Guzman, on his journey to Saragossa, makes acquaintance and falls in love with a young Widow. Progress and conclusion of this new passion.
I steeredclear 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 acountry 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 usat 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 somethingagreeable 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 aftera 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 wereso 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.” Thislittle 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 ladieskept 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 particularlyengaging. 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 tohave 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 theDECORUMof 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, withmy 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 meevery 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 sightof 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 forthe 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 thefinest horses in Spain, this young gentleman was an experienced horseman, and before we started made his horse pass through a thousand manœuvres 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 exposethemselves 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.
[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 atme. 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 missinghis 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 tomeet 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 somuch 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 thousandimpertinences, 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, heintroduced 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, orchanced 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 fellowwhom 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 itto 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 theafternoon, 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, toask 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,” repliedhe, “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 fiveor 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 blowntheir 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 fullparticulars 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 havingcome 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 fanciedthat 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 conductme, 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 jumpedinstantly 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.
Guzman departs for Madrid, where he engages in a new gallantry, theCONCLUSIONof which does not prove so agreeable as theCOMMENCEMENT.
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, thebelles lettreswere 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 didnot 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 toknow 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 theapartment 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 becamepersons 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 motherreplied 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 tookmy 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 asfor 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 broughtyou 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 herlaw-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 shepassed 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 ofmy 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. Icarried 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 hishouse, 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 thosegreat 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 concludingthat 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 troubleby 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 myardour, 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 wonenough 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 myhouse 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 notat 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 businessis 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. Youare 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 haveeased 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.