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                                  THE
                          LIFE AND ADVENTURES
                                  OF
                          GUZMAN D’ALFARACHE,
                                  OR
                          THE SPANISH ROGUE.

                 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH EDITION OF
                            MONS. LE SAGE.

                         BY JOHN HENRY BRADY.

                            SECOND EDITION,
                 CORRECTED AND CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED.

                           IN THREE VOLUMES.

                               VOL. III.

                                LONDON:
                PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME,
                  BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

                                 1823.

                London: Printed by J. Nichols and Son,
                        25, Parliament-street.




THE LIFE OF GUZMAN D’ALFARACHE.




CHAP. XXXV.

     _Guzman appears at the Grand Duke’s Court, where a Lady falls in
     love with him._


The Grand Duchess had lately been brought to bed of a Prince, or rather
she was just recovering from her accouchement; and there was an
entertainment every day at the palace, where all persons of distinction
of both sexes did not fail to resort. The Cavaliers who lodged in the
same hotel with me, and who were of the first class of nobility of the
country, being only come to Florence to join in those diversions, were
so much the more assiduous in their attendance, as by these means they
made their court to their Prince. My host inquired of me the first
evening of my stay, whether I would eat by myself or with those
gentlemen. I replied, that I would do myself the honour of supping with
them; and when the time came, I entered the room just as they were
seating themselves at table. I assumed an easy carriage, and affected
the man of consequence, of which I was quite capable, and after I had
saluted them politely, I seated myself at the upper end of the room in a
chair which was handed me by Sayavedra, who performed his part of the
ceremony to admiration.

This bold step attracted the attention of all the company present, who,
wishing to know who I was, were uselessly employed in inquiring that
information of each other in a whisper. They were most impatient to hear
me speak, hoping to discover my nation by my accent. I was malicious
enough to keep them in doubt even on this point. In vain did they
endeavour to provoke me to speak by little attentions at table; I
answered all their civilities either by most gracious looks or by an
inclination of the head. Being obliged, however, to utter a few words, I
passed in their opinion for a Roman; but afterwards giving orders to
Sayavedra in Spanish, puzzled them as much as before.

One of these gentlemen, more curious than the rest, rose from table in
order that he might go and interrogate the host as to who I was. In a
few moments he returned to his seat with a satisfied air, and whispered
something to those next him, and they to the others; and I was in a
short time recognised by the whole party as the nephew of the Spanish
Ambassador.

As soon as supper was over, all the company, looking upon me as a young
nobleman, crowded round me, and one of them addressing me said: “Perhaps
I was not aware that there was almost every day a ball at court, on
account of the birth of the young prince, that there would be one held
that very evening, and that if I had the least wish to go, they would
have the pleasure of conducting me to the palace.” I replied, “that it
would be most ungracious in me to reject so polite an offer, though
indeed my travelling clothes formed some obstacle to the gratification
of my curiosity; but that nevertheless, as I was not known at Florence,
I would have the honour of accompanying the party to partake of an
amusement of which I was exceedingly fond.” All the party, except
myself, were very elegantly dressed; as to me I did nothing but change
my shirt, and adjust myself a little. Ill-dressed as I was, however, in
comparison with the others, you will hear what happened to me at the
ball.

When we entered the saloon, the Duke and a large party were already
assembled there. His Highness fixed his eyes on me immediately; and this
somewhat disconcerted me. I thought that he was either displeased at the
plainness of my dress, or found something ridiculous in my person; and
what convinced me the more was, that he pointed me out to a courtier who
stood by him, and as I imagined desired him to ascertain who I was. I
was not wrong in my conjecture; the courtier, whom I did not lose sight
of, made his way through the crowd and accosted one of the gentlemen
whom I had accompanied, whispered something to him, received an answer
in the same manner, and then returned to the Grand Duke, to whom I saw
him give an account of his commission. All this appeared to me equivocal
enough, and I did not know what to think of it, when the same gentleman
who had been addressed by the courtier, approached and said to me: “You
are known, Signor Cavalier; the Grand Duke knows that you are a relation
of the Ambassador from Spain to Rome. I should advise you to go
immediately and salute the Prince; he looks at you continually, and
seems to wish that you should take that liberty.”

I followed the gentleman’s advice, thinking that I could not do less;
and accordingly advanced towards the Grand Duke, who perceiving my
design, was so condescending as to advance half-way to meet me. I
commenced with a most profound bow, and addressing his Highness, told
him in Italian, in an easy but respectful manner, “that I had but just
arrived at Florence, and I trusted he would pardon my presumption for
having ventured even in a ball-room, to offer him my most humble
respects; but having been informed that it was his desire to know my
name, I had come to announce it to him myself.” “I know it already,”
answered the Prince, “and I am not a little surprised to hear a Spaniard
speak Italian as well as a native of Rome.” To this remark I answered in
Spanish, “that I had long resided in that city.” He replied, in the
Castilian language, “that he never heard any one of my countrymen
pronounce Italian so perfectly.” Then, turning the conversation on my
Uncle the Ambassador, he told me, “he was well acquainted with him from
having had many affairs of consequence between them, and that he should
be most proud to testify his respect for him in my person.” He then
invited me to frequent the Court, with a thousand other compliments, to
which I could make no other answer than by bowing almost down to the
ground. This was not all; the Grand Duchess came up at that moment, and
I had the honour of being presented to her by the Prince her husband,
who told her at the same time who I was; and I verily flatter myself
that I got out of this dilemma in better style than, perhaps, the real
nephew of the Spanish Ambassador would have done in my place.

The ball then commenced, and I retired from where I stood, for fear of
incommoding the dancers. After three or four dances, a lady came up and
was introduced to me by the Duke’s desire. I affected to wish to decline
dancing, though in fact I was particularly desirous; and pleaded in
excuse, that I had not long alighted from horseback, as might be seen by
my frightful dishabille. The Prince who heard me, put an end to the
contest, by crying out that he was sure I could not refuse so lovely a
lady, even were I to dance in boots. At this desire I instantly obeyed,
and my dancing attracted the attention of the whole company. The Grand
Duchess especially, who preferred Terpsichore to all the other Muses,
was so much pleased, that she requested me to dance some of the newest
figures, in which I acquitted myself equally well. This exhilirated my
spirits to such a degree, that I made love to all the ladies in company.
I would tell you, moreover, friendly reader, were I not fearful of being
deemed conceited, that of all the women in Italy, the Florentines
understand genteel behaviour the best, and I was by no means badly
received among them.

Among the rest there were three young ladies present, who were decidedly
the ornaments of the Ball. I never saw more perfect beauties. It would
have puzzled any honest man to have made his choice of one of them. I
soon decided, however, favour of a Brunette, who attracted me by a
certain _je ne sçai quoi_ which the others did not possess. I attached
myself to that lady only during the whole ball.

One of the gentlemen who had brought me to the palace, perceiving my
_penchant_ for this Brunette, approached me; “Signor Don Guzman,” said
he with a smile, “how many lovers will you distract with jealousy this
night, if you continue your attentions to that lady, who is a rich
widow, and has a great number of admirers.” My vanity was flattered by
this information, which inspired me with the design of attempting the
conquest of a heart which was disputed by so many rivals. I hazarded
some soft speeches which were not ill-received, but while my favorable
progress inclined me to push my success, the Grand Duchess, who had not
danced since her confinement, took a fancy to do me the honour of
choosing me for her partner. In fact, foreseeing the consequences, I did
all in my power to avoid it: but she would take no denial. The Grand
Duke, though he approved of the great respect I paid the Princess by my
diffidence, gave me to understand by a nod, that he wished I would
comply with the desires of her Highness: so that there were no means of
escaping. I danced and performed even better than before: which pleased
the Duchess so much that she would not leave off dancing with me, until
the Prince was obliged to beg her to desist, lest so much exertion
should injure her health.

Their Highnesses then retired, and I accompanied them to their
apartment, together with the Lords of the Court, and returned with an
air of impatience to the ball-room, when I found the pretty Brunette was
also about to retire. I made love to her with so much ardour, that I had
the pleasure to see that she quitted me with regret. As soon as she was
gone I returned to the Hotel, with the before-mentioned gentlemen who
had rejoined me. I was so taken up with the honour that had been
conferred on me that evening, that I said but little in answer to the
compliments they paid me on my talents for dancing. On our arrival at
the Hotel, we took leave of each other with great politeness, and
retired to our chambers.

When I was alone with Sayavedra: “My friend,” said I, “my joy overpowers
me, I must ease my heart.” At the same time I recounted to him all that
had happened at the ball, where I had been so much distinguished, the
infinite praise bestowed on me by the Duchess, and my flattering
reception from the Duke. My confident cared for nothing but what was
solidly advantageous. Praises he looked on as smoke; but the account of
the widow charmed him. His eyes sparkled with joy when I mentioned her
to him, “Think nothing of the rest,” said he; “this may turn out to your
advantage, if you know how to profit by the favourable impression you
have made on that lady.” Sayavedra and I employed half the night in
building castles in the air on this subject, and in deliberating what
course we ought to take to bring the affair to a happy issue. It was
resolved in council that on the ensuing day we should procure the large
trunk we had spoken of before, and that I should purchase as splendid a
suit as my purse would afford, to enable me to sustain at Court the
character I had already assumed.

This resolution was followed by my giving strict orders to Sayavedra to
be in the field early the next morning to put our plans in practice:
after which I went to bed. Not that I could close my eyes during the
whole night, for it was already day, when, by rocking myself so
incessantly with chimeras, I fell asleep for a short time. Sayavedra,
who had returned from executing his commissions, came into my room and
awoke me. He was followed by a Tailor, at whose shop he had found a suit
ready made, which had never been worn. The Tailor told me, that it had
been ordered by a young Nobleman, who had suddenly disappeared from
Court, after having lost a large sum of money by gaming, and that he
desired nothing better than to get rid of it at a fair price. I got up
directly and tried it on, and most fortunately it fitted me as well as
if it had been made for me. Nothing was wanting but to fix the price:
which we agreed on, after a dispute which would have lasted longer, if
the Tailor had not wanted money, and if I had not had an earnest longing
for the suit; to which he added some gold lace to correspond: which
completed it in the fashion of dress at Rome.

I had no sooner paid and sent away the Tailor, than my host came up and
informed me that the Grand Duke had sent me, while I slept, a present of
wine, fruits, and sweetmeats. This was a compliment that this Prince was
in the habit of making to the illustrious foreigners who visited his
court. The landlord added that he would not disturb my repose to
acquaint me with it. I was not sorry that I had not seen the gentleman
whom the Duke had sent with this present, as I must have paid pretty
roundly for the carriage; and I could not be too frugal, considering how
much I should need money to enable me to make any appearance at Court. I
thought then that I should escape this expense, in which I was a little
mistaken. Scarcely had my host ordered the Prince’s fruit and wine to be
brought into my chamber, when his Highness’s gentleman was announced to
me. I was obliged to endure a common place harangue, which ended in
informing me that the Duchess hoped to see me in the afternoon. I made
upon that an abundance of compliments to this gentleman, and Sayavedra,
like a well-bred valet, attended him to the door to slip a few crowns
into his hand. I amused myself then by trying on the rest of our
purchases: such as silk stockings, a superfine hat, ribbons, gay shoes,
linen, gloves, and every other necessary article of dress. Seeing that
nothing was wanting, I began by shaving, combing, cleaning, and
powdering myself; then being dressed, and looking at myself continually
in a glass, I turned towards my confidant, to ask him if he thought
there was any thing wanting. He answered, that I looked so well, that he
was much mistaken if I did not that day distract all the men with
jealousy and all the women with love. I did not fail then to put on my
elegant gold chain, and fasten below it with a ribbon a miniature
portrait of my dear master which he had given me the day before my
departure.

I was like another Narcissus, enchanted with myself; I wished myself
already at the palace, so desirous was I of showing myself off. I think
I should have gone without any refreshment, if Sayavedra had not
represented to me that it was necessary to take care of the inside, on
which the outside depended; and that starvation was not very likely to
improve my complexion. Though I had but little appetite, for I was
puffed out with my dress, and my stomach might be said to be as full of
wind as my head was; I suffered myself to be prevailed upon to eat a
little of what my confidant ordered into my chamber. I was so fearful of
soiling myself in eating, that I was quite uneasy until dinner was
finished. I tasted the Duke’s fruit, and drank a few glasses of verdee
which had accompanied the fruits. I found this wine most excellent, and
I did not doubt but it would enliven my conversation, if taken in
moderation. After this slight repast, I walked up and down my room
strutting about; I did nothing but question my squire as to my
appearance, and he assured me that I was a very mirror of cavaliers.
Satisfied with this testimony, to which my self-love very readily
assented, I repaired to the palace, attended by Sayavedra, who, to do me
credit, had also made a few purchases for himself at the expense of my
purse, which began now to look rather foolish after such copious
bleeding.

I was received at the Duke’s palace with as many honours as could
possibly have been conferred on the Ambassador himself. The Prince first
complimented me on my good looks; he then began to speak of the
Ambassador, and communicated something to me in the hope that on my
return to Rome I should repeat it to his Excellence. He was completely a
man of the world, and never spoke but with some motive. I soon observed
that he was anxious to engage me to speak of the Ambassador’s private
affairs, but I was so completely on my guard against him, that though I
staid two hours, not a single indiscreet word escaped my lips. Finding
his hints and flattery of no avail, he at length desisted, for fear of
exciting suspicion in my mind, and proposed that I should pay my
respects to the Duchess.

I was exceedingly glad to be dismissed from a conversation which began
to grow tiresome, and I went immediately to wait upon the Duchess, who,
after receiving me with great politeness, told me that she had been much
delighted with my dancing the preceding evening, and especially with the
two last dances, which she should very much like to learn. I replied
that my humble ability was entirely at her service, and undertook that
she should be perfect in both dances before the next ball-night. She
seemed to anticipate much pleasure in the general surprise she should
cause in dancing these new figures, and desired that I would not speak
of it to any one.

A fine concert was to form the amusement of the court that evening, and
I did not fail to appear there in all my charms, after having taken a
slight repast at my inn. I need not tell you that my first care was to
see if my charming widow was among the crowd. It was not long before I
perceived her; her rich and superb dress, and superior charms to all
around, could not long be concealed. I advanced towards her with an
eagerness which seemed by no means to displease her, and we continued to
converse together and admire each other, reciprocally exchanging the
most tender looks for some time. All this was exceedingly pleasant, but
still I was uncertain of my fate; and thinking that I had no time to
lose, I determined to explain myself more clearly, now that I had an
opportunity of speaking to her without being overheard. “Madam,” said I,
in a voice timid but empassioned, “to what punishment would you condemn
an insolent who could dare to tell you that he loves you?” The lady
blushed a little at this question, but answered, “that it depended upon
who it might be, whether she could have resolution sufficient to wish
him to be punished at all.” “In what a pitiable situation then am I,”
replied I, “in being prevented by the respect I owe to their
Highnesses, from this moment throwing myself at your feet!” My charming
widow answered only with her eyes, and I was myself so transported with
joy, that being no longer able to speak, I remained silent for some
moments, leaving my sighs to do the office of my tongue.

I had scarcely regained the power of speech, which my joy had deprived
me of, when the lady touching my elbow, said with a confused air: “We
are observed, the Duchess is watching us with an attention that
embarrasses me; I request that you will withdraw a little distance from
me.” I retired immediately, not without complaining of the Princess’s
cruelty in disturbing the sweetest moments of my life. I then glided
behind the Duchess’s chair, whence, as though I had been very attentive
to the concert, I cried out: “It must certainly be confessed, that
nothing can be better performed.” This was really true, for the Duke
had some of the best players and singers in Italy; but I had not heard
sufficient to be able to decide on their merits, and the Duchess, who
well knew it, said it satirically, “You have certainly been so extremely
attentive to the concert, that you may boldly decide. But there is some
excuse for you,” added she smiling, “the lady’s charms are much more
attractive to you than those of music.” Her Highness, observing that
this embarrassed me, changed her tone, and asked me what I seriously
thought of the voices and performers. I then took the liberty of stating
my real opinion; and if I did not answer like a master of the art, I at
least made it apparent that I was not altogether ignorant of music.

In about an hour the concert was interrupted by a magnificent collation
by way of interlude. I took this opportunity to return to my divinity,
to whom I now publicly paid the most marked attention, in preference to
the other ladies present; and my rivals now no longer doubted that I was
the favoured lover. Whatever malice, however, they might on this account
nourish against me, they none of them dared think of being revenged on
me, which they were well convinced the Duke would make them repent of.
For my part I cared so little for their displeasure, that I thought of
nothing but of completing the conquest of my charmer. And love seemed
willing to furnish me with opportunity; for just at this moment, a
musician passing close by us, I called to him, and asked if he knew the
two or three new airs that had lately been so popular at Rome. “I
received them only this day,” answered he, “so that I have not yet had
leisure to study them.” The ladies then asked me if I knew them. I
replied in the affirmative; and no sooner did they signify that they
should like to hear them, than, without waiting like a professional man
to be further pressed, I began to hum them in a very faint voice,
pretending that I did not wish all the company to hear me. No sooner had
I begun, however, than I was surrounded by all the ladies and gentlemen
near me. My notes were not so very inaudible but that they reached the
Duchess’s ear, who, advancing towards me, requested particularly that I
would give my voice full scope.

I must not forget one circumstance. Her Highness made signs to my widow
and some other ladies of rank near her, to join the party to partake of
the pleasure she anticipated. They advanced towards her directly; and
the Duchess, either out of malice or goodness, placed them in such a
manner that my mistress stared me full in the face. After which she
whispered to me with a smile: “You see I am willing to pay you in
advance for the favour you are about to grant me.” At these words I
bowed most obsequiously, and least she should continue thus to
tantalize me, I hastened to begin my song.

Have a care friend Guzman, you will here be ready to tell me, or you
certainly are going to praise yourself again. I confess that I am on the
point of so doing, and since I have told you all my bad qualities, it is
but fair that I should be allowed to say what I can in my own praise. My
voice then was so much admired, that the saloon resounded with applause.
And this is not much to be wondered at. A man who at Rome had passed for
a good singer, was not very likely to fail at Florence. In short I
amused the assembly until the fête broke up, when the Duke and Duchess
withdrew to their own apartments, and I rejoined my widow, who was
evidently waiting only to take leave of me. I had just time to say a few
sweet words to her, which were repaid with usury, and to request
permission to pay my respects to her at her own house. This is usual at
Florence, and was most gracefully granted. The lady even appointed an
hour herself, than which she could not have paid me a greater
compliment.




CHAP. XXXVI.

_Sequel and conclusion of this fine Intrigue._


When I returned home, I thought myself obliged to give my counsellor
Sayavedra an account of my fortune that day; even to the minutest
particulars. After having listened to me with the greatest attention, he
said to me: “Every thing goes well, and I do not doubt but the lady will
fall into our snares.” “Friend,” said I, “a prudent man is always in
doubt about the event.

“When I think of the excess of my good luck, when I consider all the
advantages of it, and please my imagination that in the course of two
days I have reached the very summit of my wishes, I fear that fortune
has hitherto flattered my sanguine expectation, but to spoil and
confound my rash undertaking by some sad disaster.” “True it is,”
replied my confidant, “that the promises of hope are often fallacious,
but yet sometimes they must be fulfilled.”

I slept more soundly that night than the last, and as soon as I rose the
next day I sent the present of sweat-meats I had received from the Grand
Duke, except some fruits and a bottle of wine, to my beautiful Brunette,
thinking I could not make a better use of it. I added to it gloves, and
all sorts of ribbons, which I had ordered Sayavedra to choose and buy
for me. My present pleased the widow exceedingly, as well as the note I
sent with it, and to which I was told she would in the evening give me
an answer by word of mouth, at the lady’s house, who expected to see me.
Unluckily the hour appointed for that visit was nearly the same I had
promised to be at court to finish the lessons of the two dances which
the Duchess had began to learn with me. To conciliate matters, I
resolved to go somewhat sooner than I was expected to the Princess’s, in
the hope of thus being able still to keep my appointment with the lady
also. I was mistaken in my reckoning; her Highness, who had a great
desire to make herself perfect in those two dances, made me dance them
so often with her, that it was not possible for me to take my leave of
her for that happy assignation, the hour of which to my great sorrow was
already passed, and caused within me the most expressive signs of
impatience.

The Duchess perceived it, notwithstanding all my endeavours to
dissimulate. “What is the matter,” said she, “there is something that
makes you uneasy. I see what it is, your widow makes you think the
rehearsal rather too long; is it not so?” I plainly confessed the truth,
and owned the cause of my uneasiness, thinking by that she would let me
go sooner, but she did not. On the contrary she ordered me to remain
with her; but, rather than lose my company, she sent for my lovely
widow, ordering the messenger to make my excuses, and taking all the
blame upon herself. Nothing could be more gracious; I returned her
Highness my thanks in the most grateful terms, and then recovering my
usual gaiety, I repaid so much kindness, by saying a thousand pleasant
sallies, which made my conversation very agreeable to the Princess. When
the amiable Brunette came, extremely pleased with the honour the Grand
Duchess had done her, her Highness told her that she had sent for her to
make amends for the pleasure she had been deprived of while she
detained me; then caressing the lady on my account, she said so many
obliging and tender things in my favour, that it put me in confusion. We
three then began a little ball, till the hour fixed for the great one,
which no sooner arrived than we entered the ball-room, and as long as it
lasted my mistress and I did nothing but exert ourselves to make our
court to her Highness, who was fond of seeing us dance together. From
that very night our mutual love became public; every one looked upon us
as a couple of happy lovers. My rivals alone thought otherwise.

The next morning I paid my widow the visit I was to have made her the
day before. I found that lady in company with two of her friends, whom
out of decency she had desired to be there, but who knowing well our
mutual inclination, gave us opportunity to whisper our sentiments to one
another; I heard from the lovely mouth of my peerless brunette, that
from the very first minute she saw me, she had felt for me, what in vain
her other lovers had endeavoured to inspire her with. In a word, I might
without affectation think myself tenderly beloved. As there was no gala
at the palace that day, their Highnesses being gone to honour an
important wedding in the city with their presence, my visit lasted the
longer. How many empassioned expressions escaped me! how many tender and
obliging words did she favour me with! and how happy were we in each
other’s company!

It was late when I returned home. I was completely in love, and my mind
so enraptured with fine ideas, that I could scarcely speak. Sayavedra
suffered me to remain sometime overcome by this charming intoxication;
but seeing that my interest required it should be removed: “My dear
master,” said he, “you indulge yourself too much with the fair prospect
of your amorous intrigues; you forget that we are in a town much
frequented by travellers. You may chance to meet here somebody returning
from Rome, and who may know you. Every minute you run the risk of being
discovered. Take my advice and come to the point; know soon from your
mistress, how far your lucky stars will carry you, and lose no more time
like a whining lover.”

The prudence of my confidant restored me to my senses, and the next day
I resolved to call upon my widow, fully determined to ask her consent to
our marriage. I was afraid of spoiling all by being too hasty, and it
was but with a trembling voice I entreated her to complete my happiness.
Far, however, from opposing the impatient desire I evinced to become her
husband; she confessed ingenuously that her intentions being similar to
mine, she had not the least wish for delay. “See my relations in the
first place,” she continued; “ask their approbation, and after you have
paid them that compliment, my consent shall not be wanting.” I threw
myself at her feet in an extacy of love and joy, and taking her hand
without any resistance on her part, I kissed it with rapture. I then
entreated her to seal her promise by accepting of a small ring that I
had on my finger. It was a pretty diamond, and extremely well set. She
consented to it, and suffered me to put it on her finger, on condition
that I should receive one from her in return. After this we talked as
freely together as if we were already married. Indeed I believe I might
have that very day attained the summit of my felicity, if I had been
more bold; but besides that I was extremely fearful of giving offence,
by betraying any guilty desires, I was too much in love, and had too
much esteem for her, to be capable of such rashness.

When I returned from the house of my enamoured widow, and informed
Sayavedra of the result of my last conversation with her, shewing him
the token of the promise she had given me, a tear of joy sparkled in his
eye. “Cheer up,” cried he, “the wind blows fair; you sail before it;
proceed and enter the port. Do not fail to-morrow to visit your dear
widow’s relations, for I am fully persuaded they will give their
consent.” There was no need to encourage me to it. My mistress had told
me their names, and described their characters, that I might the better
know how to address myself to each of them in particular. Two of them I
knew already, who were about the same age as myself, and I made no doubt
of securing them in my interest. But there were some grave, phlegmatic
greybeards among them, of whom I was afraid. However I saw them all that
very morning. The two young sparks said presently that they consented
with all their hearts, if my addresses were agreeable to their cousin.
The uncles were not so easily prevailed upon. They said it was a family
affair; that they would have a meeting soon, and would let me know in a
day or two what had been resolved. Nothing was more prudent than this
proceeding, and whatever sorrow such delay occasioned me, I could find
no pretence to complain.

I went after dinner to my mistress to give her an account of all these
visits. She told me it was enough; she expected the answer I met with,
and that we might in the mean time regulate all the marriage ceremonies
and the wedding concerns, to have it performed with all the splendour
suitable to persons of our quality; as there was no doubt that their
Highnesses would honour us with their company. After three days waiting,
two of my future spouse’s relations called upon me with an answer in the
name of the rest, saying they all approved of the honour I designed
their family, in entering into an alliance with their kinswoman, yet
they could wish of me, for the greater decency of the thing, that I
would condescend to engage my uncle the Ambassador to testify his
consent by a line to the Grand Duke, and a note out of courtesy to the
family to ask their approbation. I was sadly vexed at these conditions,
but collecting all my spirits to conceal the disorder I was in, I
replied with unparalleled assurance, that if that was all that prevented
our marriage, they should be soon satisfied. I promised to get from the
Ambassador not only general, but particular letters to every one of the
relations. As to the Grand Duke, I told them I expected every post a
letter from my uncle to His Highness, to desire his protection in the
affair of my marriage, having written to the Ambassador about it
already. The gentlemen were mightily pleased with this answer, and took
leave of me, fully relying upon the performance of my promise.

Thus had I brought a pretty load upon my shoulders with these letters,
and the recommendation of the Ambassador. Had I attempted by a letter to
beg of him to make my fortune, in owning me for his nephew, God knows
how his Eminence would have caused me to be treated by the Grand Duke at
Florence, and in what fine style he would have recommended me. Therefore
I was by no means whatever inclined to adopt such a plan; I rather
preferred, and indeed it was the only resource left to me, to make the
last effort, by prevailing upon my mistress to marry me instantly. I
flew to her house as soon as her old relations had left me; accosted her
with a sad countenance, and related what had passed between us, and how
I saw myself doomed to die with impatience. “This delay,” said my widow,
“will not be so dreadful as you may think.” “Excuse me, Madam,” said I,
with the greatest emotion, “I may easily obtain from the Ambassador to
write in my favour to the Grand Duke, and to your relations; I may
venture to say that he will give this proof of his regard for his
nephew. But allow me to tell you, his temper is the cause of my fear. He
has too much prudence and delicacy not to get information first about
your family, and even about yourself, dear Madam, if I may venture the
word, for fear it might be only the amour of a young man. Such an
inquiry will require time that will appear an eternity to me, and almost
maddens me to think of.” I then expressed my sentiments on the subject,
in a manner which I cannot now detail; for when a lover speaks from the
dictates of his heart, he expresses himself at the time much more
pathetically than he can afterwards describe to another.

All I now remember is, that my lovely widow was moved at my
representation of the sufferings I should endure by so long a delay; and
being perhaps no less impatient than I was to bend to the yoke of
matrimony, she replied, to comfort me, that she did not depend entirely
on her relations; that what she had done was for decency’s sake, and out
of respect to them. “I only desire three days respite,” she continued,
“to get the consent of such of my relations as are the best disposed to
it, and if unluckily they all oppose my design, we may be married
privately, and leave them and Monsieur Ambassador to settle their
business together afterwards by themselves.” It was not possible for me
to hear words more kind, and my whole frame was in a rapture. In a word
I shewed myself so sensible of her goodness to me, that I threw her into
great disorder, and the lady would have willingly spared me the three
days to hasten my felicity.

Who would have supposed that a day so agreeable would have been followed
by the most fatal of my life! The next morning I rose to go to the
Church called _Annunciata_, one of the finest in the city, to hear Mass.
Hither all the fashionable people of both sexes used to resort. I met
there one of my mistress’s young relations, who was inclined to the
match. I accosted him, and we insensibly fell into a conversation upon
my intended marriage with his cousin. Whilst I was talking with him, a
beggar, whom I had already sent away twice without deigning to look at
him, returned a third time to the charge to ask alms. Earnestly engaged
as I was, in conversation so interesting, I grew impatient, and struck
him in the face with my glove. “You rogue of a beggar, will you not let
me be in quiet for you?” The poor man, who expected quite a different
sort of treatment from me, gave me this answer: “Oh, Mr. Guzman, if you
had been treated thus when you were a beggar like me, you would not have
set up for a great Lord as you do now.” This man’s voice and words,
which I heard and knew distinctly, struck me to the heart; I turned my
head about, and remembered he was one of my dear comrades at Rome, when
I was one of their fraternity. I changed colour in an instant, I
blushed, and looked on him with eyes sparkling with rage and choler. But
so far from being dismayed at it, he laughed, and made mouths and
grimaces at me, and muttered something as he retired. All the gentlemen
that were round us, and especially one of my rivals who had heard in
what manner the beggar had spoken to me, and observed that I was out of
countenance at the sight of him, were quite surprised. My rival who had
more interest than any to know the bottom of this adventure, followed
the beggar to the Church door, where he stood to ask alms. He took him
aside, and after having slipped a few pieces of money into his hand,
asked him if he knew me, and how he dared venture to talk to me as he
had done. The poor man, resenting yet the blow I had given him, and
burning with anger against me, told him the whole history of my life,
from the time of my coming to Rome, to my leaving the Ambassador of
Spain.

This gentleman who had the greatest pretence of any of my rivals to the
hand of my mistress, rejoiced to hear such a singular piece of news, and
quite delighted with the information, he gave the beggar more pence, and
bade him come to his house after dinner, for a coat he meant to give
him; he also advised him to keep him out of the way for fear of me, who
might perhaps revenge the affront he had offered me in the very sight of
the church. As for him, he went up again to the widow’s kinsman, and
seeing that he was alone, for in the confusion I was in, I had thought
proper to leave him, he accosted him, and burning with impatience to
speak of me, he could not help giving him the information the beggar had
treated him with. The lady’s kinsman, somewhat disconcerted, only
answered that he could not believe a word of what the beggar had said,
who to all appearance took me for the wrong person.

The two gentlemen then separated; the kinsman with some suspicion that I
was not what I appeared to be, and my rival triumphing in having made a
discovery which was likely to rid him of his most dangerous opponent. It
was half past eleven, and consequently there was a great deal of company
at the palace, it being the time when His Highness sat down to dinner.
My rival soon appeared, and mixing among the company whom he thought
most jealous of the favours I enjoyed with their Highnesses, told them
as a secret all he knew of me, praying them, however, not to divulge
the adventure, under a strict charge of secrecy, on purpose, no doubt,
that they should be the more eager to tell it, as in effect it happened;
for in less than a quarter of an hour’s time, it came to the duke’s
ears. This prince only laughed at it at first, and when he heard it was
reported by one of my rivals, he took it for a tale invented by a
jealous lover incited to it by despair; yet with his usual prudence, and
as the Grand Duchess had behaved so kindly towards me, he was extremely
anxious to know the truth of it. He commanded the beggar to be brought
secretly before him to court, in order that he might hear him himself.
He was obeyed; the poor man came, and the duke from behind the hangings
heard the whole history without being seen. When the prince had listened
attentively to the noble recital of these rare adventures, he commanded
the beggar to be put in prison, where, however, he should be well used;
with an order that nobody should see or speak to him till he was
entirely satisfied on the subject.

If all this while I was not quite easy, at least I had not the slightest
suspicion of what was in agitation concerning me. It is true that the
cruel accident of the morning had caused me considerable concern; but I
expected that by giving a sum of money to the beggar, I should have
induced him to leave Florence, or at least obliged him to hold his
tongue. I even returned to Church as soon as Mass was over, in the hope
of finding him; but as he was not there I put off speaking to him till
the next day. As for what he had said to me, I was resolved to turn it
into a joke, if any one happened to speak about it, pretending that it
was an insolent rascal that had abused me for using him a little
scurvily. At last I had almost forgotten it, and went to court as I used
to do after dinner. I desired to see the duke, but I was told he was
engaged on particular private business. I then went to the apartments of
the duchess, who they said would see nobody, being a little indisposed,
and that there would not be any assembly that night. All this appeared
quite natural to me, and well enough pleased that I should have all the
afternoon and evening to pass with my widow, I flew to her house. There
I found the door crowded with her old relations’ footmen. I concluded
there was a meeting of them on occasion of our marriage; so I let them
alone, imagining my presence would disturb them. I made no stay there,
and not knowing what to do with myself, I went straight home, to wait
till the conference broke up. There I remained two hours, after which I
sent my faithful confidant to my mistress, to hear from her the event of
it. Sayavedra was told she was gone out. He went there again an hour
after, but the answer was, she could neither see nor speak to any one.

Now indeed a dreadful scene opened before my eyes, and my heart became a
prey to sorrow and vexation. My faithful squire endeavoured to comfort
me, but all his reasonings and consolation could not banish from my mind
the dismal thought that fear inspired me with. I went to bed without my
supper, and the next morning got up, having taken no rest during the
night. I was just going to send a note to my widow, to desire the favour
of her to let me know when I should come and see her, when my host
brought me word that two gentlemen of my acquaintance wanted to speak
with me upon business of some importance. I ordered that they should be
introduced. These gentlemen entered with a sedate and serious
countenance, and one of them addressing me said: “We are come out of
pure friendship to inform you that there runs a very odd report of you
at court and in the city. It is said that far from being a man of
quality, you have acted mean and different figures at Rome. In a word
you have been the Ambassador’s domestic, and not his kinsman, as you
pretend to be. We know not if the Grand Duke has heard of it yet:
however, we would advise you as friends not to go to court, but to
procure the Ambassador’s attestations in your favour as fast as you can,
and prove the falsity of reports so much to your dishonour.”

When this gentleman had concluded his speech, so mortifying to me, I was
thunderstruck, and ready to swoon away; my speech failed me when I began
to make an apology. I answered, however, that I could not have believed
my enemies could have carried their slander so far; but before the end
of the day, I would take post and go to Rome myself, to obtain authentic
attestations more than enough to confound the malicious plan of jealous
rivals. The two gentlemen approved of my resolution, and withdrew to
make their report to the Grand Duke; for it was by his order that they
had come to me, though they had pretended it was purely of themselves,
and out of kindness to me. They were no sooner gone than my trusty
friend entered the chamber, and guessing by my looks the afflicting news
I had to relate, felt the greatest grief when I told him what was the
matter. However, far from being cast down as I was by this misfortune,
he bore up against it, and with a firmness that astonished me. “Now
master,” said he, “you must shew yourself a man of courage and
stedfastness. Can you be surprised after having acted so delicate a part
as you have done in the eyes of all the world, that some mischance
should happen that gives a sad and gloomy turn to the plot of the play?
for my part I always expected it; but after all our fall is not so great
but we may rise again; thanks to your lucky stars, the free country is
left open before you; let us make use of our time, and immediately leave
Florence and the Duke’s territories, and betake ourselves elsewhere, to
comment at leisure on this change of fortune.”

