br /> -That thee its trusting pole-star made;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Thou priceless gem!</span><br /> -<br /> -"Oh! would that I some spell possess'd,<br /> -While painting thee, to touch thy breast;<br /> -Thou evening star, thou heaven of rest,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Thou morning sun!"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></span><br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="p2"> -<a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> -<br /> -"Si de tu hermosura quieres<br /> -Una copia con mil gracias;<br /> -Escucha, porque pretendo<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">El pintarla.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -"Es tu frente toda nieve<br /> -Y el alabastro, batallas<br /> -Offreciò al Amor, haziendo<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">En ella vaya.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -"Amor labrò de tus cejas<br /> -Dos arcos para su aljava:<br /> -Y debaxo ha descubierto<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Quien le mata.</span><br /> - <br /> -<br /> -"Eres duena de el lugar<br /> -Vandolera de las almas,<br /> -Iman de los alvedrios,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Linda alhaja.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -"Un rasgo de tu hermosura<br /> -Quisiera yo retratarla;<br /> -Que es estrella, es cielo, es sol;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">No es sino el alva."</span><br /> -</p></div> - - -<p class="p2">"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 -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 241px;"> -<img src="images/ch10pic04.png" width="241" height="165" alt="The cavalier apprehended by the watch" /> -</div> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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 magnif<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>icent -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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/ch10tailpiece.png" width="200" height="90" alt="mask tailpiece" /> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XI.</h5> - - -<h4>OF THE FIRE, AND THE DOINGS OF ASMODEUS ON THE OCCASION, -OUT OF FRIENDSHIP FOR DON CLEOPHAS.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiali2.png" width="75" height="76" alt="I" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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 hi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>s 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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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 s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>et -about it: you can watch from hence all my operations."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>In short, they predicted for him the fate of Empedocles,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> -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.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> A Sicilian poet and philosopher, who threw himself into the crater of -Mount Ætna.</p></div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 242px;"> -<img src="images/ch11pic01.png" width="242" height="315" alt="The rescue of Seraphina" /> -</div> - -<p>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: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch11pic02.png" width="268" height="211" alt="Don Pedro and Seraphina thank Zambullo" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecestrapwork.png" width="200" height="97" alt="foliate strapwork tailpiece" /> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XII.</h5> - - -<h4>OF THE TOMBS, OF THEIR SHADES, AND OF DEATH.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiala.png" width="75" height="76" alt="A" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"In the fourth mausoleum rests a courtier who never rested -in his lifetime. Even at sixty years of age, h<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>e 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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -lives were those whom these all-breathing marbles represent?"</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"It was, however, necessary to get rid of her old confessor, -and this was not an <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -twenty-four hours after him from vexation at his not having -lived three days longer.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 187px;"> -<img src="images/ch12pic01.png" width="187" height="266" alt="The sculpture of Modesty burning the books" /> -</div> - -<p>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:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>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.'"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -doubt," replied Asmodeus; "but many which come at convenience. -Death, despite his horrors, causes at least as much -joy as grief."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> -<img src="images/ch12pic02.png" width="267" height="239" alt="Death flies over the poor man's bed" /> -</div> - -<p>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, t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>hey -depended on him for their bread; and the belly is rarely a -hypocrite.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> -<img src="images/ch12pic03.png" width="230" height="279" alt="Death approaches the pious monk" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 244px;"> -<img src="images/ch12pic04.png" width="244" height="204" alt="The grieving wife tears her hair" /> -</div> - -<p>"And now, my master, you will hear cries of real affliction," -continued the Demon. "Death<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> 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."</p> - -<p>"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 leav<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>e 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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="foliate cul-de-lampe tailpiece" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XIII.</h5> - - -<h4>THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiala.png" width="75" height="76" alt="A" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>They had not gone a hundred yards before they heard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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 s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>hall -propose to you, and your quarrel may be adjusted without a -deed of blood."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic01.png" width="262" height="275" alt="The Toledan cavalier parts the duellists" /> -</div> - -<p>"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, l<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>eave 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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic02.png" width="268" height="206" alt="Don Fabricio at the feet of Donna Theodora" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>Don Fabricio was about to reply; but the lady, placing her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"You afford me, Signor Don Fabricio," replied the Tole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>dan, -"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>me -with presents, and still more with his offers of service.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Although they corresponded frequently, I had not for some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> -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:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"'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.'</p></blockquote> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic03.png" width="232" height="250" alt="The Toledan reads the Duke's letter" /> -</div> - -<p>"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:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> -'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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -enough to deserve it.