第1章

TheveryacuteandlivelySpanishcriticwhosignshimselfClarin，andisknownpersonallyasDonLeopoldoAlas，saysthepresentSpanishnovelhasnoyesterday，butonlyaday-before-yesterday。Itdoesnotderivefromtheromanticnovelwhichimmediatelyprecededthat:thenovel，largeorlittle，asitwaswithCervantes，HurtadodeMendoza，Quevedo，andthemastersofpicaresquefiction。 Clarindatesitsrenascencefromthepoliticalrevolutionof1868，whichgaveSpanishliteraturethefreedomnecessarytothefictionthatstudiestoreflectmodernlife，actualideas，andcurrentaspirations；andthoughitsauthorswerefewatfirst，“theyhaveneverbeenadventurousspirits，friendsofUtopia，revolutionists，orimpatientprogressistsandreformers。”Hethinksthatthemostdaring，themostadvanced，ofthenewSpanishnovelists，andthebestbyfar，isDonBenitoPerezGaldos。 IshouldmyselfhavemademylittleexceptioninfavorofDonArmandoPalacioValdes，butClarinspeakswithinfinitelymoreauthority，andIamcertainlyreadytosubmitwhenhegoesontosaythatGaldosisnotasocialorliteraryinsurgent；thathehasnopoliticalorreligiousprejudices；thatheshunsextremes，andischarmedwithprudence；thathisnovelsdonotattacktheCatholicdogmas——thoughtheydealsoseverelywithCatholicbigotry——butthecustomsandideascherishedbysecularfanaticismtotheinjuryoftheChurch。Becausethisissoevident，ourcriticholds，hisnovelsare“foundinthebosomoffamiliesineverycornerofSpain。”TheirpopularityamongallclassesinCatholicandprejudicedSpain，andnotamongfree- thinkingstudentsmerely，bearstestimonytothefactthathisaimandmotiveareunderstoodandappreciated，althoughhisstoriesareapparentlysooftenanti-Catholic。 I DonaPerfectais，firstofall，astory，andagreatstory，butitiscertainlyalsoastorythatmustappearattimespotently，andevenbitterly，anti-Catholic。Yetitwouldbeapityandanerrortoreaditwiththepreoccupationthatitwasananti-Catholictract，forreallyitisnotthat。Ifthepersonswerechangedinnameandplace，andmodifiedinpassiontofitacoolerair，itmightequallyseemananti-Presbyterianoranti-Baptisttract；forwhatitshowsinthelightoftheirownhatefulnessandcrueltyareperversionsofanyreligion，anycreed。Itisnot，however，atractatall；itdealsinartisticlargenesswiththepassionofbigotry，asitdealswiththepassionoflove，thepassionofambition，thepassionofrevenge。ButGaldosisSpanishandCatholic，andforhimthebigotrywearsaSpanishandCatholicface。Thatisall。 Uptoacertaintime，Ibelieve，Galdoswroteromanticoridealisticnovels，andoneoftheseIhaveread，andittiredmeverymuch。Itwascalled“Marianela，“anditsurprisedmethemorebecauseIwasalreadyacquaintedwithhislaterwork，whichisallrealistic。Butonedoesnotturnrealistinasinglenight，andalthoughthechangeinGaldoswasrapiditwasnotquitealightningchange；perhapsbecauseitwasnotmerelyanoutwardchange，butartisticallyachangeofheart。Hisacceptanceinhisqualityofrealistwasmuchmoreinstantthanhisconversion，andvastlywider；forwearetoldbythecriticwhomIhavebeenquotingthatGaldos\'searlierefforts，whichhecalled/EpisodiosNacionales/，neverhadthevoguewhichhisrealisticnovelshaveenjoyed。 Thesewere，indeed，tendencious，ifImayAnglicizeaverynecessarywordfromtheSpanish/tendencioso/。Thatis，theydealtwithveryobviousproblems，andhadverydistinctandpoignantsignifications，atleastinthecaseof“DonaPerfecta，““LeonRoch，“and“Gloria。”Instilllaternovels，EmiliaPardo-Bazanthinks，hehascomprehendedthat“thenovelofto-daymusttakenoteoftheambienttruth，andrealizethebeautifulwithfreedomandindependence。”Thisvaliantlady，inthecampaignforrealismwhichshemadeunderthetitleof“LaCuestionPalpitante“——oneofthebestandstrongestbooksonthesubject——countshimfirstamongSpanishrealists，asClarincountshimfirstamongSpanishnovelists。“Withacertainfundamentalhumanity，“ shesays，“acertainmagisterialsimplicityinhiscreations，withthenaturaltendencyofhisclearintelligencetowardthetruth，andwiththefranknessofhisobservation，thegreatnovelistwasalwaysdisposedtopassovertorealismwitharmsandmunitions；buthisaestheticinclinationswereidealistic，andonlyinhislatestworkshasheadoptedthemethodofthemodernnovel，fathomedmoreandmorethehumanheart，andbrokenonceforallwiththepicturesqueandwiththetypicalpersonages，toembracetheearthwetread。” Forher，asIconfessforme，“DonaPerfecta“isnotrealisticenough——realisticasitis；forrealismatitsbestisnottendencious。Itdoesnotseektograpplewithhumanproblems，butisrichlycontentwithportrayinghumanexperiences；andIthinkSenoraPardo-Bazanisrightinregarding“DonaPerfecta“astransitional，andofaperiodwhentheauthorhadnotyetassimilatedinitsfullestmeaningthefaithhehadimbibed。 II Yetitisagreatnovel，asIsaid；andperhapsbecauseitistransitionalitwillpleasethegreaternumberwhoneverreallyarriveanywhere，andwholiketofindthemselvesingoodcompany/enroute/。 Itissofarlikelifethatitisfullofsignificationswhichpassbeyondthepersonsandactionsinvolved，andenvelopthereader，asifhetoowereacharacterofthebook，orratherasifitspersonsweremenandwomenofthisthinking，feeling，andbreathingworld，andhemustrecognizetheirexperiencesasveritablefacts。Fromthefirstmomenttothelastitislikesomepassageofactualeventsinwhichyoucannotwithholdyourcompassion，yourabhorrence，youradmiration，anymorethaniftheytookplacewithinyourpersonalknowledge。Wheretheytranscendallfactsofyourpersonalknowledge，youdonotaccusethemofimprobability，foryoufeeltheirpotentialityinyourself，andeasilyaccountfortheminthealiencircumstance。Iamnotsayingthatthestoryhasnofaults；ithasseveral。Therearetagsofromanticismflutteringaboutithereandthere；andattimestheauthorpermitshimselfcertainold-fashionedliteraryairsandposesandartifices，whichyousimplywonderat。Itisinspiteofthese，andwithallthesedefects，thatitissogreatandbeautifulabook。 III Whatseemstobesoveryadmirableinthemanagementofthestoryistheauthor\'ssuccessinkeepinghisowncounsel。Thismayseemaveryeasything；but，ifthereaderwillthinkoverthenovelistsofhisacquaintance，hewillfindthatitisatleastveryuncommon。Theymostlygivethemselvesawayalmostfromthebeginning，eitherbytheiranxietytohidewhatiscoming，ortheirvanityinhintingwhatgreatthingstheyhaveinstoreforthereader。Galdosdoesneithertheonenortheother。Hemakesithisbusinesstotellthestoryasitgrows； toletthecharactersunfoldthemselvesinspeechandaction；topermittheeventstohappenunheralded。Hedoesnotprophesytheircourse，hedoesnotforecasttheweatherevenfortwenty-fourhours； theatmospherebecomesslowly，slowly，butwithoccasionalliftsandreliefs，ofsuchabroodingbreathlessness，ofsuchadeepeningdensity，thatyoufeelthewildpassion-stormnearerandnearerathand，tillitburstsatlast；andthenyouareastonishedthatyouhadnotforeseenityourselffromthefirstmoment。 