第3章

“Aproposofmusic，“saidPepeRey，withoutobservingthedeplorableeffectwhichhiswordsproducedonbothmotheranddaughter，“imaginehowdisposedmymindwouldbetoreligiouscontemplationonenteringthecathedral，whenjustatthatmoment，andpreciselyattheoffertoryathighmass，theorganistplayedapassagefrom\'Traviata。\'“ “SenordeReyisrightinthat，“saidthelittlelawyeremphatically。 “Theorganistplayedtheotherdaythewholeofthedrinkingsongandthewaltzfromthesameopera，andafterwardarondeaufromthe\'GrandeDuchesse。\'“ “ButwhenIfeltmyheartsink，“continuedtheengineerimplacably，“waswhenIsawanimageoftheVirgin，whichseemstobeheldingreatveneration，judgingfromthecrowdbeforeitandthemultitudeoftaperswhichlightedit。Theyhavedressedherinapuffed-outgarmentofvelvet，embroideredwithgold，ofashapesoextraordinarythatitsurpassesthemostextravagantofthefashionsoftheday。Herfaceisalmosthiddenunderavoluminousfrill，madeofinnumerablerowsoflace，crimpedwithacrimping-iron，andhercrown，halfayardinheight，surroundedbygoldenrays，lookslikeahideouscatafalqueerectedoverherhead。Ofthesamematerial，andembroideredinthesamemanner，arethetrousersoftheInfantJesus。Iwillnotgoon，fortodescribetheMotherandtheChildmightperhapsleadmetocommitsomeirreverence。Iwillonlysaythatitwasimpossibleformetokeepfromsmiling，andforashorttimeIcontemplatedtheprofanedimage，sayingtomyself:\'MotherandLadymine，whatasighttheyhavemadeofyou！\'“ AsheendedPepelookedathishearers，andalthough，owingtothegatheringdarkness，hecouldnotseetheircountenancesdistinctly，hefanciedthatinsomeofthemheperceivedsignsofangryconsternation。 “Well，SenorDonJose！“exclaimedthecanonquickly，smilingwithatriumphantexpression，“thatimage，whichtoyourphilosophyandpantheismappearssoridiculous，isOurLadyofHelp，patronessandadvocateofOrbajosa，whoseinhabitantsregardherwithsomuchvenerationthattheywouldbequitecapableofdragginganyonethroughthestreetswhoshouldspeakillofher。Thechroniclesandhistory，SenorDonJose，arefullofthemiracleswhichshehaswrought，andevenatthepresentdaywereceiveconstantlyincontrovertibleproofsofherprotection。Youmustknowalsothatyouraunt，DonaPerfecta，ischiefladyinwaitingtotheMostHolyVirginofHelp，andthatthedressthattoyouappearssogrotesque——wentoutfromthishouse，andthatthetrousersoftheInfantaretheworkoftheskilfulneedleandtheardentpietycombinedofyourcousinRosarito，whoisnowlisteningtous。” PepeReywasgreatlydisconcerted。AtthesameinstantDonaPerfectaroseabruptlyfromherseat，and，withoutsayingaword，walkedtowardthehouse，followedbythePenitentiary。Theothersrosealso。 Recoveringfromhisstupefaction，theyoungmanwasabouttobeghiscousin\'spardonforhisirreverence，whenheobservedthatRosaritowasweeping。Fixingonhercousinalookoffriendlyandgentlereproof，shesaid: “Whatideasyouhave！“ ThevoiceofDonaPerfectawasheardcryinginanalteredaccent: “Rosario！Rosario！“ Thelatterrantowardthehouse。 CHAPTERX THEEVIDENCEOFDISCORDISEVIDENT PepeReywasdisturbedandperplexed，enragedwithhimselfandeveryoneelse；hetriedinvaintoimaginewhatcouldbetheconflictthathadarisen，inspiteofhimself，betweenhisideasandtheideasofhisaunt\'sfriends。Thoughtfulandsad，foreseeingfuturediscord，heremainedforashorttimesittingonthebenchinthesummer-house，hischinrestingonhisbreast，hisforeheadgatheredinafrown，hishandsclasped。Hethoughthimselfalone。 Suddenlyheheardagayvoicehummingtherefrainofasongfromazarzuela。HelookedupandsawDonJacintosittingintheoppositecornerofthesummer-house。 “Ah，SenordeRey！“saidtheyouthabruptly，“onedoesnotoffendwithimpunitythereligioussentimentsofthegreatmajorityofanation。