This prudent reasoning restored me by degrees to my senses, and upon
reflection I could not help thinking that I had deserved to be treated
with more rigour than I had been. I told Sayavedra that his advice was
too good not to be followed, and if we could set out post within an
hour, it would be most desirable. “Nothing is so easy,” answered he;
“your horse is sold, we are not without cash, and have only therefore to
hire post horses, and begin our journey. Depend on me for providing
every thing for our departure.” “Well,” replied I, “my friend, do what
you think proper. Alas!” I continued, with a deep sigh, “could I but
once more see my beloved widow I should part contented!” I expected
Sayavedra would have opposed my desire, but on the contrary he assured
me that he would procure me that satisfaction before we were ready to
mount our horses.

While I was engaged in expressing to my confidant my satisfaction in
having met with a man so entirely devoted to my interest, my landlord
came and told me a young woman desired to speak with me. At first I
trembled for fear, for the least thing alarmed me, in the situation I
was in. However I recovered myself when I found this young woman was one
of my mistress’s waiting maids, who brought me a note from my widow,
containing these few words, “_I expect you at my Cousin’s to inform you
of circumstances of the utmost importance: farewell!_” I desired the
maid to tell her mistress I would call upon her immediately, and as soon
as she was gone, turning to Sayavedra: “See,” cried I, “what I wished
for is come to pass. I fear it will be painful to me to endure the
conversation of a lady I am so much in love with, and whom I shall never
see again. Be that as it may, however, I must see her, though I die for
it.” I charged Sayavedra accordingly, to settle every thing for me.
“Make not yourself uneasy,” said he, “about any thing, and you may
expect that in an hour and a half at the most, I shall be with the post
horses near about the house you are going to.”

Every thing being settled with Sayavedra, I hastened to my mistress. I
found her in a dishabille, which betrayed more of disorder than of
negligence; she looked dejected and pale; her eyes were still moist with
weeping; in a word she was so altered, that she was not like the same
person. On my part I was no less confused than herself. As soon as her
cousin perceived me enter the room, she withdrew.

Now that my mistress found herself alone with me, she raised her eyes
full of tears towards me and said, “Have you heard all the frightful
scandal that is reported of you in Florence?” “Yes,” said I, “I have
been informed what horrid slander my enemies have circulated against me,
and in an hour’s time I take horse to return to Rome, and in five or six
days I shall bring back such authentic proofs of the falsehood of their
calumnies as to confound them.” These words somewhat relieved her. She
then told me the substance of her relations’ conference held at her
house; all that the beggar had said; the terrible stories he had told of
me to all that asked him any thing about me; and concluded by
reprobating the curiosity of the Grand Duke who could condescend to
listen to so wretched a fellow himself.

I suffered the lady to talk as long as she chose, without interrupting
her; for I was so confused, that I could not immediately make any
answer to the purpose. I shrugged up my shoulders, raised my hands and
eyes to heaven, groaned, and made a thousand gestures, which persuaded
her much more of the falsity of these reports, than all the powers of
human eloquence. “Do not suffer yourself to be afflicted immoderately,”
said she with tenderness; “I have loved your person though your rank was
unknown to me, and were you not what I think you are, I feel that I
should still love you. Perhaps I should not have taken notice of the
charms that I have observed in you, had I looked upon you at first as a
person of low condition: my pride and my birth would not have suffered
me to cast my eyes on such a one; but having once seen those charms I
can never forget them.” Her generosity and tenderness had so powerful an
effect on me, that I fell down in a swoon. She thought I was dying, and
it was with the greatest difficulty that she had strength enough to
call her cousin, who had much ado to manage us both, and was obliged to
call in the assistance of one of the waiting women. A minute after these
two persons had succeeded in restoring me to my senses, I was told that
my valet was in the ante-chamber and my horses ready. It was then that I
found what it was to love, and felt the pangs of parting with the
beloved object. Never was there a more tender and moving farewell.

I was so little myself, and so full of sorrow when I left the house of
her cousin, that I did not see Sayavedra who stood directly before my
eyes, but passed by without speaking to him; he followed me, and
observing I was almost distracted, spoke not a word, but led me where
the horses waited for us. I mounted immediately, and galloped the whole
of the first stage without speaking a word: but at the second my squire
asked me if I had any object in travelling the road to Rome. I answered
that I wished it to appear that I was going to that city, but at the
next stage we would stop, and consult what was best to be done.




CHAP. XXXVII.

     _Guzman takes the road to Bologna, in the hope of there meeting
     with and prosecuting Alexander Bentivoglio, who had robbed him._


When we came to the first stage, we stopped to take some refreshment and
rest, which I stood very much in need of, having partaken of neither for
the last twenty-four hours. After that we began to consult together.

“I think,” said I to Sayavedra, “that we ought without delay to go to
Bologna. I have some idea that we shall there meet Alexander
Bentivoglio, and if it be our good luck to find him, I do not doubt but
by composition, or a law suit, I shall get part of my property again.”
My confidant confirmed me in my opinion, by saying; “let us hire horses
then, and set off to Bologna; but give me leave, if you please, to
remind you of the danger I shall run in appearing in that town. I am
fully of opinion as well as you that Alexander is there, and if
unluckily for me, he should see me there, he will be anxious to know
what brought me to Bologna, and as sure as he discovers that we came
together, he will suspect your design and either run away himself, or
get me assassinated. This is not all,” added he; “I cannot be of any use
to you in the business, without running the risk of my own neck; since I
must suffer myself to be committed to prison; and once confined, shall
never get out again, except by a special dispensation from heaven.”

I approved of Sayavedra’s reasons, and we agreed that he should not
appear in the streets of Bologna, but keep as closely concealed as he
could in the inn where we should take up our lodging, and not meddle in
the law-suit, in case I should institute any. After all, I did not
imagine his testimony would be necessary to help me to get my thief
compelled to restore at least part of my property. My confidant, pleased
with this agreement, professed himself quite ready to follow me. We set
off immediately on common hacks, and the next day towards evening we
reached Bologna. We alighted at an inn, where I found some strangers
brought to that town by their several occupations. I supped with them,
and retired pretty early into a neat little room which Sayavedra had
bespoke for me. I slept very little, all my thoughts being taken up
about that rogue Alexander, and I rose early in the morning to inquire
at once if he was not in the country. I went out by myself, and walked
for a quarter of an hour about the streets. As I was passing before the
great church, I cast my eyes upon five or six young fellows who were at
the door, and I observed one among them whose coat impressed me with a
strong suspicion that he was the man I was looking for. I at first
mistrusted my eyes, but after a long examination, I knew for certainty
that it was the coat which a Neapolitan officer had made me a present
of, to whom I had been serviceable in speaking to my Lord Ambassador in
his behalf.

I was so enraged at seeing this rascal bedecked in my finery, that it
was with some difficulty I could restrain myself from running him
through with my sword; but as his good luck would have it, or perhaps
mine rather, my more reasonable thoughts prevented me. “Softly,” said I
to myself, “be not too hasty: let the gaol-bird live, and he may then
possibly pay his debts; but if you kill him you will certainly be as
much the sufferer as he. Besides those young fellows that are standing
by him will of course take his part; and even if they should not
interfere, remember that he has the reputation of a bully, and you may
not have fair play. At all events, instead of plaintiff, you would
become defendant.” Having thus fully convinced myself of the folly of
exposing myself by such an action, which would have made my journey
fruitless at least, if not fatal; I returned to the inn, and asked my
landlord if he could recommend me an experienced lawyer. He answered in
the affirmative, and immediately sent for one who lived in the
neighbourhood, and who, considering his profession, was a tolerably
honest man. I first inquired of this gentleman, whether he knew one
Alexander Bentivoglio, son of a solicitor of the same name? He replied,
“that there were very few who did not know both father and son.” I then
asked, “if he was any relation or friend to them?” “No, thank God!”
answered he with some haste; “I should be very sorry to have any such
relations or friends.”

After these two questions, which I thought prudent and necessary, I told
him the particulars of the loss of my trunks. He listened to me with the
utmost _sang-froid_, and did not seem in the least surprised. He even
owned to me, that in Bologna, they were quite used to hear such
adventures of master Alexander, who frequently played similar games. I
am by no means certain, however, continued he, even though you commence
an action against him, that you will be at all the better for it. You
will have to deal with a formidable opponent in his father, who has put
himself above the laws by the wickedness of his disposition, and
rendered himself terrible to all the inhabitants of this city, who dread
him as much as fire. The best advice I can give you, is to have a
conversation with this father of his, who, perhaps, may rather choose to
come to terms with you, than suffer such a piece of villainy to be made
public. This is the only probable way to recover any part of the
property you have lost. I answered, “that I was of the same opinion;
for, besides the dislike I had for law-suits, I considered that I should
not get much by prosecuting a thief, and particularly one who happened
to be the son of a man of such a character. I therefore requested him to
call upon the father himself; but, as I found he did not wish to have
any thing to do in an affair disagreeable to counsellor Bentivoglio, I
promised him a good reward for his trouble in case of success.” He could
not stand against this promise, and at once found resolution enough to
go to Alexander’s father.

My Solicitor soon returned, but his looks showed that his answer was
not satisfactory, and I could easily perceive, that his trouble had
been in vain. He told me, that the haughty lawyer had used him very ill;
that so far from agreeing to any terms of accommodation, he said that he
felt his honour wounded, and was so offended at such a proposal, that he
insisted that I was the thief, and his son the person who had been
robbed, and ended his discourse with the most violent threats against
me. I resolved then, since I was compelled to do it, to implore the help
of justice. The Solicitor, good man, prayed to be excused; for his
undertaking the cause would be the ruin of himself and family, the
father of my adversary having threatened to send them all to the
hospital, if he knew that either directly or indirectly he gave me the
least assistance. “Recommend me then, at least,” said I, “to some able
lawyer.” He was in doubt whether he would even oblige me so far as this,
so great was his dread of the Bentivoglio’s; but observing that I
pulled some money out of my pocket to pay him for his trouble, he named
a counsellor of great experience and probity; and what was more, a
secret enemy of my adversary’s, but he desired me not to mention who had
directed me to him.

I went accordingly to this gentleman, told him my case, and how I had
been robbed at Sienna. As soon as I had finished, he said, the whole
city of Bologna was already informed of this adventure. Alexander
returned home laden with clothes, which, it was reported he had won of a
young Spaniard at Rome, but it was well understood at what game he must
have played to get them. “Do not lose time, added he; carry on the
business briskly; I do not doubt that justice will be done to you, in
spite of all the exertion of old Bentivoglio to the contrary.” I
replied, “that I depended entirely on his integrity and capacity,
putting myself and my cause into his hands, not doubting that he would
act in the business so that I should have no occasion to repent of
having come to Bologna.” He assured me, that he would do his best; and
that I had only to take a walk in the town, and call upon him three
hours after; which I did. When I returned, I found my declaration ready
drawn, with a true recital of the case, arranged much to my
satisfaction.

We went together and gave it to the magistrate called _El Oydor del
Torron_[A]. The more I observed my lawyer, the more was I convinced that
he went regularly to work, as much to maintain my rights as to vex his
brother lawyer Bentivoglio; but whether this latter had been aware of my
design, or that he was an intimate of the auditor or register, no sooner
was my declaration against Alexander delivered in, than he had a hint
of it, and another was presented against me before the same magistrate,
in the name of the lawyer Bentivoglio, setting forth that I had defamed
his son, requiring damages for the injury done his reputation, and
further that I should have corporal punishment. My lawyer said that was
nothing; “if Bentivoglio,” said he, “has no more skill to show us than
this, we have not much to fear; we shall be able to answer him when the
auditor has answered our petition,” which he soon did. But in what
manner, good heaven? by ordering that within three days at the furthest,
I should produce my evidence of the robbery of which I accused Signor
Alexander Bentivoglio.

 [A] The Auditor of the Tower, or Judge in criminal cases.

Had I dispatched a man express to Sienna for a copy of the allegations
mentioned in my declaration, I could not have had an answer in so short
a time.

The auditor could not be ignorant of this, since in my petition I had
expressly declared that it was from Sienna that I expected my strongest
proofs. My lawyer remonstrated in a second petition, that it was against
custom to prescribe a fixed time to the plaintiff. By this he hoped at
least to maintain a longer time, but he was again disappointed. Not
being able now to doubt any longer the connexion that subsisted between
the auditor and the honest man I had to contend with, he said to me with
the utmost confusion, and blushing at the horrible injustice I met with
in his own country; “I have no other advice to give you but to quit this
town; it is not safe for you to remain here; I see but too well the
wicked trick they have served you; you will only spend your time and
money here to no purpose, and I am not sure that you will even get off
at so cheap a rate. In one word you are a stranger: and I blush to
confess that every thing is thought lawful here against foreigners.”

“Is it possible?” said I, in a tone expressive enough of my
indignation; “sure we are not at present in a country of barbarians.”
“Yes, worse than barbarians,” said he, “for among them, justice is
administered according to the law of nature, but here we have no law at
all. I repeat it again,” continued he, “my advice is, that you tarry no
longer in a part of the world where the chief magistrates are so little
scrupulous as to make the guilty pass for innocent, and treat the
innocent as guilty.” I promised my lawyer that the very next day I would
follow his advice. I thanked him for the pains and trouble he had been
at, and pulled out my purse to recompense him, but he declined taking
any thing from me. “You have lost enough already,” said he, “if I were
to take any fee from you, I should deserve, I think, to be considered as
one of those whom you have to complain of. Besides, I wish, that in
quitting the city of Bologna, you may be convinced that though rogues
are abundant, yet there are a few men of honour to be found in it.”

I returned to my lodging, mightily pleased with the frank proceeding of
my lawyer, and found Sayavedra in no small fear, lest I should sacrifice
him to recover my goods. Undoubtedly, if I had produced him in Court, it
would at once have defeated the arts of old Bentivoglio; but it never
entered into my heart to be guilty of such a piece of treachery. I had
forgiven him, and since that time he had served me so faithfully, that
he left me no occasion to remember what he had done. I told him that our
law-suit was finished, though no judgment had been given upon it; that
we had but to seek our fortune elsewhere, and that, as I intended to set
out for Milan the next day very early in the morning, he had nothing to
do but to hire post-horses, and prepare every thing for our journey. I
had scarcely finished giving these orders to Sayavedra, when there
entered the inn a great number of bailiffs and bailiffs’ followers,--a
trade the devil would not be of. They made no more ado, but took me by
the collar and hauled me off to prison. I asked for what I was
committed, and what I had done to merit such usage? I was answered I
should know in good time; which I did indeed, and found that it was for
the crime of having been robbed, and that I should be very lucky if I
got out of prison by being sent to the galleys. That Counsellor
Bentivoglio, in order to punish me for my insolence in bringing an
action against his son, and presenting petitions that were looked upon
as defamatory libels against the nobility of his family, and more
particularly against Signor Alexander, whose morals and good manners
were so well known in the city of Bologna, had obtained from the justice
of the Auditor a warrant to arrest me, until I should be adjudged a
punishment suitable to my rashness.

This notable accusation took up a whole sheet of paper, and all the
while I read it I raised my hands and eyes towards Heaven with looks of
astonishment, to the great amusement of the jailor and his companions,
who laughed heartily in their sleeves at me. I remained two or three
days without seeing any body but the keeper and his men, who wantonly
insulted me, and made me their laughing-stock. This place appeared to me
to be the true picture of Hell. I should have been starved had I not had
money, and as it was, I paid for what I had at least three times its
value. In addition to this, I was obliged to keep on terms with the
jailor, who, out of an excess of civility, constantly visited me at my
meals, eat up half of what I had paid for, and afterwards had the
impudence to say he did not honour any other prisoner so much as to give
him his company.

Sayavedra, who, for the reasons I have before mentioned, dared not
appear in the town to solicit for me, employed my landlord, who, moved
with compassion to see me so ill used, went to my lawyer to prevail upon
him not to give me up to the wickedness of my enemies. This counsellor,
like a charitable and generous man, indignant at the tyranny that was
exercised, in contempt of the laws, against a helpless stranger, again
espoused my cause, to get me out of the clutches of these robbers; and,
to avoid an ignominious sentence, he advised me to consent to an
accommodation proposed to me by the adverse party, and which I shall not
fail here to mention. They made me sign a paper containing in substance
a recantation of my charge against Signor Bentivoglio, and a
declaration, drawn up in excellent form, that I knew this same Signor to
be a very honest gentleman, of a moral life and irreproachable honour,
begging his pardon for having accused him of so foul an action, and
stating that what I had done was at the instigation of some enemies of
his, having myself no manner of cause of complaint against him.

These were the honourable means they found to accommodate the parties. I
had no sooner signed this declaration against my honour and my
conscience than I was discharged; and, in truth, what would not I have
written? What would not a man say or do to get out of prison? Those who
know what it is to live in such a place will excuse me for having
proclaimed a thief to be an honest man for the sake of my liberty. I
repaired immediately to my inn, where I found Sayavedra in a most
disconsolate state of mind, much doubting whether the application of my
solicitor, and the scandalous reports in the town concerning my
imprisonment, would prevail so far as to extricate me from confinement.
This dear confidant was overjoyed to see me, whom he did not in the
least expect. The gentlemen who lodged at the inn were just going to sit
down to dinner. As soon as they saw me enter, they all embraced me, and
wished me joy of my enlargement, telling me how much they had been
concerned at my misfortune. During dinner the whole discourse ran upon
my judges, and Heaven knows they did not spare them. For my part I spoke
of them with a great deal of prudence, for fear of some new accident.




CHAP. XXXVIII.

     _Guzman, being out of Prison, prepares to set off to Milan, but an
     opportunity offers of getting money, and he delays his journey._


Dinner being over, I ordered Sayavedra to hire horses for Milan, whither
I intended to proceed the next day; for, after what had happened to me
at Bologna, that place had now become more unpleasant and dangerous to
me than Florence. Whilst my squire was gone to execute this commission,
I called upon my lawyer again, and offered him my purse, but, still
carrying on his generosity, he declined it, telling me that all he
wished of me was to be persuaded that he regretted nothing so much as
his inability to obtain me justice. I replied, that I felt as much
obliged to him as if he had obtained for me a restitution of all I had
lost; and we parted with the most sincere protestations of service and
friendship.

Having returned to the inn, and finding myself at a loss how to employ
my time, I amused myself by looking over three gentlemen who were at
cards. I seated myself at the side of one of them, and observed his
game; and, by a whim common enough to the human mind, felt myself
insensibly more concerned in his behalf than for the two others. When he
lost I felt sorry, and when he won I was as glad as if I was entitled to
a share of his gains. Fortune was for a long time doubtful between the
three players, though the money flew about among them in plenty. They
had each at least thirty pistoles before them, and played for large
stakes. The one whom I felt interested for seemed to know the least of
the game, and was consequently soon the loser, when the company grew
warm, and the bets began to run high, I longed mightily to advise; and
though I knew that would not be fair, I could scarcely resist when I
perceived that he had lost almost all his money. At length he lost the
last farthing; after which he rose and left the room, telling the
company he would procure more money, and should expect his revenge after
supper. By what I afterwards learnt, this young man had just arrived at
Bologna, to take his degrees in the civil law, for which purpose his
friends had supplied him with sixty pistoles, which he had thus quickly
got rid of, without having obtained even his doctor’s cap. One of the
two gentlemen who had so completely emptied his pockets was one of his
fellow-students, a nobleman of Bologna, and the other had the appearance
of a French officer. This latter was somewhat older than his comrades,
and the most skilful of the three. The French are no fools at gaming,
though they sometimes meet with persons of other nations who trim them
in their turns.

I withdrew to my own room, so much the more sorry that my doctor _in
fieri_ had lost, as I feared I had brought him ill-luck. Prepossessed
with this ridiculous idea, I reproached myself in having stood by him
all the game, and considered myself as the cause of his ruin. Then
recollecting myself, and blushing at my foolish sensibility: what an
egregious fool I am, thought I, thus to torment myself about what does
not in the least concern me. Have I not troubles enough of my own, but I
must grieve for other people’s losses? While my mind was occupied with
these thoughts, I heard the young man enter his own room which was only
divided from mine by a thin partition. He had just returned from the
town without having been able to get any more money, and, more enraged
against those who had refused to lend him any than those who had
stripped him of his last farthing, “What misery!” cried he; “is it
possible that in a town like Bologna, an honest man cannot find means of
borrowing thirty pistoles? sure the inhabitants must be Turks instead of
Christians;--indeed I can scarcely believe but the Turks would have
humanity enough to relieve me in such an emergency!” Thus saying, he
sighed most bitterly and stalked up and down the room for a considerable
time; then relapsing into his passion, he roared like a bull, struck
the table with his fist, and bestowed all the curses he could think of
on the inhabitants of Bologna. At length, tired of raving and swearing,
he threw himself upon the bed, continuing his lamentations in a more
plaintive tone.

In vain did I endeavour to harden my heart, for I felt, in spite of
myself, much afflicted at his misfortune. At this moment my confidant
entered my chamber, and told me that after considerable difficulty, he
had been so fortunate as to find return horses to Milan. “Speak low my
friend,” said I, in a whisper. “My neighbor is so distressed at the loss
of his money, that he has excited my pity, and I will confess to you
that I have some idea of avenging his cause.” “How can you effect that?”
said Sayavedra. “By taking his place this evening, and playing in his
stead, to be sure,” answered I. “It must be neck or nothing--full
pockets or empty all of a sudden. At all events, it is very certain that
the small sum we have now left will not carry us far. Thirty pistoles,
which is the utmost we have, will go such a little way with travellers
who do not condescend to walk, and who live like noblemen at inns, that
it appears to me we cannot hesitate a moment. What think you, Sayavedra,
what do you advise? Tell me not that I am going to occupy the place of
one whose ill-luck may be contagious, as I am no superstitious player,
and besides shall be quite a match for my opponents.”

My confidant replied, “that he always approved of whatever I thought
proper to do; but that since I condescended to consult him, he would
recommend me not to trust too much to chance, but to take measures to
ensure good fortune.” “What measures?” said I, pretending to be quite a
novice in the business. “Are you ignorant then,” said he, “that when
people play for the sake of whining, it is common to make use of every
means without ceremony to strip our neighbour’s pockets? Honest folks
now-a-days do this without the slightest scruple of conscience. Be
assured, that what I tell you is true, and be not a greater fool than
others; I will assist you as far as the little knowledge I have in these
matters will avail.” I was overjoyed at this proposal of Sayavedra’s;
and more particularly as he volunteered his services on this occasion;
for up to this moment I had kept up at least the _appearance_ of honesty
with him, which is absolutely necessary if one expects to be faithfully
served.

I now, however, told him that, as he well knew, I could have no other
object than that of gain, and that if he was acquainted with an
infallible mode of always playing with success, I should be glad to
learn it of him; and that if even there were a little spice of knavery
in it, it were surely pardonable in the present deplorable condition of
my finances. He was charmed in his turn at my apparent readiness to
submit to his instructions. “I need only give you one lesson,” said he,
“to enable you to get all the money at the table. I shall watch my
opportunities to take a turn round the room, either to snuff the
candles, or to bring you a glass of wine; meantime I shall see what
cards your adversaries hold, which I can easily communicate to you by
signs agreed upon between us.” Sayavedra having thus instructed me, I
agreed with him that I should be a fool indeed were I lose with such an
assistant. We agreed then upon our signs, and my preceptor did not fail
to perceive that he had a very apt scholar in me.

About supper time I repaired to the parlour, where the two fortunate
players were already in waiting. My neighbour, the young lawyer, soon
arrived, and we all sat down to table. During the whole of the repast,
this young gentleman, melancholy as he was at heart, used every effort
to appear gay, talked a great deal, drank the healths of all present,
and affected the utmost good humour. After supper his two opponents
proposed cards, and as they were taking their seats, the young lawyer
said: “Gentlemen, I trust you will not object to play with me for thirty
pistoles on my honour, having to-morrow a very considerable sum to
receive.” At these words the Frenchman pulled a long face, and said
nothing; and his companion declared at once, that he played with no one
upon credit: that he had taken an oath to that effect, having always
remarked that it brought him ill-luck. “Very well, gentlemen,” replied
the other, “have but a little patience, and I will run to a merchant
whom I was not so fortunate as to find at home in the morning, who will
in a moment lend me whatever I want. The two gentlemen answered that he
would be sure to find them in the parlour if he returned before
midnight.”

It was now my turn to speak; addressing myself therefore to the two
gentlemen who remained, I suggested, that if agreeable to them I should
not object to make a third hand until the return of their comrade: that
I would instantly give up my place to him should he rejoin the party, as
having determined to leave that place very early the next morning, I
could not have the pleasure of their company long. The gentlemen, who
judged from my physiognomy that I could have but little knowledge of the
game, answered, with joy, that they should esteem it an honour. While
they were preparing the cards, I called to Sayavedra to bring me some
money. He threw our whole stock, which was about thirty pistoles, on the
table with a careless air, telling me he would go up stairs and get more
if I thought I should require it. I replied that it was quite
sufficient, for that I should think of retiring to bed when that was
lost.

We were soon in a proper train. Sayavedra seated himself in a chair near
the fire-place, and remained there by my orders to be in readiness to
wait upon us. Being rather lucky in the onset, I soon got a hundred
crowns in my pocket, without the least chicanery. This looks well,
thought I, and if unfortunately for me he should return with his purse
replenished, I shall not have occupied his seat for nothing. My good
luck seemed to vex my adversaries exceedingly, who, fearing lest I
should retire to bed, as I continually kept threatening to do, in order
to irritate them the more, proposed to double the stakes. I made no
objection, and a moment after, seeing that now was the time, I called to
Sayavedra, “Wake up you lazy dog,” said I, “have you nothing to do but
to sleep there? give me a glass of wine directly.” He rose up with the
most innocent air possible, pretended to be but half awake, and in
pouring out a glass of wine, enabled me by his signals to pocket fifteen
of my opponents’ pistoles in a twinkling. My fund was now considerably
increased; but to keep up the plan we had agreed upon, I allowed them to
win some of this back again, though I might easily have added to my
gains.

To say the truth, with my own knowledge of the tricks of the game, I
might easily have emptied the purses of these gentlemen, who were by no
means good players. It must, however, be confessed that I won their
money much quicker with Sayavedra’s assistance, especially when it was
not my turn to shuffle the cards. At last, I found myself master of all
the money that had been spread upon the table, and said, “Gentlemen, it
is very late; you know that I have a right to retire: nevertheless, that
you may not think that I wish to carry off your money, and take an undue
advantage, let us play again to-morrow, and I will not set off as I
intended, though I have already hired horses for that purpose.” Nothing
being more capable of consoling losers than the hope of having their
revenge, they pressed me no longer to continue the game that night, and
we accordingly separated, each taking the way to his own room, they
fearing that I should break my word, and I fully determined to keep it.

Joy of having won so much money, and the agitation of my spirits caused
by the game, prevented me for a long time from tasting the sweets of
sleep. Happily, however, nothing but agreeable images occupied my
thoughts. It was very different with my unfortunate neighbour, who had
returned from the city without having been able to raise any money, and,
not daring to shew his face in the parlour, had sneaked to bed full of
rage and shame. I heard him sigh most bitterly, and tossing himself in
bed from one side to the other. I was delighted in having avenged his
cause to my own profit; but what is strange, felt no longer any
compassion for him, as though he was less to be pitied because I had got
his money. So true it is that we commiserate the misfortunes which we do
not cause, but are insensible to those which are advantageous to
ourselves.

The next morning my two gaming friends were particularly anxious to
ascertain of the servants whether I was gone or not, and were much
pleased when they learnt that I had really postponed my departure. They
were afraid that I should escape them, while on the other hand nothing
was less in my thoughts than to leave them without making myself master
of the remainder of their money; but to increase their anxiety, I did
not make my appearance in the parlour until dinner time. Without
appearing to take any notice of them, I soon perceived, even during our
meal, how eager they were to return to the attack with me; meantime I
affected a coldness and indolence, the better to persuade them that it
was purely out of complaisance that I was willing to give them their
revenge.

No sooner was dinner over than cards were brought in, and my two
champions, to shew that they were well provided for the contest, drew
out a long purse each, well stored with good pistoles and Spanish
doubloons, which they threw on the table, saying, “Behold, signor
cavalier, what you will no doubt carry off to-morrow with you.” Little
did they think how truly they said this! We took our places then, and
the game commenced. It was my intention to lose at this point, so that I
had no occasion for Sayavedra. It being by no means my intention that
they should win much of me, I manoeuvred it so well that I lost but
about forty crowns after dinner, when the Frenchman proposed to play
higher. “No,” said I, “we have played now for a long time; let us
therefore rest a little, and we shall then be better able to devote a
part of the night to this religious pastime.”

The hope they entertained of treating me still worse, or rather of
ruining me, enabled them to keep up their patience until after supper.
On my side my intentions towards them were not a whit more charitable,
which I soon made appear when we set to again. Fortune was at first
rather adverse, but with my own skill and the assistance of my faithful
squire, I soon obliged her to declare herself for me, and my gentlemen
soon lost all their doubloons, which were transferred from their purses
into mine. After which, leaving the game to go to their chambers, they
told me that if I should be in the humour to give them another game the
next day, they should not be afraid of me. I answered that I should like
nothing better, and that they would find me always ready to accommodate
them.

I then retired to my own chamber with my confidant, who immediately
prepared to undress me, but I prevented him. “It is no time now to enjoy
rest,” said I; “it is too late to enjoy the comfort of reposing between
two sheets at this inn. I intend to depart hence without beat of drum as
soon as possible.” Sayavedra reminded me that I had first promised the
gentlemen to play another game with them. “I have not forgotten,”
replied I, “that I made such a promise; but I am not such a fool as to
think of keeping it. Imagine to yourself the dangers I should expose
myself to, by remaining any longer in this city. If it was in the power
of the thieves to get me imprisoned, after having themselves robbed me,
what may I not reasonably fear from honest folks who have real cause to
accuse me of roguery? We have already won above six hundred crowns. Let
us be content, therefore, and betake ourselves to a place of safety as
soon as possible. Have you not hired horses?” “Undoubtedly,” answered
he, “I have paid their master for their day’s work, and they will be in
waiting for us by break of day.” “So much the better,” replied I, “for I
shall not consider my purse in safety till I am at least ten good
leagues from this place.” My confidant left me to enjoy a few minutes’
rest, well pleased to hear that we were possessed of so considerable a
booty, and flattering himself with the sweet hope of having some part of
it for his share. He was not, however, without some anxiety on this
point when he recalled to mind the history of my trunks, which he feared
was too recent a transaction to have so soon escaped my memory.

As soon as he heard the least noise in the house, and imagined the
servants were stirring, he returned to my chamber, where he found me
quite ready for starting. In fact, I had not so much as reclined upon
the bed the whole night, but was most agreeably occupied in counting my
treasure, putting the gold on one side, and the silver on the other, and
in packing up as expeditiously as possible our little property. We soon
settled with the landlord, and gained the spot where our horses were in
waiting. The city gates were scarcely opened before we found ourselves
in the country. Never was so lovely a morning. At any other time I
should have admired its charms, but in the agitated state of my spirits
the beauty of the day was very indifferent to me. My object was to get
over the ground, imagining every moment that the hounds of justice would
be up with me, and re-conduct me to the prisons of Bologna, there to
compel me to restore the money I had so dexterously possessed myself of.
I turned round every moment to see if any one was following us, and when
I perceived a gentleman behind trotting faster than we were, my heart
beat, my colour changed, and I did not recover myself until he fairly
passed us on the road. So true is it, that every criminal carries about
with him his own punishment.

I became by degrees more tranquil, and when we had travelled about four
leagues, felt but little fear remaining. Breaking the silence which both
my companion and I had kept till that moment: “Are you not tired,
Sayavedra,” said I, “of thus travelling like two Carthusian friars? For
my part, I feel quite absorbed in idle meditation. Let us talk. Tell me
some story which may enliven us.” “Signor Don Guzman,” said he, “you
will, I am sure, be ready to allow that it much better becomes him who
has plenty of money in his pocket to tell merry stories, than him who
has not a sous wherewith to bless himself.” “I understand you, my
friend,” answered I, smiling; “but I assure you, that at dinner time we
will come to a reckoning, and I trust you will not have cause to be
dissatisfied.” “How you catch at every joke I pass,” replied he,
laughing aloud; “I protest that I had not such a thought, knowing full
well that in serving you I have done but my duty, for which I am amply
paid in the pleasure of having assisted you in fleecing those two gulls
of their doubloons.” The disinterestedness which Sayavedra assumed,
whether real or false, pleased me exceedingly; and it being by no means
my intention to baulk him of the remuneration due to him for his signs,
I made him a present of twenty pistoles, as soon as we arrived at a
little inn where we stopped to dine.




CHAP. XXXIX.

     _Sayavedra, to amuse Guzman on the road, relates to him the history
     of his life._


We remounted our horses, after having made a much better meal than we
expected on entering so inconsiderable an inn; and, far from preserving
the silence we had kept up all the morning, we conversed on various
subjects. Amongst the rest I chanced to ask Sayavedra how he first
became an adventurer. He answered, that the only way to satisfy my
curiosity was to relate to me the history of his life. I assured him,
that it would afford me great pleasure to hear his adventures, and,
without any more ceremony, he began in these terms:

“Though I told you at Rome that I was born at Seville, it was not the
truth. Valencia was in reality my native place, where perhaps may be
found more rogues than in any other city in Spain; because it is a place
which abounds with good things, and rich countries seldom produce honest
men. My father was certainly only a commoner, but of that sort of
citizens who pretend to hold up their heads with the nobility. Having
lost his wife whom he loved tenderly, he took it so much to heart, that
he did not long survive her. He left two sons; and these two sons, of
whom I was the younger, sold all his property, which was but trifling,
and divided its produce equally. After which my brother asked me what
plans I had in my head. I confessed to him candidly, that my ruling
passion was to travel. And mine also, said he. I have always taken
pleasure in any accounts of foreign countries, and long extremely to see
how people live who were not born in Spain. Both led on thus by the
force of our stars, or rather, perhaps by our own evil propensities, we
set off together one fine morning from Valencia, each with a small
parcel under his arm.