Nexttothisexcellentmethod，whichIcountthesupremecharacteristicofthebookmerelybecauseitrepresentsthewhole，andtheotherfactsareinthenatureofparts，isthemasterlyconceptionofthecharacters。Theyareeachtypicalofacertainsideofhumannature，asmostofourpersonalfriendsandenemiesare；butnotexclusivelyofthissideorthat。Theyareeachofmixedmotives，mixedqualities；noneofthemisquiteamonster；thoughthosewhoarebadlymixeddosuchmonstrousthings。 PepeRey，whoissuchagoodfellow——sokind，andbrave，andupright，andgenerous，sofineamind，andsohighasoul——istactlessandimprudent；heevencondescendstothethoughtofintrigue；andthoughherejectshisplotsatlast，hisnaturehasonceharboreddeceit。DonInocencio，thepriest，whosecontrolofDonaPerfecta\'sconsciencehasvitiatedtheveryspringsofgoodnessinher，isbynomeansbad，asidefromhispurposes。Heloveshissisterandhersontenderly，andwishestoprovideforthembythemarriagewhichPepe\'spresencethreatenstoprevent。Thenephew，thoughselfishandlittle，hasmomentsofalmostbeingagoodfellow；thesister，thoughsheisreallysuchalambofmeekness，becomesacat，andscratchesDonInocenciodreadfullywhenheweakensinhisdesignagainstPepe。 Rosario，oneofthesweetestandpurestimagesofgirlhoodthatIknowinfiction，abandonsherselfwithequalpassiontotheloveshefeelsforhercousinPepe，andtotheloveshefeelsforhermother，DonaPerfecta。Sheisreadytoflywithhim，andyetshebetrayshimtohermother\'spitilesshate。 ButitisDonaPerfectaherselfwhoisthetranscendentfigure，themostpowerfulcreationofthebook。Inher，bigotryanditsfellow- vice，hypocrisy，havedonetheirperfectwork，untilshecomesneartobeingadevil，andreallydoessomedevil\'sdeeds。Yetevensheisnotwithoutsomeextenuatingtraits。Herbigotryspringsfromherconscience，andsheistrulydevotedtoherdaughter\'seternalwelfare；sheisofsuchanativefranknessthatatacertainpointshetearsasidehermaskofdissimulationandletsPepeseealltheuglinessofherpervertedsoul。Sheiswonderfullymanaged。Atwhatmomentdoesshebegintohatehim，andtowishtoundoherownworkinmakingamatchbetweenhimandherdaughter?Icoulddefyanyonetosay。Alloneknowsisthatatonemomentsheadoresherbrother\'sson，andatanothersheabhorshim，andhasalreadysubtlyentereduponhereffortstothwarttheaffectionshehasinvitedinhimforherdaughter。 Caballuco，whatshallIsayofCaballuco?Heseemsaltogetherbad，buttheauthorletsoneimaginethatthiscruel，thisruthlessbrutemusthavesomewhereabouthimtraitsoflovableness，ofleniency，thoughheneverletsoneseethem。HisgratitudetoDonaPerfecta，evenhismurderousdevotion，isnotaltogetherbad；andheiscertainlyworsethannaturemadehim，whenwroughtuponbyherfuryandthesuggestionofDonInocencio。Thescenewheretheyworkhimuptorebellionandassassinationisacompendiumofthehistoryofintolerance；asthemeanlittleconceitedcityofOrbajosasisthemicrocosmofbigotedandreactionarySpain。 IV Ihavecalled，orhalf-called，thisbooktendencious；butinacertainlargerviewitisnotso。Itistheeternalinterestofpassionworkinguponpassion，notthetemporaryinterestofconditionantagonizingcondition，whichrenders“DonaPerfecta“sopoignantlyinteresting，andwhichmakesitstragedyimmense。Butthereishopeaswellasdespairinsuchatragedy。Thereisthestrangesupportofabereavementinit，theconsolationoffeelingthatforthosewhohavesuffereduntodeath，nothingcanharmthemmore；thatevenforthosewhohaveinflictedtheirsufferingthispeacewillsooncome。 “IsPerezGaldosapessimist?“asksthecriticClarin。“No，certainly； butifheisnot，whydoeshepaintussorrowsthatseeminconsolable? Isitfromloveofparadox?Isittoshowthathisgenius，whichcandosomuch，canpainttheshadowlovelierthanthelight?Nothingofthis。Nothingthatisnotserious，honest，andnoble，istobefoundinthisnovelist。Aretheypessimistic，thoseballadsoftheNorth，thatalwaysendwithvagueresonancesofwoe?Aretheypessimists，thosesingersofourownland，whosurpriseuswithtearsinthemidstoflaughter?IsNaturepessimistic，whoissosadatnightfallthatitseemsasifdayweredyingforever?……Thesadnessofart，likethatofnature，isaformofhope。WhyisChristianitysoartistic? Becauseitisthereligionofsadness。” W。D。HOWELLS。 DONAPERFECTA CHAPTERI VILLAHORRENDA！FIVEMINUTES！ WhenthedowntrainNo。65——ofwhatlineitisunnecessarytosay—— stoppedatthelittlestationbetweenkilometres171and172，almostallthesecond-andthird-classpassengersremainedinthecars，yawningorasleep，forthepenetratingcoldoftheearlymorningdidnotinvitetoawalkontheunshelteredplatform。Theonlyfirst-classpassengeronthetrainalightedquickly，andaddressingagroupoftheemployesaskedthemifthiswastheVillahorrendastation。 “WeareinVillahorrenda，“answeredtheconductorwhosevoicewasdrownedbythecacklingofthehenswhichwereatthatmomentbeingliftedintothefreightcar。“Iforgottocallyou，SenordeRey。I thinktheyarewaitingforyouatthestationwiththebeasts。” “Why，howterriblycolditishere！“saidthetraveller，drawinghiscloakmorecloselyabouthim。“IstherenoplaceinthestationwhereIcouldrestforawhile，andgetwarm，beforeundertakingajourneyonhorsebackthroughthisfrozencountry?“ Beforehehadfinishedspeakingtheconductor，calledawaybytheurgentdutiesofhisposition，wentoff，leavingourunknowncavalier\'squestionunanswered。Thelattersawthatanotheremployewascomingtowardhim，holdingalanterninhisrighthand，thatswungbackandforthashewalked，castingthelightontheplatformofthestationinaseriesofzigzags，likethosedescribedbytheshowerfromawatering-pot。 “IstherearestaurantorabedroominthestationofVillahorrenda?“ saidthetravellertothemanwiththelantern。 “Thereisnothinghere，“answeredthelatterbrusquely，runningtowardthemenwhowereputtingthefreightonboardthecars，andassuagingthemwithsuchavolleyofoaths，blasphemies，andabusiveepithetsthattheverychickens，scandalizedbyhisbrutality，protestedagainstitfromtheirbaskets。 “ThebestthingIcandoistogetawayfromthisplaceasquicklyaspossible，“saidthegentlementohimself。“Theconductorsaidthatthebeastswerehere。” Justashehadcometothisconclusionhefeltathinhandpullinghimgentlyandrespectfullybythecloak。Heturnedroundandsawafigureenvelopedinagraycloak，andoutofwhosevoluminousfoldspeepedtheshrivelledandastutecountenanceofaCastilianpeasant。Helookedattheungainlyfigure，whichremindedoneoftheblackpoplaramongtrees；heobservedtheshrewdeyesthatshonefrombeneaththewidebrimoftheoldvelvethat；thesinewybrownhandthatgraspedagreenswitch，andthebroadfootthat，witheverymovement，madetheironspurjingle。 “AreyouSenorDonJosedeRey?“askedthepeasant，raisinghishandtohishat。 “Yes；andyou，Itakeit，“answeredthetravellerjoyfully，“areDonaPerfecta\'sservant，whohavecometothestationtomeetmeandshowmethewaytoOrbajosa?“ “Thesame。Wheneveryouarereadytostart。Theponyrunslikethewind。AndSenorDonJose，Iamsure，isagoodrider。Forwhatcomesbyrace-? “Whichisthewayout?