Ifyoudoubtit，considerwhathappenedinthefirstFrenchrevolution。” WhenPepeheardthebuzzingofthisinsecthisirritationincreased。 Neverthelesstherewasnoangerinhissoultowardtheyouthfuldoctoroflaws。Thelatterannoyedhim，asaflymightannoyhim，butnothingmore。Reyfelttheirritationwhicheveryimportunatebeinginspires，andwiththeairofonewhobrushesawayabuzzingdrone，heanswered: “WhathastheFrenchrevolutiontodowiththerobeoftheVirgin?“ Hegotupandwalkedtowardthehouse，buthehadnottakenhalfadozenstepsbeforeheheardagainbesidehimthebuzzingofthemosquito，saying: “SenorDonJose，Iwishtospeaktoyouaboutanaffairinwhichyouaregreatlyinterestedandwhichmaycauseyousometrouble。” “Anaffair?“saidtheyoungman，drawingback。“Letushearwhataffairisthat。” “Yoususpectwhatitis，perhaps，“saidJacinto，approachingPepe，andsmilingwiththeairofamanofbusinesswhohassomeunusuallyimportantmatteronhand；“Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutthelawsuit。” “Thelawsuit！Myfriend，Ihavenolawsuits。You，asagoodlawyer，dreamoflawsuitsandseestampedpapereverywhere。” “What！Youhavenotheardofyourlawsuit?“exclaimedtheyouth，withamazement。 “Ofmylawsuit！ButIhavenolawsuits，norhaveIeverhadany。” “Well，ifyouhavenotheardofit，Iamallthebetterpleasedtohavespokentoyouaboutit，sothatyoumaybeonyourguard。Yes，senor，youaregoingtohaveasuitatlaw。” “Andwithwhom?“ “WithUncleLicurgoandotherland-ownerswhosepropertybordersontheestatecalledThePoplars。” PepeReywasastounded。 “Yes，senor，“continuedthelittlelawyer。“To-dayUncleLicurgoandI hadalongconference。AsIamsuchafriendofthefamily，Iwantedtoletyouknowaboutit，sothat，ifyouthinkwellofit，youmayhastentoarrangethematter。” “ButwhathaveItoarrange?Whatdothoserascalsclaimfromme?“ “Itseemsthatastreamofwaterwhichrisesinyourpropertyhaschangeditscourseandflowsoversometile-worksoftheaforesaidUncleLicurgoandthemillofanotherperson，occasioningconsiderabledamage。Myclient——forheisdeterminedthatIshallgethimoutofthisdifficulty——myclient，asIsaid，demandsthatyoushallrestorethewatertoitsformerchannel，soastoavoidfreshinjuries，andthatyoushallindemnifyhimforthedamagewhichhisworkshavealreadysustainedthroughtheneglectofthesuperiorproprietor。” “AndIamthesuperiorproprietor！IfIengageinalawsuit，thatwillbethefirstfruitthatthosefamousPoplars，whichweremineandwhichnow，asIunderstand，belongtoeverybody，willhaveeverproducedme，forLicurgo，aswellassomeoftheotherfarmersofthedistrict，havebeenfilchingfromme，littlebylittle，yearafteryear，piecesofland，anditwillbeverydifficulttore-establishtheboundariesofmyproperty。” “Thatisadifferentquestion。” “Thatisnotadifferentquestion。Therealsuit，“exclaimedtheengineer，unabletocontrolhisanger，“willbetheonethatIwillbringagainstthatrabblewhonodoubtproposetothemselvestotiremeoutanddrivemetodesperation——sothatImayabandoneverythingandletthemcontinueinpossessionofwhattheyhavestolen。Weshallseeiftherearelawyersandjudgeswhowillupholdtheinfamousconductofthosevillagelegists，whoareforeveratlaw，andwhowasteandconsumethepropertyofothers。Iamobligedtoyou，younggentleman，forhavinginformedmeofthevillanousintentionsofthoseboors，whoaremoreperversethanSatanhimself。WhenItellyouthatthatverytile-yardandthatverymillonwhichLicurgobaseshisclaimaremine——“ “Thetitle-deedsofthepropertyoughttobeexamined，toseeifpossessionmaynotconstituteatitleinthiscase。” “Possession！Thosescoundrelsarenotgoingtohavethepleasureoflaughingatmeinthatway。IsupposethatjusticeishonestlyandfaithfullyadministeredinthecityofOrbajosa。” “Oh，astothat！“exclaimedthelittlelawyer，withanapprovinglook，“thejudgeisanexcellentperson！Hecomeshereeveryevening。