The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, Alain René le Sage [most read books .txt] 📗
- Author: Alain René le Sage
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had been united but for a few moments as it were, and I ought to
avail myself of the present offer, and had nothing to do but to
step into happiness at once. In furtherance of these arguments,
she set forth the old marquis’s pedigree, his wealth, and high
character: but in vain did her eloquence expatiate on his
endowments, for I was not to be moved. Not that my mind misgave
me respecting Don Alvar’s death; nor that the apprehension of his
sudden and unwelcome appearance hereafter, checked my
inclinations. My little liking, or rather my extreme repugnance,
to a second marriage, after the sad issue of the first, was the
sole obstacle opposed to my relation’s urgency. Neither was she
disheartened: on the contrary, her zeal for Don Ambrosio resorted
to endless stratagems. All my family were pressed into the old
lord’s service. So beneficial a match was not to be trifled with!
They were eternally besetting, dunning, and tormenting me. In
fact, my despondency, which increased from day to day,
contributed not a little to my yielding.
As there was no getting rid of him, I gave way to their eager
suit, and was wedded to the Marquis de la Guardia. The day after
the nuptials, we went to a very fine castle of his near Burgos,
between Grajal and Rodillas. He conceived a violent love for me:
the desire of pleasing was visible in all his actions: the
anticipation of my slenderest wishes was his earliest and his
latest study. No husband ever regarded his wife more tenderly, no
lover could pour forth more devotion to his mistress. Nor would
it have been possible for me to steel my heart against a return
of passion, though our ages were so disproportioned, had not
every soft sentiment been buried in Don Alvar’s grave. But the
avenues of a constant heart are barred against a second inmate.
The memory of my first husband threw a damp on all the kind
efforts of the second. Mere gratitude was a cold retribution for
such tenderness; but it was all I had to give.
Such was my temper of mind, when, taking the air one day at a
window in my apartment, I perceived a peasant-looking man in the
garden, viewing me with fixed attention. He appeared to be a
common labourer. The circumstance soon passed out of my thoughts;
but the next day, having again taken my station at the window, I
saw him on the self-same spot, and again found myself the object
of his eager gaze. This seemed strange! I looked at him in my
turn; and, after an attentive scrutiny, thought I could trace the
features of the unhappy Don Alvar. This seeming visit from the
tombs roused all the dormant agony of my soul, and extorted from
me a piercing scream. Happily, I was then alone with In�s, who of
all my women engaged the largest share of my confidence. I told
her what surmise had so agitated my spirits. She only laughed at
the idea, and took it for granted that a slight resemblance had
imposed on my fancy. Take courage, madam, said she, and do not be
afraid of seeing your first husband. What likelihood is there of
his being here in the disguise of a peasant? Is it even within
the reach of credibility that he is yet alive? However, I will go
down into the garden, and talk with this rustic. I will answer
for finding out who be is, and will return in all possible haste
with my intelligence. In�s ran on her errand like a lapwing; but
soon returned to my apartment with a face of mingled astonishment
and emotion. Madam, exclaimed she, your conjecture is but too
well grounded; it is indeed Don Alvar whom you have seen; he made
himself known at once, and pleads for a private interview.
As I had the means of admitting Don Alvar instantaneously, by the
absence of the Marquis at Burgos, I commissioned my waiting-maid
to introduce him into my closet by a private staircase. Well may
you imagine the hurry and agitation of my spirits. How could I
support the presence of a man, who was entitled to overwhelm me
with reproaches? I fainted at his very foot-fall as he entered.
They were about me in a moment — he as well as In�s; and when
they had recovered me from my swoon, Don Alvar said — Madam,
for heaven’s sake, compose yourself. My presence shall never be
the cause of pain to you; nor would I for the world expose you to
the slightest anxiety. I am no savage husband, come to account
with you for a sacred pledge; nor do I impute to criminal motives
the second contract you have formed. I am well aware that it was
owing to the importunity of your friends; your persecutions from
that quarter are not unknown to me. Besides, the report of my
death was current in Valladolid; and you had so much the more
reason to give it credit, as no letter from me gave you any
assurance to the contrary. In short, I am no stranger to your
habits of life since our cruel separation; and know that
necessity, not lightness of heart, has thrown you into the arms
Ah! sir, interrupted I with sobs, why will you make excuses for
your unworthy wife? She is guilty, since you survive. Why am I
not still in the forlorn state in which I languished before my
marriage with Don Ambrosio? Fatal nuptials! — alas! but for
these, I should at least have had the consolation in my
wretchedness of seeing the object of my first vows again without
a blush.