“askedthetraveller，withimpatience。“Come，letusstart，senor?Whatisyourname?“ “MynameisPedroLucas，“answeredthemanofthegraycloak，againmakingamotiontotakeoffhishat；“buttheycallmeUncleLicurgo。 Whereistheyounggentleman\'sbaggage?“ “Thereitis?thereunderthecloak。Therearethreepieces?twoportmanteausandaboxofbooksforSenorDonCayetano。Hereisthecheck。” Amomentlatercavalierandsquirefoundthemselvesbehindthebarrackscalledadepot，andfacingaroadwhich，startingatthispoint，disappearedamongtheneighboringhills，onwhosenakedslopescouldbevaguelydistinguishedthemiserablehamletofVillahorrenda。 Therewerethreeanimalstocarrythemenandtheluggage。Anotill- lookingnagwasdestinedforthecavalier；UncleLicurgowastorideavenerablehack，somewhatlooseinthejoints，butsure-footed；andthemule，whichwastobeledbyastoutcountryboyofactivelimbsandfieryblood，wastocarrytheluggage。 Beforethecaravanhadputitselfinmotionthetrainhadstarted，andwasnowcreepingalongtheroadwiththelazydeliberationofawaytrain，awakening，asitrecededinthedistance，deepsubterraneanechoes。Asitenteredthetunnelatkilometre172，thesteamissuedfromthesteamwhistlewithashriekthatresoundedthroughtheair。 Fromthedarkmouthofthetunnelcamevolumesofwhitishsmoke，asuccessionofshrillscreamsliketheblastsofatrumpetfollowed，andatthesoundofitsstentorianvoicevillages，towns，thewholesurroundingcountryawoke。Hereacockbegantocrow，furtheronanother。Daywasbeginningtodawn。 CHAPTERII AJOURNEYINTHEHEARTOFSPAIN WhentheyhadproceededsomedistanceontheirwayandhadleftbehindthemthehovelsofVillahorrenda，thetraveller，whowasyoungandhandsomespokethus: “Tellme，SenorSolon-? “Licurgo，atyourservice。” “SenorLicurgo，Imean。ButIwasrightingivingyouthenameofawiselegislatorofantiquity。Excusethemistake。Buttocometothepoint。Tellme，howismyaunt?“ “Ashandsomeasever，“answeredthepeasant，pushinghisbeastforwardalittle。“TimeseemstostandstillwithSenoraDonaPerfecta。TheysaythatGodgiveslonglifetothegood，andifthatissothatangeloftheLordoughttoliveathousandyears。Ifalltheblessingsthatareshoweredonherinthisworldwerefeathers，thesenorawouldneednootherwingstogouptoheavenwith。” “Andmycousin，SenoritaRosario?“ “Thesenoraoveragain！“saidthepeasant。“WhatmorecanItellyouofDonaRosaritobutthatthatsheisthelivingimageofhermother?Youwillhaveatreasure，SenorDonJose，ifitistrue，asIhear，thatyouhavecometobemarriedtoher。Shewillbeaworthymateforyou，andtheyoungladywillhavenothingtocomplainof，either。BetweenPedroandPedrothedifferenceisnotverygreat。” “AndSenorDonCayetano?“ “Buriedinhisbooksasusual。Hehasalibrarybiggerthanthecathedral；andherootsuptheearth，besides，searchingforstonescoveredwithfantasticalscrawls，thatwerewritten，theysay，bytheMoors。” “HowsoonshallwereachOrbajosa?“ “Bynineo\'clock，Godwilling。Howdelightedthesenorawillbewhensheseeshernephew！Andyesterday，SenoritaRosariowasputtingtheroomyouaretohaveinorder。Astheyhaveneverseenyou，bothmotheranddaughterthinkofnothingelsebutwhatSenorDonJoseislike，orisnotlike。Thetimehasnowcomeforletterstobesilentandtonguestotalk。Theyoungladywillseehercousinandallwillbejoyandmerry-making。IfGodwills，allwillendhappily，asthesayingis。” “Asneithermyauntnormycousinhasyetseenme，“saidthetravellersmiling，“itisnotwisetomakeplans。” “That\'strue；forthatreasonitwassaidthatthebayhorseisofonemindandhewhosaddleshimofanother，“answeredthepeasant。“Butthefacedoesnotlie。Whatajewelyouaregetting！andshe，whatahandsomeman！“ TheyoungmandidnothearUncleLicurgo\'slastwords，forhewaspreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts。Arrivedatabendintheroad，thepeasantturnedhishorse\'sheadinanotherdirection，saying: “Wemustfollowthispathnow。Thebridgeisbroken，andtherivercanonlybefordedattheHilloftheLilies。” “TheHilloftheLilies，“repeatedthecavalier，emergingfromhisrevery。“Howabundantbeautifulnamesareintheseunattractivelocalities！SinceIhavebeentravellinginthispartofthecountrytheterribleironyofthenamesisaconstantsurprisetome。SomeplacethatisremarkableforitsbarrenaspectandthedesolatesadnessofthelandscapeiscalledValleameno(PleasantValley)。Somewretchedmud-walledvillagestretchedonabarrenplainandproclaimingitspovertyindiversewayshastheinsolencetocallitselfVillarica(RichTown)；andsomearidandstonyravine，wherenoteventhethistlescanfindnourishment，callsitself，nevertheless，Valdeflores(ValeofFlowers)。ThathillinfrontofusistheHilloftheLilies? Butwhere，inHeaven\'sname，arethelilies?Iseenothingbutstonesandwitheredgrass。CallitHillofDesolation，andyouwillberight。 WiththeexceptionofVillahorrenda，whoseappearancecorrespondswithitsname，allisironyhere。Beautifulwords，aprosaicandmeanreality。Theblindwouldbehappyinthiscountry，whichforthetongueisaParadiseandfortheeyesahell。” SenorLicurgoeitherdidnotheartheyoungman\'swords，or，hearing，hepaidnoattentiontothem。Whentheyhadfordedtheriver，which，turbidandimpetuous，hurriedonwithimpatienthaste，asiffleeingfromitsownhands，thepeasantpointedwithoutstretchedarmtosomebarrenandextensivefieldsthatweretobeseenontheleft，andsaid: “ThosearethePoplarsofBustamante。” “Mylands！“exclaimedthetravellerjoyfully，gazingatthemelancholyfieldsilluminedbytheearlymorninglight。“Forthefirsttime，IseethepatrimonywhichIinheritedfrommymother。Thepoorwomanusedtopraisethiscountrysoextravagantly，andtellmesomanymarvellousthingsaboutitwhenIwasachild，thatIthoughtthattobeherewastobeinheaven。Fruits，flowers，game，largeandsmall；mountains，lakes，rivers，romanticstreams，pastoralhills，allweretobefoundinthePoplarsofBustamante；inthisfavoredland，thebestandmostbeautifulontheearth。Butwhatistobesaid?Thepeopleofthisplaceliveintheirimaginations。IfIhadbeenbroughthereinmyyouth，whenIsharedtheideasandtheenthusiasmofmydearmother，I supposethatI，too，wouldhavebeenenchantedwiththesebarehills，thesearidormarshyplains，thesedilapidatedfarmhouses，thesericketynorias，whosebucketsdripwaterenoughtosprinklehalfadozencabbages，thiswretchedandbarrendesolationthatsurroundsme。” “Itisthebestlandinthecountry，“saidSenorLicurgo；“andforthechick-pea，thereisnootherlikeit。” “Iamdelightedtohearit，forsincetheycameintomypossessionthesefamouslandshaveneverbroughtmeapenny。” ThewiselegislatorofSpartascratchedhisearandgaveasigh。 “ButIhavebeentold，“continuedtheyoungman，“thatsomeoftheneighboringproprietorshaveputtheirploughsintheseestatesofmine，andthat，littlebylittle，theyarefilchingthemfromme。