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 th<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>at 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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 245px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic04.png" width="245" height="175" alt="Fabio awakens his master" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>to -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic05.png" width="254" height="270" alt="The Toledan prepares to kill his wife" /> -</div> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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 fo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>r 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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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 charm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>ed -with the deportment of his new friend; and lost no opportunity -of endeavouring to exalt him in the estimation of the Donna -Theodora.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"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 t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>hose 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.'</p> - -<p>"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:</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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, 'y<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>ou -shall be obeyed; but be not angry if you learn from me more -than you would wish to know.</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"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!</p> - -<p>"'Regardless of the overtures of Alvaro Ponza, and little -affected by the addresses of Mendoza, I lived in t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>ranquil 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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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?'</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"'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 b<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>ut 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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic06.png" width="257" height="369" alt="The Toledan bids farewell to Donna Theodora" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> -the young passion while he strives to hush its cries.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> -<p>"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?'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -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?'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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?'</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> -<p>"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?'</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"Although Don Fabricio was one of the mildest and most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"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 safe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>ly 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?'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>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.'"</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> -power, reigned with tyranny without its walls, and was there -obeyed without scruple.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 254px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic07.png" width="254" height="253" alt="Donna Theodora carried off by the masked men" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 b<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>ore -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 apparen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>tly -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 248px;"> -<img src="images/ch13pic08.png" width="248" height="127" alt="The masked men rowing away" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>pedition -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 214px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecemanrock.png" width="214" height="224" alt="tailpiece of a man in a rocky landscape" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XIV.</h5> - - -<h4>THE SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE TRAGIC POET AND THE COMIC AUTHOR.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiall.png" width="75" height="76" alt="L" /> -</div> - -<p>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:</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"The tragic poet is vain and presumptuous, having obtai<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>ned, -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 189px;"> -<img src="images/ch14pic01.png" width="189" height="327" alt="The tragic poet at the comic author's door" /> -</div> - -<p>"'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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -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, wor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>thy 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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> -<img src="images/ch14pic02.png" width="240" height="188" alt="Phoenix assists Achilles's captives" /> -</div> - -<p>"'This is my tragedy, <span class="smcap">The Death of Patroclus</span>. 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> -I hold that, to move and overcome your spectators, you must -present to their minds images which they could never have -expected.</p> - -<p>"'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:—</p> - -<p class="p2" style="margin-left: 10%;"> -Hector shall fall; and Troy itself be spread<br /> -In ruins, to avenge Patroclus dead.<br /> -Proud Agamemnon, Camelus the grave,<br /> -Nestor the wise, and Eumelus the brave,<br /> -Leontes, skilled to hurl the spear along,<br /> -Smooth-tongued Ulysses, Diomed the strong,<br /> -Arm with Achilles. Lo! that hero drives<br /> -Tow'rds Ilium's gates—appalling Ilium's wives—<br /> -His steeds immortal, urged across the plain<br /> -So swift, the eye toils after them with pain.<br /> -But still he cries: Dear Xanthus, Balius, fly!<br /> -And when around ten thousand corses lie,<br /> -When pallid Trojans scamper off like fillies,<br /> -Regain your camp, but not without Achilles.<br /> -Xanthus replies, bowing his head: You may<br /> -Be sure, Achilles, we'll your will obey;<br /> -But, while our pace with your impatience strives,<br /> -Know that to you the fatal hour arrives—<br /> -The ox-eyed Juno thus the steed enlightening,—<br /> -And now the car moves with a speed quite frightening.<br /> -The Greeks, beholding, utter cries of joy,<br /> -So loud, they shake the very walls of Troy.<br /> -Achilles, armed by Vulcan for the war,<br /> -Appears more brilliant than the morning star;<br /> -Or like the sun, when, in its bright career,<br /> -It bursts on earth, dispelling night and fear;<br /> -Or brilliant as the fires on mountains lighted,<br /> -To guide poor swains, bewilder'd or benighted.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a><br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="p2"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> -<a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> -</p> - -<p class="p2"> -Priam va perdre Hector et sa superbe ville;<br /> -Les Grecs veulent venger le compagnon d'Achille,<br /> -Le fier Agamemnon, le divin Camélus,<br /> -Nestor, pareil aux dieux, le vaillant Eumélus,<br /> -Léonte, de la pique adroit à l'exercice,<br /> -Le nerveux Diomède, et l'éloquent Ulysse.<br /> -Achille s'y prépare, et déjà ce héros<br /> -Pousse vers Ilium ses immortels chevaux;<br /> -Pour arriver plus tôt où sa fureur l'entraîne,<br /> -Quoique l'oeil qui les voit ne les suive qu'à peine,<br /> -Il leur dit: Chers Xanthus, Balius, avancez;<br /> -Et lorsque vous serez du carnage lassés,<br /> -Quand les Troyens fuyant rentreront dans leur ville,<br /> -Regagnez notre camp, mais non pas sans Achille.