My dear Mencia, replied Don Alvar, with a look which marked how
deeply he was penetrated by my contrition, I make no complaint of
you; and far from upbraiding you with your present prosperity, as
heaven is my witness, I return it thanks for the favours it has
showered on you. Since the sad day of my departure from
Valladolid, my own fate has ever been adverse. My life has been
but a tissue of misfortune; and, as a surcharge of evil destiny,
I had no means of letting you hear from me. Too secure in your
affection, I could neither think nor dream but of the condition
to which my fatal love might have reduced you. Donna Mencia in
tears was the lovely, but killing spectre that haunted me; of all
my miseries, your dear idea was the most acute. Some times, I
own, I felt remorse for the transporting crime of having pleased
you. I wished you had lent an ear to the suit of some happier
rival, since the preference with which you had honoured me was to
fall so cruelly on your own head. To cut short my melancholy tale
— after seven years of suffering, more enamoured than ever, I
determined to see you once again. The impulse was not to be
resisted; and the expiration of a long slavery having furnished
me with the power of giving way to it, I have been at Valladolid
under this disguise at the hazard of a discovery. There, I
learned the whole story. I then came to this castle, and found
the means of admission into the gardener’s service, who has
engaged me as a labourer. Such was my stratagem to obtain this
private interview. But do not suppose me capable of blasting, by
my continuance here, the happiness of your future days. I love
you better than my own life; I have no consideration but for your
repose; and it is my purpose, after thus unburdening my heart, to
finish in exile the sacrifice of an existence which has lost its
value since no longer to be devoted to your service.
No, Don Alvar, no, exclaimed I at these words; you shall never
quit me a second time. I will be the companion of your
wanderings; and death only shall divide us from this hour. Take
my advice, replied he, live with Don Ambrosio; unite not yourself
with my miseries, but leave me to stand under their undivided
weight. These and other such entreaties he used; but the more
willing he seemed to sacrifice himself to my welfare, the less
did I feel disposed to take advantage of his generosity. When he
saw me resolute in my determination to follow him, he all at once
changed his tone; and assuming an aspect of more satisfaction,
Madam, said he, since you still love Don Alvar well enough to
prefer adversity with him before your present ease and affluence,
let us then take up our abode at Betancos, in the interior of
Galicia. There I have a safe retreat. Though my misfortunes may
have stripped me of all my effects, they have not alienated all
my friends; some are yet faithful, and have furnished me with the
means of carrying you off. With their help I have hired a
carriage at Zamora; have bought mules and horses, and am
accompanied by perhaps the three boldest of the Galicians. They
are armed with carabines and pistols, waiting my orders at the
village of Rodillas. Let us avail ourselves of Don Ambrosio’s
absence. I will send the carriage to the castle gate, and we will
set out without loss of time. I consented. Don Alvar flew towards
Rodillas, and shortly returned with his escort. My women, from
the midst of whom I was carried off, not knowing what to think of
this violent proceeding, made their escape in great terror. In�s
only was in the secret; but she would not link her fate with
mine, on account of a love affair with Don Ambrosio’s favourite
man.
I got into the carriage, therefore, with Don Alvar, taking
nothing with me but my clothes and some jewels of my own before
my second marriage; for I could not think of appropriating any
presents of the Marquis. We travelled in the direction of
Galicia, without knowing if we should be lucky enough to reach
it. We had reason to fear Don Ambrosio’s pursuit on his return,
and that we should be overtaken by superior numbers. We went
forward for two days without any alarm, and in the hope of being
equally fortunate the third, had got into a very quiet
conversation. Don Alvar was relating the melancholy adventure
which had occasioned the rumour of his death, and how he
recovered his freedom, after five years of slavery, when
yesterday we met upon the Leon road the banditti you were with.
He it was whom they killed with all his attendants, and it is for
him the tears flow, which you see me shedding at this moment.
CH. XII. — A disagreeable interruption.
DONNA MENCIA melted into tears as she finished this recital. I
allowed her to give a free passage to her sighs; I even wept
myself for company, so natural is it to be interested for the
afflicted, and especially for a lovely female in distress. I was
just going to ask her what she meant to do in the present
conjuncture, and possibly she was going to consult me on the same
subject if our conversation had not been interrupted; but we
heard a great noise in the inn, which drew our attention whether
we would or no. It was no less than the arrival of the
corregidor, attended by two alguazils and their marshalmen. They
came into the room where we were. A young gentleman in their
train came first up to me, and began taking to pieces the
different articles of my dress. He had no occasion to examine
them long. By Saint James, exclaimed he, this is my identical
doublet! It is the very thing, and as safely to be challenged as
my horse. You may
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