The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane - Alain René le Sage (best fiction books of all time .txt) 📗

a man to whom I

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