<br /> -Xanthus baisse la tête, et répond par ces mots:<br /> -Achille, vous serez content de vos chevaux,<br /> -Ils vont aller au gré de votre impatience;<br /> -Mais de votre trépas l'instant fatal s'avance.<br /> -Junon aux yeux de boeuf ainsi le fait parler,<br /> -Et d'Achille aussitôt le char semble voler.<br /> -Les Grecs, en le voynt, de mille cris de joie<br /> -Soudain font retentir le rivage de Troie.<br /> -Ce prince, revêtu des armes de Vulcain,<br /> -Paraît plus éclatant que l'astre du matin,<br /> -Ou tel que le soleil, commençant sa carrière,<br /> -S'élève pour donner au monde la lumière;<br /> -Ou brillant comme un feu que les villageois font<br /> -Pendant l'obscure nuit sur le sommet du mont.<br /> -</p></div> - -<p class="p2"> -"'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,—</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 10%;"> -Or brilliant as the fires on mountains lighted,<br /> -To guide poor swains bewilder'd or benighted.<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> -</p> - -<p>"'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.</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"At these words, although the comic author endeavoured -strenuously to preserve his gravity, a burst of laughter es<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>caped -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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"'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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>receive -a thrashing, I would as soon give it you in my own room -as elsewhere.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> -<img src="images/ch14pic03.png" width="237" height="211" alt="Calidas and Giblet come to blows" /> -</div> - -<p>"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-gown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>s to -the theatre of strife, and the piece is, as you see, just terminating -by the separation of the combatants."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"It is time, however, to end this digression. I will therefore -resume the thread of the history, which you so unceremoniously -interrupted."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecestrapwork.png" width="200" height="97" alt="foliate strapwork tailpiece" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XV.</h5> - - -<h4>CONTINUATION, AND CONCLUSION, OF THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitials.png" width="75" height="72" alt="S" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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, co<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>nfirmed 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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic01.png" width="270" height="173" alt="Alvaro's attendant is carried away" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 183px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic02.png" width="183" height="197" alt="The slave on the bow of the Algerine pirate ship" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic03.png" width="268" height="255" alt="Surrender" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>m 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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 271px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic04.png" width="271" height="338" alt="Mendoza and Zarata are separated" /> -</div> - -<p>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 w<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>ith 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 263px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic05.png" width="263" height="279" alt="Mezzomorto approaches Zarata in the garden" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> -<p>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 lip<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>s -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic06.png" width="266" height="310" alt="The unhappy beauty of the seraglio" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 f<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>ain -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.</p> - -<p>"Still, all my cares seem but to add to her affliction; an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>d 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 258px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic07.png" width="258" height="231" alt="The unhappy beauty salutes Mezzomorto" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> -<p>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."</p> - -<p>As the lovely slave expressed no objection to receive her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 211px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic08.png" width="211" height="219" alt="Don Juan kisses Donna Theodora's hand" /> -</div> - -<p>"Heaven," replied the Donna Theodora, "has avenged me -on Alvaro Ponza. Had I but time to rel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>ate 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.</p> - -<p>As soon as he had finished this recital, Donna Theodora<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"He continued in this strain for some time, but in terms -which I cannot remember. To hear him, it would have seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 259px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic09.png" width="259" height="223" alt="Alvaro and his crew are killed" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 pe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>rsuaded -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 201px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic10.png" width="201" height="203" alt="Donna Theodora and Aby Aly before Mezzomorto" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>!" -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"I leave you," he continued, "as no time is to be lost: we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> -yield to your desires, and lose her love of liberty, encircled in -your arms."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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 imme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>nse -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Appointed captain, he purchased a small open vessel, and -with some Turkish seamen who had sailed with him before, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>How great was the joy of Zarata, to be able to convey -such welcome intelligence to the Donna Theodora! To<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -that your heart partakes of it? Remember, Zarata, that, in -snatching me from the Dey, you bear away your wife!"</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 224px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic11.png" width="224" height="234" alt="Portrait of Mezzomorto" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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 expec<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>ted. 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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 120px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic12.png" width="120" height="222" alt="Donna Theodora descends the ladder" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 147px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic13.png" width="147" height="169" alt="Donna Theodora and Zarata hurry away" /> -</div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic14.png" width="268" height="251" alt="Zarata stabbed by Mendoza" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 D<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>on Juan, -who fainted less from loss of blood, than from horror at the -frenzy of his friend.