Herethereareneitherlandmarksnorboundaries，norrealownership，SenorLicurgo。” Thepeasant，afterapause，duringwhichhissubtleintellectseemedtobeoccupiedinprofounddisquisitions，expressedhimselfasfollows: “UnclePasoLargo，whom，forhisgreatforesight，wecallthePhilosopher，sethisploughinthePoplars，abovethehermitage，andbitbybit，hehasgobbledupsixfanegas。” “Whatanincomparableschool！“exclaimedtheyoungman，smiling。“I wagerthathehasnotbeentheonly——philosopher?“ “Itisatruesayingthatoneshouldtalkonlyaboutwhatoneknows，andthatifthereisfoodinthedove-cote，doveswon\'tbewanting。Butyou，SenorDonJose，canapplytoyourowncausethesayingthattheeyeofthemasterfattenstheox，andnowthatyouarehere，tryandrecoveryourproperty。” “Perhapsthatwouldnotbesoeasy，SenorLicurgo，“returnedtheyoungman，justastheywereenteringapathborderedoneithersidebywheat-fields，whoseluxurianceandearlyripenessgladdenedtheeye。 “Thisfieldappearstobebettercultivated。IseethatallisnotdrearinessandmiseryinthePoplars。” Thepeasantassumedamelancholylook，and，affectingsomethingofdisdainforthefieldsthathadbeenpraisedbythetraveller，saidinthehumblestoftones: “Senor，thisismine。” “Ibegyourpardon，“repliedthegentlemanquickly；“nowIwasgoingtoputmysickleinyourfield。Apparentlythephilosophyofthisplaceiscontagious。” Theynowdescendedintoacanebrake，whichformedthebedofashallowandstagnantbrook，and，crossingit，theyenteredafieldfullofstonesandwithouttheslightesttraceofvegetation。 “Thisgroundisverybad，“saidtheyoungman，turningroundtolookathiscompanionandguide，whohadremainedalittlebehind。“Youwillhardlybeabletoderiveanyprofitfromit，foritisallmudandsand。” Licurgo，fullofhumility，answered: “Thisisyours。” “Iseethatallthepoorlandismine，“declaredtheyoungman，laughinggood-humoredly。” Astheywerethusconversing，theyturnedagainintothehigh-road。Themorningsunshine，pouringjoyouslythroughallthegatesandbalconiesoftheSpanishhorizon，hadnowinundatedthefieldswithbrilliantlight。Thewidesky，undimmedbyasinglecloud，seemedtogrowwiderandtorecedefurtherfromtheearth，inordertocontemplateit，andrejoiceinthecontemplation，fromagreaterheight。Thedesolate，treelessland，straw-coloredatintervals，atintervalsofthecolorofchalk，andallcutupintotrianglesandquadrilaterals，yelloworblack，grayorpalegreen，boreafancifulresemblancetoabeggar\'scloakspreadoutinthesun。OnthatmiserablecloakChristianityandIslamismhadfoughtwitheachotherepicbattles。Gloriousfields，intruth，butthecombatsofthepasthadleftthemhideous！ “Ithinkweshallhaveascorchingday，SenorLicurgo，“saidtheyoungman，looseninghiscloakalittle。“Whatadrearyroad！Notasingletreetobeseen，asfarastheeyecanreach。Hereeverythingisincontradiction。Theironydoesnotcease。Why，whentherearenopoplarshere，eitherlargeorsmall，shouldthisbecalledThePoplars?“ UncleLicurgodidnotanswerthisquestionbecausehewaslisteningwithhiswholesoultocertainsoundswhichweresuddenlyheardinthedistance，andwithanuneasyairhestoppedhisbeast，whileheexploredtheroadandthedistanthillswithagloomylook。 “Whatisthematter?“askedthetraveller，stoppinghishorsealso。 “Doyoucarryarms，DonJose?“ “Arevolver——ah！nowIunderstand。Arethererobbersabout?“ “Perhaps，“answeredthepeasant，withvisibleapprehension。“IthinkI heardashot。” “Weshallsoonsee。Forward！“saidtheyoungman，puttingspurstohisnag。“Theyarenotveryterrible，Idaresay。” “Keepquiet，SenorDonJose，“exclaimedthepeasant，stoppinghim。 “ThosepeopleareworsethanSatanhimself。Theotherdaytheymurderedtwogentlemenwhowereontheirwaytotakethetrain。Letusleaveoffjesting。GasparonelFuerte，PepitoChispillas，Merengue，andAhorcaSuegrasshallnotseemyfacewhileIlive。Letusturnintothepath。” “Forward，SenorLicurgo！“ “Back，SenorDonJose，“repliedthepeasant，indistressedaccents。 “Youdon\'tknowwhatkindofpeoplethoseare。Theyarethesamemenwhostolethechalice，theVirgin\'scrown，andtwocandlesticksfromthechurchoftheCarmenlastmonth；theyarethemenwhorobbedtheMadridtraintwoyearsago。” DonJose，hearingthesealarmingantecedents，felthiscouragebegintogiveway。 “Doyouseethatgreathighhillinthedistance?Well，thatiswherethoserascalshidethemselves；thereinsomecaveswhichtheycalltheRetreatoftheCavaliers。” “OftheCavaliers?“ “Yes，senor。Theycomedowntothehigh-roadwhentheCivilGuardsarenotwatching，androballtheycan。Doyouseeacrossbeyondthebendoftheroad?Well，thatwaserectedinremembranceofthedeathoftheAlcaldeofVillahorrenda，whomtheymurderedthereatthetimeoftheelections。” “Yes，Iseethecross。” “Thereisanoldhousethere，inwhichtheyhidethemselvestowaitforthecarriers。TheycallthatplaceThePleasaunce。” “ThePleasaunce?“ “Ifallthepeoplewhohavebeenmurderedandrobbedthereweretoberestoredtheywouldformanarmy。” Whiletheywerethustalkingshotswereagainheard，thistimenearerthanbefore，whichmadethevaliantheartsofthetravellersquakealittle，butnotthatofthecountrylad，who，jumpingaboutforjoy，askedSenorLicurgo\'spermissiontogoforwardtowatchtheconflictwhichwastakingplacesonearthem。ObservingthecourageoftheboyDonJosefeltalittleashamedofhavingbeenfrightened，oratleastalittledisturbed，bytheproximityoftherobbers，andcried，puttingspurstohisnag: “Wewillgoforward，then。Perhapswemaybeabletolendassistancetotheunluckytravellerswhofindthemselvesinsoperilousasituation，andgivealessonbesidestothosecavaliers。” Thepeasantendeavoredtoconvincetheyoungmanoftherashnessofhispurpose，aswellasoftheprofitlessnessofhisgenerousdesign，sincethosewhohadbeenrobbedwererobbedandperhapsdeadalso，andnotinaconditiontoneedtheassistanceofanyone。 Thegentlemaninsisted，inspiteofthesesagecounsels；thepeasantreiteratedhisobjectionsmorestronglythanbefore；whentheappearanceoftwoorthreecarters，comingquietlydowntheroaddrivingawagon，putanendtothecontroversy。Thedangercouldnotbeverygreatwhenthesemenwerecomingalongsounconcernedly，singingmerrysongs；andsuchwasinfactthecase，fortheshots，accordingtowhatthecarterssaid，hadnotbeenfiredbytherobbers，butbytheCivilGuards，whodesiredinthiswaytopreventtheescapeofhalfadozenthieveswhomtheyweretaking，boundtogether，tothetownjail。 “Yes，Iknownowwhatitwas，“saidLicurgo，pointingtoalightcloudofsmokewhichwastobeseensomedistanceoff，totherightoftheroad。“Theyhavepepperedthemthere。Thathappenseveryotherday。” Theyoungmandidnotunderstand。 “Iassureyou，SenorDonJose，“addedtheLacedaemonianlegislator，withenergy，“thatitwasverywelldone；foritisofnousetotrythoserascals。Thejudgecross-questionsthemalittleandthenletsthemgo。Ifattheendofatrialdraggedoutforhalfadozenyearsoneofthemissenttojail，atthemomentleastexpectedheescapes，andreturnstotheRetreatoftheCavaliers。Thatisthebestthingtodo——shootthem！Takethemtoprison，andwhenyouarepassingasuitableplace——Ah，dog，soyouwanttoescape，doyou?pum！pum！Theindictmentisdrawnup，thewitnessessummoned，thetrialended，thesentencepronounced——allinaminute。