“We had not travelled above a league, when my brother said to me: a
thought has just entered my head. We are about to abandon ourselves to
fortune, and as we cannot know in what manner she may treat us, we may
hereafter find ourselves in situations where our greatest pain may be
that we are known, and that our real names may be covered with infamy.
To prevent this misfortune, let us change them. I approved of this idea,
and we soon found ourselves fresh names. My brother took that of Mateo
Lujan, and as I recollected that the most illustrious in Seville was
that of Sayavedra, I assumed that name, which I have passed by ever
since. Being decked out with these fine titles then,” continued he, “we
began to think of the route we should take. I had declared my wish to
pass into Italy, and my brother testified the same desire; but changing
his mind all of a sudden, he took it into his head to go to France. The
dispute ran so high between us on the subject, that on arriving at cross
roads, one of which led to Saragossa and the other to Barcelona, my
brother took the former, and I the latter, wishing each other every sort
of happiness and prosperity. After this fraternal separation, I repaired
to Barcelona, intending, as well as a great many other persons who were
waiting there with the same design, to take my passage by the galleys.
They did not arrive, however, until above a month after; during which
time I dressed handsomely, sought the best company, and young Signor
Sayavedra was extremely well received every where. He gamed, gave
entertainments, and did not fail to devote some portion of his time to
love. In short I made so merry during this interval, that when the
galleys arrived, and my debts were paid, I embarked with six pistoles
only in my pocket. We arrived safely at Genoa, where, finding a vessel
on the point of sailing for Naples, I would not lose so good an
opportunity, and the wind being extremely favourable, we made but a
short voyage of it.

“If on the one hand I was now rejoiced to find myself in the city, which
of all others I had wished to be in, how mortified was I on the other
when I considered the condition of my purse, which was as empty as any
hermit’s. Doubtless, thought I, Naples is a place where pleasures
abound: but they are as dear here as elsewhere, and a man without money
in his pocket will cut but a very ridiculous figure. I knew well that I
must be industrious, and accordingly addressed myself to certain other
gentlemen who lived by their wits. I apprised them of my desire and
necessity to become one of their brethren. My roguish air prepossessed
them instantly in my favour, and after a short examination which I was
obliged to undergo, I was pronounced to be fully qualified to be one of
their company. I was no sooner enrolled, than they made me commence my
operations in their way of business. By their own confession I acquitted
myself as if the principles were innate with me; and accordingly I was
soon employed in all sorts of thieving, that is to say, in cutting
purses, picking locks, stealing cloaks in the darkness of the night; in
short a hundred such-like exercises, which are but A, B, C, to old
practitioners in the science, but have a wonderful tendency to raise an
honest man step by step to the gallows.

“But without vanity, my abilities were of too superior a kind to confine
myself to these little tricks, and I certainly performed two or three
which were considered master-pieces. I must relate one of them to you.
The Lord High Constable’s house was the rendezvous of every person of
quality, who assembled there of an evening to play. I had already been
once in this house while the game had been going on, and had observed
every thing with a curious eye. I had particularly noticed that on each
of the tables there stood two handsome silver candlesticks with wax
lights, and I determined to think of some expedient by which I could
possess myself of a pair of them. With this view I bought a pair of
pewter ones of about the same height, with two wax candles in them. I
managed to get these very conveniently into my pocket, and one evening
having dressed myself so that I might pass for a boy belonging to one of
the gentlemen of the party, I stole to the high Constable’s house, and
posted myself at the door of a small room where two young gentlemen only
were at play. I perceived with pleasure that all the pages of the house
were engaged in the other rooms, which appeared to be full of company.
My two players continued engaged together for a long time, and their
candles being almost burnt out seemed to require fresh ones. I seized
this favourable moment, and drawing from my pocket my pewter
candlesticks, I lighted my wax candles by the lamp on the staircase, and
entered the room in which the two gentlemen were with a most respectful
bow, and with my two candlesticks in my hand. These I placed boldly on
the table in the place of the two silver ones, which I carried off under
my cloak after having extinguished them. I then ran as fast as my legs
would carry me to our captain, who was the receiver-general of our
stolen goods, a very grave personage, and who passed in the city as a
very honest man. He acted both as a protector and a lawyer towards us
when we happened to be caught in a trap: and out of gratitude we gave
him a fifth part of the produce of all the thefts we committed.

“Another time I performed a still more desperate trick. I happened to be
passing one morning before a house which appeared to be the residence of
some man of opulence, and which turned out afterwards to be really the
case. The door being open I walked in. I entered two or three rooms on
the same floor, without meeting any one, and I perceived, on the table
of the last, a complete new lady’s dress of the finest velvet. I
deposited this without ceremony under my cloak, and in two jumps was in
the hall again; but unfortunately I found the master of the house at the
door, who seeing me come out with a large parcel under my arm, stopped
me short, and enquired in a voice of thunder what I had got under my
cloak. Most people in my situation would have been quite confounded; but
I, on the contrary, without being in the least at a nonplus, answered
him immediately, that it was his lady’s velvet robe which I was carrying
home in order to set the collar to rights and alter one of the sleeves.
So much the better, replied he, but you must bring it back as soon as
possible, for my wife will want it this afternoon, to visit a lady of
quality of her acquaintance. I assured him that I would not fail, and
thus saying, shot from him as swift as a roebuck.

“This adventure soon spread itself in the town; and even the next day I
heard that the gentleman, after having spoken to me, immediately entered
his house, where he heard his wife and two or three of the servants
making as much noise as if they were in a tavern; that the mistress was
crying out most vehemently: where is my velvet robe? it was here not one
minute ago: you shall pay me for it:----that the servants having seen
no one either enter or leave the house, protested that it must have
been the devil who had carried it off; and that at last the husband
quieted this uproar, by telling them what had really become of it. I was
given to understand also, that the officers of justice had been informed
of it; that my person had been very accurately described to them, and
they were actually every where in search for me, the gentleman whom I
had robbed being himself a notary. During all this time, my booty was in
safety at our protector’s house, where the whole company laughed
heartily at their fruitless exertions to find me. Nevertheless this
trick, which I played with as much good luck as dexterity, had
consequences which do not occupy a very agreeable place in my memory.
Thus it happened:

“Happening one day to be taking a stroll out of the city, near a pretty
large rivulet, I observed some very fine linen on the banks, which a
laundress had just washed and spread out upon the grass. Such
opportunities as these always tempted me; and I could not resist my
extreme desire of making myself master of some part of this linen; the
more especially as I really was in want of some. I only waited,
therefore, for the moment when I could make the attempt without being
perceived, and that moment at length arriving, I performed the exploit
with such rapidity, that to possess myself of some of the very best of
the linen, and take the way back to the town, was done in the twinkling
of an eye. Though the old washerwoman had not observed the action at the
moment, it so happened that she just afterwards turned her head to look
at her linen. Astonished to perceive a reduction of at least two-thirds
she looked quickly around her, and seeing nobody but me, she thought
rightly enough that I must be the thief, and accordingly, leaving the
remainder of her linen to take its chance, she ran after me, crying out:
_stop thief! stop thief!_ in a voice which made the country resound. In
this embarrassment, what could I do? I let the parcel slip gently from
under my cloak upon the ground, hoping that the laundress satisfied with
having her property, would pursue me no further; but, whether she
thought that I had more about me, or was bent upon my ruin, she followed
me up to the city gates, where the sentry stopped me, asking what was
the matter. The washerwoman was soon up with us, and began immediately
by cuffing me, saying that I had stolen the whole of her linen. I was
then searched all over, and as my cloak and the under part of my arm
were wet through, it was easy enough to guess that I had got rid of the
bundle, in order to deny that I had robbed my accuser. Nothing more was
necessary to entitle me to a lodging in one of the palaces of justice.

“I communicated my imprisonment to our lawyer, who came to me
immediately. I told him the circumstances, and he repaired to a
criminal judge. They had a long conversation together, which ended with
the promise that I should be set at liberty that very day. He brought me
the good news, and I prepared to leave the place. The order was already
made out, the gaoler satisfied, and I had one foot out of prison, when
by the malice of the devil, my friend the notary, who had been so
actively in search for me, and who happened to have a little business
there, presented himself before me. He stared me full in the face, and
recognizing me immediately, he flew in a passion, gave me a violent blow
with his fist, which made me reel back into the prison again, and told
the gaoler to lock me in, for that I had robbed him, and he would
certainly get me committed. Our lawyer, who was present, exerted all his
flowers of rhetoric to appease him. He even went so far as to promise
the value of the robe; but the cursed notary, preferring the pleasure
of being revenged on me, to that of recovering his property, was
inexorable: the consequences of which were that I was honoured with a
hearty whipping, and banished the kingdom.

“After this disgrace, which I bore as patiently as I could, my captain,
by way of consolation, offered me a letter of recommendation to a friend
of his, the chief of a banditti who inhabited a retreat in the Roman
mountains, which, not knowing what better I could do, I accepted of. The
chief had no sooner read my letter than he gave me a most gracious
reception. He introduced me to the cavaliers of his company, than whom I
never saw more savage looking animals. It is true, that having left at
Naples comrades so perfectly civilized, it was impossible but these
mountaineers must have appeared to me wild and unsociable. Nevertheless,
as one must always follow the fashion, I by degrees became accustomed
to them, notwithstanding the terrible life they led. We made some good
hits, and I found myself in a short time with a purse well stocked. No
sooner was this the case than I determined on leaving these honest
folks. With this view, I requested leave of our chief for two months,
under pretence of having some business at Rome. This was readily granted
me, on my taking oath that I would return at the expiration of that
time. This oath I certainly submitted to, but fully determined to forget
it as soon as I got to Rome.

“I had pictured to myself that in so fine a city, I should find
opportunities to exercise my talents at every step I took. When,
however, I had been there long enough to study the genius of the
inhabitants, they appeared to me to be so cunning themselves, that I
stood no chance among them. I made a few hits, but of such a nature as
would do me no credit to repeat. In the last of these I narrowly
escaped detection. This caused me to leave Rome suddenly, whence I
thought proper to make the tour of Italy, that I might know it well, and
I spent all my money in this wandering life. At length, being at
Bologna, chance made me acquainted with Alexander Bentivoglio, who
received me into his little troop. This man seems born for his
profession. His custom is to leave his native place from time to time,
and travel through the different towns in search of dupes; and after he
has made any good stroke, he returns to Bologna, where he is always sure
to be safe, as though nothing had happened. I occasionally accompanied
him in these trips, and I was at Rome on his business, the day on which
your lordship was persecuted by the mob. I called upon you at the
Ambassador’s--you had the imprudence to display all your property and
expose all your affairs to me--I reported this to captain Alexander,
who immediately planned the trick we played you. This action, continued
he, is always present to my mind; and my extreme sorrow on this account
will be constantly nourished by your excessive kindness to me.”

Sayavedra here concluded his history. After which his various adventures
formed the topic of our conversation on the road towards Milan, where we
arrived both fresh and merry, and similarly well-disposed to possess
ourselves of the property of others.




CHAP. XL.

     _Of the daring enterprize which Guzman and Sayavedra formed
     together in the city of Milan._


We passed the first three days in walking about the streets, examining
the different articles with which the shops were decked out, without
thinking as yet of turning our genius to advantage. Happy times for the
citizens of Milan!

As we were strolling as usual one morning, a young man, tolerably well
dressed, accosted Sayavedra who was behind me. I always walked first,
and did not perceive him until I had got about a hundred paces on. I
then looked attentively at this young man who had stopped my confidant,
and there was something mettlesome and cunning in his appearance which
I did not like. Oh, oh! thought I, who can this chap be; what business
can they have together? This is what I must know; but how can I possibly
learn? Were I to call Sayavedra, and ask him the subject of this
conversation, he would not fail to frame a lie in an instant, and I
should not be a bit the wiser. All I can do then is to keep quiet, let
them go on their own way, betray no suspicion of Sayavedra, but keep a
sharp eye over him.

Their conversation lasted above a quarter of an hour; after which, the
young man took his leave of my confidant, who rejoined me with a
thoughtful air, which by no means dissipated my suspicions. I was in
hopes that he would have explained the rencontre to me; but he said not
a word about it, still remaining in a reverie. I kept silence also until
after dinner, when finding myself alone with him, and being able no
longer to contain myself: “Mr. Sayavedra,” said I, smiling, “may I
presume to ask who that young man might be with whom you had so serious
a conversation this morning? I think I have seen him at Rome. Is not his
name Mendocia?” “No Sir,” replied he, “he is named Aguilera, and I
assure you very appropriately so called; for he shews himself a true
eagle whenever he has occasion to use his claws. He is a good companion,
has a tolerable share of wit, and is very clever in many respects. We
have known each other for a long time, have travelled in company, and
have suffered a great deal together. His head is at present full of a
scheme, which, if it succeed, will make his fortune. He proposed to me
to be a party to it, offering me half the profits. I told him that I
would undertake nothing, without first apprising you of it. I even went
so far as to add that you were so extremely kind to me, that I felt
assured you would not refuse us your advice in an affair of such
consequence.” “No,” said I, “undoubtedly I would not: on the contrary,
my friend, I am well disposed to assist you both. Let me know what is
the subject in debate.” “Sir,” replied he, “Aguilera is to call here
this afternoon, when you can speak to him yourself. He will disclose his
whole project to you, and if there be any alteration required in his
plan, you can adjust it to perfection.”

He had no sooner said these words, than he was informed that a young man
wished to speak with him. We had no doubt but this was Aguilera, for we
knew no one else at Milan. Sayavedra ran to meet him; and after having
prepared him for the conversation we should have together, he introduced
him to me. We saluted each other with much politeness. Aguilera was a
well looking young man, and appeared to me to possess good sense. He
confirmed every thing my confidant had told me, and related to me in an
agreeable manner several of their exploits together. He then informed
me, that having come to Milan in the hope of making some good hit, he
had found means to introduce himself to the service of a rich banker,
with whom he had lived about six months as his clerk: that he had by his
assiduity and fidelity entirely gained the confidence of his patron,
waiting patiently until he found a good opportunity of robbing him: that
such a one now presented itself; but, that he had occasion for a second
to avail himself of it, and that in meeting Sayavedra, he looked upon
him as a man sent from heaven for that express purpose, being well
acquainted with his abilities that way. I asked him, “if there would be
any difficulty in the execution of his design.” “Not a great deal,”
replied he, “but you shall judge for yourself. The banker has within
these few days deposited in his strong box a large shamois leather
purse, containing one thousand good pistoles. It is my intention to take
possession of these on Sunday morning, while my patron is at mass, and
to join Sayavedra at a certain place, where he shall have two horses in
waiting. We shall be off in an instant, and ride our hacks so vigorously
that we shall be far enough from the city, before the banker can
discover the copious bleeding his strong box shall have sustained.”

After having listened to Aguilera very attentively, I told him that his
undertaking was of a much more delicate nature than he himself seemed to
imagine: that, being known in the town as the confidential clerk of the
banker, he might meet some person on the road, who, surprised to see him
travelling on a post horse, would naturally suspect him of some roguery,
and immediately communicate his suspicions to his master: that the
banker on his return from mass would perhaps immediately discover that
he had been robbed; that this report would soon spread itself about the
town, and that it would soon be ascertained that Aguilera had set off
with post horses: the consequence of which would be, that his patron
would have him pursued by certain persons well mounted, whom it might be
rather difficult to escape. I urged many other objections, which
convinced him that his plan was but ill-conceived. He confessed this,
but told me at the same time, that he should nevertheless execute it, as
he saw no better way. I have to do, continued he, with a man who never
leaves his house, except on Sundays to hear mass, and then immediately
on his return shuts himself up as before in the room in which he keeps
his papers and money.

“It matters nothing,” replied I, “be he never so vigilant, ’twill be
easy enough to get this same shamois leather purse into our hands,
without exposing yourself to the danger you are willing to rashly to
incur. In good faith, gentlemen, if you know no better than this, you
are as yet but apprentices to your trade. I will shew you a genius
superior to that of many besides you. I will take upon myself, if it so
please you, the charge of conducting this enterprise, and without
implicating you in any misfortune that may happen to me in consequence;
even though fortune be adverse to me, I will answer for the thousand
pistoles, provided they remain in the strong box eight days longer.”
Sayavedra and his friend laughed heartily at this speech, at which they
were almost as much delighted as if the pistoles were already in their
hands. They thanked me for the offer, and readily left the conducting of
this affair to me; well persuaded, particularly Sayavedra, that I should
not talk in this strain without being well assured of the event. “Give
yourselves no further trouble about it then, gentlemen,” added I, “you
shall see that one who has been a page five or six years is somewhat
wiser than a Roman bandit.” This hit at Sayavedra redoubled their mirth,
and we were all very merry together. I then proceeded to question this
confidential clerk of the banker’s more particularly.

“By what means,” said I, “did you intend to get the purse out of the
strong box; you have not the key of it?” “Certainly not,” replied he,
“for my patron will trust it to nobody. He occasionally gives it to me
when I happen to be with him in his private room, and some person
happens to come in, when he is himself engaged, for the payment of a
bill. He throws me the key to take out a bag of which he tells me the
number, and while I am counting the money, he keeps one eye on what he
is writing and the other on me.” “This being the case,” continued I, “it
would be very difficult to take an impression of the key.” “Much less
so, perhaps, than you imagine,” answered Aguilera. “I have, God be
praised, a pretty dexterous hand, and will undertake to bring you the
impression of it; and also, if you think proper, that of the press, in
which the banker locks up his account-books and his daily cash.” At
these words, which delighted me, I told him that if he could procure
both the impressions, we should be much more sure of success.

I did not forget to ascertain the situation of the room; the manner in
which the bags were tied up; their marks; in fact every particular that
I considered necessary, of which I wrote down a circumstantial account.
I then sent Aguilera home to his master, telling him that I would give
him timely notice of the part he would have to play. After his
departure, I told my confidant that I had put his friend to a difficult
trial, and that I doubted much whether he would procure the impressions
of the keys. But Sayavedra, who had a better opinion of his talents,
thought otherwise, and he was certainly right. Within two days after
Aguilera kept his word, and informed me, also, where I might find a
locksmith who would make me two false keys, provided I paid him
handsomely. “I have but one more question to ask you,” said I, “at what
hour is your master to be seen? for bankers are generally particular.”
Aguilera answered, “that the best time was between ten o’clock and
noon.” “Good,” said I, “return home then, and remember well what I now
tell you: I shall not fail to be at the banker’s house by ten o’clock
to-morrow morning; arrange it so that you be with him at that time, and
be sure you lose not a word of my conversation with him, in order that
you may be brought forward as a witness, if necessary.”

Every thing being so far arranged, I carried the impressions to the
honest locksmith I had been recommended to, and whom I found in reality
the man for my business. He promised to make me two keys immediately
for two pistoles, one of which I paid him in advance. On my return to my
inn, I espied in a shop window a very neat sort of jewel box, which
after having carefully examined, I bought. Sayavedra who accompanied me,
appeared somewhat surprised at this purchase. I could not resist
laughing at his astonishment: “Friend,” said I, “be assured that this
little casket will not be without its use.” “I do not doubt it,”
answered he smiling; “you have not made a fool’s bargain. You doubtless
know the use you intend to put it to, and I leave that as well as every
thing else to your superior judgment.”

I went the next morning at ten precisely to the banker’s counting-house.
Aguilera was there, and two or three gentlemen on business. I bowed to
the master on entering the room, and addressing him in a loud voice,
told him that I was come to Milan with the intention of making some
purchases previously to my marriage: that I had brought a considerable
sum of money which I should be glad to place in safety, and that instead
of leaving it at my inn where there were all sorts of people, I had
thought it much better to trust it to a man like him, whose probity I
had heard much commended: I added, that I had a short voyage to take to
Venice which would oblige me to have a credit from his house. The
banker, greedy of gain, made me a thousand offers of service,
accompanied by the most profound bows, and asked me the amount of the
sum I wished to deposit in his hands. I answered, about twelve thousand
franks of gold, and a small bag of silver specie, which I would send him
in about an hour. He replied that my time was his: then reaching down
his day-book from the press, he enquired my name, which I gave him as
Don Juan Osorio. This he immediately wrote down, with the date of the
day and month, the better to ensure my keeping my word.

After this, having no further business with him at that time, I took my
leave, after a thousand mutual compliments, entreating him not to leave
his house until my return. I reached home well satisfied with the happy
commencement of my scheme. Sayavedra, who was waiting for me, with the
more impatience, as he was more interested in the business than I was,
was not a little astonished, when I informed him what I had just done.
“But, sir,” said he, “pray where do you intend to get these twelve
thousand franks which you have promised to carry to the banker’s? I am
at a loss to know this.” “That need not give you the least uneasiness,”
answered I, “he has them already. I know well enough that this is Hebrew
to you, but I have my reasons. Press me no more on this point at
present, but tell me whether your friend Aguilera reckons among his
talents that of being able to forge writing.” “Forge!” cried he with
transport, “he can counterfeit any one’s hand; it is his fort. Would to
heaven that I had only the money he has touched by such means! if he had
not excelled in that art, he would still have been at Rome; but he was
obliged to decamp thence somewhat abruptly, for fear of falling into the
hands of a brute of a merchant, who, having discovered that he had
forged his signature, was in pursuit of him.” “This being the case,”
replied I, “our enterprise must infallibly succeed.”

The reliance that Sayavedra placed in my skill, prevented his doubting
the success I assured him of, though he knew nothing of my plans. All
that vexed him was, that I had allotted no part in the performance to
him, of which he complained to me, asking if he was to be dumb in the
comedy. “Never fear,” said I, “I have reserved a character for you,
which you will perform to admiration.” At the same time I ordered him to
take under his arm the casket I had purchased and filled with lumps of
lead. In addition to this I loaded him with a bag of money, bound round
with red ribbon, and stained with ink in the middle, because, as well as
I could remember, there was one exactly similar to it in the strong box.
We left our chamber together, as if with the intention of carrying all
this to the banker’s. Having got into the street, I said to my
confidant, return for one moment into the kitchen, under pretence of
asking our landlord what hour we shall dine, and what he intends for our
dinner. In short, take care that his wife and he cannot fail to observe
the casket with curiosity and attention. It is very essential to us that
they should both take particular notice of it before you rejoin me.

No man in the world could be better adapted than Sayavedra, to acquit
himself well on such a commission. He went into the kitchen, where,
after having asked the landlord the question I had desired him, he
displayed without ceremony the casket and bag of money. The landlord and
landlady immediately fixed their eyes on them: the casket, especially,
was so much admired by the wife, that she could not resist requesting to
be allowed to examine it more closely. Her husband did the same, and
exclaimed, “Good God, how heavy it is!” “It may well be so,” said
Sayavedra, “since it is full of gold coin, to the amount of twelve
thousand franks, which we are now going to deposit in a banker’s hands.”
“At a banker’s!” cried the landlord abruptly, “though they contained
above a hundred thousand franks, both that casket and bag would be as
much in safety at my house as at the richest banker’s in the town.” The
landlady, as ticklish as her husband on points of honour, added: “Yes,
we have occasionally deposits of value left with us; and, thank God and
the Virgin Mary, we have always taken good care of them.” “I doubt it
not in the least,” replied Sayavedra. “Were you not considered honest
people, my master would never have come to lodge with you with so much
money. Think not then that he has a bad opinion of your house; but, the
fact is, that he is on the point of setting out for Venice, and having
occasion for a letter of credit to that city, we are in fairness bound
to leave these twelve thousand franks with the banker who will supply
him with one.”

“That alters the case,” replied the host, appeased; “I have nothing more
to say to it. What is the banker’s name?” “Plati,” replied my confidant.
“Plague on him,” continued the landlord, “he is as rich as Croesus,
but a very Jew. He will make you pay handsomely for your confidence, I
can tell you. If you had only said one word to me, I could have
recommended you to a much more reasonable house.” “It is too late now,”
said Sayavedra; “my master has already agreed with this banker. But
think not,” continued he, “that I can gossip much longer with you, for
my master is waiting for me. I merely came into the kitchen to ascertain
whether we should have time to settle our business before dinner.” The
landlord begged that we would not hurry ourselves, and hoped that we
should always find him ready to accommodate us in any way while in his
house.

My confidant having repeated this conversation to me, we took a walk
together quite out of the town. We returned after some time to the inn,
where Sayavedra, by my desire, entered without being observed, and
replaced both the casket and bag in my chamber. The table was not yet
laid, the landlord, out of respect to me, having kept back the dinner,
which was served up immediately he was told of my arrival. Having dined,
I retired into my chamber and sent for the landlord, who immediately
came up, begging to know in what he could serve me. I have a complaint
to make against you, said I; how could you think me capable of
suspecting so honourable a man as you? To convince you of the injustice
you do me, I entreat you to take care of this purse containing a hundred
pistoles, until my departure for Venice. So saying, I drew from my
pocket a perfumed purse containing that sum exactly. He was so sensible
of this mark of confidence, that he could scarcely restrain his joy.

In the evening the banker’s clerk stole from his master to join us:
“Well, Aguilera,” said I, “your patron was doubtless very much surprised
at not having seen me again this morning.” “In truth he was,” replied
he: “after having waited above an hour expecting you, he began to fear
that you would return no more. As he cannot be ignorant of his bad
repute at Milan, he thinks that some person has been charitable enough
to caution you against him, and I could perceive that he was extremely
mortified.” “Did the three gentlemen who were with him when I called
this morning, stay long after I was gone?” said I. “No,” answered
Aguilera, “nor did any one else drop in during the whole of the
morning.” I was much pleased at this circumstance, and assured my
companions, that in three or four days, at latest, we should bring this
piece to a finale. The banker’s confidential gentleman, overjoyed with
this prospect, wished me good night; but before we parted I desired that
he would not call again at the inn, representing the consequences to
him, and arranging between us that every day at a certain hour he should
repair to a certain place, where Sayavedra should meet him and bring
instructions from me.

My false keys were brought home two days after this. Aguilera, who was
soon informed of this, told his friend he should have an opportunity of
making use of them on the following Sunday after dinner, while the
banker was amusing himself, as was his custom, at a game of chess, with
one of his neighbours. I then let Sayavedra completely into the secret,
in order that he might the better give his friend his instructions; and,
on the Saturday evening I despatched him to the rendezvous, entrusting
to his care the two false keys, and the casket, in which I put ten
quadruples, thirty Roman crowns, and some slips of manuscript, instead
of the lead which it before contained. As for the bag of money, I begged
leave to keep that at home, having besmeared it with ink, and tied it up
with red ribbon, merely that it might be exhibited to our landlord and
his wife in that state, that they might testify to having seen it; so I
had only put the lead into the casket to make it heavy, and to make
these good folks believe that it was full of gold.

As soon as my confidant saw Aguilera, he said to him: “now my friend,
listen to me with the utmost attention, and be particular in remembering
what I tell you. Take these keys, and to-morrow, when you open the
strong box, take out the shamois leather purse which is in it, and empty
it into this casket; but be sure you take thirty pistoles out of the
thousand you will find there, and substitute these ten quadruples in
their place. You will not fail also to put this manuscript in, which
contains a specification of the sum, and declares that it is the
property of Don Juan Osorio, which is the name my master has assumed in
this affair. This other slip of paper,” continued he, “you must thrust
into the bag in which you say there are three hundred and thirty
crowns, and which is stained with ink, and tied up with a red ribbon.
You will at the same time extract from this bag thirty of these crowns,
and slip in these thirty Roman crowns in their stead. I have but one
thing now to tell, and which is most important of all; that is, to open
the press in which your patron keeps his account books, and write in his
journal the words you will find on this third paper, taking good care to
let it be under the name of Don Juan Osorio, which you will find there
entered, and also to imitate with your utmost dexterity the hand-writing
of Signor Plati. Signor Don Guzman, my master,” added he, “requires
nothing more of you but what will be the easiest part of the
performance, namely: that on Monday, at the wind up of the scheme, you
affect to be a most zealous servant, call him all the vile names you can
think of, and even strike him to make the scene more natural.”

Aguilera here interrupted his friend. “Enough,” said he; “I see plainly
the whole of the project, and that the master you serve is indeed a
thorough-bred thief. You may assure him that I shall do every thing he
has prescribed for me, and it shall not be my fault if his plans be
defeated.” Sayavedra thereupon delivered up to him the casket with the
three papers, the ten quadruples, and thirty Roman crowns, which
Aguilera carried home and hid, until the time came to make use of them.




CHAP. XLI.

_What was the success of this stratagem._


I did not pass the Sunday without some uneasiness, fearing lest some
untoward circumstance might defeat our enterprise; but my confidant
having been to the usual place of rendezvous in the evening, returned
full of joy to announce to me that every thing had been executed as I
desired, and that Aguilera was preparing himself to play his part well
the next day. This news restored my spirits, and I waited patiently for
the hour when I should appear before the banker.

No sooner had it arrived, than I repaired to his house; he was alone in
his counting-house. After saluting him very politely, I told him I had
called to request that he would return me what I had brought him a few
days before. He inquired with astonishment what I had brought him.
“Zounds!” said I, “why the gold and silver specie which I deposited in
your hands.” “What gold and silver,” answered he. “Oh, oh!” replied I,
“what you affect to joke? Upon my soul, this is not bad.” “Much more of
a joke,” rejoined he, “that you should expect me to refund what has
never been given to me.” “Let us have no more jesting, however,” said I,
“on matters of business, which, I assure you, is by no means to my
taste.” “Surely,” said he, “it must be you that jest: I recollect well
enough that a few days since you called upon me, and promised that
within an hour you would bring me twelve thousand franks; but you
forfeited your word.” “Rather,” answered I, “confess that you have lost
your memory. I protest that I delivered that sum into your own hands,
and will not quit this house until it be refunded in the very same coins
in which I paid it to you.” “Go about your business,” replied he, “or I
shall grow impatient with your nonsense. I neither know any thing of
you, nor have I ever had any thing that belongs to you. Go and get your
money from those to whom you entrusted it.”

As the banker and I began now every moment to assume a higher tone, all
the passers-by stopped to listen to our conversation, very anxious to
know the subject of our dispute. That they might not be long in suspense
I cried aloud, “Oh, traitor and infamous thief! may the justice of God
and man unite to punish you! When I entrusted you with my money you
received me most obsequiously, but now I am come to reclaim it you
affect not to know who I am, and with the most bare-faced effrontery
deny the deposit! Cause the money to be counted out to me on this table
instantly, or I will tear your soul out!” The banker on his side called
me all the names I deserved, until from abusing each other we insensibly
came to action, and he endeavoured to push me out of the room by his
shoulders; but I repulsed him with such a blow as laid him sprawling on
the floor. Aguilera then rushed upon me with a furious air, and gave me
a few fisticuffs, which I returned in such sort, that several of the
spectators entered to separate us. The confidential clerk finding
himself restrained from rejoining me, pretended to struggle with those
who held him, like a madman; while on my side, with my eyes glittering
and my mouth foaming with rage, I defied him to approach me.

The affray had already lasted an hour, when the Bargello, by chance, or
perhaps from some one’s having told him what was going on, made his
appearance. The first thing he did was to ask the subject of our
quarrel, and the struggle now was which of us should speak first. He
desired us both to hold our tongues; then having informed himself which
of us was the complainant, he desired me to speak first, after which he
would hear what my adversary had to say. At these words a profound
silence succeeded, and every one present listened attentively. “Six days
since,” said I, “I came into this counting-house, and requested this
same Signor Plati to allow me to deposit in his hands a considerable sum
of money which I had brought to Milan with me, and which I did not think
sufficiently secure at the inn where I lodge. He answered with much
politeness that I had only to send him the money, and he would take care
of it as long as I thought proper. I accordingly returned home
immediately, and returned an hour after with my servant, who carried in
a gilt casket a thousand pistoles in gold, and in a bag stained with
ink and tied with a red ribbon three hundred and thirty crowns, thirty
of which were Roman. The banker counted and weighed the coin, which he
put with their specification in the casket and bag again, and then
locked them altogether in his strong box.”

Up to this moment the banker, not having dared to interrupt me, although
in the fury that possessed him he could with difficulty restrain, had
contented himself by raising his hands and eyes towards Heaven to
witness my imposture: but his patience now entirely forsook him, and he
could hold out no longer. “You see before you,” cried he, “one of the
most bare-faced liars on the face of the earth. Should there be found in
my house a casket such as that he mentions, I shall be content to
forfeit my life and every thing I possess in the world.” “And if what I
have told you be not true,” cried I, in my turn, “I will consent that
the banker enjoy my property in peace, and that my ears be cut off like
a traitor and audacious thief who dares demand what does not belong to
him. It is a very easy matter,” continued I, “to discover the truth.
Nothing remains but to open the strong box, where you will find my
casket and bag, with the accounts which will inform you that the money
belongs to me. Give orders, Signor Bargello, give orders immediately, I
beseech you, that this old rogue show you his account books, where you
will see what he himself wrote the day he received the money.” “You are
right,” replied the Bargello, “and further conversation would be
superfluous. Come, Signor Plati, if this gentleman gave you the specie,
there will of course be an entry in your books.” “Undoubtedly,” answered
the banker; “but I have no fear of your finding it, and if there should
be any mention made of twelve thousand franks which this stranger
assures you he entrusted to me, I will confess that he tells the truth,
and that I am the impostor.” At the same time he told his clerk to reach
him down the large account book out of his press. Aguilera had no sooner
handed this to him, than I cried out: “No, no, thou knave! this is not
the book that will bear witness against thee, it was a smaller but
longer one.” Aguilera then said to his master, “He must surely mean our
journal.” “Let it be the journal then,” replied the banker; “bring
forward all the books in the house.” Aguilera then produced the journal,
and asked me if that was the one I meant. I replied that it was. The
Bargello immediately began to look it over, and finding in it what our
colleague had written by my order, he read the following words in a loud
voice:

“_This day, the 13th of February 1586, Don Juan Osorio remitted me nine
hundred and sixty pistoles in gold coin, Spanish and Italian, and ten
quadruples, which make together the sum of one thousand pistoles, and
which will be found in my strong box in a gilt casket. Moreover, I
received from the said Don Juan the same day, a bag tied with red
ribbon, in which are three hundred and thirty crowns, thirty of which
are Roman._”

The company had no sooner heard this entry read than they all began to
murmur against Signor Plati, thus giving me a decided advantage over
him. Fortunately also for me, the banker did not pass in the town for an
over-scrupulous man; so that every one readily believed the possibility
of his having played me the roguish trick of which I accused him. The
Bargello made him read these words, and asked him if he had not written
them. The citizen, confounded by so extraordinary a circumstance,
answered in an agitation which almost deprived him of the power of
speech, “that he had written the first words, but not the remainder.”
“How so,” replied the officer of justice, “it appears to be all in the
same hand-writing.” “I cannot deny that,” rejoined the banker, “but,
nevertheless it is not all my writing.” “It will avail you nothing to
deny it in this manner,” said the Bargello; “you must prove its
falsity.”

A fresh scene now contributed to convince the standers-by that I had not
complained without cause. A voice of thunder resounded through the
house, and a man with his kitchen apron and a large carving knife at his
side made his appearance. This was mine host, whom Sayavedra had been in
search of, and who, hearing that the banker denied having received the
money, was furiously exasperated against him. “Why,” cried he as he
entered, “do they not hang this arch Jew? Why not fire his house, and
burn him with all his race?” Then perceiving the officer of justice,
“can you allow,” said he, in a respectful and more moderate tone, “that
a cavalier should be robbed, ruined, and struck, with impunity, for
having trusted his property to a thief. This good gentleman lodges at my
house, and I most solemnly assure you, that I have seen and handled the
casket, as well as the bag which he has unfortunately confided to this
banker, who is already but too well known at Milan for what he really
is.”