ButitisstrangethatyoushouldhavereceivednonoticeofSenorLicurgo\'sclaims。Haveyounotyetbeensummonedtoappearbeforethetribunalofarbitration?“ “No。” “Itwillbeto-morrow，then。Well，IamverysorrythatSenorLicurgo\'sprecipitationhasdeprivedmeofthepleasureandhonorofdefendingyou，butwhatistobedone?LicurgowasdeterminedthatIshouldtakehimoutofhistroubles。Iwillstudythematterwiththegreatestcare。Thisvileslaveryisthegreatdrawbackofjurisprudence。” Pepeenteredthedining-roominadeplorablestateofmind。DonaPerfectawastalkingwiththePenitentiary，asheentered，andRosaritowassittingalone，withhereyesfixedonthedoor。Shewasnodoubtwaitingforhercousin。 “Comehere，yourascal，“saidhisaunt，smilingwithverylittlespontaneity。“Youhaveinsultedus，yougreatatheist！butweforgiveyou。Iamwellawarethatmydaughterandmyselfaretworusticswhoareincapableofsoaringtotheregionsofmathematicswhereyoudwell，butforallthatitispossiblethatyoumayonedaygetdownonyourkneestousandbegustoteachyoutheChristiandoctrine。” Pepeansweredwithvaguephrasesandformulasofpolitenessandrepentance。 “Formypart，“saidDonInocencio，withanaffectedairofmeeknessandamiability，“ifinthecourseoftheseidledisputesIhavesaidanythingthatcouldoffendSenorDonJose，Ibeghispardonforit。Weareallfriendshere。” “Thanks。Itisofnoconsequence。” “Inspiteofeverything，“saidDonaPerfecta，smilingwithmorenaturalnessthanbefore，“Ishallalwaysbethesameformydearnephew；inspiteofhisextravagantandanti-religiousideas。InwhatwaydoyousupposeIamgoingtospendthisevening?Well，intryingtomakeUncleLicurgogiveupthoseobstinatenotionswhichwouldotherwisecauseyouannoyance。Isentforhim，andheiswaitingformenowinthehall。Makeyourselfeasy，Iwillarrangethematter；foralthoughIknowthatheisnotaltogetherwithoutrightonhisside——“ “Thanks，dearaunt，“respondedtheyoungman，hiswholebeinginvadedbyawaveofthegenerousemotionwhichwassoeasilyarousedinhissoul。 PepeReylookedinthedirectionofhiscousin，intendingtojoinher，butsomewilyquestionsofthecanonretainedhimatDonaPerfecta\'sside。Rosariolookeddejected，andwaslisteningwithanairofmelancholyindifferencetothewordsofthelittlelawyer，who，havinginstalledhimselfatherside，keptupacontinuousstreamoffulsomeflatteries，seasonedwithill-timedjestsandfatuousremarksintheworstpossibletaste。 “Theworstofitis，“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew——surprisingtheglancewhichhecastinthedirectionoftheill-assortedpair——“theworstofitis，thatyouhaveoffendedpoorRosario。Youmustdoallinyourpowertomakeyourpeacewithher。Thepoorchildissogood！“ “Oh，yes！sogood，“addedthecanon，“thatIhavenodoubtthatshewillforgivehercousin。” “IthinkthatRosariohasalreadyforgivenme，“affirmedRey。 “Andifnot，angelicbreastsdonotharborresentmentlong，“saidDonInocenciomellifluously。“Ihaveagreatdealofinfluencewiththechild，andIwillendeavortodissipateinhergeneroussoulwhateverprejudicemayexistthereagainstyou。AssoonasIsayawordortwotoher——“ PepeReyfeltaclouddarkenhissoulandhesaidwithmeaning: “Perhapsitmaynotbenecessary。” “Iwillnotspeaktohernow，“addedthecapitular，“becausesheislisteningentrancedtoJacinto\'snonsense。Ah，thosechildren！Whentheyoncebeginthereisnostoppingthem。” Thejudgeofthelowercourt，thealcalde\'slady，andthedeanofthecathedralnowmadetheirappearance。Theyallsalutedtheengineer，manifestingintheirwordsandmanner，onseeinghim，thesatisfactionofgratifiedcuriosity。Thejudgewasoneofthosecleverandintelligentyoungmenwhoeverydayspringintonoticeinofficialcircles；aspiring，almostbeforetheyareoutoftheshell，tothehighestpoliticalandadministrativepositions。