Itisatruesayingthatthefoxisverycunning，buthewhocatcheshimismorecunningstill。” “Forward，then，andletusridefaster，forthisroad，besidesbeingalongone，isnotatallapleasantone，“saidRey。 AstheypassedThePleasaunce，theysaw，alittleinfromtheroad，theguardswhoafewminutesbeforehadexecutedthestrangesentencewithwhichthereaderhasbeenmadeacquainted。Thecountryboywasinconsolablebecausetheyrodeonandhewasnotallowedtogetanearerviewofthepalpitatingbodiesoftherobbers，whichcouldbedistinguishedformingahorriblegroupinthedistance。Buttheyhadnotproceededtwentypaceswhentheyheardthesoundofahorsegallopingafterthematsorapidapacethathegaineduponthemeverymoment。Ourtravellerturnedroundandsawaman，orratheraCentaur，forthemostperfectharmonyimaginableexistedbetweenhorseandrider。Thelatterwasofarobustandplethoricconstitution，withlargefieryeyes，ruggedfeatures，andablackmustache。Hewasofmiddleageandhadageneralairofrudenessandaggressiveness，withindicationsofstrengthinhiswholeperson。Hewasmountedonasuperbhorsewithamuscularchest，likethehorsesoftheParthenon，caparisonedinthepicturesquefashionofthecountry，andcarryingonthecrupperagreatleatherbagonthecoverofwhichwastobeseen，inlargeletters，thewordMail。 “Hello！Good-day，SenorCaballuco，“saidLicurgo，salutingthehorsemanwhenthelatterhadcomeupwiththem。“Howisitthatwegotsofaraheadofyou?Butyouwillarrivebeforeus，ifyousetyourmindtoit。” “Iwillrestalittle，“answeredSenorCaballuco，adaptinghishorse\'spacetothatofourtravellers\'beasts，andattentivelyobservingthemostdistinguishedofthethree，“sincethereissuchgoodcompany。” “Thisgentleman，“saidLicurgo，smiling，“isthenephewofDonaPerfecta。” “Ah！Atyourservice，senor。” Thetwomensalutedeachother，itbeingnoticeablethatCaballucoperformedhiscivilitieswithanexpressionofhaughtinessandsuperioritythatrevealed，attheveryleast，aconsciousnessofgreatimportance，andofahighstandinginthedistrict。WhenthearroganthorsemanrodeasidetostopandtalkforamomentwithtwoCivilGuardswhopassedthemontheroad，thetravelleraskedhisguide: “Whoisthatoddcharacter?“ “Whoshoulditbe?Caballuco。” “AndwhoisCaballuco?“ “What！HaveyouneverheardofCaballuco?“saidthecountryman，amazedatthecrassignoranceofDonaPerfecta\'snephew。“Heisaverybraveman，afinerider，andthebestconnoisseurofhorsesinallthesurroundingcountry。WethinkagreatdealofhiminOrbajosa；andheiswellworthyofit。Justasyouseehim，heisapowerintheplace，andthegovernoroftheprovincetakesoffhishattohim。” “Whenthereisanelection！“ “AndtheGovernorofMadridwritesofficialletterstohimwithagreatmanytitlesinthesuperscription。HethrowsthebarlikeaSt。 Christopher，andhecanmanageeverykindofweaponaseasilyaswemanageourfingers。Whentherewasmarketinspectionhere，theycouldnevergetthebestofhim，andshotsweretobeheardeverynightatthecitygates。Hehasafollowingthatisworthanymoney，fortheyarereadyforanything。Heisgoodtothepoor，andanystrangerwhoshouldcomehereandattempttotouchsomuchasahairoftheheadofanynativeofOrbajosawouldhavehimtosettlewith。ItisveryseldomthatsoldierscomeherefromMadrid，butwhenevertheydocome，notadaypasseswithoutbloodbeingshed，forCaballucowouldpickaquarrelwiththem，ifnotforonethingforanother。Atpresentitseemsthatheisfallenintopovertyandheisemployedtocarrythemail。ButheistryinghardtopersuadetheTownCounciltohaveamarket- inspector\'sofficehereagainandtoputhiminchargeofit。Idon\'tknowhowitisthatyouhaveneverheardhimmentionedinMadrid，forheisthesonofafamousCaballucowhowasinthelastrebellion，andwhowashimselfthesonofanotherCaballuco，whowasalsointherebellionofthatday。Andasthereisarumornowthatthereisgoingtobeanotherinsurrection——forthewholecountryisinaferment——weareafraidthatCaballucowilljointhatalso，followingintheillustriousfootstepsofhisfatherandhisgrandfather，who，toourglorybeitsaid，wereborninourcity。” Ourtravellerwassurprisedtoseethespeciesofknight-errantrythatstillexistedintheregionswhichhehadcometovisit，buthehadnoopportunitytoputfurtherquestions，forthemanwhowastheobjectofthemnowjoinedthem，sayingwithanexpressionofill-humor: “TheCivilGuarddespatchedthree。Ihavealreadytoldthecommandertobecarefulwhatheisabout。To-morrowwewillspeaktothegovernoroftheprovince，andI——“ “AreyougoingtoX。?“ “No；butthegovernoriscominghere，SenorLicurgo；doyouknowthattheyaregoingtosendusacoupleofregimentstoOrbajosa?“ “Yes，“saidthetravellerquickly，withasmile。“IhearditsaidinMadridthattherewassomefearofarisinginthisplace。Itiswelltobepreparedforwhatmayhappen。” “TheytalknothingbutnonsenseinMadrid，“exclaimedtheCentaurviolently，accompanyinghisaffirmationwithastringoftongue- blisteringvocables。“InMadridthereisnothingbutrascality。Whatdotheysendussoldiersfor?Tosqueezemorecontributionsoutofusandacoupleofconscriptionsafterward。Byallthat\'sholy！ifthereisn\'tarisingthereoughttobe。Soyou“——heended，lookingbanteringlyattheyoungman——“soyouareDonaPerfecta\'snephew?“ Thisabruptquestionandtheinsolentglanceofthebravoannoyedtheyoungman。 “Yes，senor，atyourservice。” “Iamafriendofthesenora\'s，andIloveherasIdotheappleofmyeye，“saidCaballuco。“AsyouaregoingtoOrbajosaweshallseeeachotherthere。” Andwithoutanotherwordheputspurstohishorse，which，settingoffatagallop，soondisappearedinacloudofdust。 Afterhalfanhour\'sride，duringwhichneitherSenorDonJosenorSenorLicurgomanifestedmuchdispositiontotalk，thetravellerscameinsightofanancient-lookingtownseatedontheslopeofahill，fromthemidstofwhosecloselyclusteredhousesarosemanydarktowers，and，onaheightaboveit，theruinsofadilapidatedcastle。Itsbasewasformedbyamassofshapelesswalls，ofmudhovels，grayanddustylookingasthesoil，togetherwithsomefragmentsofturretedwalls，inwhoseshelteraboutathousandhumblehutsraisedtheirmiserableadobefronts，likeanaemicandhungryfacesdemandinganalmsfromthepasser-by。Ashallowriversurroundedthetown，likeagirdleoftin，refreshing，initscourse，severalgardens，theonlyvegetationthatcheeredtheeye。Peopleweregoingintoandcomingoutofthetown，onhorsebackandonfoot，andthehumanmovement，althoughnotgreat，gavesomeappearanceoflifetothatgreatdwellingplacewhosearchitecturalaspectwasratherthatofruinanddeaththanofprogressandlife。Theinnumerableandrepulsive-lookingbeggarswhodraggedthemselvesoneithersideoftheroad，askingtheobolusfromthepasser-by，presentedapitifulspectacle。Itwouldbeimpossibletoseebeingsmoreinharmonywith，orbettersuitedtothefissuresofthatsepulchreinwhichacitywasnotonlyburiedbutgonetodecay。Asourtravellersapproachedthetown，adiscordantpealofbellsgavetoken，withtheirexpressivesound，thatthatmummyhadstillasoul。 