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic15.png" width="268" height="164" alt="Theodora, Zarata and Mendoza are carried to the boat" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> 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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 268px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic16.png" width="268" height="209" alt="Mendoza addresses Donna Theodora" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"The surprise which I exhibited at this information told t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>he -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Mendoza," interrupted the lady, "you do injustice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span></p> -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The poor old man, accompanied by the relatives of the rel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>eased -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic17.png" width="266" height="209" alt="Don Francisco de Mendoza mourning his nephew" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> the -miraculous manner in which she had been delivered from the -tyranny of Mezzomorto.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch15pic18.png" width="265" height="210" alt="Zarata falls from his horse" /> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> -Theodora whom you see, in the arms of the two women, and -who will probably soon follow him to the grave.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 229px;"> -<img src="images/ch15tailpiece.png" width="229" height="177" alt="Tailpiece of a still-life with fruit" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XVI.</h5> - - -<h4>THE DREAMERS.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiall.png" width="75" height="76" alt="L" /> -</div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"The history of these peerless friends," replied Don Cleophas, -"possesses a slight touch of the romantic, and has led us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> -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 <i>les -tableaux changeants;</i> I will gratify your taste."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"In the next apartment lies the countess, his wife, who love<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>s -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 -<i>lieutenant criminel</i>, in France, is bound to witness the execution -of the guilty wretch whom he has condemned." "I like yo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>ur -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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic01.png" width="261" height="216" alt="The lady of rank's dream" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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 <i>Benedicite</i>.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> -and the other from that of horn.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>hird, 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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic02.png" width="266" height="224" alt="The timid lover's dream" /> -</div> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic03.png" width="256" height="275" alt="Man on horseback shot by another, in ambush" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> -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.'"</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"I cannot help laughing in my turn, to see, in the room -under that of the widow, an honest cit, who lives with diffic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>ulty -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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic04.png" width="240" height="284" alt="The actress feeding birds to the tom-cat" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 240px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic05.png" width="240" height="274" alt="The actress, lap-dog under her arm, driving out the other dogs" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 155px;"> -<img src="images/ch16pic06.png" width="155" height="301" alt="The actor transformed into a statue" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 n<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>o -obstacle to the sight of the Student.</p> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XVII.</h5> - - -<h4>IN WHICH ORIGINALS ARE SEEN OF WHOM COPIES ARE RIFE.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialo.png" width="75" height="77" alt="O" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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!"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> 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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 di<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>nner 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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> -<img src="images/ch17pic01.png" width="253" height="309" alt="The cavalier visits the German widow" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 t<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>ake -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 <i>papillotes</i>.' 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.</p> - -<p>"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 wou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>ld -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 220px;"> -<img src="images/ch17pic02.png" width="220" height="290" alt="The ruined cavalier and his dog" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 180px;"> -<img src="images/ch17pic03.png" width="180" height="219" alt="The novice unearths the casket" /> -</div> - -<p>"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, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XVIII.</h5> - - -<h4>RELATING TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH THE DEVIL EXHIBITED TO -THE STUDENT.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiali2.png" width="75" height="76" alt="I" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 267px;"> -<img src="images/ch18pic01.png" width="267" height="217" alt="Three girls getting up" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> 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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">'Quam bene Mercurius nunc merces vendit opimas,<br /></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> -<span class="i3">Momus ubi fatuos vendidit ante sales!<br /></span> -</div></div> - -<p>"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 <i>fatuos sales</i>." "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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"That signor," said he of one, "is affable and obliging; and -listens to you with an air of kindness. Do you ask his prote<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>ction, -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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 invis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>ible, 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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch18pic02.png" width="265" height="215" alt="The three commissioners reporting to the king" /> -</div> - -<p>"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."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p> -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> -received purchased an estate in his native province, where he -now resides at his ease.</p> - -<p>"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.'"</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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!</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 233px;"> -<img src="images/ch18pic03.png" width="233" height="262" alt="The chief magistrate and his page" /> -</div> - -<p>"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, o<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span>r -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 whi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>ch -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."