Signor Plati, thunderstruck as he was, said what he could in his own
defence; but his feeble voice, which was scarcely audible at two paces
from him, stood no chance with that of my landlord, which could be
distinctly heard from one end of the street to the other. The people,
therefore, who generally give the palm in such cases to him who makes
the most noise, no longer doubting the justice of my complaint, cried
aloud, that the banker should be compelled instantly to refund. The
Bargello, addressing himself to the accused, represented to him, “that
it was in vain to resist in retaining money which did not belong to him;
that he would be compelled to make restitution, and that it was his duty
to search his house for the casket and bag. Give me,” added he, “the key
of your strong box; let us begin by visiting that, as your accuser
affirms it is there you have deposited them.” Plati being apprehensive
of pillage during this uproar could not make up his mind to deliver the
key; upon which the general cry was to lead him to prison. “We will do
better than that,” said the officer, “if he obey not this instant, I
will have the strong box forced open.”

The unfortunate banker seeing that all resistance was useless, drew from
his pocket the key, and delivered it into the hands of the officer, who,
after having chosen four citizens out of those present, to be witness of
the intended ceremony, opened the strong box before them and Plati, who
almost fainted away when the gilt casket and bag were drawn forth. The
Bargello then turning to this poor devil, “friend,” said he, “did you
not say you would forfeit your life and property if this casket were
found in your house? what if we take you at your word? Good heavens!
what a trustworthy banker.” Thus saying, he shut down the strong box,
and held up the casket in one hand and the bag in the other. The company
present no sooner saw them, than they began, especially mine host, to
load the banker with curses and revilings. The officer, in order to sift
the thing to the bottom, determined to open the casket. He asked me if I
had the key. I drew it from my pocket, and handed it to him. The first
thing that presented itself to his view, was the specification in these
terms: “_This Casket contains nine hundred and sixty pistoles in gold,
and ten quadruples; the whole making one thousand pistoles, and
belonging to Don Juan Osorio._” The quadruples were in a parcel by
themselves. These he shewed to the banker, and then proceeded to open
the bag in which were found the thirty Roman crowns and the others with
a similar account.

The cries of the company redoubled at sight of the sums exactly as I had
stated them, and every one pressed the Bargello to give me up the casket
and bag; which the officer would immediately have acceded to, if I had
not declared that I would not receive my money except at the hands of
justice, since we were in a city where, thank God, upright judges were
to be found. The banker, being once more called upon to say what he had
to allege against such positive proof, answered, more dead than alive,
and not knowing what to think of an adventure which appeared so natural;
“that it was all magic to him, and that the devil must assuredly have
had a hand in it.” “If you have no better argument than that to bring
forward,” said the officer to him, “you have every chance of losing your
cause, and being punished severely to boot.” Thus saying, he left the
casket and bag in the custody of a rich merchant in the neighbourhood,
and went to make his report to the Judges, who cited Signor Plati and me
to appear before them the next morning. The banker was himself so ill
that he found it impossible to attend, and contented himself by sending
his wife and clerk with some of his friends. As for me, I appeared
boldly accompanied by Sayavedra, my landlord and landlady, all three of
whom were interrogated alternately, and asserted a great deal,
especially the two last, more than they had either seen or heard. The
judges heard Aguilera and his mistress in their turns, who confessed
that not having been in the counting-house the whole of the day on which
I stated that I had brought the money, they could not conscientiously
swear that I had not been there.

Upon all these depositions the magistrates condemned my adversary to
restore my gold and silver, and pay all costs, prohibiting him from ever
practising the profession of banker again in Milan. The Bargello, in
execution of this sentence, conducted me to the merchant with whom he
had left the casket and bag, and having restored them to me, I returned
triumphantly to my inn. When I arrived there, I was not a little time
occupied in receiving congratulations on my success. The landlord and
his wife among the rest could not moderate their joy. To testify my
gratitude I made them some trifling presents, and all their servants had
reason to praise my generous disposition.




CHAP. XLII.

     _What share of the booty Guzman gives to his associates, and the
     resolution he takes of leaving Milan._


As soon as I was safely in possession of a sum of money so honestly
acquired, I could have wished myself far enough from Milan; but as too
precipitate a departure might have raised suspicions against me, I
resolved to defer it for a few days. Sayavedra was so overjoyed at our
good fortune, that he scarcely knew whether he was awake or dreaming.
Then thinking of the stratagem I had invented, he extolled me above all
the rogues in the world. “I did not give you credit for such a genius,”
said he, “though I confess I had an excellent opinion of your abilities
before; but I see clearly now that I am a long way behind you.” “Friend
Sayavedra,” said I, “there is nothing very extraordinary in the scheme.
What will be most worthy of praise is how to avoid the possibility of
danger by flight: for,” added I, smiling, “than to walk into a
gentleman’s house, the door of which stands open, steal a velvet robe
from thence, and afterwards to receive a hundred lashes for one’s pains,
nothing can be more easy.”

We passed the remainder of the day at the inn, and when night came on
went out together to meet Aguilera at the rendezvous. As soon as he saw
us approach, he began to laugh most heartily, and we followed his
example. He then complimented me on my address, after which I proceeded
to divide the booty. I drew from my pocket a purse containing three
hundred pistoles which I gave to him, telling him that I intended the
same sum for Sayavedra, and that I should keep the remainder myself, it
being but fair that he who had done the most work should be the best
paid. My two associates assured me they were perfectly well satisfied.
This business being ended, and having nothing else to detain us, we bade
Aguilera adieu, and returned home, where I employed myself after supper
in counting my money. How overjoyed was I at finding myself in
possession of upwards of seven thousand franks, independent of those I
had won at Bologna. I had never been so rich before, and I thought no
longer of having been robbed at Sienna.

As I was walking out the next day I chanced to espy in a shop window a
gilt chain so well wrought that I mistook it for gold. I went in and
asked its weight. The shop-keeper answered with a smile that all was not
gold that glittered; but that if I wished to purchase this chain I
should have it cheap. Being tempted by this offer, I gave him what he
asked, and carried it off with me. Sayavedra, who was with me, could
not restrain his laughter at my fine bargain, and when we had left the
shop, said to me, “Signor Don Juan Osorio, if I mistake not, means to
make this chain more expensive to some other person that it has been to
him?” “That is by no means impossible,” replied I, and with that
praiseworthy intention I immediately carried it to a skilful goldsmith,
who in a few days made me a chain of gold so exactly similar to mine,
that it was difficult to distinguish the one from the other.

At length I left Milan, carrying with me these two articles of
jewellery, as well as all the feathers I had plucked out of Signor
Plati’s wings. I gave out at the inn, previously to my departure, that I
was going to Venice; but instead of following that route, I took that to
Pavia. I stopped some time at this latter place, in order to make
preparations for my second journey to Genoa, which I had resolved upon
making if ever I found myself in a condition to appear before my
relations without making them blush. After some consideration I
determined to act the part of a Spanish Abbot returning from Rome. To
this effect I purchased some fine cloth, with which one of the most
famous tailors in Pavia made me a cassock and long cloak. To these I
added some black morocco shoes and silk stockings, and the rest of my
dress to correspond with that of a prelate. I desired Sayavedra to
provide himself with two large baggage trunks, and when all was ready I
set out in a litter conducted by a muleteer, with my squire on
horseback, a new valet on foot, and another muleteer who led a mule
laden with my goods. In this grand equipage was Genoa revisited by that
same Guzman whom it had seen six or seven years before in a situation
miserable enough.




CHAP. XLIII.

     _Of Guzman’s arrival at Genoa, and the gracious reception he met
     with from his relations when they learnt who he was._


We went to lodge at the White Cross, which at that time was the best inn
in the place. It was already night, but as my squire had gone before us
to prepare the landlord to receive an Abbot of the first rank, I found
the house all in a bustle when I arrived. Some of the servants were at
the doors with flambeaux, and after Sayavedra had assisted me in
alighting from the litter, the master conducted me to the best apartment
in the house, from which a gentleman much more worthy to occupy it had
been turned out to make room for me.

The inn was at that time full of people of consequence, most of whom
were not a little curious to know who I was, and my new valet, well
instructed by Sayavedra, told all who questioned him that I was the
Abbot Don Juan de Guzman, son of a noble Genoese who had married at
Seville. I did not quit my chamber the first day, thinking it better to
affect the Abbot of consequence fatigued with his journey from Rome, and
to get every thing in readiness to shew myself at Genoa the next morning
in the character of a prelate. While I was employed in decorating myself
with this view, my faithful squire, who was assisting me, could not
refrain from saying, “I fear my dear master grows suspicious of me,
since he has not yet deigned to communicate the plan he has in
contemplation.” “No, my friend,” replied I, “thou hast always had my
confidence. If during our stay at Pavia I procured this new dress
without telling you my reasons, it was merely because it was not at
that time necessary that you should know them. But I will now satisfy
your curiosity; for so far from wishing to conceal my project from you,
I cannot execute it without your assistance.

“I have already told you at Milan that my father, a noble Genoese,
married at Seville a lady of the house of Guzman, whence I took my name.
I have even related to you the history of my life at large; but I
believe I never once mentioned that adventure to you which has been the
cause of my forming the enterprise I am about to discover to you. You
must know that about seven years since I set out from Toledo in
tolerable good plight to visit my relations here in Italy; but I took so
little care of my money on the road, that I arrived at Genoa in a most
miserable condition. This did not, however, deter me from presenting
myself before several members of the family, and among others one of my
worthy uncles, who received me so ill, or rather caused me to be
treated so cruelly, that I swore to be revenged on him if fortune ever
afforded me the opportunity. This oath I intend to keep now that it is
in my power; but the only vengeance that I am desirous of taking on my
relations is to rob them. With this view I have assumed the dress which
so much surprises you. Besides that it inspires respect; it appears to
me more calculated than any other to disguise my features from those who
saw me before; the alteration that time has made in them not being so
great but that I should be in fear of being recognized. Let us prepare
then, my dear Sayavedra, to play off some of our best tricks in our
family, to which I am incited not only by a just resentment, but by
interest also.” My confidant made answer, that I had only to give my
commands, and he would not fail to follow my instructions. We consulted
together what was best to be done, and proceeded as follows.

The second morning after my arrival I dressed myself out in my cassock
and long cloak, and when I looked in the glass I scarcely knew myself.
Without any vanity I did not look amiss. If I had not possessed the
talent which I did to imitate all sorts of persons, I had seen at Rome
so many fine models of Abbots of consequence, that I could not possibly
have failed. I soon made myself master of some of their best airs: I
learnt how to draw my chin down to my neck with good effect; to assume a
grave and austere carriage; hold up my cassock and cloak just high
enough to exhibit one leg which was not ill-made, with the silk stocking
and handsome shoe; to carry my hat in a manner equally genteel and
modest; to look at people with a peculiarly absent air, and to modulate
properly the tones of my voice in speaking to them. I possessed this
knowledge perfectly well in theory, and now was the time that I should
shew the city that I was as able to practise it. My major-domo
Sayavedra followed with my lackey, both very appropriately equipped. I
was stared at with the curiosity that a stranger generally excites, and
many made most profound bows to me, or rather to my fine dress; for one
is treated in the world according to the appearance one makes. Let even
Cicero present himself ill-dressed, and he would pass for a college
servant at the highest.

I continued walking for above an hour, acknowledging the respectful
civilities I received like an Abbot who was accustomed to them. After
which I returned to the inn, where the landlord immediately informed me
that dinner was ready, and asked if I had any objection to some persons
of quality dining at the same table. I answered that it would afford me
pleasure. Having descended into the dining room, four gentlemen arrived
immediately and saluted me with respect. I returned the compliment very
politely, and dinner being served up, I took the seat of honour, and
then requested the gentlemen to seat themselves at table. The
conversation was at first serious on my account. I remarked this, and
enlivened it myself, and to let these gentlemen see that I was not the
devil, though dressed in black, I related two or three jocular stories,
which soon excited the rest to follow my example.

They were usually in the habit of amusing themselves at play after
dinner, and sometimes also after supper. They played high, but very
honourably. I passed an hour in looking over them, after which I
retired. They would have been much pleased if I had taken a fancy to
play with them, thinking me a rich Abbot rather than a skilful gamester,
though they ought to have known that there are a good many keen hands
even among the clergy. I did not choose to satisfy their desire so soon,
whatever longing I had for it. On the contrary, I professed a
repugnance for play, and it was not until we became more familiar
together, that I could be brought to join them, and then I pretended to
yield to their pressing entreaties out of pure complaisance. I played
only a short time, and for very small stakes, without employing
Sayavedra, or exerting my own skill. Thus what I lost was a mere trifle,
and I never pocketed what I won. Sometimes I left it to pay for the
cards, and at others distributed it among the servants. This conduct
acquired me the reputation of generosity, whence it happened that
whatever person chanced to drop in after dinner to look at us playing,
generally crowded round me in the hope of receiving some ducats.

One day, having won about forty pistoles, I took up five and twenty of
them, and left the remainder for those who stood about me. Then turning
towards a captain of a galley, who was among the interlopers, I said to
him in a low voice, slipping the money which I held in my hand into
his: “You have been too long in Spain to be ignorant that a gentleman
who has looked over the game and taken an interest in the fortune of any
particular player, never refuses any little token of gratitude that may
be offered him on that account.” He appeared somewhat confused by this
behaviour; but there are times in this life, as is said, when one
pistole is worth a thousand. My officer’s pocket was just at this time
so completely drained, that the pleasure of seeing this sudden shower of
gold, overcame his shame. In spite of his poverty however, I doubt
whether he was more sensible of the benefit than of the manner in which
it was conferred. I completely gained his heart. This he made several
attempts to assure me of, but I interrupted him by engaging him to talk
of his own pursuits. I even requested him to do me the honour to dine
and sup with me occasionally, for he did not usually dine at our inn;
and in taking leave of him I requested his friendship.

This captain was a man of merit, of good understanding, and agreeable
person, and as he was known to be a very honest man, he was received in
the best companies, where he made as good an appearance as his limited
income as a captain of a galley would permit. He was fond of gaming; and
though extremely unlucky at it, he could never restrain himself while a
crown remained in his pocket. In addition to this he was much addicted
to women, which alone would have been sufficient to have ruined him had
he been ever so rich. He called himself Favello, a name which a lady
whom he had formerly loved had bestowed on him, and which he had ever
since gone by, in remembrance of her. He told me the history of his life
a few days after, which I could not hear without sighing, so forcibly
did it recall to my mind my amour at Florence. The good qualities of
this captain, however, were not the only cause of all my politeness to
him; for I knew that the galleys would soon sail for Barcelona, and
intending as I did to profit by this opportunity of returning to Spain,
after having robbed my honest relations, the friendship of Captain
Favello was likely to be too useful to me, to neglect to acquire it.

No sooner was I up the next morning, than he called to tender his
services, and to invite me to take a sail with him on the water: which I
gladly accepted. I was conducted after dinner to his galley, where I was
received with all the honors that the Pope or the Doge of Genoa could
have expected. We left the harbour to admire the fine pleasure-houses
along the sea shore, which form a most charming spectacle. Our officer,
who was a Genoese by extraction, and spoke freely whatever he thought,
did not content himself with naming the proprietors, but added their
characters also. Among those whom he spared the least, he chanced to
mention one of my relations. I began to laugh: “Softly, Mr. Captain,”
said I, “I ask quarter for this last gentleman, for you know that I am
one of his family.” “Of his family?” cried he, with surprise mingled
with confusion, “How can that be?” “I will tell you,” replied I; “my
father was a noble Genoese, but having become a bankrupt to a large
amount, was obliged to pass over into Spain. He settled at Seville,
where he established his affairs by marrying a lady of the house of
Guzman, which name I bear preferably to my own, for two reasons; first,
to secure to myself a succession which might otherwise have escaped me;
and, secondly, because being at least as much the son of my mother as my
father, I thought myself entitled to make choice of which ever of their
two names would confer most honour on me.”

“You perhaps imagine,” said Favello, “that you are speaking of
circumstances with which I am not at all acquainted; but you are
mistaken. I am particularly intimate with two of your cousins, who have
more than once conversed with me respecting your father. They have told
me that he was a shrewd intelligent man: that he was taken prisoner by
an Algerine Corsair, and that after having recovered his liberty through
the love which a lady at Algiers conceived for him, he went to Seville
in search of his correspondent, where he captivated a lady of quality
and married her. You are then the son of that illustrious house?” “At
your service,” replied I, smiling again. “Know then,” continued he,
“that Signor Don Bertrand, your father’s eldest brother, is full of
years, still unmarried, and one of the richest nobles in Genoa.” “You
tell me what I was ignorant of,” said I; “for I have never seen him, and
my mother never had any correspondence with him.” “I am surprised,”
said he, “that you have not already made yourself known to him. Your
relations are certainly of great consequence in this country, and I know
not what should prevent your seeing them.” “What would you have me do?”
answered I; “would you have me announce my name before people who do not
know me, and who will naturally be apt to discredit what a man says who
has only his own word as a security. No no, I stand in no need of their
acquaintance, for I want nothing of them. Let us remain as we are.
Though they should know that I am here, as a stranger, it is not for me
to make the first advances.” “You are right,” said Favello, “but allow
me to call and apprise them to-morrow morning of your arrival. I am
persuaded that I shall no sooner have informed them than they will
behave with proper attention towards you.” “You are a man of prudence
and good understanding,” replied I, to the captain, “and may therefore
do what you think best. Only recollect to put no restraint on their
inclinations, for it is by no means my wish to intrude myself on their
acquaintance.”

While we were conversing in this manner, Favello had a very handsome
collation of the best fruits and sweetmeats served up, which he had
prepared on purpose for me, and on which he must have expended the
greater part of the pistoles I had presented him with. We still
continued to talk together, and the officer, who was perfectly well
acquainted with my uncle and cousins, told me so many particulars
relating to them, that I soon knew almost as much of their affairs as my
own. Night coming on obliged us to re-enter the harbour, where we left
the galley, and I took the captain home with me to my inn, where we
supped with the gentlemen who lodged there. After supper these
gentlemen invited me to play a game with him, saying they had not
forgotten the forty pistoles I had won of them the preceding day, and
that it was but just I should give them their revenge. I consented; and
feeling myself in good cue for playing, I said to Favello: “At least Mr.
Captain, you will recollect we go halves this time.” He replied with a
smile, that he thought me so lucky, that he should be proud to be my
partner. Fortune favoured me from the very commencement to the end of
the game. I won a hundred pistoles, which I divided with the captain.
This was the more agreeable to him as it did not hurt his pride. Thus I
gained his friendship by degrees, so that he could not possibly refuse
me the favour I expected of him.

He did not fail to keep his promise of going the next day to my
relations to announce to them the arrival of the Abbot Don Guzman at
Genoa. You will readily imagine that he gave them a fine account of my
person, merit, and generosity, for in the afternoon of the same day they
called at the inn, completely dressed out for the occasion. My
major-domo, to whom I had given my instructions, met them at the door,
and conducted them to my apartment where I received them with a grave
face, but with much civility. At first there came only two, both
children of a senator who had been dead five or six years, and who was
one of my father’s brothers. A third next made his appearance, the son
of a sister of my father’s, still living. They loaded me with
compliments, and made an offer of their house, credit, and purse,
because Sayavedra had given them to understand that I wanted neither. If
nothing else could convince them that I was a very rich abbot, what they
observed in my apartment was sufficient to impress them with that
opinion of me. I had taken care to spread negligently on the table my
gold chain, various other jewels, and the Milan casket with the lid
open, in which their sharp eyes doubtless espied part of the pistoles it
contained.

My uncle, who was the chief of the family, came last. It was
particularly to him that I owed a grudge. He supported himself on a
large stick, and seemed to walk with difficulty. I could no longer
discern that venerable appearance, which had pleased me so much when I
first saw him; on the contrary, my blood seemed to curdle at the sight
of this malicious old ape, who, with his assistant sham devils had
amused himself so cruelly at my expence. In spite of these painful
recollections, however, I failed not to receive him more graciously than
my cousins, who, shortly after taking their leave, left us alone
together. The old gentleman began by assuring me of his extreme joy at
the sight of the son of a brother who had ever been dear to him; then
surveying me from head to foot, he declared that I was very like my
father, and that he felt proud of a connexion so likely to do honour to
the family. He then complained that I had not ventured to take up my
lodging with him, where I should have found apartments more suitable
than any at an inn, for a man of my rank and character. I thanked him
very politely, and told him that my cousins also had made an offer of
their house, but that I had declined such an accommodation, being very
unwilling to inconvenience any of my relatives during the short stay I
should make at Genoa, whither I had come merely to ascertain the
condition of the family, as much for my own satisfaction, as for that of
my mother, who had desired to be kindly remembered.

These last words presented an opportunity to Don Bertrand to make
inquiries respecting my mother and her children. I replied that I was
her only son, and it had almost escaped me that I had two fathers; but
I restrained my tongue in time, and praised my mother up to the skies.
My uncle, impatient to relate to me what I knew quite as well as him,
interrupted my eulogium, saying: “I must tell you, my dear nephew, an
adventure which happened to us six or seven years ago. A little rascal
made his appearance in Genoa half naked. He ran about the streets
telling all those who were fools enough to listen to him, that he was
the son of your father; and this young beggar, who could not be mistaken
for any thing but what he was, flattered himself that some of our family
would be weak enough to believe him on his word, and humane enough to
have compassion on his misery. I threw myself in his way with the
intention of being revenged on him for the discredit he brought upon the
family, and I was fortunate enough to meet him. I allured him into my
house by soft words, and by promising that I would the next day
introduce him to a gentleman who would not fail to be of service to him.
When I got him home, I put some questions to him, which soon convinced
me that he was a little scape grace. I accordingly determined that he
should be punished for his presumption, and perceiving that he was dying
with hunger, I sent him to bed without any supper in a magnificent
chamber, where I caused him to be tormented all night long by certain
devils in masks, who tossed him in a blanket to his heart’s content.”

In relating this story to me the old rascal laughed with all his might,
and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could restrain the rage I
felt. I however, managed to dissemble, and forcing a sort of grin, I
agreed with him that the adventure was comical enough. “All that I
regret,” continued my uncle, “is, that he disappeared the next morning,
and is still at large. Could I have secured him, it was my intention to
have inflicted a much severer punishment on him for his presumption, in
daring to assert that he bore any affinity to our family.” After this
declaration I changed the subject, and a quarter of an hour after the
old gentleman took his leave, and I accompanied him to the street door,
paying him all the respect due to my father’s elder brother.




CHAP. XLIV.

     _Guzman gives a grand entertainment to his relations, and makes
     them pay pretty handsomely for it._


After dinner I desired Sayavedra to go out and purchase four good trunks
of the same size. While he was gone on this commission, Favello called
upon me, to give me an account of the conversations he had with my
relations respecting me, and he assured me all the family were charmed
with my person, especially Signor Don Bertrand my uncle. This good old
man, continued he, says that he almost fancied that it was his dear
brother he saw and heard speak, so much was he struck with your
resemblance to your father; that he regretted to find that you had
embraced the ecclesiastical life, and should propose to you to throw off
your cassock and marry one of your nieces on the mother’s side; and that
though this young lady had no property of her own, it was his intention
to provide well for her, she being his particular favourite. In
conclusion, the Captain protested to me, that my uncle had conceived a
great regard for me. All this, however, did not in the least deter me in
my intentions towards him.

I went to return the visit the next morning, first to Don Bertrand, who,
in the conversation which we had together, took occasion to observe,
that he thought that an only son, as I was, ought rather to think of
keeping up the family name than to consecrate myself to a state of life
which deprived the family of one of its best branches. I might have
answered, that he, having always been a bachelor, had himself wronged
the family quite as much as if he also had embraced the ecclesiastical
life. He then named the lady whom he had selected for my wife. To amuse
him, I pretended not to be much averse to his wishes, and made an end of
my visit by requesting his company to dine with me the next day. He
pressed hard to be excused on account of his great age; but when I
represented to him that none but relations would be of the party except
Captain Favello, the common friend of the family, he allowed himself to
be prevailed on, and promised to come, that I might be convinced, as he
was pleased to say, of the great regard he felt for a nephew whom
Heaven had sent him. After this I visited my cousins, one after another,
and they all promised to join the party. Nothing was now necessary but
to prepare a magnificent dinner for them. My landlord told me to leave
this to him, and he would undertake that my guests should be handsomely
provided for.

My major-domo, who returned home while I was speaking to the landlord,
told me that he had purchased four trunks as I desired. I looked at
them, and was well pleased. He asked me what I intended to do with them.
I told he had only to follow me, and he would soon know. I ordered him
to take our casket under his arm, and conducted him to the shop of one
of the richest goldsmiths in Genoa, whom I requested to lend me for
about twenty-four hours a rich service of silver plates and dishes, in
consideration of an honest profit, and depositing the value of the plate
in his hands. The goldsmith agreed to the proposal; we agreed as to the
sum I should pay him for the loan: and, choosing the service I liked
best, I deposited nine thousand franks with the goldsmith by way of
security. After which, I desired Sayavedra to fetch the two trunks, put
the plate in them himself, and have them carried home; which he did
accordingly.

All my relations assembled at my lodgings the next day. My landlord, who
piqued himself on being an excellent cook, gave us a specimen of his
ability in the difficult art of making ragouts, which he served up in so
delicious a style, that my cousins, and even my uncle, confessed that
they had never eaten better. If they had not expected such excellent
fare, how much more were they surprised when they saw the sideboard set
out with elegant plate, and the plates and dishes of the same metal.
They could not help observing, that a traveller ran great risk in
carrying such a service of plate about with him, and particularly in
Italy, where thieves so plentifully abound. The good Don Bertrand, who
had made the same reflections at sight of the display of silver,
applauded their opinion. “It is your own fault, my nephew,” cried he;
“you might easily have avoided living at an inn in a city where you have
so many relations. I grant you that this is the best inn in Genoa; but
that signifies nothing. You are yet young, and I, having had more
experience, would caution you against trusting to the goodness of the
locks or padlocks on your trunks, because either the landlord, landlady,
their children, or servants, always keep two or three keys to every room
in their house. If you believe me in this respect,” continued he, “since
you refuse to take up your residence at my house, you will at least send
your plate and jewels thither, where they would be in safety until your
departure, were there a million of gold.”

I thanked my uncle for his obliging anxiety; and pretending that I had
no fear of being robbed, I told him, that when I set out for Rome, I had
taken the precaution of leaving my most valuable effects in the hands of
our Ambassador, and that in respect to the plate, although it was
troublesome to a traveller, I was not sorry that I had brought it with
me, as in case of necessity I could sell it much more easily than
jewels. All the family seemed to acquiesce in this reason; and as I
mentioned the Ambassador, my cousins began to speak of that minister.
They said that they had seen him as he passed through Genoa on his road
to Rome. Upon which, to convince them that I stood well with his
Excellence, I shewed them the portrait he had presented me with. This
was quite sufficient to persuade them of the Ambassador’s great esteem
and friendship for me.

Don Bertrand, still harping upon the danger of keeping my plate at an
inn, returned once more to the charge, and I was obliged to quiet his
apprehensions by promising that I would have it all packed in the two
trunks in which I told him I usually locked it up, and send it to his
house immediately after dinner. We changed the subject, and began to
converse on my intended marriage. My uncle, addressing himself to me,
said, that I ought to think seriously of marrying in my youth, and not
to defer it to a more advanced age, to have the agonies of leaving
orphan children behind me. He then represented to me all the
disagreeables of an ecclesiastical life, and concluded his harangue by
enlarging on the perfections of the young lady whom he wished me to
marry. She is my niece by the mother’s side, added he; of noble blood,
and of ample beauty to make up for the deficiency of her fortune;
besides which, she has a mother who will cherish as the apple of her
eye, both you and your children.

As the old buck seemed so determined on this marriage, I thought it more
prudent not to profess myself averse to his wishes. “You are so
persuasive,” said I, “my dear uncle, that you have already destroyed my
taste for an ecclesiastical life; and I feel convinced that I shall be
perfectly happy in receiving a wife from your hands. Permit me, however,
to represent to you, that I already enjoy a benefice of ten thousand
crowns a year, and am in daily expectation of fifteen thousand, which
some relations of my mother, who have great influence at court, have
given me hopes of. It will be most gratifying for me, should I attain my
wishes, to have those two handsome presentations to bestow on the
children of my cousins.” They all approved highly of my resolution, and
gave me a thousand thanks in anticipation of the honour I intended them.
Towards the end of the repast, Don Bertrand asked Captain Favello if he
had received any orders for his departure. “Yes,” answered he, “and we
must set sail in three days for Barcelona. We are already very busy in
shipping our goods.” I was overjoyed at this news, which informed me
that I had no time to lose. As soon as dinner was over, I ordered my
major-domo aloud, to lock up my plate and casket, and carry them himself
to my uncle’s house. The room was cleared in less than an hour, and in
the presence of my relations, whilst I kept up the conversation with
them. I insisted on accompanying my uncle, where I had the satisfaction
of seeing, not the two trunks full of my plate, but two similar ones
that we had filled the evening before with bags of sand of nearly the
same weight, and which Sayavedra had very dexterously exchanged.

It was not possible to have made a better beginning: I continued as
successfully. Captain Favello returned at night to the inn; he told me
that he regretted the precipitate departure of the galleys, which would
so soon deprive him of my agreeable society. “It is by no means
certain,” said I, “that we shall so soon separate. We may possibly be
longer together than you imagine.” He reflected a moment on what I said,
and then asked me if I had really any idea of returning to Spain. “Yes,”
answered I; “for know, that it was not so much the pleasure of seeing my
relations that brought me to Genoa as the desire to be revenged for an
affront offered me by a Genoese who was my rival at Rome. This I tell
you,” added I, “having found you to be a man of prudence and discretion,
in whom I may confide.” Nothing further was necessary to engage Favello
in my service. “Tell me the name,” said he, with enthusiasm, “of the
rascal who has insulted you, and I ask but four and twenty hours to
fully satisfy your vengeance.” “Captain,” replied I, “I am much indebted
to you for taking up my cause so warmly; and were I in want of an
avenger I could not have a better champion than yourself. But you judge
ill of me if you think that I want either strength or courage to avenge
myself. I know where my gentleman lodges, and my blow is sure. All that
I have to request of you is, to allow my baggage to be conveyed
privately on board your galley, on the eve previous to her sailing. I
have more reasons than one for wishing that even my relations may be
ignorant of my departure, and entreat you therefore to keep it secret.”

“As to that,” replied the officer, “depend upon me.” Then alluding again
to my affair of honour, “you cannot imagine,” continued he, “how
mortified I feel, that my services should be refused in the only
opportunity that I may have of testifying my zeal for you!” He said this
with such apparent concern, that I embraced and endeavoured to console
him by saying, “that he would have many opportunities in the course of
our voyage of manifesting his friendship towards me.” With similar
mutual expressions of friendship towards each other, we parted. The
first thing I did the next morning was, to send back all the plate to
the goldsmiths by my men, who brought me in return my pistoles which
were there in pledge. Scarcely had I deposited them in safety again,
when one of my cousins called upon me to say that my uncle Don Bertrand
expected me to dine with him the next day. I did not fail to accept of
this invitation, and found the whole family assembled when I arrived at
his house. We sat down to table in good spirits, and our conversation
was lively. Before dinner was over, my major-domo, as I had previously
desired him, entered the parlour, and coming up to me with a note in his
hand, “Colonel Don Antonio,” said he, “has just been to inquire for you
at the inn, and not finding you there, has charged me to deliver this
letter.” I opened it without ceremony, and took great pains to read it
so loud that my uncle, who sat very near me, might hear every word. It
ran thus:

     “I am to be married the day after to-morrow, and I shall fully
     expect the pleasure of your company on the occasion. I shall never
     forgive you if you refuse to join us. In addition to this, I have
     another favour to beg of you: you have often shown me some
     excellent jewels of your mother’s; I beseech you to lend them to
     me. My mistress has not dared to bring her own to this country with
     her. We request them for two days only, and promise to take great
     care of them. I flatter myself that you will confer this obligation
     on your friend,

     DON ANTONIO DE MENDOZA.”



After having read this letter, I assumed a troubled and mortified air;
and having reflected for some time, I said to Sayavedra: “You do not, of
course, know the purport of this epistle. Don Antonio requests the loan
of my jewels, to decorate his intended wife on the day of their
marriage. You well know,” continued I, “that I left all my diamonds at
the Ambassador’s at Rome. Lose no time then in informing the Colonel,
that I am much vexed that it is not in my power to oblige him.” “I fear,
Sir,” replied the major-domo, “he will think it a mere evasion, and that
you refuse him.” “He will do me great injustice by such a thought,”
replied I; “sooner, therefore, than risk the possibility of such an
idea, I would hire some jewels. I should imagine that if I place good
security in the hands of some jeweller, he would be glad for a very
trifling consideration to lend me what I want for two or three days.”
“Who can doubt that,” said my uncle? “But why,” continued he, “need you
be at the expence of hiring what you may have for nothing? Do you
suppose that we have not as fine jewels as you can procure elsewhere;
and are we not disposed to oblige you in any way? Your relations will
take pleasure in obliging this or any friend of yours.” “Mendoza is
certainly one of my best friends,” cried I; “he is a man of quality, who
was very serviceable to me at Rome, and to whom I am indebted for my
introduction to the Spanish Ambassador. The Colonel, whose regiment is
at Milan, has won the heart of a rich widow in that city, who, in
opposition to the wishes of some of her relations, has consented to
espouse him. They are come hither, therefore, to solemnize their
marriage. He is a man of the nicest honour, to whom I should not be
under the slightest apprehensions in lending jewels to the value of
100,000 franks.” “Be he what he may,” interrupted Don Bertrand, “since
he has expressed a wish to see his wife decorated with diamonds, he
shall have that satisfaction.”

Overjoyed that he bit the hook so greedily, I told him with transport:
“Really, my dear uncle, you are too generous, and I ought to be
apprehensive of intruding too much upon your goodness.” “No compliments,
my dear nephew,” replied he, with precipitation; “I will lend you my
diamonds with all my heart. To convince you, I will this moment go and
choose some of the finest for your use.” Thus saying, he rose from table
and went to his closet, whence he returned, and put into my hands a case
containing jewels to the amount of from 7 to 8,000 franks. My three
cousins seeing the old gentleman treat me in this kind manner did not
wish to be thought less generous than he. They all promised to lend me
some, and sure enough they brought me the next morning jewels to nearly
the same amount. The most avaricious of the three came last, and in the
course of a very long chat contrived to turn the conversation upon my
benefice. He gave me to understand that if I was so well off as to wish
to dispose of it, and would be inclined to resign it in favour of one of
his own children, in preference to either of his cousins, a present of a
hundred pistoles should accompany his thanks. I made answer, “that his
eldest son having the advantage over all the other children in respect
to age, certainly appeared to me the most proper to succeed to my
benefice; but that having obtained it for nothing, I should resign it on
the same terms, not being a man to make such sort of bargains.” I
perceived plainly that this answer did not by any means displease him.