ItwascalledOrbajosa，acitythatfigures，notintheChaldeanorCopticgeography，butinthatofSpain，with7324inhabitants，atown- hall，anepiscopalseat，acourt-house，aseminary，astockfarm，ahighschool，andotherofficialprerogatives。 “Thebellsareringingforhighmassinthecathedral，“saidUncleLicurgo。“WehavearrivedsoonerthanIexpected。” “Theappearanceofyournativecity，“saidtheyoungman，examiningthepanoramaspreadoutbeforehim，“couldnotbemoredisagreeable。ThehistoriccityofOrbajosa，whosenameisnodoubtacorruptionofUrbsAugusta，lookslikeagreatdunghill。” “Allthatcanbeseenfromhereisthesuburbs，“saidtheguide，inanoffendedtone。“WhenyouentertheCalleRealandtheCalledeCondestable，youwillseehandsomebuildings，likethecathedral。” “Idon\'twanttospeakillofOrbajosabeforeseeingit，“saidtheyoungman。“AndyoumustnottakewhatIhavesaidasamarkofcontempt，forwhetherhumbleandmean，orstatelyandhandsome，thatcitywillalwaysbeverydeartome，notonlyisitmymother\'snativeplace，butbecausetherearepersonslivinginitwhomIlovewithoutseeingthem。Letusentertheaugustcity，then。” Theywerenowascendingaroadontheoutskirtsofthetown，andpassingclosetothewallsofthegardens。 “Doyouseethatgreathouseattheendofthislargegardenwhosewallwearenowpassing?“saidUncleLicurgo，pointingtoamassive，whitewashedwallbelongingtotheonlydwellinginviewwhichhadtheappearanceofacheerfulandcomfortablehabitation。 “Yes；thatismyaunt\'shouse?“ “Exactlyso！Whatwearelookingatistherearofthehouse。ThefrontfacestheCalledelCondestable，andithasfiveironbalconiesthatlooklikefivecastles。Thefinegardenbehindthewallbelongstothehouse，andifyouriseupinyourstirrupsyouwillbeabletoseeitallfromhere。” “Why，weareatthehouse，then！“criedtheyoungman。“Canwenotenterfromhere?“ “Thereisalittledoor，butthesenorahaditcondemned。” Theyoungmanraisedhimselfinhisstirrupsand，stretchinghisneckasfarashecould，lookedoverthewall。 “Icanseethewholeofthegarden，“hesaid。“There，underthetrees，thereisawoman，agirl，ayounglady。” “ThatisSenoritaRosario，“answeredLicurgo。 Andatthesametimehealsoraisedhimselfinhisstirrupstolookoverthewall。 “Eh！SenoritaRosario！“hecried，makingenergeticsignswithhisrighthand。“Hereweare；Ihavebroughtyourcousinwithme。” “Shehasseenus，“saidtheyoungman，stretchingouthisneckasfaraswaspossible。“ButifIamnotmistaken，thereisanecclesiasticwithher——apriest。” “ThatisthePenitentiary，“answeredthecountryman，withnaturalness。 “Mycousinhasseenus——shehasleftthepriest，andisrunningtowardthehouse。Sheisbeautiful。” “Asthesun！“ “Shehasturnedredderthanacherry。Come，come，SenorLicurgo。” CHAPTERIII PEPEREY Beforeproceedingfurther，itwillbewelltotellwhoPepeReywas，andwhatweretheaffairswhichhadbroughthimtoOrbajosa。 WhenBrigadierReydiedin1841，histwochildren，JuanandPerfecta，hadjustmarried:thelattertherichestland-ownerofOrbajosa，theformerayounggirlofthesamecity。ThehusbandofPerfectawascalledDonManuelMariaJosedePolentinos，andthewifeofJuan，MariaPolentinos；butalthoughtheyhadthesamesurname，theirrelationshipwassomewhatdistantandnotveryeasytomakeout。JuanReywasadistinguishedjurisconsultwhohadbeengraduatedinSevilleandhadpractisedlawinthatcityforthirtyyearswithnolesshonorthanprofit。In1845hewasleftawidowerwithasonwhowasoldenoughtoplaymischievouspranks；hewouldsometimesamusehimselfbyconstructingviaducts，mounds，ponds，dikes，andtrenchesofearth，intheyardofthehouse，andthenfloodingthosefragileworkswithwater。Hisfatherlethimdoso，saying，“Youwillbeanengineer。” PerfectaandJuanhadceasedtoseeeachotherfromthetimeoftheirmarriage，becausethesisterhadgonetoMadridwithherhusband，thewealthyPolentinos，whowasasrichashewasextravagant。PlayandwomenhadsocompletelyenslavedManuelMariaJosethathewouldhavedissipatedallhisfortune，ifdeathhadnotbeenbeforehandwithhimandcarriedhimoffbeforehehadhadtimetosquanderit。Inanightoforgythelifeoftherichprovincial，whohadbeensuckedsovoraciouslybytheleechesofthecapitalandtheinsatiablevampireofplay，cametoasuddentermination。Hissoleheirwasadaughterafewmonthsold。WiththedeathofPerfecta\'shusbandtheterrorsofthefamilywereatanend，butthegreatstrugglebegan。ThehouseofPolentinoswasruined；theestateswereindangerofbeingseizedbythemoney-lenders；allwasinconfusion:enormousdebts，lamentablemanagementinOrbajosa，discreditandruininMadrid。 Perfectasentforherbrother，who，comingtothedistressedwidow\'sassistance，displayedsomuchdiligenceandskillthatinashorttimethegreaterpartofthedangersthatthreatenedherhaddisappeared。HebeganbyobliginghissistertoliveinOrbajosa，managingherselfhervastestates，whilehefacedtheformidablepressureofthecreditorsinMadrid。Littlebylittlethehousefreeditselffromtheenormousburdenofitsdebts，fortheexcellentDonJuanRey，whohadthebestwayintheworldformanagingsuchmatters，pleadedinthecourt，madesettlementswiththeprincipalcreditorsandarrangedtopaythembyinstalments，theresultofthisskilfulmanagementbeingthattherichpatrimonyofPolentinoswassavedfromruinandmightcontinue，formanyyearstocome，tobestowsplendorandgloryonthatillustriousfamily。 Perfecta\'sgratitudewassoprofoundthatinwritingtoherbrotherfromOrbajosa，whereshedeterminedtoresideuntilherdaughtershouldbegrownup，shesaidtohim，amongotheraffectionatethings:“Youhavebeenmorethanabrothertome，morethanafathertomydaughter。 Howcaneitherofuseverrepayyouforservicessogreat?Ah，mydearbrother?fromthemomentinwhichmydaughtercanreasonandpronounceanameIwillteachhertoblessyours。Mygratitudewillendonlywithmylife。Yourunworthysisterregretsonlythatshecanfindnoopportunityofshowingyouhowmuchshelovesyouandofrecompensingyouinamannersuitedtothegreatnessofyoursoulandtheboundlessgoodnessofyourheart。” AtthesametimewhenthesewordswerewrittenRosaritowastwoyearsold。PepeRey，shutupinaschoolinSeville，wasmakinglinesonpaper，occupiedinprovingthat“thesumofalltheinterioranglesofanypolygonisequaltotwiceasmanyrightangles，wantingfour，asthefigurehassides。”Thesevexatiouscommonplacesoftheschoolkepthimverybusy。Yearafteryearpassed。Theboygrewup，stillcontinuingtomakelines。Atlast，hemadeonewhichiscalled“FromTarragonatoMontblanch。”Hisfirstserioustoywasthebridge，120 metresinlength，overtheRiverFrancoli。 DuringallthistimeDonaPerfectacontinuedtoliveinOrbajosa。AsherbrotherneverleftSeville，severalyearspassedwithouttheirseeingeachother。Aquarterlyletter，aspunctuallywrittenasitwaspunctuallyanswered，keptincommunicationthesetwohearts，whoseaffectionneithertimenordistancecouldcool。In1870，whenDonJuanRey，satisfiedwithhavingfulfilledhismissioninsociety，retiredfromitandwenttoliveinhisfinehouseinPuertoReal，Pepe，whohadbeenemployedforseveralyearsintheworksofvariousrichbuildingcompanies，setoutonatourthroughGermanyandEngland，forthepurposeofstudy。