</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 221px;"> -<img src="images/ch18pic04.png" width="221" height="164" alt="The chief magistrate visiting a prisoner" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 bret<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span>hren -should perceive me, they would show me no favour, I promise -you, and between ourselves, I would rather avoid the conflict."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XIX.</h5> - - -<h4>THE CAPTIVES.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitiali2.png" width="75" height="76" alt="I" /> -</div> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>"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 embarrass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>ment 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 266px;"> -<img src="images/ch19pic01.png" width="266" height="164" alt="The procession" /> -</div> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> "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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 178px;"> -<img src="images/ch19pic02.png" width="178" height="228" alt="Fabricio" /> -</div> - -<p>"His name is Fabricio, and he was hardly fifteen years of age -when his father, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>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.</p> - -<p>"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, c<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>ould -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 r<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>espectful -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.'</p> - -<p>"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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> 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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"Various were the schemes proposed: the one on which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>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 siste<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>r, he -was convinced by his own eyes that, instead of fulfilling the -wishes of her relations, she had betrayed them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 189px;"> -<img src="images/ch19pic03.png" width="189" height="200" alt="Hippolita's Moorish servant admits Fabricio" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 265px;"> -<img src="images/ch19pic04.png" width="265" height="210" alt="Don Thomaso and his cousins surprise Fabricio and Hippolita" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>"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!"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span>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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span>the captives -to their fates; besides, there is scarcely another whose -adventures are worth the trouble of telling."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 138px;"> -<img src="images/ch19tailpiece.png" width="138" height="120" alt="Tailpiece of the Aragonese physician and the cordelier of Navarre" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XX.</h5> - - -<h4>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.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialp.png" width="75" height="77" alt="P" /> -</div> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> -from sight.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 216px;"> -<img src="images/ch20pic01.png" width="216" height="293" alt="Bahabon watches the bag being buried" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span></p> -<p>"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 si<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span>ght -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"He clearly perceived, by the surprise which his acquaintances -displayed at seeing him again, that they were in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p> -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.'</p> - -<p>"'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.'</p> - -<p>"As the poor man recounted his loss, his grief was renewed, -and his tears fell fast as he spoke, Don Pablos, affected <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>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.</p> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<p>"The guilty youth, therefore, came out of this affair whiter -than snow. On going to thank his liberator, the latter said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> -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.'</p> - -<p>"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 o<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span>f -having caused all his misfortunes.'</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> -<img src="images/ch20pic02.png" width="264" height="193" alt="Piquillo's son before Bahabon" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span>the -rigour of his destiny.'</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 232px;"> -<img src="images/ch20pic03.png" width="232" height="279" alt="The magician discovers Asmodeus's absence" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span></p> -<p>"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 abo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span>ut -to suffer! Must we, then, my dear Asmodeus, separate for -ever?"</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 154px;"> -<img src="images/ch20pic04.png" width="154" height="134" alt="Asmodeus embraces Zambullo" /> -</div> - -<p>"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 resound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span>s -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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/tailpiecefoliate.png" width="100" height="62" alt="foliate cul-de-lampe" /> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> -<img src="images/headpiecefan.png" width="320" height="178" alt="Fan headpiece" /> -</div> - -<h5>CHAPTER XXI.</h5> - - -<h4>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.</h4> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> -<img src="images/decinitialu.png" width="75" height="78" alt="U" /> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 262px;"> -<img src="images/ch21pic01.png" width="262" height="146" alt="Zambullo awakened by his friend" /> -</div> - -<p>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?"</p> - -<p>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 atte<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>nded 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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>!' 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.'"</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 233px;"> -<img src="images/ch21pic02.png" width="233" height="277" alt="Seraphina thanks Zambullo" /> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span></p> -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> -threatening to destroy the infant Hope, first-cherished child of -Love.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>He was yet occupied with these reflections, when Don Pedro,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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?"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 279px;"> -<img src="images/ch21pic03.png" width="279" height="331" alt="The marriage of Zambullo and Seraphina" /> -</div> - -<p>"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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span> 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 un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>deceive -you to my own undoing. I am not the deliverer of -Seraphina."</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<p>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 Devi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>l on Two -Sticks.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 125px;"> -<img src="images/ch21tailpiece.png" width="125" height="127" alt="Tailpiece of Asmodeus in his bottle" /> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 51145 ***</div> - -</body> -</html> - |