Just at this moment Sayavedra entered the room, having under his arm a
small casket containing my gold chain: “Do you still wish,” said he,
“that I should go where you desired me?” “You ought to have been there
and back again ere this,” replied I. “Recollect only, before you apply
to a goldsmith, to make inquiry in the neighbourhood as to his
respectability. You will then get my chain weighed, and return to tell
me its exact weight.” Though my cousin had already seen this chain, he
requested to look at it again, and admired extremely both the
workmanship and the fineness of the gold. Then, turning to Sayavedra,
“My friend,” said he, “tell my servant, whom you will find below, to
accompany you to a goldsmith’s who lives hard by, and who will tell you
conscientiously the value of the chain.” “My squire was soon back.” I
inquired “how much the goldsmith valued it at.” “Six hundred and
fifty-five crowns,” answered Sayavedra. “Well then,” said I, “just
return and request the loan of six hundred upon it, which I will repay
him in three days, with whatever he may demand for interest.” “Honest
man as he is,” said my cousin, “he will make no scruple of taking three
per cent, for three days as well as for six months, saying that it
makes no difference to him. I regret much,” continued he, “that I do not
happen at this moment to have sufficient ready money at hand myself; but
I know a man of probity who will be satisfied with only two per cent.”

This man of probity was no other than himself, who, notwithstanding that
he hoped to obtain a good benefice for nothing, rejoiced at the
opportunity of depriving the goldsmith of this little profit. I failed
not to assure this good cousin that he would much oblige me by getting
it done for me. “Not that I am in great distress for money,” said I, “as
you may see. At the same time I drew from my pocket two large purses
full of pistoles, which I showed to him. It is merely by way of
precaution that I wish to put my chain in pledge; for as we shall play
very high at the wedding of my friend the colonel, I do not like to be
at all short of money.” My cousin assured me, “that in two hours at
furthest, the six hundred crowns should be at my service.” Then taking
the casket out of Sayavedra’s hand, I opened it for an instant, just
that my cousin might see that the chain was in it, and after having shut
it again, delivered it to his servant, who returned in about an hour
with the six hundred crowns.

Unfortunately for my worthy cousin, my major-domo, in bringing the
casket back from the goldsmith’s under his cloak, had dexterously drawn
out the gold chain, and substituted a brass one in its stead.

Favello came to sup with me at night. He told me it was time for me to
strike my blow, for that I must sleep on board the next night, as the
galleys were to sail before day-break the following morning. “’Tis
well,” answered I; “my business shall be settled in less than four and
twenty hours’ time, and I will not fail to be on board by to-morrow
evening. If you will assist me by sending some of your people about
midnight for my boxes, my departure will be more secret.” The captain
promised this, and took his leave of me shortly after. We passed almost
the whole of the next day in getting every thing in readiness for our
departure. We packed up our best effects in our two largest boxes, and
filled with rags the counterparts of those which my honoured uncle kept
in his closet for me with such pious care. A quarter of an hour before
midnight, four of captain Favello’s men conveyed our two largest boxes
on board, leaving our two others to satisfy my landlord, whom I desired
Sayavedra to tell not to be anxious on my account, for that I was going
to sup at a friend’s, where I might very likely pass the whole night at
play. We at length got safe on board our captain’s galley. He had been
rather uneasy at my being so late, and asked me the first thing, how my
affair of honour had terminated. “My revenge is satisfied to my heart’s
content,” replied I. “I rejoice at it extremely,” said he; “for I must
acknowledge that I was beginning to be a little anxious for your safety,
the result of such an enterprise being always uncertain.”

Favello had caused a little chamber to be fitted up for me, into which
he conducted me, and where I found my two boxes, and a table covered
with delicate meats. We sat down, and after partaking of a good supper,
lay down to take some repose. But our several cares kept us both awake.
For my part I was all night terribly alarmed lest some cursed contrary
wind should detain us in port, and afford my relations sufficient time
to gain information of my flight, and to obtain an order from the senate
to have me arrested. My fears, however, were groundless. At day-break I
heard a noise which announced to me that the galleys were on the point
of departure. I looked through a hole in my chamber, and perceived with
joy that the whole crew had begun to ply their oars. We were soon out of
port; then taking advantage of the wind which was directly in our
favour, we spread our sails and were soon out of sight.




CHAP. XLV.

     _Guzman, after having robbed his relations, and re-embarked for
     Spain, is in imminent danger of perishing at sea, and has the
     misfortune to lose Sayavedra._


We had already doubled Cape Noli, when the captain informed me that if
the wind did not change for three days, we should have a most agreeable
voyage. We watered at Monaco, and the next morning, having put to sea
again with a favourable breeze, we reached the Isles of Hieres, where we
passed the night. The third day we anchored at Chateau d’If, in sight of
Marseilles, and the day following at Roses.

I was congratulating myself on so fortunate a voyage, when my joy was
interrupted by word being brought me that Sayavedra had the
sea-sickness, and felt extremely ill. I ran to see him immediately, and
found that he had a very violent fever upon him. I was much afflicted at
it, but consoled myself with the idea that we should soon reach
Barcelona, where he should have every attention paid to him. The morning
of the fifth day dawned very differently to the preceding ones; the
clouds seemed lowering, and there was scarcely a breath of air stirring.
We still hoped, however, by dint of hard rowing, to sleep that night at
Barcelona. But we found our mistake two hours after. So furious a storm
arose, that our destruction appeared inevitable. In vain did we attempt
to make to land; the oar became quite useless, and we were obliged to
keep out to sea the whole of that night. What a night of horror was it
for us! Sometimes the sea raised its waves to the clouds, and at others,
opening its bosom, presented to our eyes the awful abyss by which we
were surrounded.

Who in the midst of such a scene can attempt to paint the consternation
so evidently depicted on every countenance on board, and the various
indications of fear created by the dread of approaching death? Some
invoked the Saints most honoured in their own country; others offered
vows; some on their knees were addressing the most fervent prayers to
heaven in private, whilst others confessed their sins aloud, and
implored pardon of the Deity. Some few, though death was apparently
before their eyes, were still inquiring of the pilot whether all hopes
were at an end. He answered, that there was nothing to fear, and they
seemed as willing to trust this liar, as a father, who, seeing his only
son dying, eagerly gives credit to the quack who assures him of his
speedy recovery. For my part, like another Jonas, I was buried in a
profound reverie all this while, and believing myself the cause of this
dreadful storm, said within myself: Wretch, now wilt thou meet with the
punishment due to thee for having robbed thy relations. Of what service
will their gold be to thee? The sea will in a short time swallow up both
thyself and thy ill-gotten riches. For thyself, thou hast well deserved
it, and those only are to be pitied, who have been so unfortunate as to
embark in the company of a scoundrel who has incurred the vengeance of
heaven.

With this impression, I awaited death with resignation. It was not so
near at hand, however, as we all imagined. The weather suddenly
changed, hope succeeded despair, and joy desolation. That night proved
fatal only to the unfortunate Sayavedra. This faithful follower, whose
brain was already turned by his fever, the violence of which was
increasing every moment, lost his reason entirely when he heard the
cries and lamentations which the fear of shipwreck excited in the
galley. My footman watched him that night, but dropping asleep from
fatigue, Sayavedra got up in one of his fits, which gave him new
strength, and threw himself from the side of the poop into the sea. The
soldier who was on guard heard something fall into the sea, and informed
the pilot of it. This made a great noise on board, and every one was
anxious to ascertain what it could be; and after half an hour’s search,
Sayavedra was found to be missing. No possible grief could be greater
than mine when I first learned this distressing news. No one has ever
wept more bitterly for a brother than I did for my dear Sayavedra. I was
inconsolable at his loss, and truly I had good reason to regret him. The
joy of all on board the next morning at finding the sea as calm as it
had been boisterous the preceding day, had but little effect on my
spirits, now that death had deprived me of my faithful servant and
companion.

We entered the port of Barcelona towards noon. I had already prepared
Favello not to expect I should make a long stay in that city, having
told him after the storm, that I had made a vow to visit our Lady of
Montserrat the moment I landed, and that from thence I intended to
proceed to my mother’s at Andalusia. He could not oppose so pious an
intention; and besides, not being able to leave his galley that day, he
told me sadly, as I was taking leave of him, that in all probability we
should never see each other again, unless I intended to stay the whole
of the next day in Barcelona. He then inquired where I should take up my
lodging; I named an inn which I knew, fully resolved, however, never to
go near it. Sensible of the great proofs of friendship I had received at
his hands, I embraced him tenderly at parting, and presenting him with a
ring worth a hundred pistoles, requested he would wear it for my sake.
He accepted it with tears in his eyes, fearing it was the last farewell,
and on my side, feeling myself too much affected, I hastened away, to
spare him the pain of reading in my looks the cause of our separation.

My first care when I arrived at the inn where I caused my trunks to be
carried, was to have three good mules bought for my use. You may be sure
I paid dear for them; but this signified but little in my present
situation. In addition to the twenty-five thousand franks which I now
possessed, four thousand more had fallen to me by the death of my
companion in fortune. I hired also a muleteer who was well acquainted
with the roads, and we left the city the following morning as soon as
the gates were open. My impatience to leave Barcelona as soon as
possible may easily be conceived; a felucca might have arrived there,
with orders from my relations to arrest me. It was incumbent on me
therefore to be active. To so prudent a fear I added the precaution of
avoiding all the high roads, telling my followers, that as my sole
object in travelling was my own pleasure, it was my wish to reach the
Ebro as fast as possible; that, as I rode along its banks, I might be
gratified with a view of the charming landscapes on both sides of it.




CHAP. XLVI.

     _Guzman, on his journey to Saragossa, makes acquaintance and falls
     in love with a young Widow. Progress and conclusion of this new
     passion._


I steered clear of the high roads, for the reasons I have already told
you, and spurring on my mule through all the byeways towards the Ebro,
intending to coast it from thence to Saragossa, I travelled with as much
speed as fear. In three days we reached the banks of the river. My mind
became now more at ease; and I began to believe myself beyond the reach
of pursuit, and to congratulate myself on my riches, without reflecting
that I was travelling through a country in which there were as many
robbers as in Italy. I had taken the precaution, however, to purchase
two firelocks in Barcelona, with which I armed my footman and the
muleteer. In addition to this, I concealed my jewels about me so
cautiously, that no one could perceive them without stripping me.

I shall pass over in silence, friendly reader, the adventures I met with
on the banks of Ebro, which are not worthy to be related, and proceed to
make you acquainted with one which fortune prepared for me between
Ossera and Saragossa. Night surprised me near a fine abbey, which I took
for a castle, and which I approached in the hope of obtaining a lodging;
but finding that a wretched village lay under it, I changed my opinion.
We stopped before a paltry hovel, at which a sign was suspended, and,
knocking loudly at the door, demanded admission. Nobody answered us at
first, but at length a country fellow appeared at one of the windows.
This was the landlord, who, having surveyed me from top to toe by the
light of a lamp which he held in his hand, began to laugh, saying, “Do
not waste any further time here, Signor Cavalier, my house is not fit to
receive you; go to the abbey, where you will meet with a hearty welcome,
and be more suitably entertained.” I answered the peasant, that I would
follow his advice, and, as we were ignorant of the road, requested him
to conduct us to the convent, at the same time slipping a few reals into
his hand, to add more efficacy to my entreaty.

The monastery stood on an eminence, so that we were nearly half an hour
ascending it by a very rough road, which to me, who was already much
fatigued, was very distressing. Nevertheless, as there is nothing so
good as to be entirely free from unpleasantry, so neither is there any
thing so bad but has something agreeable to recommend it. The
inn-keeper informed me that this was a convent for nuns, all of whom
were ladies of quality; that it was one of the richest in Spain, and
received all strangers that passed through the village with hospitality.
I felt, without knowing wherefore, that this report pleased me; either
from reviving my natural predilection for the fair sex, or from a
presentiment of what would happen to me. When we reached the great gate
we rang several times before any body from within made answer. At length
a voice asked us, through the wicket, what we wanted. The inn-keeper,
who was known to the porter, told him, “that we were looking for
lodging; that he could not entertain us himself, and had, consequently,
conducted us to the abbey.” The muleteer added, by my orders, “that an
asylum was requested, for one night only, for a foreign nobleman, who
had lost his way travelling to Saragossa.”

The porter answered, “that the convent-gate was always shut at eight
o’clock, and that it was now nine; that, notwithstanding such was the
rule, he would go, from the consideration he naturally had for persons
of quality, and inform the lady abbess of my situation, and obey her
orders.” I was obliged to wait with patience at the gate for her answer.
The porter at length returned and informed us that the abbess could not
think of opening the gate at such an unseasonable hour to gentlemen
entirely unknown to her. This refusal vexed me extremely. I dismounted
from my mule, and advanced towards the wicket; and, speaking myself to
the porter, entreated him to return to the abbess, and tell her, on my
behalf, that if she knew the favour she would confer on me, in affording
me a retreat for that night, she would cease to be inexorable. The
porter told me, “it was to no purpose to persist in requesting what she
would never permit.” Not being able to influence the porter in my
favour by prayers, I offered a bribe, which he refused with disdain, and
shut the wicket in my face. I feared there was now no chance of sleeping
that night in the monastery, and, yielding to necessity, told my
servants to lead the three mules back again to the peasant’s; that, for
my own part, rather than be stived up in that wretched tavern, I felt
desirous to pass away a few hours where I was, in listening to the
murmuring of the Ebro.

It was a lovely night. I strolled round the house, observing with an eye
of curiosity whatever I could discern by the light of the stars, which
shone extremely bright. I followed a sloping path which led me under a
balcony that commanded a view of the river. I sat down at the foot of a
tree opposite the balcony, which I considered attentively, supposing it
to be my lady abbess’s apartment. I could perceive a light, and shortly
after a confused noise of female voices struck my ear; then all of a
sudden a profound silence ensued, which was interrupted in its turn by a
Spanish song warbled by a very delicate voice. The singer seemed to
please her company exceedingly, and she was much applauded. Another lady
then sang an Italian air with which I was well acquainted, and was
equally complimented. So immoderate a desire then possessed me to amuse
the ladies with my melodious voice, that I could scarcely have the
patience to hear this song out. I was half inclined to sing the same
over again, for it was one of those for which I had been most applauded
at the Grand Duke’s concert at Florence. However, I was prudent enough
to spare the lady the mortification of the comparison; and having
remembered another air which had particularly pleased the Grand Duchess,
I chose that in its stead.

Hoping thus agreeably to surprise these recluses by my fine voice, as
well as by the singularity of the adventure, I sang, and, when I had
finished the air, had the pleasure of hearing exclamations of
astonishment mingled with admiration. The glass-door of the balcony flew
open, and several ladies hurried forward in the hope of seeing who it
could be that sang so sweetly. I affected not to observe them, and,
after having paused a moment, began my air again. As soon as I ceased, I
could hear myself again applauded by the ladies, who, however, in the
hopes of being favoured with another, communicated their admiration only
in whispers. I perceived their design, and was malicious enough to
provoke them by remaining silent, without stirring from the spot. One of
the ladies, more impatient than the rest, then addressed me, saying,
“That one song from so charming a voice was but very insufficient for so
many ladies who were so passionately fond of music.” “’Tis too little,”
replied I in Italian, “for so many ladies, but far too much for a
pilgrim, to whom they have so cruelly refused shelter.”

My answer excited great laughter, from which they supposed I was the
stranger who had requested to lodge in the abbey. “Signor Cavalier,”
cried one of them, “be not displeased at the refusal that was returned
you. It is a law established in this convent not to admit any strange
gentleman after eight o’clock in the evening; but your charming voice
has had such influence, that the lady abbess consents, for once, to
dispense with the regulation, and, unless you are so true a
knight-errant as to prefer passing the night on the banks of this river,
has just given order to open the gates to you.” I made answer, “that I
was rejoiced to learn that to obtain shelter from my lady abbess it was
only necessary to set my request to music.” This little trait of
raillery excited their laughter afresh, more especially as it was the
lady abbess herself to whom I was speaking. They were by no means
displeased with my apparent gaiety, and, as they wished to take a nearer
view of my figure, of which they could form but an indistinct idea where
I sat, they entreated me to walk in, telling me “that the lady abbess
would soon be reconciled to me.”

At these words, to shew them that I desired nothing better than such an
invitation, I rose instantly, and bowing to the company in the most
respectful manner as I passed the balcony, I soon regained the
abbey-gate, where the porter met me, and, desiring me to follow him,
conducted me into a large and very elegant parlour. Here I was received
by the lady abbess and a secular lady; they were both seated on cushions
of violet-coloured damask, and six or seven nuns stood behind them. All
these ladies kept profoundly silent, and preserved an air of gravity
which would have disconcerted any other but myself; but I had so often
visited the grate at Rome, that I knew well what behaviour to adopt. I
accosted them, therefore, in a jocose manner, and some lucky sallies
which escaped me soon dissipated their affected gravity. I then
complained in so good-natured a manner of the law which forbids them to
admit strangers into the convent at night, that I soon succeeded in
amusing them.

In the mean time a small table was laid out with some venison pasties,
wine, and sweetmeats. I needed no very pressing invitation to eat and
drink, for I acquitted myself like a hungry traveller as I was, not
forgetting, however, to whisper occasional compliments to the lady
abbess, as well as to the secular lady, whom I thought very handsome.
She had an air of youth and peculiar sprightliness, which rendered her
particularly engaging. Some of the nuns remarking that I admired her,
asked me if I did not think that their community had reason to be proud
of the acquisition of such a lady. This inspired me with a thousand
thoughts in her favour. I spoke nothing but Italian, and being dressed
also in the Italian fashion, I easily passed for one of that nation.
Such of the ladies as were acquainted with that language were so
condescending as not to speak to me in Spanish. When they perceived that
I had done eating, they contrived to turn the conversation on music, and
one and all entreated me to favour them with one of the newest Italian
airs. I consented willingly, and, animated by degrees, by the praises
bestowed on me at the end of each couplet, such a rage for singing
possessed me, that no sooner had I finished one song than I began
another. As to the company, and especially the secular lady, they were
so delighted to listen to me, that they seemed not to have the least
thought of retiring, though it was already after midnight. I really
believe that day would have surprised us in the parlour, had not the
abbess, for the sake of preserving the DECORUM of a monastic life,
thought proper to put an end to a pastime so contrary to their
established regulations, by reminding the ladies that they were imposing
on my good nature. “Our guest,” said she, “cannot but be fatigued;
besides, you ought to reserve some pleasure for to-morrow. He will not,
I trust, think of departing before we have had the pleasure of seeing
him again.” This was a polite way of desiring me to sing no more; so
that, wishing the company good night, I joined the porter, who was
waiting at the parlour-door to conduct me to the apartment that was
prepared for me.

I was not a little astonished in entering to find my servants there,
whom they had been kind enough to send for, with my baggage, and who
had been entertained like myself. I found also that even my three mules
had not been forgotten, and that, thanks to their master’s fine voice,
they had had a good bellyful of provender in the convent stables. The
chamber in which I lay, occupied my attention for some time. There was
in the furniture, although plain, a certain air of simplicity far
superior to magnificence; and my bed could not have been better prepared
even for the Archbishop of Saragossa. Having got into it, I told my
servants to follow the porter to their beds. I then called the muleteer
to me, who was no fool, and charged him to be sure to ascertain who the
secular lady was whom I had seen with the Lady Abbess. He acquitted
himself well of this commission: “Sir,” said he, when I rose the next
morning, “I have questioned one of the footmen respecting the lady of
whom you wish to know, and he has told me every particular without
hesitation. She is a widow, as he says, very rich, and of one of the
best families in Saragossa. She has many admirers; and among others, a
nephew of the Lady Abbess, a young man of about two and twenty at most,
wonderfully well made, and extremely handsome. Unless, however, I am
much mistaken,” added he, “my mistress is but very indifferent to his
addresses; while on the contrary my Lady Abbess, who has a great
affection for this unlicked cub, is most anxious to promote the match.
This is all,” said the muleteer, “that I have learnt from the footman;
but the porter has just informed me that this young widow, who arrived
at the abbey only an hour or two before you, intends to return home this
afternoon.”

At the word widow, I sighed deeply. It brought to my recollection my
fair one at Florence, and I at first imagined that I was sighing for
her; but to say the truth, I soon felt that my heart, less intent upon
the past than the present, was captivated by the charms of the widow of
Saragossa. I could no longer doubt it when I beheld her again in the
parlour, where the abbess, after mass was over, invited me. I appeared
there again with all the good humour of the preceding evening. There
were but three nuns with the abbess besides the object of my new
passion. The conversation soon became lively and facetious, and was by
no means damped by the arrival of several more of the most sprightly
nuns in the convent, who joined us soon after. My lovely widow, who
possessed a fund of wit, contributed her share, and I applauded, from
the bottom of my heart, every little repartee that escaped her lips. She
saw plainly that I was in admiration at every thing she said, and that I
distinguished her from the rest of the company, and she was evidently
not a little pleased by my attentions.

In the midst of our laughter, a servant announced to the abbess that Don
Antonio de Miras was on the stairs, which seemed to please her
extremely; for this was her dear nephew whom she wished to see united to
the beautiful widow. His aunt had sent him word the evening before, that
Donna Lucia (for that was my charmer’s name) was at the abbey, and he
could not of course neglect so favourable an opportunity of waiting upon
a lady whom he aspired to marry. The portrait that the muleteer had
given me of this young gentleman, was by no means flattering, for I
never beheld a handsomer cavalier. No woman ever so vain of her beauty
but might have been proud to have had such a face. Add to which he was
of a handsome figure, and had every appearance of a man of quality. His
dress, which was extremely elegant, added also to his prepossessing
appearance. I should certainly have died with jealousy at sight of such
a rival, had I not been previously informed that he was by no means
eminently gifted with understanding. This thought helped to support me
against such formidable disadvantages, and an observation which I
afterwards made emboldened me at least to dispute with him the heart of
Donna Lucia; for I perceived that this lady, so far from testifying any
joy at his arrival, seemed to look upon him with an eye of indifference,
and replied very coldly to all his compliments.

Don Antonio and I at first looked at each other like two young cocks;
but as it was my interest to be on good terms with him, I loaded him
with compliments, and in less than an hour we were the best friends in
the world. When dinner hour arrived, the abbess caused two tables to be
laid in the parlour, one without the grate for her nephew and myself,
and the other within for the ladies. Our repast, which was fit for the
first nobleman to sit down to, was seasoned with jests and anecdotes,
which amused us all exceedingly. More than half the afternoon was passed
away in the same agreeable manner.

I talked, sang, laughed, and in short shewed that I could do any thing;
insomuch that the nuns, though accustomed to receive the visits of
gentlemen, assured me that they had never yet seen one possessing such a
fund of amusement. In the mean time the hour of separation drew nigh. It
was time for the fair widow to set off for Saragossa, if she hoped to
arrive there before night. She took leave, therefore, of the Lady Abbess
and the nuns, and ascended into her litter, which was in waiting for her
at the door. As it was my intention to accompany her, I had ordered my
equipage also to be in readiness. I vaulted nimbly on my mule, which cut
but a sorry figure by the side of Don Antonio’s hunter. Besides his
having one of the finest horses in Spain, this young gentleman was an
experienced horseman, and before we started made his horse pass through
a thousand manoeuvres with considerable grace. I was extremely
mortified that I could not by any means provoke my peaceable and stupid
mule to imitate him; my endeavours to make him caper a little, served
only to amuse the ladies who were observing us from the windows.

The Don pranced on one side of the litter, and I trotted on the other,
for the sake of conversing with Donna Lucia on the road. We began, or
rather, I began to discourse with her, for young Miras took so little
part in the conversation, that he seldom went beyond a monosyllable,
contenting himself with showing off his elegant person on horse-back to
the best advantage. Knowing Don Antonio to be no great wit, I should
have been a greater simpleton than he, had I not availed myself of so
favourable an opportunity. Lucia asked me “if I intended to make a long
stay at Saragossa.” “That will depend on the pleasure in store for me at
that place,” replied I: “should my wishes be realized, I shall remain
there a considerable time.” A tender glance with which I accompanied
these words, spoke volumes. Lucia understood my meaning, and blushed
deeply; but her eyes informed me that she felt not offended, and I was
well pleased that I had hazarded this declaration, since it had not
proved disagreeable to her, nor excited the jealousy of Miras, to whom
it was a complete enigma.

I was somewhat surprised that so young and lovely a person as Lucia,
should travel above a league from Saragossa, with a retinue consisting
only of a duenna, one lackey and a muleteer. I had yet to know the
privileges of widows in that country, where they enjoy unrestricted
freedom. Travelling with so feeble an escort they frequently expose
themselves to unexpected and unpleasant rencontres. Thus Donna Lucia,
though accompanied by two cavaliers and her own attendants, was somewhat
alarmed at a trifling adventure that befel us on our journey. We were
already half way to Saragossa, when we perceived at a distance a most
beautiful hunter, whose speed was equal to that of Bayarte or
Brigliador,[B] and who, galloping towards us, raised such a cloud of
dust that we could not at first distinguish who was the cavalier who
rode him; but no sooner could we discern him, than I fancied I saw the
furious Rolando before me, such fierceness was in his looks.

 [B] The names of two chargers famous in ancient romance; the former
 belonged to Reynaldos de Montalvan, and the latter to Orlando
 Furioso.--See the Octavo Edition of “Don Quixote, translated by
 Jarvis,” vol. 2, page 329. _Trans._

When he came up within ten or twelve paces of us, he stopped short to
look at me. My foreign dress attracted his attention, and he seemed
still more surprised at the familiar manner in which I was conversing
with the fair widow. He was himself one of this lady’s suitors, and
flattered himself with great hopes of winning her, relying upon the
opinion he imagined all the world must have of his bravery, to ensure
him success over all his rivals. Seeing then Don Antonio on one side and
me on the other, he rode most furiously between Miras and the litter, so
that he almost overturned the one and dismounted the other. The lady was
much alarmed at this insolent action, and told this bully in a rage,
that the road was wide enough to allow of his passing, without presuming
to insult persons who deserved more respect. He apologized to Lucia in a
tone and manner more insolent than the action itself.

Miras, at the first impulse of his resentment, clapped his hands upon
his pistol, but whether from the fear of missing his aim, or from an
excessive respect towards his mistress, he did not venture further in an
engagement, for which, by the bye, he felt no great inclination. I
pitied his awkward situation, and felt much disposed to take up his
quarrel, thinking that this swaggerer was but a braggadocio. I
reflected, however, that I might find myself mistaken; and seeing that
the party most interested was not very forward in resenting the affront,
I was wise enough to refrain from taking up his cudgels. All that I
could do for him was, to request him to come to my side, and yield my
place to him, which offer he accepted willingly, quite indifferent as to
Lucia’s opinion of his courage in being obliged thus to quit his post.
Our blustering companion called himself Don Lucio de Ribera. He had been
informed that the beautiful widow had slept at the monastery the
preceding night, and intended to return this day. Accordingly he rode
from the city to meet her, and offer his services to escort her home.

No sooner did this fellow perceive that Don Antonio had resigned his
post, instead of thinking of maintaining it, than he took immediate
possession of it himself, and prepared to converse with the lady, who,
however, deceived his expectation; for, to mortify him, she answered not
a word to all he had to say. She deigned not even to look at him,
keeping her eyes and attention fixed on Miras and me. In this manner we
arrived at Saragossa, and conducted Donna Lucia to her house, where she
thanked me most politely for my attentions, adding, that she hoped that
the city had sufficient charms to detain me some time. She observed but
little ceremony towards the other two gentlemen, acknowledging their
civility with a slight bow only. I took no notice of the haughty Don
Lucio in parting, but paid a thousand compliments to Don Antonio, which
so much pleased him, that he insisted on accompanying me to the Angel,
a famous inn at the entrance of the town, and whither I had desired my
luggage to be conveyed. Here Miras took his leave of me, in terms which
convinced me that so far from suspecting me for a rival, he believed me
to be one of his best friends.

I found my servant and muleteer at the inn, where they had engaged a
very commodious apartment for me, in which I supped alone. The landlord,
who was one of those inveterate jesters who abound with witticisms and
puns, joined me soon after, thinking I should be vastly entertained with
his company. He began the conversation by telling me all that was going
on in the town, the privileges of which he much extolled, not forgetting
to praise the spirit with which the inhabitants maintained those
privileges. I was not averse to listening to him, for in the midst of a
thousand impertinences, a most excellent stroke of wit would
occasionally escape him, as is often the case with babblers like him.
When I had finished my supper, however, he ceased worrying me any longer
with his nonsense, made his bow, and was about to retire. Stop friend,
said I, be kind enough to desire a tailor to call upon me to-morrow
morning; I have some work to give him. The entrusting mine host with
this commission, furnished him with a new topic for conversation, and he
took occasion to enlarge upon the knavery of tailors in general, abusing
them as other people usually do. Nevertheless, after having railed at
them most vehemently as a body, he finished by assuring me, that he knew
one who knew how to behave himself to his customers, without cabbaging
an inch of their cloth, and who, he doubted not, would please me.

He was as good as his word; for as soon as I was up the next morning,
he introduced a tailor, who appeared to be by no means extravagant, and
who understood his business well. I gave orders for a Spanish habit, in
the fashion I wished it to be made, and he promised he would send it
home in three days, made in so fashionable a style as could not fail to
attract the admiration of every one. In the mean time, I wore the
Italian suit I had purchased at Florence, in which I cut a tolerable
good figure on the Corso, which is the place of resort for all the
fashionables at Saragossa, and where I was at least not ashamed to
appear as one of Donna Lucia’s suitors; but as soon as I made my
appearance amongst them in my new dress, I completely eclipsed them all,
not only from its elegance, but from the fine jewels with which I
thought proper to deck myself out. I was soon looked upon as the
favoured lover of the lady, whose attention I certainly attracted; for,
whether I accompanied her in her walks, or chanced to pass under her
balcony, she evidently distinguished me in preference to all my rivals.
The haughty Don Lucio could not conceal his envy of my happiness, and
darted the most furious looks at me. With the others I lived on
tolerable good terms, especially with Miras, who scarcely ever left me,
and procured me all the pleasure he could, by introducing me into the
most distinguished families in the city.

Thus I found myself esteemed and honoured at Saragossa, where I was as
much in Lucia’s favour as I had been in that of my Florence widow, when
one morning, my servant announced to me, that there was a gentleman at
my chamber-door who wanted to speak to me. Being still in bed, and
thinking that it must be one of Don Antonio’s friends, I desired that he
might be admitted, and was not a little surprised at sight of the person
who had thus announced himself, who was a huge ugly looking fellow whom
I had never seen before. He wore mustachios turned up, a high crowned
hat which nearly reached the ceiling, and a very long sword, the hilt of
which he was very careful in holding up, that it might not dangle on the
floor; thus, shrugging up his shoulders, he walked with so heavy a foot,
that the chamber shook at every step he took.

You will naturally expect that after so grand an entrance, he would
address himself to me in a corresponding style; but no such thing; he
was content to strut up and down my chamber, eyeing me from time to time
in a most threatening manner. I soon grew tired of this dumb scene, so
that jumping up on a sudden, I seized my pistols, and demanded what
business he had there. This action seemed to bring him to his senses.
“Do you know,” said he, with an agitated voice, “the brave Don Lucio de
Ribera, the flower and boast of Arragon?” I replied, “that I knew him
merely by sight, and that it was but of little consequence whether I
knew him or not.” “I am come,” continued he, presenting me a letter, “to
find you on his behalf. This letter will explain the rest.” I took the
note very calmly, for I perceived plainly that the bearer was more
frightened than myself, and having opened it, read these words:

“Be you an Italian or a Spaniard, your presumption is unpardonable in
coming into this country to dispute our ladies’ hearts with us: but as
you appear to be a foreigner, we are willing to excuse your extreme
rashness, on condition that you leave Saragossa within four and twenty
hours. Should your evil genius induce you to despise our resentment, be
prepared to encounter Don Lucio de Ribera, whom no one has hitherto been
able to vanquish, but whom you must overcome before you can offer any
pretensions to Donna Lucia.”

Knowing the letter before I opened it to be from Don Lucio, I guessed
that it must be a challenge, or something approaching it; so that I was
not in the least astonished at its contents. “Sir,” said I to the
messenger, “tell your employer on this occasion, that whether Italian or
Spaniard, I have two daggers very much at his service, and that I am
ready to fight him in my shirt, to prevent the possibility of foul play.
No coats of mail for me; the really brave never make use of them in
single combat. Let Don Lucio agree to these articles, and he shall find
that I am ready to brave any danger to deserve the heart of Lucia. This
is my answer.” “Give it me in writing,” replied the bearer of the
letter, “that the regular Don Lucio may be convinced of my having
delivered his message like a man of honour.” To satisfy this valiant
messenger, I took the trouble of committing to paper the same words that
I had just told him aloud, and he left me, promising to return in the
afternoon, to fix the hour and the spot on which we should fight. After
this rascal had left the room, I congratulated myself exceedingly that I
had acquitted myself so manfully on this occasion, for though I had not
the slightest inclination to fight, it was not the less necessary to
assume the bravo, which has got many a man out of a scrape in similar
cases, and which indeed was the only way in which I could receive so
boisterous a gentleman. Let the worst come to the worst, however,
thought I, my mules being always ready, I can at any time make a
retreat. It is true that the idea of leaving Lucia would have caused me
some pain, but I was not yet so much in love with her, as to hesitate
between the possession of her and the preservation of my own sweet
person.

Still this affair caused no inconsiderable anxiety, and I was most
intently musing upon it, when mine host entered the room without my
perceiving him, to ask whether I was ready for dinner, and seeing me
look into my pocket handkerchief after having made use of it, roared out
most lustily: “Take care of yourself, Sir, or you are undone!” I
shuddered at these words, for my head was so full of the last scene,
that I thought nothing less than that Don Lucio was on his way up stairs
with the intention of assassinating me; but seeing my landlord laugh at
my alarm, I recovered myself a little, and gave him to understand that I
did not much admire such jokes; this only caused him to laugh the more
at my expence. “How came you then,” said he, “to look into your
handkerchief after having blown your nose? Know you not that you have
thereby incurred a penalty for having broken the laws established
against such ridiculous customs?” Knowing the fellow to be an original
who meant no offence, I joined him in the laugh, and asked what the
forfeit was. “No stipulated sum,” replied he, “but I dare say I can let
you off for a real.” This I paid most willingly, though I would rather
have paid twenty times the sum to have dispensed with the fright he had
caused me. “In return for this,” continued he, “I receive you from this
moment as one of our fraternity, and promise to give you a licence, by
virtue of which you may in future commit the like fooleries at your
pleasure; and since your real has produced you the honour of a place
amongst us, it is but fair that I should amuse you after dinner by the
perusal of the list of such habits as will entitle any one to a place in
our brotherhood.”