Hisfather\'sfortune，(aslargeasitispossibleforafortunewhichhasonlyanhonorablelaw-officeforitssourcetobeinSpain)，permittedhimtofreehimselfinashorttimefromtheyokeofmateriallabor。Amanofexaltedideasandwithanardentloveforscience，hefoundhispurestenjoymentintheobservationandstudyofthemarvelsbymeansofwhichthegeniusoftheagefurthersatthesametimethecultureandmaterialcomfortandthemoralprogressofman。 Onreturningfromhistourhisfatherinformedhimthathehadanimportantprojecttocommunicatetohim。Pepesupposedthatitconcernedsomebridge，dockyard，or，attheleast，thedrainingofsomemarsh，butDonJuansoondispelledhiserror，disclosingtohimhisplaninthefollowingwords: “ThisisMarch，andPerfecta\'squarterlyletterhasnotfailedtocome。 Readit，mydearboy，andifyoucanagreetowhatthatholyandexemplarywoman，mydearsister，saysinit，youwillgivemethegreatesthappinessIcoulddesireinmyoldage。Iftheplandoesnotpleaseyou，rejectitwithouthesitation，for，althoughyourrefusalwouldgrieveme，thereisnotinittheshadowofconstraintonmypart。Itwouldbeunworthyofusboththatitshouldberealizedthroughthecoercionofanobstinatefather。Youarefreeeithertoacceptortorejectit，andifthereisinyourmindtheslightestrepugnancetoit，arisingeitherfromyourinclinationsorfromanyothercause，Idonotwishyoutodoviolencetoyourfeelingsonmyaccount。” Pepelaidtheletteronthetableafterhehadglancedthroughit，andsaidquietly: “MyauntwishesmetomarryRosario！“ “Shewritesacceptingjoyfullymyidea，“saidhisfather，withemotion。 “Fortheideawasmine。Yes，itisalongtime，averylongtimesinceitoccurredtome；butIdidnotwishtosayanythingtoyouuntilI knewwhatyoursistermightthinkaboutit。Asyousee，Perfectareceivesmyplanwithjoy；shesaysthatshetoohadthoughtofit，butthatshedidnotventuretomentionittome，becauseyouare——youhaveseenwhatshesays——becauseyouareayoungmanofveryexceptionalmeritandherdaughterisacountrygirl，withouteitherabrillianteducationorworldlyattractions。Thoseareherwords。Mypoorsister！ Howgoodsheis！Iseethatyouarenotdispleased；Iseethatthisprojectofmine，resemblingalittletheofficiousprevisionofthefathersofformertimeswhomarriedtheirchildrenwithoutconsultingtheirwishesinthematter，andmakinggenerallyinconsiderateandunwisematches，doesnotseemabsurdtoyou。Godgrantthatthismaybe，asitseemstopromise，oneofthehappiest。Itistruethatyouhaveneverseenyourcousin，butwearebothawareofhervirtue，ofherdiscretion，ofhermodestandnoblesimplicity。Thatnothingmaybewanting，sheisevenbeautiful。Myopinionis，“headdedgayly，“thatyoushouldatoncestartforthatout-of-the-wayepiscopalcity，thatUrbsAugusta，andthere，inthepresenceofmysisterandhercharmingRosarito，decidewhetherthelatteristobesomethingmoretomeornot，thanmyniece。” Pepetookuptheletteragainandreaditthroughcarefully。Hiscountenanceexpressedneitherjoynorsorrow。Hemighthavebeenexaminingsomeplanforthejunctionoftworailroads。 “Intruth，“saidDonJuan，“inthatremoteOrbajosa，where，bytheway，youhavesomelandthatyoumighttakealookatnow，lifepasseswiththetranquillityandthesweetnessofanidyl。Whatpatriarchalcustoms！Whatnoblesimplicity！WhatruralandVirgilianpeace！If，insteadofbeingamathematician，youwereaLatinist，youwouldrepeat，asyouenterit，the/ergotuaruramanebunt/。Whatanadmirableplaceinwhichtocommunewithone\'sownsoulandtoprepareone\'sselfforgoodworks。Therealliskindnessandgoodness；therethedeceitandhypocrisyofourgreatcitiesareunknown；theretheholyinclinationswhichtheturmoilofmodernlifestiflesspringintobeingagain；theredormantfaithreawakensandonefeelswithinthebreastanimpulse，vaguebutkeen，liketheimpatienceofyouth，thatfromthedepthsofthesoulcriesout:\'Iwishtolive！\'“ AfewdaysafterthisconferencePepeleftPuertoReal。Hehadrefused，somemonthsbefore，acommissionfromthegovernmenttosurvey，initsmineralogicalaspects，thebasinoftheRiverNahara，inthevalleyofOrbajosa；buttheplanstowhichtheconferenceaboverecordedgaverise，causedhimtosaytohimself:“Itwillbeaswelltomakeuseofthetime。Heavenonlyknowshowlongthiscourtshipmaylast，orwhathoursofwearinessitmaybringwithit。”Hewent，then，toMadrid，solicitedthecommissiontoexplorethebasinoftheNahara，whichheobtainedwithoutdifficulty，althoughhedidnotbelongofficiallytotheminingcorps，setoutshortlyafterward，and，afterasecondchangeoftrains，themixedtrainNo。65borehim，aswehaveseen，tothelovingarmsofUncleLicurgo。 Theageofourherowasaboutthirty-fouryears。Hewasofarobustconstitution，ofathleticbuild，andsoadmirablyproportionedandofsocommandinganappearancethat，ifhehadwornauniform，hewouldhavepresentedthemostmartialairandfigurethatitispossibletoimagine。Hishairandbeardwereblondincolor，butinhiscountenancetherewasnoneofthephlegmaticimperturbabilityoftheSaxon，but，onthecontrary，somuchanimationthathiseyes，althoughtheywerenotblack，seemedtobeso。Hisfigurewouldhaveservedasaperfectandbeautifulmodelforastatue，onthepedestalofwhichthesculptormightengravethewords:“Intellect，strength。”Ifnotinvisiblecharacters，heborethemvaguelyexpressedinthebrilliancyofhisglance，inthepotentattractionwithwhichhispersonwaspeculiarlyendowed，andinthesympathywhichhiscordialmannersinspired。 Hewasnotverytalkative——onlypersonsofinconstantideasandunstablejudgmentarepronetoverbosity。Hisprofoundmoralsensemadehimsparingofwordsinthedisputesinwhichthemenofthedayarepronetoengageonanyandeverysubject，butinpoliteconversationhedisplayedaneloquencefullofwitandintelligence，emanatingalwaysfromgoodsenseandatemperateandjustappreciationofworldlymatters。Hehadnotolerationforthosesophistries，andmystifications，andquibblesoftheunderstandingwithwhichpersonsofintelligence，imbuedwithaffectedculture，sometimesamusethemselves； andindefenceofthetruthPepeReyemployedattimes，andnotalwayswithmoderation，theweaponofridicule。Thiswasalmostadefectintheeyesofmanypeoplewhoesteemedhim，forourherothusappearedwantinginrespectforamultitudeofthingscommonlyacceptedandbelieved。Itmustbeacknowledged，althoughitmaylessenhimintheopinionofmany，thatReydidnotsharethemildtolerationofthecompliantagewhichhasinventedstrangedisguisesofwordsandofactstoconcealwhattothegeneraleyemightbedisagreeable。 Suchwastheman，whateverslanderoustonguesmaysaytothecontrary，whomUncleLicurgointroducedintoOrbajosajustasthecathedralbellswereringingforhighmass。When，lookingoverthegardenwall，theysawtheyounggirlandthePenitentiary，andthentheflightoftheformertowardthehouse，theyputspurstotheirbeastsandenteredtheCalleReal，whereagreatmanyidlersstoodstilltogazeatthetraveller，asifhewereastrangerandanintruderinthepatriarchalcity。Turningpresentlytotherightandridinginthedirectionofthecathedral，whosemassivebulkdominatedthetown，theyenteredtheCalledelCondestable，inwhich，beingnarrowandpaved，thehoofsoftheanimalsclatterednoisily，alarmingthepeopleoftheneighborhood，whocametothewindowsandtothebalconiestosatisfytheircuriosity。Shuttersopenedwithagratingsoundandvariousfaces，almostallfeminine，appearedaboveandbelow。BythetimePepeReyhadreachedthethresholdofthehouseofPolentinosmanyanddiversecommentshadbeenalreadymadeonhisperson。 CHAPTERIV THEARRIVALOFTHECOUSIN WhenRosaritolefthimsoabruptlythePenitentiarylookedtowardthegardenwall，andseeingthefacesofLicurgoandhiscompanion，saidtohimself: “Sotheprodigyisalreadyhere，then。” Heremainedthoughtfulforsomemoments，hiscloak，graspedwithbothhands，foldedoverhisabdomen，hiseyesfixedontheground，hisgold- rimmedspectaclesslippinggentlytowardthepointofhisnose，hisunder-lipmoistandprojecting，andhisiron-grayeyebrowsgatheredinaslightfrown。Hewasapiousandholyman，ofuncommonlearningandofirreproachableclericalhabits，alittlepasthissixtiethyear，affableinhismanners，courteousandkind，andgreatlyaddictedtogivingadviceandcounseltobothmenandwomen。FormanyyearspasthehadbeenmasterofLatinandrhetoricintheInstitute，whichnobleprofessionhadsuppliedhimwithalargefundofquotationsfromHoraceandoffloridmetaphors，whichheemployedwithwitandopportuneness。 Nothingmoreneedbesaidregardingthispersonage，butthat，assoonasheheardthetrotoftheanimalsapproachingtheCalledelCondestable，hearrangedthefoldsofhiscloak，straightenedhishat，whichwasnotaltogethercorrectlyplaceduponhisvenerablehead，and，walkingtowardthehouse，murmured: “Letusgoandseethisparagon。” MeanwhilePepewasalightingfromhisnag，andDonaPerfecta，herfacebathedintearsandbarelyabletoutterafewtremblingwords，thesincereexpressionofheraffection，wasreceivinghimatthegateitselfinherlovingarms。 “Pepe——buthowtallyouare！Andwithabeard。Why，itseemsonlyyesterdaythatIheldyouinmylap。Andnowyouareaman，agrown-upman。Well，well！Howtheyearspass！ThisismydaughterRosario。” Asshesaidthistheyreachedtheparloronthegroundfloor，whichwasgenerallyusedasareception-room，andDonaPerfectapresentedherdaughtertoPepe。 Rosariowasagirlofdelicateandfragileappearance，thatrevealedatendencytopensivemelancholy。Inherdelicateandpurecountenancetherewassomethingofthesoft，pearlypallorwhichmostnovelistsattributetotheirheroines，andwithoutwhichsentimentalvarnishitappearsthatnoEnriquietaorJuliacanbeinteresting。ButwhatchieflydistinguishedRosariowasthatherfaceexpressedsomuchsweetnessandmodestythattheabsenceoftheperfectionsitlackedwasnotobserved。Thisisnottosaythatshewasplain；but，ontheotherhand，itistruethatitwouldbeanexaggerationtocallherbeautifulinthestrictestmeaningoftheword。TherealbeautyofDonaPerfecta\'sdaughterconsistedinaspeciesoftransparency，differentfromthatofpearl，alabaster，marble，oranyoftheothersubstancesusedindescriptionsofthehumancountenance；aspeciesoftransparencythroughwhichtheinmostdepthsofhersoulwereclearlyvisible；depthsnotcavernousandgloomy，likethoseofthesea，butlikethoseofaclearandplacidriver。Butthematerialwaswantingthereforacompletepersonality。Thechannelwaswanting，thebankswerewanting。Thevastwealthofherspiritoverflowed，threateningtowashawaythenarrowborders。Whenhercousinsalutedhersheblushedcrimson，andutteredonlyafewunintelligiblewords。 “Youmustbefaintingwithhunger，“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew。 “Youshallhaveyourbreakfastatonce。” “Withyourpermission，“respondedthetraveller，“Iwillfirstgoandgetridofthedustofthejourney。” “Thatisasensibleidea，“saidthesenora。“Rosario，takeyourcousintotheroomthatwehavepreparedforhim。Don\'tdelay，nephew。Iamgoingtogivethenecessaryorders。” Rosariotookhercousintoahandsomeapartmentsituatedonthegroundfloor。ThemomentheentereditPeperecognizedinallthedetailsoftheroomthediligentandlovinghandofawoman。Allwasarrangedwithperfecttaste，andthepurityandfreshnessofeverythinginthischarmingnestinvitedtorepose。Theguestobservedminutedetailsthatmadehimsmile。 “Hereisthebell，“saidRosario，takinginherhandthebell-rope，thetasselofwhichhungovertheheadofthebed。“Allyouhavetodoistostretchoutyourhand。Thewriting-tableisplacedsothatyouwillhavethelightfromtheleft。See，inthisbasketyoucanthrowthewastepapers。Doyousmoke?“ “Unfortunately，yes，“respondedPepeRey。 “Well，then，youcanthrowtheendsofyourcigarshere，“shesaid，touchingwiththetipofhershoeautensilofgilt-brassfilledwithsand。“Thereisnothinguglierthantoseethefloorcoveredwithcigar-ends。Hereisthewashstand。Foryourclothesyouhaveawardrobeandabureau。Ithinkthisisabadplaceforthewatch-case；itwouldbebetterbesidethebed。Ifthelightannoysyou，allyouhavetodoistolowertheshadewiththiscord；see，thisway。” Theengineerwasenchanted。 Rosaritoopenedoneofthewindows。 “Look，“shesaid，“thiswindowopensintothegarden。Thesuncomesinhereintheafternoon。Herewehavehungthecageofacanarythatsingsasifhewascrazy。Ifhissingingdisturbsyouwewilltakeitaway。” Sheopenedanotherwindowontheoppositesideoftheroom。 “Thisotherwindow，“shecontinued，“looksoutonthestreet。Look； fromhereyoucanseethecathedral；itisveryhandsome，andfullofbeautifulthings。AgreatmanyEnglishpeoplecometoseeit。Don\'topenbothwindowsatthesametime，becausedraughtsareverybad。” “Mydearcousin，“saidPepe，hissoulinundatedwithaninexplicablejoy；“inallthatisbeforemyeyesIseeanangel\'shandthatcanbeonlyyours。Whatabeautifulroomthisis！ItseemstomeasifIhadlivedinitallmylife。Itinvitestopeace。” Rosaritomadenoanswertotheseaffectionateexpressions，andlefttheroom，smiling。 “Makenodelay，“shesaidfromthedoor；“thedining-roomtooisdownstairs——inthecentreofthishall。” UncleLicurgocameinwiththeluggage。Peperewardedhimwithaliberalitytowhichthecountrymanwasnotaccustomed，andthelatter，afterhumblythankingtheengineer，raisedhishandtohisheadwithahesitatingmovement，andinanembarrassedtone，andmumblinghiswords，hesaidhesitatingly: “WhenwillitbemostconvenientformetospeaktoSenorDonJoseabouta——alittlematterofbusiness?“ “Alittlematterofbusiness?Atonce，“respondedPepe，openingoneofhistrunks。 “Thisisnotasuitabletime，“saidthecountryman。“WhenSenorDonJosehasresteditwillbetimeenough。Therearemoredaysthansausages，asthesayingis；andafteronedaycomesanother。Restnow，SenorDonJose。Wheneveryouwanttotakearide——thenagisnotbad。 Well，good-day，SenorDonJose。Iammuchobligedtoyou。Ah！Ihadforgotten，“headded，returningafewmomentslater。“Ifyouhaveanymessageforthemunicipaljudge——Iamgoingnowtospeaktohimaboutourlittleaffair。” “Givehimmycompliments，“saidPepegayly，nobetterwayofgettingridoftheSpartanlegislatoroccurringtohim。 “Good-by，then，SenorDonJose。” “Good-by。”