No sooner had I dined, than he entered the room again, with a long
tablet carefully sealed with yellow wax, containing the names of the
elders and governors of the fraternity. The following pages contained
all the fooleries that would entitle a person to be admitted into Fool’s
College. I shall quote five or six of these instances, which will
suffice to give you an idea of the rest. Preamble: “We declare quite
worthy to be admitted into our College, all those who may be addicted to
the following habits:”

_1st. He who talks to himself either in his room or in the street._

_2d. He who in playing at bowls, runs after his own bowl with divers
contortions, hoping to make it roll to the exact spot he wishes._

_3d. All those who take up their cards one by one, thinking by that
means to ensure themselves all the court cards in the pack._

_4th. Those who inquire the hour of the day while the clock is striking
exactly before them._

_5th. Those who, having sent a servant on an errand, plant themselves at
the window, thinking thereby to hasten his return._

_6th. All those who after having blown their noses, examine their
handkerchiefs most attentively, as though they expected to find pearls
in them, &c. &c. &c._

I amused myself a great part of the afternoon in reading this budget of
extravagances, expecting every moment to hear again from Don Lucio, and
was just growing weary of staying so long within doors, when Don Antonio
and some friends of his called upon me. They began, by telling me that
they were come to offer me their services in the affair of honour that I
had on hand, adding that the whole town knew that Don Lucio had sent me
a challenge, and that duelling being prohibited, that Cavalier was
already arrested. From this circumstance it was pretty clear to me that
Don Antonio and his friends were of that description of persons, who are
ever most eager to proffer their assistance, when they know that all
danger is over. I accordingly related as much to my own advantage as
possible, the full particulars of what had passed that morning between
me and Don Lucio’s messenger; upon which Don Antonio represented to me
that I might also be arrested, and invited me to retire to his house.
This I did not fail to accede to, for I dreaded any thing like
imprisonment for more reasons than one. I passed the remainder of the
day at that gentleman’s house, but not intending to sleep there, I left
him about ten o’clock at night to return to my inn.

On my way home I met two ladies, attended by a footman who carried a
large lantern, by the light of which, I soon distinguished that they
were extremely handsome. I therefore accosted them in the most polite
manner, and they answered my civilities with considerable vivacity; and,
judging from my appearance and dress that I should be an easy prey, they
ogled me in such a manner that I could not resist accompanying them
farther than I intended; but having come to the corner of a street,
they stopped all of a sudden, and one of them said: “Come no farther, I
beg. Sir; we are only going to visit a sick lady who resides a few doors
up this street. If you have time to wait, we shall be walking home again
in about a quarter of an hour, and you may not repent of having met us.
You shall hear a song, and the lute played to admiration.” Thus saying,
they escaped from me, leaving me so fully persuaded they would keep
their promise, that I was fool enough to wait in the street until near
midnight. By that time, however, I was but too well convinced that I had
been duped, sharp and cunning as I thought myself; and must further
confess, to my confusion, that I had not even saved my purse from the
dexterity of these accomplished damsels.

Being obliged, on my way to my lodging, to pass the house of my fair
widow, I could not refuse myself the pleasure of gazing on it for some
time, and I fancied that I perceived a man at the door. I imagined at
first that this must be Don Lucio, knowing that he was in the habit of
stationing himself near that spot every night, and this thought was
accompanied by an emotion mingled with fear and jealousy. Recollecting,
however, that he was in prison, I reflected that it could not be him; I
grew confident, and, incited by jealousy, advanced towards the object
that created it, and who, apparently, more afraid than myself,
disappeared at my approach. Having reached the door, I heard the
deafened creakings of a bolt, whence I concluded that some one was
opening it as quietly as possible. I was not mistaken in my conjecture,
for in a moment after, the door was half opened, so as to admit a man.
Curiosity to know the bottom of this affair, in which I believed myself
to be more interested than I really was, prompted me to slip in as
quietly as possible. I immediately felt a hand held out to conduct me,
for there was not a glimpse of light in the passage. I thought from the
first, that the person mistook me, and could no longer doubt it, when
being led into a back parlour, I was rather roughly regaled with a most
fervent embrace, seasoned with the fragrant and delightful smell of
pepper, garlic and saffron, which convinced me that this transported
lover, who was so profuse of her favours, could be no other than the
cook. In the midst of her transports, however, she began to suspect,
from touching my clothes and face, that I could not be the favoured
swain whom she expected; and at length being convinced of her mistake,
she suddenly let go her hold of me, and thought to escape; but I held
her fast by the petticoat. She exerted all her strength to disengage
herself, and I was as determined to detain her, until at length we both
fell down with a tremendous crash. This noise awoke two footmen, who lay
in an adjoining closet. They jumped instantly out of bed, thinking they
heard thieves, and each arming himself with a sword, crept softly with a
lamp into the parlour, where they found us stretched at our length on
the floor.

They recognised me immediately, and surprised to see a gentleman who
aspired to the hand of their mistress contending with so much violence
for the good graces of a kitchen wench, who had never even tempted
themselves, they burst into an immoderate fit of laughter, to my utter
confusion. The insolence of the creature herself was surprising: she
accused me of a deliberate design to violate her honour, and asserted
that I had secreted myself in the house with that view. Without waiting
to justify myself, I picked up my hat, which had been knocked off my
head by a violent box on the ears, and addressing myself to the servant
who carried the lamp, desired him to light me to the street door, which
he did, grinning all the way in such a manner, that I was almost
tempted to knock him down. I soon reached my inn, cruelly mortified at
so disgraceful and pitiful an adventure, not doubting that the story
would be all over the town the next day, and that I should be the common
talk of all the inhabitants. This idea, which afflicted me more than you
can possibly imagine, made me resolve to stay no longer in Saragossa
than was absolutely necessary to make preparations for my departure. My
equipage was ready, therefore, at break of day, and my mules as though
they partook of their master’s impatience to leave a place where he
could not again make his appearance without shame, commenced their
journey with a speed and seeming anxiety which pleased me exceedingly.




CHAP. XLVII.

     _Guzman departs for Madrid, where he engages in a new gallantry,
     the_ CONCLUSION _of which does not prove so agreeable as the_
     COMMENCEMENT.


I took the road to Madrid, and six days after my departure from
Saragossa, I arrived at Alcala de Henares, a town, the situation of
which is delightful, and which the beauty of its buildings renders
comparable with the most flourishing capitols in the world. In addition
to this, the _belles lettres_ were cultivated there to perfection. I
should certainly have taken up my abode there, had I not been foolishly
desirous to visit St. James’s once more, where I had formerly acted so
miserable a part.

I stopped but eight days at Alcala, and then proceeded towards Madrid.
That celebrated city saw arrive, with three mules in his train, two of
which were laden with valuable property, that same Guzman who had
formerly carried a basket in its market-place. I hesitated for some time
as to where I should take up my lodging; but recollecting that in my
time the best inn was in Toledo-street, I determined to alight there. I
found it strangely changed. The landlord was dead, and his widow, though
a shrewd active woman, who had more than one string to her bow, could
not support its reputation on the same footing. It was certainly much
fallen off; but the extreme civility with which they treated me, whom
they looked upon as a rich young nobleman, prevented me from leaving
them.

My next care was, to make special inquiries about my old friend the
three-bagged apothecary; and though I did not much fear that I could be
recognised, I must confess that I felt a secret joy when I learnt that
he had taken his departure for that country whither his drugs had
despatched so many of his patients before him. Ten years, however, had
now elapsed since I left Madrid, and, besides that, I was much altered
in person; who the devil could have recognized poor Guzman in the finery
with which he was now disguised? I took great pleasure in shewing myself
off in my best suits, particularly in the one I had purchased at
Saragossa. I exhibited myself in them by turns, in the morning at the
different churches, and in the evening at the prado.

One night having returned home rather late to bed, as I crossed a
corridor which led to my chamber, I heard the voice of a young lady
accompanying a harp. I stopped to listen to this little concert, for it
was very near my own room, and felt an extreme curiosity to know who
were the fair performers. My landlady, who was going to send some
sweetmeats and biscuits to refresh the singer, happened to pass by just
at this moment, and told me that they were two ladies of Guadalaxara,
who were but just arrived at her house, to solicit a law-suit at Madrid
for a large sum of money. I gave her to understand that I had an extreme
desire to hear them nearer, and that she would confer an obligation on
me which I should remember all my life, if she could procure me
admittance into their company. She replied that she would do all she
could in my favour, but that she dared not promise me, for the mother
was a very reserved sort of woman, who led a very retired life with her
daughter, who was very pretty, and whom she never trusted out of her
sight. This only made me the more anxious to see her. My landlady
assured me that she would do all in her power. With this assurance, I
allowed her to enter the apartment where the ladies were, and I walked
up and down the corridor, expecting their answer; which was, that the
ladies hoped I would excuse their declining at so late an hour to
receive a visit from a gentleman with whom they were not acquainted.

I pretended to be very much afflicted at this refusal, which upon the
whole vexed me indeed; so that my good landlady, who appeared on her
side as much concerned as I was, went into the ladies’ apartment to try
again what could be done, and at last she returned to let me know that
the ladies consented to grant me an interview, on condition that I would
only stay a quarter of an hour with them. I desired no more; sure that
once admitted, the condition as to time would not be strictly observed.
I presented myself then with the air of a man of quality, first to the
mother, whom I saluted with great respect, then to the daughter, and
they both received me as it became persons who knew the world. They
were both so neatly dressed, considering they were just come off a
journey, that I was quite astonished. The mother appeared to me very
handsome, though there was in her looks something bold and shy. As for
the daughter, she had a soft and expressive countenance, and appeared to
me a young lady about seventeen or eighteen years old. I remarked in
their room two large silver candlesticks on a table, and two toilets
elegantly set out. I saw also three large travelling trunks, and a
lackey in a very rich livery attended them with the most profound
respect. I had not the least doubt, therefore, that they must be of one
of the first families of Guadalaxara, so that I began my compliments by
apologizing for the liberty I had taken: and the better to justify my
impatience, added that I had been so enchanted with their concert, that
I could not resist the desire of expressing my satisfaction. The mother
replied to my compliment with much wit and modesty. Our conversation
naturally ran upon music, and I soon let them see clearly enough that I
understood that science; then entreating them to renew their concert, I
even offered to sing with them.

The ladies, curious to hear me, agreed to it; so the mother took up the
harp, and the young lady began to sing an air I knew. I endeavoured to
display the full power of my voice, and it produced the same effect here
as at Florence, or at the Abbey near Saragossa, and the ladies seemed
transported with pleasure; they forgot the condition of a quarter of an
hour, for it had already struck twelve, and none of us thought of
retiring. The mother, however, as decency required she should give me
notice of it, at length did it in the most obliging manner, adding how
happy they should be to pass some more agreeable moments with me, during
their stay at Madrid. I then took my leave, and let the young lady see
by my looks that I was not insensible to her charms; and indeed it was
more true than I thought, for during all the night sleep did not close
my eyelids.

The next morning my hostess, who usually drank a dish of chocolate every
day with me, came into my room smiling, and said: “I have just left the
apartment of your fair neighbours, and you cannot conceive how much
pleased they are with you. Besides that they find your person altogether
pleasing, they are also delighted with your agreeable and cheerful
conversation, and if you are inclined to carry it on, I have not the
least doubt of your success; the mother and daughter are equally pleased
with you.” I swallowed these sweet words as if they had been honey, and
pleased to have in so short a time made so lively an impression, I
answered, that I was equally satisfied with them; that the mother
appeared to me to be still very attractive, but as for the daughter, no
woman was to be compared with her, and I was willing to undertake her
conquest, if any well-disposed person would help me in the attempt. “I
understand you,” replied the hostess; “you wish me to render you that
service. I have no objection; but how shall we begin the business?” “I
will this evening,” said I, “prevail on the ladies to take a walk, and
order an elegant repast for them, in some house.” “Not for the world,”
cried out my hostess; “that would affront the mother, who would soon see
into your design, and break off your acquaintance altogether. Let us do
something better,” continued she; after having paused a little, “this
entertainment must be given in my name. I will have the collation
prepared according to your desire, in a garden that I have on the banks
of the Mançanares, where I will invite the ladies to pass the evening;
you will come and surprise us, as if chance only had brought you
thither, and we shall be more to ourselves in that place than in any
other.” I approved of the idea, and my hostess took upon herself the
charge of inviting the mother to the entertainment.

My confidante went immediately to make the proposal to the ladies, with
whom she remained nearly an hour, by which I judged that she had trouble
enough to persuade them to accept of it: and indeed, when she returned
she told me that the mother had been very hard to be prevailed upon, and
that she had for a long time despaired of inducing her to accept my
invitation. “All that I require of you is to behave so that nothing
appear to have been concerted between us. When you come to the garden,
pretend to be astonished to meet us there. In a word, let your coming
seem purely accidental.” I answered, that she might be sure I would
spoil nothing, and we then agreed how things should be managed to render
the entertainment as agreeable as possible.

We succeeded. The entertainment was like that of a young lover who was
desirous to please, and the guests received it as if ignorant of any bad
motive. We were extremely well amused. As the mother had not her harp
with her, her daughter and I were obliged to sing without music,
sometimes together, and sometimes alternately, exchanging slily the most
tender looks; mine with the view of expressing my passion, and hers to
increase it. Night insensibly surprised us in the garden, and whilst the
hostess, out of complaisance for me, held the mother in conversation, I
courted the daughter, who did not seem to listen with indifference to my
empassioned declaration: at last, being obliged to return to town, I
waited on the ladies to their lodgings, where, as a special favour, they
granted me half an hour’s conversation, after which I took my leave, as
much in love, as I thought, with my new mistress, as I had been with any
other before.

The next day I sent the young lady a most pathetic billet-doux by my
hostess, but she returned no answer; to have received it, however,
unknown to her mother, was a favour of itself. I wrote another, which I
gently put into her own hand in the evening when the ladies were again
treated at my expence. This time I had an answer; very short indeed, for
there were but two lines of no real import, but in which I fancied I
discovered an infinite deal of wit. Thus they made me dispute every inch
of ground to increase my desires, or, to tell the truth, all the parts
were so well acted in this intrigue, by my good hostess, that she knew
how to manage each party to her own advantage, just as she pleased.
However, I became every day more and more intimate with my fair
neighbour. I scarcely ever stirred out of the house, so charmed was I
with her company. The mother often went out, as she said, to make
interest respecting her law-suit, and when that happened, my officious
confidante gave me notice of it, and without ceremony would conduct me
to the daughter, with whom I staid while she was at her toilet; and lest
the facility of enjoying such favourable opportunities should lessen the
charms of them, she would every now and then disturb us by false alarms
of the mother’s return.

When my landlady thought I was completely in love, she proposed to me to
marry Donna Helena de Melida, which was the young lady’s name. This
proposal put me upon my guard against my worthy hostess, and I now began
to see into the plot which had been laid against me. She had hitherto
represented the lady to be too rich, and of too high a rank for me to
encourage any hope that she would consent to give her hand to an
adventurer. My landlady from this time became suspected by me, and to
rid myself at once of her importunities, I told her in plain terms that
I was engaged in another quarter. No sooner had I expressed myself in
this manner, than the ladies changed their batteries. Hitherto they had
constantly refused the presents I had ventured to send them by mine
hostess; but they now adopted a plan entirely different, resolving to
fleece the bird while they had it in their power, and they did in
reality pluck many good feathers out of my plumage. In proportion,
however, as I acted with generosity towards her, the less my fair Helena
became reserved; so that after several familiar and interesting
tête-à-têtes, my passion began to subside, and from that time nothing
else passed between us but an interchange of civility and politeness.

A new incident completed my cure. One morning I saw coming out of the
Dominican’s Church a lady of a majestic deportment and richly dressed,
whom I took for a woman of quality; and as she passed near me, though I
dared not bow to her, I shewed her so much respect, that she took notice
of it, and viewed me with so much attention, that I thought myself
highly honoured; in Spain even the look that a lady bestows on a man
being considered a favour. My curiosity induced me to inquire who she
was, and I accordingly followed her. She observed me, but walked on at a
slow pace. She was followed by two duennas and a valet, which confirmed
me in the opinion that I had of her being a lady of quality. When she
was in the middle of the broad street, she stopped before a magnificent
house and went in. I had not the least doubt that she lived there, and
after some inquiries I learnt that she was the daughter of Signor Don
Andrea, who assumed the title of Don in quality of the Court Banker, and
that this young lady had the reputation of being very virtuous.

I could not get this adventure out of my head the whole of the morning;
towards evening I walked up and down before the banker’s window again,
and my trouble was not lost. I had a full view of the banker, who was
conversing with his daughter on a balcony, who appeared to be a very
personable man. As for the lady I cannot say that she was a perfect
beauty, but she had an agreeable air and easy manners, which pleased me
extremely, and prepossessed me in favour of her mind. If I had been
charmed in the morning, how much more so was I in the evening. I
returned home quite in love with her, and resolved to get acquainted
with her father the very next day; which I accomplished in the manner I
am about to relate to you. Since my arrival at Madrid, I had the
precaution to have my diamonds all new set, for fear my relations should
give advice to their correspondents, and cause me to be arrested. I had
even run a great risk in showing them to the jeweller. I carried these
to the amount of ten or twelve thousand franks to the banker, telling
him at the same time, that I had others at home of more considerable
value. He looked at them with an eager eye, valued them at twelve
thousand franks, and offered to pay me that sum in six months, if I
would allow him to sell them for me.

As I had no other intention but to begin a train of business with him, I
accepted of his offer, and even refused his note of hand for the value
of the jewels, telling him that I knew too well what reputation he had
in the world to require of him any other security than his own word. We
then agreed that he should pay me in three months six thousand franks,
and the other six thousand in three months after. My way of dealing
charmed him so much, that he thanked me for the confidence I placed in
him, and made me many protestations of service. He then shewed me all
over his house, which was richly furnished. I observed equipages for
him and his daughter, with a great number of servants. All these objects
dazzled my eyes so much, that I was easily inclined to look upon him as
one of the richest bankers in Spain.

If all that was offered to my sight tended to confirm me in this
opinion, his discourse was still more calculated to mislead me. He told
me that he transacted business to the amount of two or three millions of
franks every day. That the court always made use of him, and of his
purse, to remit considerable sums to foreign countries; that he had
access to the ministers when he pleased; that the greatest lords were
his friends, and that but few of them who had not dealings with him.

This statement was not altogether without foundation. He had formerly
lived upon such a footing with the great, but by dealing with, and
trusting those great men rather too extensively, he had run himself so
far in debt, that he only supported himself by his wits, which were
such, at any rate, that he kept up his credit. My jewels were a great
help to him in his embarrassment; for he was just at this time extremely
straightened for a considerable sum of money, and raised half by them;
having seized the opportunity of the marriage of the Duke of Medina
Sidonia’s daughter to dispose of them advantageously. As I could then
only judge of his circumstances by appearances, I considered myself very
happy in having made an acquaintance with him; and even secretly blamed
myself for having conceived so bold an idea as that of aspiring to the
hand of his only daughter, who appeared to be a match worthy of a
prince.

Don Andrea, on his side, was not without surprise at my mode of
proceeding. He therefore sent a trusty person to inquire my character
from my landlady, and in what style I was living at Madrid. From all
sides, however, he obtained favourable reports of me; for though no one
was acquainted with my family, I might easily pass for a man of quality,
as far as my mode of living, manners, and conversation, would impress
such a belief. After such good accounts of me, he concluded that I was
the man heaven had intended for his son-in-law. He mentioned it to his
daughter who told him that I had followed her from the Dominican’s
church to her house; that I continually passed under the windows; in a
word, that by all my actions I had given her to understand that I had
conceived a passion for her. The father had too much experience not to
believe the same thing, and the confidence I had placed in him by giving
him my diamonds without a note, could only be the effect of my love for
his daughter. They both rejoiced at it in their private conversations,
and concluding that I was richer than a Jew, they resolved to manage it
so well as not to miss so fair an opportunity of advancing themselves
again in the world.

Accordingly the banker came to visit me at the hotel; I expected him,
and I took care to set out in my room all my jewels, which had a great
effect upon him. He was especially struck with my gold chain, the
workmanship of which he praised much, and offered to sell it for me at a
third more than it cost; I took him at his word and let him have it, as
I had done with the diamonds, without a note. His joy was extreme; he
made me a thousand protestations of friendship, and beginning already to
act the part of a father-in-law, gave me advice how to put out my ready
money to the best advantage. A few days after, he brought me the sum he
had promised me for my gold chain. This increased the confidence I had
placed in him, and induced me to acknowledge his trouble by a present
suitable for a young lady, which I sent to his daughter, after he had
granted me leave to do so. This present having been received favourably,
made me bold enough to discover my passion after the custom of the
country, that is to say by signs and looks, and it seemed she did not
disapprove of it.

As for the father, whom I saw every day, I talked with him of nothing
else but trade and business, waiting for the first good opportunity to
declare my sentiments. This new amour cooled me very much with respect
to my last intrigue. My neighbours perceived but too well the
alteration, for there was an end to feasts and presents. I seldom
stopped at home, and when I returned in the evening I went directly to
bed, or when I could not avoid the conversation of the ladies, it was so
cold, that they soon guessed I had shaken off their yoke. Helena,
finding that her kindness to me, far from increasing my ardour, had
diminished it, shed tears out of spite. She held a grand consultation
with her mother and the hostess, on my change, which they did not fail
to attribute to some new intrigue; they resolved to try my generosity,
and if they had no occasion to be satisfied with me, to have recourse to
some of their tricks to be avenged for my inconstancy. An opportunity
soon offered for the execution of their design. Two young lords who had
plenty of ready money came to live at the hotel; they asked me to play
with them, and at two or three sittings I won two hundred and fifty
pistoles of them. The ladies were no sooner informed of this, than they
prevailed upon me to take a walk with them, which I could not refuse,
and in coming back we passed before a shop where they sold silks and
gold stuffs. Our landlady, who was with us, was very anxious that I
should go in and buy a new gown for Donna Helena, saying that I had won
enough to make her that little present. I suffered the hostess to talk
as much as she pleased, and laughing at her entreaties, I baffled the
expectation of the ladies, who fully expected to have completely drained
my purse. This last action sufficiently convinced them that I was no
longer in their snares.

I wanted my money for a better use, for in my rambles about the town I
had seen a house newly built; I asked Don Andrea’s advice, and he
approved of it, and even managed it so that I made a very good bargain.
It cost me only three thousand ducats, which I paid down before him with
as much sang froid as if I had a hundred thousand crowns in my coffers.
You may imagine what an effect it had on my future father-in-law, who,
though a man of rather keen understanding, had not the least doubt that
he had met with a good son-in-law, and that it remained only for him to
allure me cunningly into the snare. I furnished my house elegantly, and
prepared to occupy it. The day that I intended to sleep in it, thinking
that I could not, without rudeness, dispense with taking the last
farewell of my neighbours, I paid them a visit accordingly, and paid
them many compliments, which they received with much politeness, and so
much good humour, that I was quite surprised; then addressing the
hostess, I thanked her for all the attention she had shewn me, which I
told her I should remember to the last moment of my life. She answered
all my civilities in the most flattering manner, and very obligingly
requested the honour of my company to dine with her before my departure.
As I knew her to be a woman of very indifferent character, and wished to
part amicably, I readily agreed to her request.

I accordingly dined with my hostess, who had provided for me three
dishes which she knew I was very fond of; but she kept me for a fourth,
which was not at all to my liking. This was brought to me in the
persons of an Alguazil and six of his followers, who entered the room
with a warrant to apprehend me. At this sight I was thrown into such
confusion, that I had not the least doubt I was ruined. All my relations
presented themselves to my remembrance, for I expected every moment some
persons employed by them would find me out, not so much as dreaming that
any other person in Madrid could have any cause of action against me. I
rose from the table in a dreadful disorder; I knew not what to do: I
attempted the door, but was stopped by three of the fellows; then I went
to the window in order to escape that way, but here the three others
prevented me. The Alguazil, who was one of the most rational of the
brotherhood, observing the confusion I was in, came up to me smiling,
and gently said to me: “Signor Cavalier, cheer up, there is no need of
being so much alarmed; this business is but a trifle, and you will
clear yourself for a few pistoles. Look,” said he again, giving me the
warrant, “read, and you will see that you have taken alarm without
cause.” These words, which appeared to me to come from a fellow, who,
well informed of my tricks, only amused himself by bantering me, did not
much lessen my fear. I sat down, however, and running over the warrant
in as collected a manner as I was able, I read the name of Donna Helena
de Melida; I then took breath a little, and turning to the Alguazil:
“What does it mean?” said I; “What! is it in the name of that lady I am
arrested? what have I done to her?” “She pretends,” answered he,
smiling, “that you have obtained by force, what her virtue had first
refused to your desires.”

“What do I hear?” cried I, quite surprised. “Has Helena impudence enough
to affirm that I am guilty of such a crime?” “Why not,” replied the
Alguazil; “she may have some design in accusing you of it. True she
will be obliged to prove it, and you will be allowed to defend yourself,
but what is the most disagreeable of it,” added he, “is, that by the
duty of my function, I must carry you to prison.” By this time I had
recollected myself, and I read the warrant over again; and after
considering what I should do, I rose and took the Alguazil aside: “Sir,”
said I, “I believe you to be a man of honour; consider, I pray, the
unjust persecution I am suffering. I declare to you, that far from
having used violent means to attain my happiness, the fair Helena has
not been backward in promoting it: if you knew how much money I have
spent”.... “I have not the least doubt of it,” said he; “I know this
wench of old, as well as the roguish tricks of her mother. They have
both lived here at Madrid these ten years, where they have no other
trade but to ensnare young foreigners. You are the third they have
served the very same trick you complain of, and between ourselves I
believe you will not be able to get clear without a sum of money.” “I
think as you do,” said I; “there can be no other means to hush it up
quickly, and without noise; I entrust you,” I added, slipping privately
a diamond ring, worth twelve or fifteen pistoles into his hand, “to
accommodate matters.” He put the ring on his finger, and, with the tone
of an Alguazil, he answered: “I will go and see the ladies, and if they
refuse to desist in their action against you, I will threaten them with
keeping an eye over their conduct, which will not fail to make them
listen to reason.”

After these words he left me in the room with his men, who, dazzling my
eyes with the points of their spikes, kept me in awe till his return. If
the hostess, who I had good reason to suspect had been the inventor of
this piece of roguery, had been present then, I should have eased my
mind by calling her all the names she deserved; but to avoid my
reproaches, she had taken flight at the sight of the blood-hounds of
justice. I was not altogether without uneasiness about the conferences
held in the apartments of my adversaries. I could not place sufficient
confidence in the fidelity of my agent to believe him more in my
interest than in that of the ladies. However, he acted fairly on the
occasion, obliging them to be contented with a hundred pistoles, of
which he had twenty for his own share. I thanked my stars that I had got
off so cheaply; I left the inn never to return to it, and repaired to my
own house, very happy that the adventure had been hushed up with so
little noise.




CHAP. XLVIII.

     _Guzman pays his addresses to the Banker’s Daughter, and marries
     her: consequences of this marriage._


As soon as I had got rid of Helena, her mother and the hostess, I
devoted myself entirely to my new amour, and thought of nothing else but
to become the son-in-law of Don Andrea, who, on his side, fearing that I
should embark in some new intrigue, had no less impatience to give me
his daughter than I to obtain her. I went the very next day to the
Banker’s house, who kept me to dinner, towards the end of which my
intended bride appeared, as if by chance; I rose immediately to pay my
respects to her, and express the agreeable surprise her presence
excited in me. She returned my compliments with a modest air, and would
have retired, but her father prevented her. Eugenia, said he to her,
stay with us; this gentleman is my friend, and I am happy to let him
have a proof of it by giving you leave to converse with him. I did not
fail to thank him for so great a favour, with which I was quite
delighted, and more so indeed than I really appeared to be.

I then entered into conversation with Eugenia, and to increase my joy,
Don Andrea, under pretence of writing some letters, retired to a corner
of the drawing room, to leave us more to ourselves.

If he acted in this manner to afford me the opportunity of a delightful
conversation, he did not favour a fool, for I availed myself of this
interview, not knowing when I should have a more favourable one, to
declare my passion. I called forth all my genius, which served me well
enough on the occasion, and the lady enchanted me by the delicacy of
her replies; in the mean time, the father still pretending to be very
busy, now and then asked pardon for being no better company; I returned
him compliment for compliment, and following my point, still courted the
daughter in a low voice, as if afraid of disturbing him in his reading.
We had been three hours together, when the Banker thinking proper to put
an end to our conversation, came and joined us, and Eugenia after having
made a curtesy disappeared.

I now felt so much esteem, or rather was so much in love with this lady,
that I could not forbear breaking out in praise of her; and speaking
from the fullness of my heart, I told Don Andrea, that no one could
possibly be more sensible of his daughter’s merit than I was. The old
fox listened to me very attentively, and to encourage me to explain
myself more clearly, he held a long discourse on the necessity of
persons of my age marrying, to avoid an infinite number of precipices
to which they are daily exposed, and on the importance of the choice of
a wife, since it commonly decided the happiness or misery of her
husband. He then proceeded to assure me of the good opinion he had
conceived of me; telling me that I had won his heart by my ingenuous
manners and the confidence I had placed in him; and that I might rely
that there was nothing that lay in his power which he would not do to
convince me of it. I was not much behind hand with him in professions. I
opened my whole heart to him, and protested that he might make me the
happiest of men in giving me Eugenia. He considered for some time, or
appeared to do so, to persuade me that I set his friendship at too great
a trial; however, before we parted, I knew what I had to expect. He
embraced me tenderly when I left him, and told me he had certain views
of establishing his daughter more advantageously, but that he had given
them all up to shew me how dear I was to him. At these words, I took one
of his hands, and kissed it with a transport that proved more fully than
all I could have said, the gratitude of my heart.

From this time the banker called me his son. He managed all my affairs;
the six thousand franks which he had engaged to pay me in three months,
he now advanced immediately, to assist me in furnishing my house, and he
bought for me, at a cheap rate, several elegant pieces of furniture,
which a person in want of money was obliged to sell. In a word, I dined
every day with my future father-in-law. I saw his daughter every day,
and enjoyed all the privileges of a son-in-law; except that one only,
which the title of a husband could give a right to. One thing alone
surprised me, which was, that in all the conversations I had as yet had
with Don Andrea, he had never uttered a word about any portion. I
attempted to sound him on this subject, but he gave me to understand
that his intention was not to part with much ready money on the
wedding-day. “You will receive only ten thousand franks down,” said he,
“but you may rely on the sum of fifty thousand after my death.” I
thought ten thousand franks but a paltry portion for the daughter of a
man whom I had thought so rich; nevertheless, considering that tradesmen
do not like to lessen their capitals, I was obliged to be contented.

I now earnestly entreated Don Andrea not to let me languish in the
expectation of being in reality his son-in-law. He yielded to my
solicitations, and our nuptials were celebrated with great pomp. My
father-in-law paid me the ten thousand franks, as had been agreed, and I
soon found employment for them. I made my bride a present of all the
jewels I had left, bought her most superb dresses; kept up incessant
rejoicing in my new house for the first fortnight; provided women and
footmen to attend her. In a word, I set up a way of living which would
soon have ruined me, had I not by my own industry supplied the means to
meet this increased expenditure. The banker, it is true, promised
mountains of gold, if fortune would but smile on his speculations. He
was a man of vast designs and projects, and his son-in-law being
something of the same turn of mind, we thought of no less than
monopolizing in a very short time the whole business of the kingdom.
Unluckily, however, for the success of our enterprises, his sole
reliance was on my purse, and mine on his; and the illusion soon
vanished, when we found ourselves obliged to communicate the state of
our affairs to each other. The eyes of both of us were opened without
recrimination, for, in fact, we had nothing to reproach each other with;
on the contrary, our mutual confidence had the effect of making our
union more close; and being now known to each other for what we really
were, like robbers we swore to be faithful.

Our partnership at first made a great noise, owing to the mysterious
tone with which Don Andrea told every body that he had chosen for his
son-in-law a man who was possessed of immense riches. It was soon spread
about, and every one was for dealing with us, and came to us in
preference to other bankers; and we might by our credit only have
increased every day the favourable opinion they had of our wealth, if we
had been contented to have associated with tradesmen, and no doubt we
should have made a considerable fortune; but the uncommon weak
partiality that my father-in-law always had for people of the Court, put
a check to our success. What he received with one hand was squandered
with the other. If a Marquis, a Count, or a Knight of San Jago, were
civil to him, they were sure to obtain any loan of money, and knowing
his vanity, they would not fail to lavish upon him the most flattering
compliments.

If a minister looked favourably on him, the very next day he would send
him some rich present to no purpose whatever. He always had his head
filled with chimerical projects which he would put in execution, and if
I happened to shew him the folly of them, he laughed at me, and treated
me with contempt, as a man who had not common sense, and was quite a
novice in the business of the great world.

However, with all his experience, our best substance was soon spent, our
stock grew low, and we were reduced to make use of every means to renew
and uphold our credit. What engines did we not set to work for that
purpose? we bought and sold any thing; we received pawns; we lent money
at usurious interest; in short there was no sort of commerce which we
were not engaged in; besides what I knew already, my industry, improved
by exercising it, helped me to new expedients for the good of our
society. However, I must own that I was but a mere beginner compared to
my father-in-law. Our gains were great, and would have been sufficient
to have maintained us agreeably; and if we had understood how to live
with economy, we should not have been obliged to make use of some sorry
shifts, which in spite of all our skill we were sometimes compelled to
resort to. In addition to this, our domestic expenses were most profuse.
If Don Andrea was fond of luxury and good living, his daughter was not
behind hand with him; there was nothing too rich or too fine for her; we
kept as magnificent a table as any nobleman, more servants than we
conveniently wanted, and our house was continually full of relations and
friends whom we entertained and treated with the greatest profusion.

This bustle did not less please my humour than that of my wife, and
while our affairs went on well, I did not in the least oppose it. I got
tired, however, in two or three years after my marriage, when I
perceived that through bad management, and some unforeseen accidents,
our fortune began to diminish apace. Frightened at the prospect of
distress, I ventured to remonstrate gently with Eugenia; God knows how I
was treated by her! I complained to Don Andrea, who reproved her; and
the whole family blamed her for her behaviour; but even my softest
words, the reproaches of her father, and the entreaties of her friends,
did but exasperate her the more against me: in a word, she declared to
me that she did not mean to have the least reform in her family. After
this decree, which the temper of my wife made quite absolute, I wisely
resolved not to contradict her any more, but endeavour to fortify myself
with more patience for the future.

It was, however, with extreme grief, that I saw melting away, like snow,
all the money I had brought with me from Italy; and I could not think of
the consequences of my marriage without sighing bitterly for having been
so deprived of sense as to marry at all. Sometimes, to excuse myself for
having acted so foolishly, I recalled to mind the rich figure that Don
Andrea made when I became his son-in-law; and who could have imagined
that I should find my ruin in an establishment that appeared to possess
the means of the most solid fortune? When I observed that there was no
longer any hope of being able to live on the same footing, I applied to
my father-in-law for advice in my embarrassment.

It was on this occasion that he showed me how skilful he was in all the
tricks of business. “The truth is,” said he, “you must do here, what I
have done myself in similar cases; which is to save the little that
remains to you at the cost of others:” then without the least delay, he
counterfeited letters of transfer, and false contracts, and I do not
know how many similar deeds, all equally worthy of a public reward, if
proper justice could always be administered to all honest folks that
make use of them. He did not stop here; for in order to establish my
credit, which was now become necessary to him, he made me purchase an
estate of five hundred ducats a year, which his brother possessed; when
I say purchase, I mean only in appearance, for we were not able, both
together, to muster a sufficient sum to shew the Notary, that he might
witness the payment of the purchase-money. It cost me, however, but
fifty crowns to borrow this sum for one day, and thus the sale was
apparently completed. At the same time I gave the seller a deed, by
which I formally declared that the said estate did not belong to me, but
was as much his as ever, to whom I abandoned the enjoyment of it,
having no manner of claim. I was well pleased with these shuffling
tricks, because they were advantageous to me. Besides, I knew that they
were commonly practised in all trading cities.

Thanks to my father-in-law, I had now secured something to myself, let
fortune be as contrary as it pleased; and being able to trade again upon
the faith of this new estate, I went on in my usual courses.
Unfortunately this state of things could not last long. People who have
been cheated are sure to be undeceived at last: besides, my wife’s
always spending more than I gained, was sufficient of itself to ruin me,
and I could not hold out against it any longer. Don Andrea was still
lucky enough to get himself out of the scrape. As for me, I could no
longer keep out of the clutches of a cursed Alguazil, who arrested me on
the part of my creditors, and led me to prison; but they found
themselves overreached when they set about seizing my effects, and
learned that they were secretly made over. I was not so unconscionable
as to wish them to lose all; so I paid each a tenth part of what was
due, promising to liquidate the remainder in ten years. I was set at
liberty again on these terms.

The proud Eugenia was so extremely mortified at my imprisonment and
bankruptcy, the shame of which she thought would fall on her only, that
she could not be consoled, and died very shortly after; and as she left
no child, I found myself under the obligation of refunding her dowry,
which under my present circumstances, could not fail to destroy my every
project. To tell the truth, therefore, the tears I shed at her death
were not the effect of the loss of my wife, but of regret for my money
which she had so foolishly squandered, and for her’s which I had to
return to her father. Notwithstanding which I did not fail to act the
good husband, and ordered her funeral so superb, that my creditors
murmured at it. Though I had now become a widower, I did not cease to
live on good terms with Don Andrea. Besides that I could not have gained
any thing by tricking him, he was the only man who was in possession of
all my secrets, and I had still occasion for his assistance. I
submitted, therefore, very patiently to all he required of me, and he
was so much pleased with my conduct towards him, that he behaved in an
equally handsome manner towards me.




CHAP. XLIX.

     _Guzman, after the death of his Wife, wishes to embrace the
     Ecclesiastical life, and with that view repairs to Alcala de
     Henarés to study. The fruits of his studies._


After having rendered the last duties to my wife, and her dowry to her
father, I still remained in my own house, which was now all that was my
own; and even this was completely stripped, with the exception of one
room, which Don Andrea, out of compassion, had furnished for me with a
few articles of trifling value. Here I was occupied in making
reflections on the past, and in devising means for my future
subsistence.

What now can I possibly do? said I to myself. I fear I shall find no
more Apothecaries, no Banker like that at Milan, no more relations to
trust their jewels to my care. What then is to become of me? O
Sayavedra, my dear confidant, how do I now miss you! Why can you not be
witness of my troubles when I stand so much in need of your address and
advice? Were you now present, we could together devise some scheme for
my relief; but, alas, I have lost you! I ought no longer to rely on your
assistance, which, perhaps, at this moment, you repent sorely having
ever afforded me.

This last thought affected me exceedingly, and I felt so disgusted with
the world that I resolved to quit it. I must, said I, turn my thoughts
to the church. In that asylum I may possibly find that solid happiness
which I have hitherto sought for in vain. How many knaves have made
their fortune in this way? why, therefore, should I not try my luck? I
may become a good preacher; and the pulpit is the road to bishoprics.
Let the worst come to the worst, with the money I may get for my house I
may be able to purchase some chance benefice; and even should I be so
unfortunate as not to meet with one, I can only put my money out at
interest; and if the dividends be not sufficient for me to lead an
agreeable life, I must make up for it by becoming chaplain to some rich
nunnery. Though I already know more Latin than is necessary to fill a
place of that description, yet will I, nevertheless, go to Alcala, and
take one course of philosophy, and another of theology, that I may be
the more worthy of it. And if the condition of a scholar should appear
to me too arduous for a man of my age, I can but at last have recourse
to the good fathers of the order of St. Francis, who, when they have
once heard me sing, would receive me among them, though I could not
read a word.

Thus you see, friendly reader, that persons of wit are never at a loss.
A fine resource, truly! you will answer; to embrace an Ecclesiastical
life with the sole view of enjoying every terrestrial comfort, is not
seeking a very canonical vocation. Agreed, I will not contend with
casuists on this point: but will candidly confess that I consulted
custom more than the Canons, and that, in thinking of becoming priest, I
studied nothing but my own convenience. I communicated my intentions to
my father-in-law, wishing to persuade him that they were the effect of a
thousand moral reflections I had made on the uncertainty of all earthly
blessings; or rather that I was inspired by heaven. As this banker was
not much better than myself, he applauded my resolution, which, he said,
he could not sufficiently praise, were it only for the sake of escaping
my creditors.

It now only remained for me to sell my house, which I very soon did. I
met with a purchaser who gave me almost as much as it had cost me, the
quarter of the town having been much built upon since I bought it. As
soon as I had completed this sale, I carried the money to the bank. It
could bring me in but very little, but in addition to its being there in
safety, I could draw it out again whenever I pleased. After having thus
disposed of my property, procured a proper dress for a student who
aspired to sacred orders, which consisted of a long cloak and cassock,
and after having bid adieu to Don Andrea and my best friends, I set out
for the town of Alcala, where I arrived a few days before the opening of
the colleges. I was at first doubtful where I should take up my lodging;
whether to enter myself in a college, or hire an apartment and board in
the town. I had been accustomed to enjoy entire liberty at my own house,
to live according to my own fancy, to eat what I pleased, without being
subject to stipulated hours, which I must conform to in a boarding
house, where I should dine and sup with the students, the majority of
whom were mere children. On the other hand, when I considered the
expense of an establishment of my own; of keeping a servant who might be
addicted to thieving, gallantry, or wine, or perhaps all three together;
not to mention other inconveniences which are attached to the life of a
young man completely his own master, I decided at last that I would
enter myself at one of the boarding houses, and accordingly agreed with
one which I thought would be most suitable to my age.

I was not long without acquaintances. I was fortunate enough to meet
with some students of about my own age. With these I associated; for I
was ashamed to keep company with the younger ones. I began by applying
myself to the study of philosophy, in which, as I united indefatigable
perseverance with a natural happy genius, I soon made great progress,
and at the end of two years was considered one of the first students in
the university. After having gone through my course of philosophy, I
took my degrees as Master of Arts, in which I got the second place,
though I well deserved the first. This injustice was winked at in favour
of the son of one of our most celebrated professors. I did not murmur at
it; on the contrary, I felt more pride in hearing it said by every body
that I had been unfairly passed over, than I should have felt if justice
had been done to me. I next commenced upon Theology, and continuing to
study with the same ardour, it soon became mere amusement to me, and I
felt, or, at least, fancied that I grew wiser every day.

Although I made it a point of honour never to miss a single lesson, and
was, consequently, much engaged in my scholastic duties, yet I had still
some time for pleasure. As I had been long accustomed to good cheer, and
fared but badly at the boarding-house, I generally gave a little
entertainment twice or thrice a week, by which I acquired the reputation
of a rich and generous man; and what will more surprise you, during
almost four years that I lived in this manner, I formed no sort of
acquaintance with females, even the most modest. I scarcely knew whether
there were any lovely women in the town; in fact, I carefully shunned
every opportunity of hearing any thing about them. I took great credit
to myself for being thus upon my guard against the fair sex; for I knew
by experience how dangerous it was for me, and had the resolution during
almost the whole course of my studies to avoid that rock: happy indeed,
had I completely finished them without at last splitting upon it!

I was now on the point of passing as Bachelor in Divinity; and I was
obliged in the first place to take orders, which are only bestowed on
persons who possess some cure, chapel, or other living, I was greatly at
a loss what to do; for since I had studied at the University I had
consumed the better half of my resources. In this dilemma I bethought
myself of applying again to the father of expedients, Don Andrea. I had
taken care to keep up a correspondence with him, in which I had rendered
him an exact account of my success in my studies, which he had always
professed himself extremely pleased at. I now wrote and informed him of
my present difficulty, and entreated his advice. He answered that he was
much pleased to have it in his power to oblige me; that he would with
that view make over my wife’s portion to me as if to found some chapel,
and that in the deed it should be stipulated, that I should cause a mass
to be said every day for the soul of the defunct. But at the same time,
I was to declare by another deed, that this property was not a farthing
of it my own, and that I would put Don Andrea in possession of it
whenever he thought proper. A false conveyance of this description, made
for religious purposes, so far from appearing to me to infringe the
decrees of the holy councils, did not raise the slightest scruple in my
conscience. I grant you I was a man not to be over nice in the business,
any more than my father-in-law, who I verily believe had never in his
life transacted business less deviating than this from the
Ecclesiastical Canons. Be that as it may, however, not being able to do
otherwise, this was the gate at which I now fully intended to enter the
sanctuary of the ministers of religion.

In the mean time, until I could receive orders, I began to avoid all
sorts of company; and to live more regularly in frequenting places of
worship. One day when the weather was extremely fine for walking, I
quitted the town on a pilgrimage to St. Mary of the valley, an agreeable
hermitage, situate about a mile distant. On my way I overtook a great
concourse of people on their journey to the same spot, and the Chapel of
the Saint was so crowded when I arrived, that there was scarcely room to
kneel down in it. A lady, who sat two or three paces from me, observing
my embarrassment, retired somewhat further back, as if by that action to
make room for me next to her. I was extremely surprised at this polite
attention from a female with whom I was not acquainted, and who, I
thought, could not know me; and in spite of my affected gravity, I could
not help fixing my eyes on her elegant figure, doubting not, from her
dress and demeanour that she was a lady of some consequence.

She carefully concealed her face from me, darting, however, an
occasional glance at me with one eye, which pierced my very soul. I took
possession of the vacant place near her, and wishing to testify my
gratitude in some compliment I said in a whisper: “How dangerous is this
politeness!” “I can scarcely think that you can be afraid of it,” said
she in the same tone. I dared not reply for fear of being overheard by
the ladies who sat by her, and seemed to be of her party. I looked at
them all attentively, and in one of them I recognized the widow of one
Dr. Gracia, a physician, a lady already in years, and who kept a
boarding house in the town. I knew that she had three daughters who were
called the three Graces, as well on account of the name of their father,
as of their lovely persons. I had now no doubt that the lady whom I had
just spoken to, must be one of these three celebrated sisters; and as
report boasted particularly of the beauty and wit of the eldest, I could
not help wishing that it might be her; a wish, however, which I could
not entertain without considerable alarm for my heart. With the
reputation of being extremely pretty, these young ladies had not the
character of being Vestals. This was not much to be wondered at, Doctor
Gracia having left his affairs in such a state as obliged his widow to
take in boarders for a livelihood. If slander does not even spare young
ladies brought up with the utmost severity, how could it possibly
respect our three Graces, who were eternally surrounded with gallants?
their father had been a man of pleasure, and had caused them to be
instructed in music and other accomplishments; more intent upon fitting
them for society, than forming their minds to virtue. I was perfectly
well acquainted with all this; and they on their side knew well who I
was. They had heard that I was well versed in music, that I had plenty
of money, and a peculiar talent in spending it. These excellent
qualities, which they admired in a man, made them extremely desirous to
scrape acquaintance with me, and to induce me to increase the number of
their boarders. This proposal had before been made to me, but I had
rejected it, for fear of involving myself in some fresh intrigue. I had
even made oath to avoid every snare that love might lay for me, and I
did not expect, that in the holy place where I now stood, I should break
this oath. Nevertheless, I felt a sort of agitation which so much
resembled the first emotions of a growing passion, that I was alarmed at
it. “Guzman,” said I to myself, “make not a fool of yourself here. What
God did you come to worship in this church? Let not your heart be taken
by surprise. Can you wish to lose the fruits of so many years study?”

While my reason thus contended with my weakness, the ladies having
finished their prayers, rose to leave the church. There were seven or
eight of them, all of the same party. They passed by where I sat, and I
rose to bow to them. The one whom I had so particularly noticed, and who
was in reality the eldest of the three sisters, managed very adroitly,
under pretence of adjusting her veil, to afford me a view of her
beautiful face. I was so struck with it, that it was with the greatest
difficulty I could restrain myself from following her. An impulse,
however, which heaven only could have bestowed upon me, held me back
from so powerful and dangerous an attraction. I dropped down on my knees
again, to continue or rather to begin my prayer, for I had as yet been
so absorbed in other thoughts that I had forgotten the duty which
brought me to church. I could not, however, divest my mind of the image
of the enchantress who occupied it; and more agitated than a vessel
without sail or compass in the middle of the ocean, I yielded to the
different emotions which possessed my heart.

My extreme uneasiness not permitting me to remain any longer in the
chapel, I left it, not to trace the steps of the beauty who had made so
much impression on me; on the contrary, my wish was to avoid her, and
fearing that I should meet her in the road that led to the city, I took
another route, and turned my steps towards the river, in the hope that
while I walked along its banks, I should insensibly lose all
recollection of this redoubtable personage, whom my philosophy had not
been able to withstand. And perhaps I should have become tranquil after
a little reflection, but my stars willed it otherwise. A voice which I
heard at the distance of ten or twelve paces from me, caused me to turn
my head towards the spot from whence it came, and the very first thing
that struck my eyes was that same Donna Maria Gracia, whose charms I
was so assiduously shunning. She was seated on the grass and singing,
while her sisters and the other ladies in company were preparing an
elegant collation.

At this sight, I was no longer master of myself, but advanced and
saluted them: “You must agree, ladies,” said I, “that fate is most
propitious to me to day, since it has been its will that I should meet
you every where; but to complete my happiness I should be seated by your
side.” Donna Maria replied with a smile, “that it was my own fault only
if I were not; and that it was but just that so many fair shepherdesses
should have at least one shepherd to protect them from the wolves.” This
answer delighted me, and I quickly joined the party, abandoning myself
to all my natural gaiety. The mother and the daughter seemed to vie with
each other in politeness towards me. I thought that I had never spent
many such agreeable moments, and regretted exceedingly that I had
declined the opportunity of associating with so charming a family. The
other ladies were also very gracious; and I told them more than once,
that I thought all the loveliness in Alcala was in my presence. This
compliment, as you may suppose, did not in the least offend them; and to
shew me that there was some justice in my remark, they prepared after
the collation to entertain me with a concert. Two of the ladies played
guitars which they had brought with them, and Donna Maria, and the
others who had voices, accompanied them. A guitar was then presented to
me, and I was entreated to play some airs to dance to, which I did with
much less pleasure than I felt in seeing the ladies trip to it in the
meadow like so many nymphs of Diana.

The eldest sister was the dancer I took most notice of. An air of
peculiar nobleness and grace distinguished her from her companions. It
is not surprising then that a man who took fire so easily as I did,
could not resist such fine qualities. In truth I was so enamoured of
Donna Maria, that I saw nobody but her. When she left off dancing, I
seated myself at her feet, and presenting her with a guitar, entreated
that she would play and sing to it. This request she was willing to
comply with, on condition that I would accompany her. She had heard my
voice praised, she said, and she longed to hear it herself. As I had no
less a longing to gratify her desire, I was easily prevailed on, and
acquitted myself, as I need not tell you, very much to the satisfaction
of the party assembled.

In this manner we continued to amuse ourselves until night, when the
widow Gracia sounded a retreat, and we began to file off towards the
town, Donna Maria and I walking last. It were useless to tell you that
our conversation turned upon love. We were both too intent upon it, to
talk upon any other subject, and accordingly made a reciprocal
declaration, and from that day perceived clearly that we were made for
each other. As the other ladies in company had not so agreeable a
conversation together as we had, they walked rather faster, and Donna
Maria wishing to overtake them, either by chance or intentionally, made
a false step, and must inevitably have fallen, had I not caught her in
my arms. In raising her up I was bold enough to snatch a kiss. No sooner
had I taken this liberty, than fearful that I had offended, I began to
make excuses to the fair one, who, so far from resenting my boldness,
told me in a lively manner, that I had done well in paying myself for
the service I had rendered her, which she might otherwise have been
ungrateful enough to have forgotten.

When we arrived at the widow’s house, she gave me an invitation to walk
in, which I willingly accepted of. I partook of some refreshments, and
prolonged my visit till decency compelled me to take my leave. Before I
retired, however, I obtained the widow’s permission to call occasionally
to assure her of my respect. I then bade adieu to Donna Maria, and was
so transported with love, that instead of returning homewards, I took
the way to the University, and only recognized my error in time to
prevent my knocking at the gates. You will easily conceive that I slept
but little that night, after having passed the day in the manner I have
related.

The following day, I went as usual to the schools of the University,
where my distraction was such, that when I left them I scarcely knew
what subject had been treated of. After dinner I could not resist the
pleasure of visiting Donna Maria, to whom I listened much more
attentively than I had done to the Professor in the morning, and who
detached me so completely from the University, that I soon ceased to go
there at all. I renounced the orders I had been so anxious to obtain;
changed my ecclesiastical for a most magnificent secular habit, and
after having paid my landlord, became a boarder at the widow Gracia’s;
or rather to speak without disguise, I gave myself up to the demon which
possessed me. Every person of sense who was acquainted with me, pitied
my blindness, and even the Rector of the University had the kindness to
remonstrate with me on my change of conduct; but these friendly
endeavours were of no avail. Fate would have it that I should persevere
to my own ruin; or rather, perhaps, heaven could no longer behold such a
subject a minister of the church.




CHAP. L.

     _Guzman marries again at Alcala, and shortly after returns to live
     at Madrid with his new wife._


I lived most delightfully with my new landladies; they endeavoured to
anticipate my every desire: in short, I was the master of the house.
This life lasted for about three months, at the expiration of which time
I began to talk of marriage. We soon came to terms; and, by way of
making a greater fool of myself, I expended a considerable sum of money
in wedding clothes. One would have thought that I had cart-loads of
money; though, to say the truth, I was almost at my last shift.

My mother-in-law, who was a good sort of woman, very easily led away by
finery, seeing the fine show I made, thought that I was of course
possessed of considerable property, and that the fortune of her whole
family was made by obtaining me for a son-in-law. As it was necessary
that a young man should be employed, she proposed to me to apply myself
to physic, telling me that it was a very lucrative profession, and that
if her husband had been more assiduous in it, he might have left his
widow and children much better off than they were. To induce me to
follow her advice, she offered me all Doctor Gracia’s books and
memoranda, not doubting, as she said, that with such assistance, and my
excellent understanding, I should soon become an excellent physician. To
gratify her wishes, I was complaisant enough to study for about six
months under some of the most famous professors of medicine; but their
lessons were not at all to my taste, and I soon became disgusted with a
study which at the best could only maintain me in my old age. I
pretended, therefore, that I had received letters from one of my
friends, offering me a lucrative post at Madrid, in which I could not
fail to grow rich in a very few years. I imparted this news to my
mother-in-law, who, believing it to be true, was the first to recommend
me to accept the situation, much as she really regretted the loss of my
society.

The aversion I felt for the study of medicine was not the only reason
for my wishing to leave Alcala. My finances were now at a very low ebb,
and I did not wish to expose my poverty in a place where I had hitherto
been considered in easy circumstances. In addition to this, I must
inform you, that Donna Maria, since her marriage, had thought proper to
renew an intercourse with certain students whose tender attentions she
had formerly encouraged. This was the more provoking to me, as she
could expect no grateful acknowledgments from such gallants but
serenades and boxes of sweetmeats. I was by no means satisfied with such
empty profits; for it appeared to me, that a husband who kindly
condescended to shut his eyes to his wife’s gallantries, deserved at
least that abundance should reign in his house. I resolved, therefore,
to leave a place where my wife had formed such bad acquaintances, and to
establish ourselves, at Madrid, where much better were to be met with.

Being quite prepared for the journey, we bade adieu to our friends and
family, and set off in a genteel equipage for that city, so justly
called the refuge for the destitute, Madrid. I had entirely broken with
my father-in-law, Don Andrea, on the occasion of my second marriage,
which I had contracted contrary to his advice. I thought no more of him;
and as to my creditors, as I had still two years before me, I troubled
myself but little on that head, nothing doubting, that before they
could legally annoy me again, I should either make some lucky hit, or my
wife’s beauty would enable us to form, far enough out of their reach, a
solid establishment.

A poor devil of a merchant from Alicant was the first who fell into our
snares. Unfortunately for him, he had joined us on our route, and having
seen Donna Maria, conceived a violent love for her. We clearly perceived
this, when having arrived at Madrid, he compelled us, as it were, to
stop at the inn where he lodged; and he assured us we should find every
thing most comfortable. “The landlady,” said he, “is one of the best
women in the world. She has most excellent apartments, and a most famous
cook.” There was no resisting the earnestness of his entreaties, which
sufficiently betrayed the goodness of his intentions. We were,
therefore, easily persuaded, and were conducted to the inn, where we
were exceedingly well received by the landlady, who appeared to us to be
really respectable, and very much the friend of the merchant. She
allotted to us one of the best apartments in the house, and tendered her
services most obsequiously on any occasion that we might require them.

Our travelling companion requested that we would leave to him the care
of providing a good supper for us; in which office he acquitted himself
like a rich man who wished only to please. He spared nothing during the
meal to gain my good graces. He paid much more attention to me than to
my wife, perhaps imagining that I was the most likely to oppose his
design. After supper, I inquired what was to pay, and was answered that
every thing was settled. I was overjoyed; but to let him see that I knew
how to treat as well as he did, I invited him to dine with me the next
day, and in the mean time sent orders to the cook to prepare an
excellent dinner for three persons. It is true, that I fully intended he
should pay for it; and, accordingly, no sooner was dinner over, than I
went out under pretence of having some important business at the court
end of the town, requesting him to excuse me, and to be so kind as to
keep my wife company in my absence. This exactly suited him as well as
me. Donna Maria, although sufficiently adorned by her natural beauty,
had passed the whole morning in adding to it all the charms that could
be borrowed of art, so that she appeared indeed more lovely than usual.
She proposed to play to pass the time, and won a hundred ducats of our
visitor, which he was obliged to lose to her out of gallantry.

This was nothing to what followed; for beginning to be more liberal in
proportion as he became deeper in love, he put himself to a frightful
expense. He presented my wife with several magnificent dresses, and a
quantity of jewels. He conducted her sometimes to the promenade,
sometimes to the theatres, and treated her and me every day in the most
profuse manner. All this generosity on his part, you will say, could not
be for nothing. I believe so as well as you. Donna Maria was naturally
of too grateful a disposition not to make some return for such
attentions. But I cared little or nothing about that. The husband of a
coquette, when he is in indigence, and finds his account in allowing his
wife to flirt, ought at least to be complaisant. The only fools are
those gallants who purchase so dearly of him favours of which he is
surfeited. As for me, I soon found myself by my prudent behaviour in a
most enviable situation. We soon left our lodgings, and took a whole
house to ourselves to live at greater liberty, ornamenting it with the
most elegant furniture, which Signor Diego (for that was the merchant’s
name) had the kindness to pay for. What a joyful life did we there
lead! good cheer, love, and indeed every pleasure were ours.

The merchant could not be better satisfied than he was with his lot, and
we were equally so with ours. Concord and peace reigned in our little
abode, when a young German nobleman, handsome, well made, and with a
grand equipage, chanced to see my wife at the playhouse with Signor
Diego, and thought her so handsome, that he was most anxious to know who
she was. Her superb dress and noble air impressed him with the idea that
she was a lady of quality, while, on the other hand, the looks and dress
of the merchant were by no means prepossessing. He knew not what to
think of such a couple. At first he took Diego to be an attendant upon
the lady; but the familiarity with which he treated her made him think
at last that he must be her husband. To ascertain the truth, he caused
her to be followed after the play by a clever valet, who returned with a
faithful account of her situation; and the German, from his report,
doubted not that he should soon be able to supplant the ugly merchant in
her good graces.

To bring this about, he had a private conference with our late landlady,
whom, by dint of presents, he soon gained over to his interests. This
woman, from whom we had parted on good terms, was in the habit of
calling upon us occasionally. One day, in a private conversation with
Donna Maria, she drew so flattering a portrait of the German, that she
engaged her to take a walk with her, unknown to Diego, where that young
gentleman met her as though by chance. In addition to his fine figure
and natural beauty, his manners were agreeable and insinuating. My wife
took a fancy to him at first sight, and he did not, therefore, long
languish. The proofs of gratitude of this gallant were not like those of
Don Diego; but purses of a hundred doubloons each, valuable diamonds,
superb tapestry, and rich plate. As soon as we found that this young
nobleman was so prodigal of his riches towards us, we attached ourselves
to him, and began to neglect our citizen of Alicant most outrageously.
Donna Maria even favoured his rival in his presence.

Signor Diego was not deficient in pride. He was one of those rich
merchants who look upon themselves as persons of quality. Not being
willing to suffer that any one should be preferred to him after what he
had done for us, he began to murmur. From murmurs he proceeded to
reproaches, and from reproaches to threats. His passion excited my
anger, and I told him that I chose to be master of my own house, and
begged he would give himself no airs. He had not expected that I should
have assumed so high a tone; and judging from that circumstance, that
instead of my having been his dupe, he had been mine all the while, he
wisely resolved to withdraw, which he did, bursting with rage and
spite, instead of returning a thousand thanks to Heaven for having
delivered him from such dangerous blood-suckers.

The German gentleman, far from diminishing our household expenses,
increased them daily. He loaded us with presents, and we began to give
ourselves great airs. I had three footmen, and my wife two female
attendants. We lived as if our property was doomed to last all our
lives. It was not, however, very far from its termination. Our gallant
foolishly thought fit to boast of his good fortune to a friend, a young
Count of the Court, and to bring him with him to visit us. As soon as
this latter saw Donna Maria, he became his friend’s rival. This was of
little consequence. The lady would have had wit enough to have pleased
them both; but the Count wishing that two or three other of his
fashionable friends should partake of his amusements, introduced them
also to our house, where these youths altogether turned the house
almost out of windows; nothing was to be heard but laughing and singing,
from morning till night: and nothing could be done but gaming and
drinking. And as these youngsters’ pockets were not always well stored,
they borrowed and cheated; and though all this property generally fell
into our hands, it went as lightly as it came.

So irregular a life could not fail to draw some misfortune upon us. Two
of these young gentlemen, already irritated by jealousy, had a trifling
dispute at play one night, upon which they immediately drew their
swords. They fought; and before they could be separated, one of them
received a mortal wound. The parents of the wounded gentleman, having
learnt that this accident happened at my house, which they considered a
resort for the disorderly, caused me to be arrested in my bed one
morning by a large body of constables, who, after having possessed
themselves of the principal part of my property, led me to prison.

This sudden intrusion of justice awoke my wife in rather a disagreeable
manner, who rose and dressed herself speedily, in order to intercede
with one of the principal judges, a person respectable as well from his
venerable appearance as his advanced age. She threw herself at his feet
with tears in her eyes, and implored his support with the most affecting
language. The old man, notwithstanding his years, was less interested by
the entreaties of his fair petitioner than by the charms of her person.
He raised her up, and introduced her into his closet, that, as he said,
her audience might not be interrupted; and while she related the affair
to him, the old satyr, who scarcely listened to a word she said, dried
her tears with his handkerchief with one hand, while he placed the other
trembling on her bosom. In short, he gave her hopes that the unlucky
adventure which had happened to me would have no ill consequences, and
immediately sent orders to the gaoler to treat me well; for he was a
magistrate of great authority, and might have released me immediately
had he been so inclined, but he wanted a few more audiences with my
wife. He appointed her to wait upon him the next day at the same hour.
This she did, and was immediately shewn into his closet again, where she
found him full dressed, combed, perfumed, and his beard neatly trimmed
for the occasion. The success of this second visit was a promise that I
should the next day be set at liberty; and my wife was obliged to call
upon him again, to receive from his own hands the warrant for my
release.

I thought myself very lucky in having got over this affair in so short a
time, though it had cost me almost half I was worth. I flattered myself
that, with so powerful a protector as my wife had now made, we might in
future do any thing we pleased with impunity. Immediately after dinner
I repaired to the judge’s house, where I thanked him for his great
goodness. He received me very politely, and invited me to pay him a
visit occasionally. I pretended to be extremely sensible of this honour,
and, on taking leave, besought a continuance of his protection. He
assured me that I might rely upon it; and, the better to convince me, he
honoured us with a visit that very evening. We received him in such a
manner, that if he had been Prime Minister of Spain he could not have
had more respect shewn him. As he told us that he liked music, my wife
and I formed a little concert for his amusement. We afterwards regaled
him with fruits and sweetmeats, which he repaid the next day by a
handsome present to my wife.

This superannuated gallant accustomed himself by degrees to spend every
evening in a house where he was so well entertained. At last he began
to find my presence troublesome to him, and to get me out of the way, he
told me, one day that I was dining with him, that ’twas a pity a man of
sense and learning as I was should pass his youth away in idleness; that
he would think of some post that would suit me, in which I should be
simple indeed if I did not speedily grow rich. I assured him that my
idleness was quite contrary to my inclinations, and that he would most
sensibly oblige me if he would procure me an useful occupation, in which
I trusted I could acquit myself to his satisfaction. The next day he
paid me another visit, and put into my hands a commission to be one of
the Receivers of King’s Taxes, signifying to me, at the same time, that
it would be necessary for me to repair to the precinct to which I was
appointed without delay. Although I had but little inclination to this
employment, I accepted it, and returned my benefactor as many thanks as
if he had raised me to one of the first posts in the kingdom. My wife
was scarcely better pleased at it than I was, but we resolved in secret
to make trial, whether, during my absence, our amorous grey-beard would
be sufficiently generous to recompense us for the loss of the German
gentleman.

I accordingly took leave of Donna Maria, leaving the field open to her
old Adonis. I arrived at the department to which I was appointed,
entered upon my new charge, and began to exercise it; but, alas! I soon
found that, without robbing, extortion, and all sorts of violence upon
the poor country people, I should be reduced to worse straits than ever.
In short, I did not like the business, for I could not help thinking
that a robber on the highway was an honester profession. Accordingly I
had determined, at the expiration of the first three months, to be
requested to be recalled. That time, however, had not elapsed before my
patron wrote to me of his own accord to return to Madrid. This letter
caused me more joy than I had felt when he so charitably released me
from prison. I gave up my post with all my heart, and returned to my
patron, very curious to learn how he could have grown tired of my
absence. I went to see him the first thing on my arrival, and he began
immediately to complain of Donna Maria’s coquettish inclinations. “Your
wife,” said he, “has one very great fault, which is, that she loves none
but young sparks. In vain have I represented to her that the many
visitors of this description that she receives must infallibly ruin her;
she will not break off such connexions: in short she is incorrigible. My
sole reason,” continued he, “for recalling you, was to inform you of her
indiscretion, and to caution you to keep a better check upon her
conduct, lest, in the event of any second accident happening at your
house, you may not always be able to find powerful and disinterested
protectors.” I understood his meaning perfectly, and promised the old
man that my wife should be more guarded in her future conduct; after
which, I went home, well assured that my wife would tell the story in
quite a different way; as in fact she did: for no sooner had I mentioned
his name, than she began to declaim against him as an avaricious old
curmudgeon, who had made her none but the most insignificant presents
ever since my departure.

I entered into her resentment, and permitted more young men than ever to
frequent our house; which the old magistrate having remarked, he
reproached me for having broken my word with him, and, as though he had
made my fortune, he accused me of making him an ungrateful return for
all the benefits he had conferred on me. At length we lost all patience,
and, to get rid at once of so troublesome a visitor, I ordered the
servants to say we were not at home whenever he called.

No sooner did he perceive that we were determined to release ourselves
from his tyranny than his love was converted into hatred, and in his
passion he caused us to be condemned to leave Madrid in three days,
under pain of imprisonment for the remainder of our lives. He thought
that by this he would undoubtedly have reduced us to implore his mercy,
and do just as he pleased; but he was much mistaken, for no sooner was
this unjust sentence made known to us than we guessed from whence it
came, and resolved to obey it, my wife choosing rather to travel all
over the world than have any thing more to do with this old rascal, and
I beginning to be apprehensive that my creditors would shortly be
calling upon me for the remainder of my composition money.




CHAP. LI.

     _Guzman and his wife, having been obliged to leave Madrid for their
     exemplary and moral mode of life, proceed to Seville, where Guzman
     finds his Mother._


The first day we were fully employed in converting all our effects into
ready money. On the second we hired four mules to carry us and our
baggage, and departed from Madrid on the morning of the third, according
to the sentence.

We took the road to Seville, not only to gratify my great desire to
revisit my native country, but to please Donna Maria, who burned with
impatience to try the effect of her charms upon the rich merchants who,
I had told her, were continually arriving from Peru, laden with gold
and jewels. She doubted not that she should fill her coffers at their
expense. Notwithstanding our good intentions towards these gentlemen,
however, we travelled very slowly for fear of fatigue; and I own that I
felt a secret pleasure in surveying the country through which I had
formerly passed, although it recalled to my remembrance the sad
adventures of my youth. I passed the inn where I had been a servant; and
at the sight of Cantillana I fancied I still smelt those excellent
ragouts of mules with which I had formerly been regaled; and I did not
forget the cudgelling which had been so liberally bestowed on me and the
muleteer by the two officers of the Holy Brotherhood. I arrived and
dined at that charming inn where they made omelets of pullets. I told my
wife this story, and she laughed at it heartily. At last I reached the
hermitage, where I lay the first night after I left Seville, and,
transported with the recollection, I addressed the Saint in these
terms: “Oh great St. Lazarus,” cried I, “when I left the steps of thy
chapel ’twas with tears in my eyes, on foot, alone, and poor, but
innocent; and now thou seest me return, married, and in good condition,
and well mounted; but how innocent, Heaven and thou know!”

It was quite night when we arrived at Seville, so that we were obliged
to take up our quarters at the first inn we came to; but the next
morning I rose betimes and took lodgings in St. Batholomew-street,
whither I had my baggage conveyed. The next thing I did was to ask after
my mother, but I could hear no news of her until some months afterwards,
when Donna Maria being on a visit to a lady with whom she had made an
acquaintance, heard her name mentioned by mere chance, and was much
astonished to learn that she lived very near us with a young lady who
passed for her daughter. No sooner had I ascertained my mother’s
residence than I flew to it, found her at home, and we embraced with
sincere affection.

We related to each other in a few words the adventures that had happened
to us both since our parting, each of us, however, concealing whatever
we thought fit. She was very anxious, for example, to persuade me that
she had brought up the young lady who lived with her, out of pure
charity, having been attached to her from her earliest infancy. I
pretended to believe her word implicitly, though I entertained
considerable doubt whether she had not other views which she did not
choose to confess. After a long conversation, I introduced Donna Maria
to her. My mother received her very kindly, and embraced her in an
affectionate manner not very common in a mother-in-law.

To celebrate our reunion, my mother invited us to several
entertainments, which we returned; and as I had occasion for an old
mouser like her to instruct my wife in the coquetries of the ladies of
Seville, where the modes of gallantry differed from those at Alcala and
Madrid, I proposed to her to come and live with us, representing to her
how much more agreeably she might pass her time. She answered “that she
could not make up her mind to desert her adopted daughter, and that she
feared also she should not be able to agree long with my wife.” I
endeavoured to remove the first obstacle, by consenting to receive the
young lady into my family also. “You cannot think of it, my son,” said
my mother. “You must know but little of women, if you think that two
lively young ladies like Petronilla and Donna Maria, can live even one
month together, without quarrelling themselves, and indeed setting the
whole house in an uproar.”

I succeeded, however, in conquering the repugnance that my mother felt
to grant my request. It is true, that she yielded at last upon my
assurance that she would always find in my wife a daughter submissive to
her wishes. At last she came alone to reside with us, choosing rather to
leave Petronilla to herself, than to be the cause of dissensions in my
family. At the beginning, all went on smoothly, and the only contention
was, who should be the most complaisant. Each seemed to endeavour to
anticipate the desire of the other. They addressed each other
affectionately, and if this good understanding had but lasted, we could
not have failed in making our fortune; but unfortunately, before the
expiration of three months every thing changed, and these same ladies,
who had hitherto agreed so well, now began to pursue a different
conduct. My mother wished to govern despotically, which my wife would
not submit to. They were constantly disputing and quarrelling, and peace
was entirely banished the house. Sometimes I endeavoured to reconcile
them, and to act as umpire, but this only brought upon me the fury of
her whom I decided against. What made matters worse, was, that the ships
which were expected from India, did not come in that year. Money became
scarce, and consequently the profits of my wife’s gallantries were but
trifling, in comparison with the daily expense of our establishment.
Donna Maria was not one who could listen to economy, and no clothes or
ornaments were good enough for her. The natural consequence of all this
was, that as our funds diminished, so in proportion our vexations
increased. We had placed great reliance upon the merchants from Peru,
who never came at all; and my wife, to whom I had given a grand idea of
the opulence and generosity of these merchants, reproached me as if I
had been the cause of their delay. In short every thing fell upon me.

As good luck would have it, I happened to become acquainted with an
Italian, captain of a Neapolitan galley, who by order of the Court had
come to Malaga to carry the Bishop of that city to Naples; but that
prelate not being ready to embark, he had come to Seville in the hopes
of meeting with merchandize to freight his vessel for Italy. I met him
by chance one day at a merchant’s house, and was delighted in having
found a man who spoke Italian as well as myself. He was on his side
equally pleased, and we became very intimate. I invited him to my house,
and introduced him to my wife, who did not fail to charm him. He made me
some trifling presents, which would have been more considerable if his
affairs would have permitted him to remain any longer at Seville: but as
he could not make the bishop wait for him, and could not bear the idea
of parting from my wife, he found means to conciliate his love with his
duty, by persuading her to desert me, and fly with him into Italy.
After all, I believe that he did not find it a very difficult matter to
prevail upon her, for she had been long out of humour with me, and hated
my mother more and more every day; so that we had not an hour’s quiet
for her. However that might be, I cared but little about it; and,
indeed, thought myself happy and rich in having got rid of her,
notwithstanding she had taken her jewels and every thing of value about
the house with her; in which the captain had very honestly assisted her,
before I had the least suspicion of their intentions.




CHAP. LII.

     _Guzman, after his wife’s elopement, resides for some time with his
     mother; but at length enters into the service of a lady of
     quality._


I was prudent enough to keep this affair secret, knowing that all the
scandal of it would be reflected upon me. I sold what remained of my
property, which consisted only of some of the worst of the furniture and
moveables, which my wife had condescended to leave behind, and employed
the money in making merry with my friends. My mother accommodated
herself as long as she could to the life I led, but at last growing
tired of it, she returned to the house where she had left Petronilla,
telling me that she could now live more at her ease with her, than she
could expect to do with me. I offered no opposition to her plans, and we
parted again in perfect good will towards each other.

You will not be surprised that a continued train of expenditure without
any income, soon reduced me to my original condition of life; but an
adventurer, in whatever state it may please fortune to place him, should
always find resources in his wits. Mine did not now abandon me. I learnt
one day that there resided in the town a rich widow, whose husband had
been Governor of a city in the West Indies, and died there, leaving his
lady in great affluence. This widow, who affected great devotion, had no
children, but several relations of consequence; and was at this time in
search of a man, to whom she could confide the management of her
affairs, well knowing that places of this description are not always
filled by men of probity.

This post was a great temptation to me, and I resolved to spare nothing
to obtain it, knowing that my fortune was made if I could succeed. After
having tormented my brains for some time to invent some stratagem to
attain my ends, I learnt that her Father Confessor was a Dominican
Friar, who had an absolute dominion over all her wishes, and that he
must be gained over to my interest. To this end, I bought a purse, and
put eight pistoles, and twenty ducats of gold in it, to which I added a
ring of trifling value, and a gold seal which my mother had presented to
my wife the first day she saw her. After which I laid by my sword, and
put on a very plain suit of clothes. In this state I repaired to the
Convent of the Dominicans, where I asked leave to speak to the Reverend
Father before mentioned, who was a very favourite preacher, and had
converted many. I was taken for one of his penitents, and was conducted
immediately to his chamber, which I entered with an hypocritical
countenance, as if afraid to cast my eyes on so sacred a person, and in
a low and soft voice: “Most Reverend Father,” said I; “I have just
picked up this purse which appears to be full of gold and silver coins,
and although I am but a poor man, I know that I have no right to keep
it. I have therefore taken the liberty of asking for you, that I might
place it in the hands of your Reverence to dispose of it as you may
think fit.”

The good father, charmed with so heroic an action in a person whose
wants might have excused his appropriating it to himself, surveyed me
from head to foot, and commended my disinterested and religious
behaviour. He could not sufficiently extol me; and feeling, at the same
time, a desire to render me some service, as a recompense for my virtue,
he asked me a few questions as to my situation in life, and talents,
that he might know what I was capable of. “Reverend Father,” said I, “I
have now been at Seville for some time, entirely out of employment. I
was Receiver of Taxes at Madrid; but finding myself inclined to spend my
own money to assist rather than persecute the poor, I was compelled to
resign that situation; from which I became steward to a nobleman, whose
affairs were in great confusion. These might soon have been settled; but
in proportion as I arranged them, he involved them afresh, so that after
having served him four years with the utmost zeal and fidelity, I was
obliged to leave him as much a beggar as when I first entered his
service, and without even having received my wages.”

The Confessor listened to me with great attention; and surprised at
hearing a man, whose dress did not much prepossess him in favour of his
education, speak in such good terms, he asked me if I had ever studied.
I told him that I had studied most assiduously with the intention of
entering the church; but, that after having seriously reflected on a
vocation which required so many virtues which I did not possess, I had
given up such an idea. He was curious to ascertain how far I had gone in
Theology; and as all my lessons were still fresh in my memory, I
answered his questions in a manner which astonished him. My interview
with him lasted two hours, and he was so well pleased with me, that he
assured me of his friendship; and, in taking leave, told me, that on the
Sunday following he would advertise the purse I had found, in his
church, and that if I would call upon him on the Tuesday following, he
hoped he might by that time hear of some place to suit me.

After having left his Reverence I repaired to my mother’s. “I have
lost,” said I, “the purse you gave me, in which were your ring and
casket, together with eight pistoles and twenty crowns in gold of my
own. Happily, however, it has fallen into the hands of a Dominican
Father, who will advertise it in his church on Sunday. You must
therefore go there, and claim it as your property, as I do not wish to
appear before his Reverence for certain reasons which I will afterwards
explain.” After a little more instruction, the good woman did not fail
to repair on the day fixed to the Dominican’s Church, where she heard
the father publish the purse as he had promised, not forgetting to
bestow the greatest eulogiums on the honesty of the poor man who had
found it, and delivered it to him. My mother, who knew as well as I did
the contents of the purse, had but little difficulty in getting it
restored her, after leaving two pistoles with his Reverence as a reward
for the honesty of the person who found it.

My purse then was restored to me with the loss of two pistoles only.
Tuesday had no sooner arrived, than I waited upon the Dominican again,
who received me very kindly: “My son,” said he, “a good old woman who
has claimed the purse which you found, has left two pistoles with me in
charge for you.” I affected to be scrupulous of receiving this present,
as I had only done what was my duty, for which I did not deserve or
desire to be remunerated: but the good father told me that he thought I
well deserved it, and obliged me to accept of it; which, as you will
suppose, I no longer refused, purely in obedience to his commands.

He then informed me that he had some better news to communicate; which
was, that he had obtained for me the situation as steward in the family
of one of the principal ladies in Seville. “You cannot but be happy in
this family,” said he, “for the remainder of your days, if you perform
your duty conscientiously, for which I entertain so good an opinion of
you, that I have passed my word.” At words like these, so flattering to
such a rogue, I prostrated myself at his reverence’s feet, and embraced
his knees with transport. He assisted me to rise, and assured me of his
protection. Then charging me with a letter to the lady, who proved to be
the widow before mentioned, he told me that he had already prepared her
to receive me.

I went immediately to pay my respects to my new mistress, and it was not
difficult to perceive, by the reception I met with, that the Friar had
told wonders of me. She addressed me, not as a man who was to be her
servant, but as one of whom she already entertained the highest opinion.
The good Father had also taken care to fix my salary and perquisites.
She asked me if I was satisfied. I answered with a modest air, “that it
was more than I deserved, but that I would endeavour to render myself
worthy of her bounty by my care and fidelity in her service.” My person
and conversation pleased her infinitely, and she desired me to consider
myself in her service from that moment. Accordingly I had my trunk
carried in that evening, in which was all I possessed.

A very handsome room was assigned me, and I remarked with pleasure, that
the other servants looked upon me as their superior, and as one whom
their lady would have respect paid to. All her private papers were
entrusted to me, and I applied myself so assiduously in discharge of my
trust, that I despatched as much business in fifteen days, as my
mistress expected would have taken up six months. Overjoyed at the
acquisition of so expeditious an accountant, she never saw the
Dominican, but she praised me exceedingly; which afforded the good
Father great pleasure, who really thought me a young man of integrity
and virtue.

I was frequently obliged to consult my lady on affairs which could not
be settled without her approbation, and these interviews sometimes
lasted for some hours. On these occasions I always behaved myself with
so much respect, softness, and insinuation, that I perceived I was daily
gaining ground in her good will. At first she had fixed certain times
for me to speak with her on domestic affairs; which were in the morning
at her toilet, and in the evening after supper. This did not last long;
for she would come into my room after dinner, under some pretence or
other, and spend hours with me in discourse which had no relation to
business. Her fondness for me increased daily, and I could not but
foresee the happiness she designed me. I affected for a long time not to
understand her kind intentions; but flesh is flesh: and she having
condescended to make advances at least half way, I could not forbear
meeting her the other half. She excused her frailty by saying she
designed to marry me privately, and I abandoned myself entirely to my
good fortune, from which I should undoubtedly have reaped considerable
advantage, had I been prudent enough to maintain my ground.




CHAP. LIII.

     _How Guzman suddenly loses his Mistress’s favour, and is condemned
     to the galleys._


No sooner had I found in any part of my life that I might swim in deep
water, than I was drowned. Finding that I was now beloved by my
mistress, and looked upon by the servants as one whose favour was of
consequence, I began to act quite a different character in the family,
and set myself up to be absolute lord of all. I bought the most
expensive clothes; spent money like a gentleman; and to crown all, took
an under steward to look after the business of the house. Madam herself
was not a wit more prudent, and consulting her love rather than her
reason, approved of every thing I did.

This was by no means the case with her relations, who, as they had an
eye to the succession, observed her steps most vigilantly. They had
conceived no great liking for me when I first entered the service, being
rather suspicious, and not without reason, of the very devout air I
assumed; but when they learnt that I carried all before me in the
family, they began to reflect seriously upon it. They knew who I was,
and not thinking that I was married, became very apprehensive lest the
too tender widow should eventually take me into the place of the defunct
governor, if she had not already done so; especially when they
recollected that she had some years before contracted marriage
clandestinely with one of my predecessors, who, fortunately for the
lady’s heirs, had thought proper to die shortly afterwards. This made
them very uneasy, and they had many meetings among themselves to
deliberate upon the most efficacious mode of ridding themselves of so
formidable a rival in the lady’s favour. All their endeavours, however,
would have been ineffectual, had I not ruined myself in my mistress’s
opinion by my imprudent conduct.

The tender connexion I had formed with the lovesick lady became daily
less lively on my part; for, to say the truth, she was far from
possessing qualities calculated long to attach the inclinations of a
gallant man. Unfortunately also for our amours, I had cast my eyes on a
young girl in the house, a pretty merry wench of about sixteen or
seventeen years of age. A man who had money unlimited at his command,
and the entire government of the family, was not a conquest to be
despised by a waiting-maid; so that I soon lured her to my purpose, and
we concerted measures so well, that we kept our correspondence secret
for a considerable time. There were, however, other women in the house,
and it was not possible, therefore, that we could remain long
undiscovered. Celia, which was the damsel’s name, soon began to dress
herself out in the jewels and ornaments I had given her, and to boast of
her money. Her companions, in consequence, became jealous of her, and
informed their mistress, who ordered them to watch her, and neglect
nothing to ascertain the source of all this finery. These directions
were punctually obeyed; and it was soon discovered that Celia had
nocturnal conversations with me for three or four hours in my chamber.
This news struck like a dagger to the lady’s heart, for she had hitherto
been confident of my fidelity. She could not think me guilty of such
perfidy, and determined to be thoroughly convinced herself before she
satisfied her vengeance.

I lay in a chamber which communicated with my mistress’s by a closet in
which there was a private door covered with tapestry. In addition to
this, there was an opening which I knew nothing of, directly against my
bed’s-head; so that a person listening might easily hear whatever was
said in my chamber, particularly when I was in bed. In this spot the
widow placed herself one night, and listening attentively to my
conversation with Celia, she overheard us distinctly speaking of
herself; and though we had frequently before amused ourselves at her
expence, yet, as the devil would have it, we had never before spoken so
ill of her. We communicated to each other without reserve the various
frailties and natural defects we had observed in her, and, in short,
pulled her to pieces from head to foot. You will readily imagine the
lady’s rage at hearing herself painted in such glowing colours. She was
at first tempted to enter my chamber and vent her fury on us
immediately; but after a little reflection, she very wisely thought it
more prudent to retire, and meditate her revenge more privately, than to
make all the servants in the house laugh at her expense.

No sooner had day arrived than she sent for her nearest relation, to
tell him that I was a complete rogue; that I had not been content with
robbing her and putting all her affairs into disorder, but had
dishonoured her house; in short, that she was determined no longer to
overlook my knaveries, and only wished that I might be punished
according to my deserts. She could not possibly have selected a more
fit person to promote her wishes in this respect than this relation of
her’s, who, hoping one day or other to be her heir, had more interest
than any one to remove me from the testatrix. He was, therefore, highly
delighted at so favourable an opportunity, and made haste to profit by
it, lest the lady should change her mind. He knew her well, and saw
plainly that she only acted this part out of some jealous pique; and
accordingly exerted himself with such effect that in less than two hours
he obtained a warrant against me, so that before I had risen from my
bed, an Alguazil entered my chamber, and led me off to prison.

I was at first inclined to consider this as a token of remembrance,
either from my relations at Genoa, or my creditors at Madrid; and it,
was upwards two hours before I learnt the real cause of my imprisonment.
At first I did but laugh at it, flattering myself that my mistress
loved me too well to leave me to the severity of the laws: and I
expected every moment to receive a message that she was no longer
irritated against me, and had obtained my pardon. Buoyed up with this
hope, I bore without impatience or complaint those fetters which I felt
convinced love would shortly break for me; and I considered myself more
like a lover punished for infidelity, than a steward imprisoned for
robbing his mistress. I was, however, most grievously mistaken, for I
was required forthwith to render an account of my administration, which
had lasted two years. I now began to grow uneasy, for the manner in
which I had dissipated the widow’s money to my own purposes left so
large a balance between the receipts and expenditure, that I would have
defied any steward in the most noble family to have filled up the gap.
It was in vain for me to puzzle my brain; for, to make the best of it, I
was four thousand crowns short. To complete my ruin, the honest man
whom I had employed as under-steward, while I thought of nothing but my
pleasure, no sooner saw me thrown into gaol, than, to save himself from
the same fate, which he knew he equally well deserved, he made off with
all the ready money he could lay his fingers on. Being answerable for
this man’s behaviour, the whole was laid at my door. How then was it
possible for me to escape with impunity? I had neither money nor credit;
while, on the contrary, my prosecutors were so powerful, that I could
entertain no hope of leaving prison, except _to serve the King upon the
seas_.

I was so convinced of this, that I made an attempt to escape from
prison, in the disguise of a woman, and had already penetrated as far as
the outer gate, when a cursed one-eyed door-keeper recognized me. I
carried a dagger in my breast, which I drew out to intimidate him; but
he roared out for help, which soon arrived, and I was led back to a
dark dungeon, which I was not permitted to leave until I was conducted
to the galleys, to which I was condemned for the remainder of my life.




CHAP. LIV.

     _Guzman is conveyed to Port St. Mary with other honest folks like
     himself. His adventures on the way, and on board the galleys._


The chain composed of twenty-six young galley-slaves, all decorated with
the collar peculiar to the order, being ready to march, we set out for
Port St. Mary where the galleys then lay. We were divided into four
bands, and chained one to another, and our conductor, escorted by twenty
guards, led us along by small days journies. We lay the first night at
_Cabeças_, a village about nine miles from Seville. The next morning,
having started again at break of day, we fell in with a lad driving
pigs. This unfortunate youth, instead of driving his beasts out of our
way, was imprudent enough to allow them to pass between our bands; the
consequence of which was, that he lost half of them. In vain did he
complain to our conductor, and entreat him to interpose his authority,
to oblige us to make restitution; the conductor, who hoped to eat his
share, turned a deaf ear to his prayers, and we passed on with our
prize, as proud of the exploit, and as joyful as though we had recovered
our liberty.

When we arrived at the inn where we stopped to dine, I made a present of
my pig to the conductor, who accepted it willingly, and with many
thanks. He then asked the people of the house if they could dress it
nicely for him; but it was easily to perceive from their answers that
they were but little accustomed to cooking. Upon which I told him, that
if he would permit my chains to be taken off for one hour only, I would
undertake to cook for him, and doubted not that I should give him
satisfaction. He did not hesitate to grant this request, and I provided
every thing in such good order for him, that he afterwards used me much
more kindly than the other prisoners.

Before we left, I had another opportunity of shewing my skill at the
inn, where two merchants happened to come in to dine. Finding themselves
in such honest company, they became extremely uneasy for their property.
One of them seemed determined not to leave any thing that belonged to
him out of his sight, and, accordingly, placed his wallet under the
table, keeping his foot upon it. I felt a great itch to be a match for
this cunning gentleman, and accordingly slipped very gently under the
table, and cutting his wallet open with a sharp knife, I drew out two
parcels, which I handed over in charge to one of my companions; named
Soto, with whom I had become acquainted in prison. When we had left the
inn, and had walked about a mile, I requested Soto to give me the
parcels, that we might see what our booty consisted of, and divide it.
Soto replied that he did not know what I alluded to. I thought at first
that he was joking, but that was very far from his thoughts, and he
persisted with oaths that he had received nothing of me. When I found he
was in earnest, I reproached him with his ingratitude and perfidy; but
he only laughed at my reproaches and threats, and kept quiet possession
of the parcels. His behaviour quite enraged me, and I resolved to be
revenged on him, by explaining the whole affair to the conductor,
choosing rather that he should profit by the theft, than such an
ungrateful and impudent rascal. This resolution I put into execution at
night when we reached the inn where we were to sleep.

I had no sooner related the story to the conductor, than he called Soto
before him, and asked him for the two parcels. The rascal answered that
he had got nothing of the sort, and that I must be a great rogue to make
such an accusation. “You will not give them up with a good grace then!”
replied the conductor. “Very well, my friend, we will treat you then as
you deserve.” At the same time he ordered the guards to flog him until
he confessed. Soto turned pale with fear at this cruel order; and out of
regard to his skin, shortly afterwards confessed that the two parcels
were concealed in the belly of the pig he had stolen. Here they were
found; and when they were opened, it appeared they were full of beads
and bracelets of coral adorned with gold, of excellent workmanship. Our
conductor, like a man who understood his calling, thrust them all into
his own pocket without ceremony, promising me a handsome reward, which,
however, I have been expecting to this day; which proves clearly that
this description of persons profit by the evil actions of rogues, though
they do not participate in their punishment. From that day Soto and I
swore eternal hatred to each other.

We pursued our route, and on our arrival at Port St. Mary, we found that
six galleys were careening to put to sea. We were confined a few days in
prison, after which we were divided into six bands. I was so unfortunate
as to be condemned to live in the same galley with Soto. We were carried
aboard our galley. I was seated over against the main-mast, and Soto on
the master’s bench; so that we seemed doomed to be near each other. The
King’s coat was then given us, a red waistcoat, two pair of drawers, two
shirts, a red cap, and a sea gown. After which a barber performed the
operation of shaving our chins and heads. I regretted the loss of my
hair exceedingly, which was long and beautiful. But it was of little
consequence; I was now a complete galley-slave, which I should have been
long before if I had had my deserts.

As the Commissary is an officer who possesses great authority over the
galley-slaves, and which he usually exercises with brutality, my first
endeavour was to gain his friendship. He ate and slept very near my
seat, and I was always very officious to serve him whenever an
opportunity presented itself. I was always the first to anticipate his
wants, and testify my extreme desire to be useful to him. All these
attentions did not go long unrewarded. I soon perceived that he regarded
me with a more favourable eye than the rest. This was a great
consolation to me; and to render myself still more worthy of his favour,
I redoubled my endeavours to please him: in which I succeeded so well,
that he at length never employed any other to assist him, and made me
leave my seat to provide his meals for him, having been particularly
well pleased with some ragouts I had already made for him. I was not a
little proud of this honour, which, in fact, exempted me from my duty as
galley-slave.

Our galley was ordered to Cadiz, to take aboard some masts, yards, and
ship’s tackling. Here a young lord, who was related to our captain, and
a Knight of the Order of St. James’s, came with his baggage on board our
galley, intending to make his first expedition. He wore, as was
customary in those days, a gold chain; but he had not been a week on
board before he lost this. In vain was every exertion made to discover
the thief; the chain was not to be found. Upon which the captain
recommended his kinsman to take one of the slaves into his service, who
should have the care of his chamber, and be responsible for every thing,
on pain of being handsomely flogged if any thing were lost. The Knight
approved highly of this advice, and the only question now was, which of
the slaves should have the honour of serving him. He had heard a good
account of my address and capacity, and wished exceedingly to have me.
Accordingly, the captain called the commissary before him, and asked him
if he was satisfied with my behaviour. The commissary, not knowing the
drift of this question, enlarged upon my merit, and spoke so highly in
my praise, that the Knight from that moment resolved to select me. I was
immediately sent for; he liked my looks, and I was enrolled in his
service, to the great regret of the commissary.

Behold me now become a valet-de-chambre to a Knight of St. James. That I
might be able to serve him the more commodiously, the first favour he
obtained for me was, that I should only be obliged to wear a link on my
foot; after which, all his clothes, linen, jewels, and other valuables
were told out to me, and given in charge to me, with the recommendation
that it would be to my own interest to be faithful and vigilant. I put
every thing in such order, that I could see the whole at one view. The
servants were expressly forbidden to enter the chamber without my
permission, when their master was not in it. This regulation saved me a
great deal of trouble in watching these sparks, who were as well versed
in legerdemain tricks as any of the slaves on board the galley.

I applied myself assiduously to study the humour and disposition of the
Knight, and it was not long ere I was beloved by him, and even esteemed,
galley-slave as I was. He felt pleasure in conversing with me, and I
appeared to him to possess such good sense, that he sometimes consulted
me on the most important occasions. One day he entered his chamber with
a thoughtful and melancholy countenance. “My friend,” said he, “one of
my uncles has written me a letter which has put me exceedingly out of
humour, in which he urges me, if I wish to be heir to all his property,
to marry. He has himself grown idle at the Court, without having dared
to take that yoke upon himself, which he wishes me to submit to. I know
not what answer to make; for I have no inclination at present for
matrimony.” “Sir,” replied I, jesting, “were I in your place, I would
write word back, that nothing could please me more than to comply with
his wishes, provided it were with one of his daughters.” My master
laughed most heartily at this advice, which was only meant by me as a
joke, and declared that he would write those very words, which he
doubted not would rid him of any further importunity.




CHAP. LV.

     _Guzman finds himself in the most cruel situation of his life; but
     it pleases Heaven suddenly to put an end to his troubles, and he
     recovers his liberty._


I had every reason to be content with the life I led in the service of
the young Knight, who kept so good a table that I had frequent
opportunities of treating my comrades; in which I should not have
forgotten Soto, notwithstanding what had passed between us; but this
rascal, who had never forgiven me, took great pains to nourish my hatred
by constantly speaking ill of me before my master’s servants as well as
those of the Captain. These servants, who none of them liked me,
listened to him with pleasure, and did not fail to report every thing to
their patrons; and, among other slanders, that I was only waiting for an
opportunity to make some good hit, and that, sooner or later, the Knight
would know me for the rogue I really was.

Although imputations coming from such a source ought not to have been
looked upon without suspicion, they did not entirely fail in making some
impression on my master’s mind; and I soon perceived, notwithstanding
the implicit confidence he pretended to place in me, that he kept a
strict watch over all my actions. On my side, without taking notice of
his unjust suspicions, I continued to serve him with fidelity, keeping
my eyes always open to any snares my enemies might lay for me. In spite
of all my vigilance, however, I fell a prey to Soto’s malice, who
instigated one of the Knight’s servants to steal a piece of plate out of
his master’s cabin and hide it under my bed between two boards. I soon
missed it, and told my master of the loss in a manner which ought to
have convinced him that I was not the thief. But I was not believed, and
it was at last found where it had been concealed. The Captain, thinking
that I had stolen it, in spite of all I could allege in my defence,
condemned me to receive fifty lashes; but my master begged me off, on
condition that if any thing were again lost, I should have no mercy.

Finding, by this adventure, that I had secret enemies, who were
determined to ruin me, I humbly prayed the Captain and my master to take
another in my place, and permit me to return to my oar, rather than be
exposed to such another misfortune. My master misinterpreted my
intentions; and, thinking that I was more desirous of returning to the
Commissary’s than of continuing in his service, he determined to keep me
whether I would or no. Patience, therefore, was my only remedy, and I
stood as much on my guard as I could night and day; yet, watchful as I
was, I could not escape. My master having returned from the town one
night, sent for me to assist in undressing him. I gave him his gown and
nightcap; and while I carried his sword and gloves from one cabin to
another, some rascal stole the hat-band. I never could find out how this
trick had been executed; but when I was brushing the hat the next
morning, I discovered that the band was missing. At this sight I turned
as pale as death; looked for it every where, but all in vain; there were
thieves on board that galley at least my match.

Nothing was left for me to do but to implore the Knight’s mercy; but
when I related my new misfortune to him, as well as the malignity of my
enemies, to which I attributed it, he laughed in my face. “Mr. Guzman,”
said he, with a sneer, “I am well persuaded that you are a person of the
greatest integrity, although you have not that reputation on board this
galley; and I have been told, more than once, of my boldness in having
trusted you. Once more, I think you an honest man, and am, therefore,
sorry to tell you, that if you do not forthwith produce my hat-band, you
must be delivered over to the Under-commissary, who will, doubtless,
treat you according to your deserts. This you may rely upon,
notwithstanding your protestations of fidelity.”

This was the Knight’s answer, and the Captain came up at that moment. As
soon as he knew what was the matter, and found that I persisted in
denying that I had taken the hat-band, he flew in such a passion, and
beat me so cruelly, that I fell down half dead. To increase my misery, I
was driven from the poop and sent to the last seat on the prow, the most
uneasy seat of all, and that in which the slaves work hardest. In
addition to this, the Commissary had orders not to spare me, under pain
of the Captain’s displeasure. This officer, however, really pitied me,
and, notwithstanding the orders he had received to treat me with rigour,
allowed me to rest for a full month, seeing that I was quite incapable
of hard labour.

I regained my strength by degrees; and no sooner had I re-commenced my
duty at the oar than Heaven, satisfied with the hardships I had already
undergone, took compassion on me, and released me from my pitiable
situation. Soto, who had a devilish design in his head, which he could
not execute without my assistance, my seat being near the powder-room,
became extremely desirous to be reconciled with me. With this view he
availed himself of the mediation of a Turk, who had the liberty of going
fore and aft as he pleased in the galley; not doubting that I longed in
my heart to be revenged for the cruel treatment I had met with, and
that I loved liberty as well as others. He entreated me, through the
Turk, to forget the past, and restore him my friendship, which he
confessed he had justly forfeited. I pretended to be very desirous to be
reconciled to him; upon which the Turk addressed me in these terms:

“Soto has charged me to communicate to you a project which he has formed
to deliver us all. It is concerted, that as soon as we reach the coast
of Barbary, which we are fast approaching, we are to rise, cut the
throats of the officers and soldiers, beginning with the Captain,
proclaim _Liberty_ to the rest of the galley-slaves, who will
immediately assist us, render ourselves masters of the galley, and seek
an asylum amongst the Turks. This enterprise has been in contemplation,”
continued he, “upwards of two months. We have a sufficient quantity of
arms concealed, all our measures are taken, and we have resolved to
save ourselves, Turks as well as Christians, or perish in the attempt.
All that is required of you is to blow up the powder-room at a signal
given. This is our plot; and after the cruel treatment you have
experienced from the Captain, we have thought that you would not refuse
to join us.” I replied to the Turk, that he might depend there was
nothing I was not capable of undertaking to be revenged on the Captain,
and that he might assure the conspirators that I would do what was
expected of me. This, however, was very far from my intention. When the
day approached that the plot was to be put in execution, I requested a
soldier who came near my seat to tell the Captain that I had a secret of
the greatest importance to reveal to him. “But,” added I, “tell him to
send for me immediately; his life depends upon his compliance.” The
Captain considered this as a trick of mine to reconcile myself to him,
and regain my post in his kinsman’s service; and though he did
condescend to hear what I had to say, he resolved to make me suffer for
it, if I was only trifling with him. He sent for me, however, and I
discovered all I knew; told him where the arms lay concealed; and named
the principal inventors of the plot, at the head of which I did not
forget to rank my friend Soto.

The Captain, perceiving now that it was no trifling matter, resolved to
proceed with caution, and ordering all the soldiers to their arms,
commanded a search to be made, and found a vast quantity of fire-arms
and other weapons in the place I had pointed out. He then caused the
ringleaders of the conspiracy to be seized, who, being put to the
torture, confessed all. Soto and one of his comrades were condemned to
be drawn in quarters by four galleys, and the rest were decimated, of
whom five were hung, and the others had their noses cut off. Soto,
before he died, owned that it was by his contrivance the piece of plate
and hat-band had been taken out of the Knight’s cabin, and that I was
innocent of it. The Captain commended me highly for my zeal and
fidelity, after the unjust usage I had met with; asked my pardon
publicly; ordered my irons to be struck off; gave me the liberty of the
galley; and he and all the officers signed a letter setting forth the
considerable service I had rendered the King in saving the galley and so
many lives; which was transmitted to Court to procure an order from his
Majesty for my enlargement. It were needless to state with what a
grateful heart I returned thanks to Heaven for such a revolution in my
prospects, promising to amend, and live better for the future.

Thus, friendly Reader, I have given you an account of the principal
adventures of my life. What followed after the King was graciously
pleased to grant me my liberty, you may expect to hear, should I live
long enough to tell you.

                               THE END.



               London: Printed by John Nichols and Son,
                        25, Parliament-street.

                 *       *       *       *       *

                           _Just published_

                 By LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN,
                      and GREEN, Paternoster Row.

              In one vol. 12mo. price 3_s._ 6_d._ boards.

                                   A
                        CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL

                             DISSERTATION

                                ON THE

                           NAMES OF PERSONS.

                         BY JOHN HENRY BRADY.

    “In hoc est hoax,
     Et quiz et joax.
     With gravity for graver folks.”


“This little volume will amply repay the attention of the curious, and
we recommend it to general perusal.”--_Gentlemen’s Magazine_, _June, 1,
1822_.

“We recommend Mr. Brady’s Dissertation to the notice of our readers. It
will serve as a text book, and furnish copious hints for many an amusing
chapter of conversational pleasantry.”--_General Weekly Register_,
_April, 1822_.

“This is an amusing little trifle.”--_Gazette of Fashion._

“This is an ingenious and playful little work.”--_Literary Chronicle._

                  *       *       *       *       *

              _Literary Notices of the First Edition of_

                                  THE

                          LIFE AND ADVENTURES

                                  OF

                          GUZMAN D’ALFARACHE,

                                  OR

                          THE SPANISH ROGUE.


“We congratulate the public upon the addition which Mr. Brady has made
to their literary amusements. This is one of the most amusing books we
know; and the Translator has preserved the simplicity as well as the
spirit of the original.”--_European Magazine._

“This translation is executed with considerable spirit and great
fidelity.”--_Monthly Magazine._

“The Translator has produced a very entertaining version of the
adventures of that prototype of adventurers the Chevalier
Guzman.”--_Literary Gazette._

“This is a very splendid translation of the adventures of an
incorrigible rogue and vagabond.”--_Literary Chronicle._

“The work before us exposes with exquisite satire the tricks of beggars;
and many will read with pleasure the repeated villanies of the roguish
adventurer, because they are united with much dry humour and keen
remark.”

“Mr. Brady’s translation is animated and good.”--_Gentleman’s Magazine._








End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The life and adventures of Guzman
D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, by Alain-René Le Sage

*** 