Hegavehimselfairsofgreatimportance，andinspeakingofhimselfandofhisjuveniletoga，heseemedindirectlytomanifestgreatoffencebecausehehadnotbeenallatoncemadepresidentofthesupremecourt。Insuchinexperthands，inabrainthusswollenwithvanity，inthisincarnationofconceit，hadthestateplacedthemostdelicateandthemostdifficultfunctionsofhumanjustice。Hismannerswerethoseofaperfectcourtier，andrevealedascrupulousandminuteattentiontoallthatconcernedhisownperson。Hehadtheinsufferablehabitoftakingoffandputtingoneverymomenthisgoldeye-glasses，andinhisconversationhemanifestedwithfrequencythestrongdesirewhichhehadtobetransferredtoMadrid，inorderthathemightgivehisinvaluableservicestotheDepartmentofGraceandJustice。 Thealcalde\'sladywasagood-naturedwoman，whoseonlyweaknesswastofancythatshehadagreatmanyacquaintancesatthecourt。SheaskedPepeReyvariousquestionsaboutthefashions，mentioningestablishmentsinwhichshehadhadamantleoraskirtmadeonherlastjourneytothecapital，contemporaneouswiththevisitofMuley- Abbas，andshealsomentionedthenamesofadozenduchessesandmarchionesses；speakingofthemwithasmuchfamiliarityasiftheyhadbeenfriendsofherschool-days。ShesaidalsothattheCountessofM。 (famousforherparties)wasafriendofhersandthatin\'60shehadpaidheravisit，whenthecountesshadinvitedhertoherboxattheTeatroReal，whereshesawMuley-AbbasinMoorishdressandaccompaniedbyhisretinueofMoors。Thealcalde\'swifetalkedincessantlyandwasnotwantinginhumor。 Thedeanwasaveryoldman，corpulentandred-faced，plethoricandapoplecticlooking，amansoobesethatheseemedburstingoutofhisskin。Hehadbelongedtooneofthesuppressedreligiousorders；hetalkedonlyofreligiousmatters；andfromtheveryfirstmanifestedthemostprofoundcontemptforPepeRey。Thelatterappearedeverymomentmoreunabletoaccommodatehimselftoasocietysolittletohistaste。Hisdisposition——notatallmalleable，hard，andverylittleflexible——rejectedtheduplicitiesandthecompromisesoflanguagetosimulateconcordwhenitdidnotexist。Heremained，then，verygraveduringthewholeofthetiresomeevening，obligedashewastoenduretheoratoricalvehemenceofthealcalde\'swife，who，withoutbeingFame，hadtheprivilegeoffatiguingwithahundredtonguestheearsofmen。If，insomebriefrespitewhichthisladygaveherhearers，PepeReymadeanattempttoapproachhiscousin，thePenitentiaryattachedhimselftohiminstantly，likethemollusktotherock；takinghimapartwithamysteriousairtoproposetohimanexcursionwithSenorDonCayetanotoMundogrande，orafishingpartyontheclearwatersoftheNahara。 Atlasttheeveningcametoanend，aseverythingdoesinthisworld。 Thedeanretired，leavingthehouse，asitseemed，empty，andverysoonthereremainedofthealcalde\'swifeonlyanecho，likethebuzzwhichremainsintheairafterastormhaspassedaway。Thejudgealsodeprivedthecompanyofhispresence，andatlastDonInocenciogavehisnephewthesignalfordeparture。 “Come，boy，come；foritislate，“hesaid，smiling。“HowyouhavetormentedpoorRosarito，hashenot，child?Home，yourogue，home，withoutdelay。” “Itistimetogotobed，“saidDonaPerfecta。 “Timetogotowork，“respondedthelittlelawyer。 “Iamalwaystellinghimthatheoughttogetthroughwithhisbusinessintheday-time，buthewillnotmindme。” “Thereissomuch，soverymuchbusinesstobegotthrough。” “No，sayrather，thatconfoundedworkwhichyouhaveundertaken。Hedoesnotwishtosayit，SenorDonJose，butthetruthisthatheiswritingabookon\'TheInfluenceofWomaninChristianSociety，\'and，inadditiontothat，\'AGlanceattheCatholicMovementin\'——somewhereorother。Whatdoyouknowaboutglancesorinfluences?Buttheseyouthsofthepresentdayhaveaudacityenoughforanything。Oh，whatboys！Well，letusgohome。Good-night，SenoraDonaPerfecta——good- night，SenorDonJose——Rosarito。” “IwillwaitforSenorDonCayetano，“saidJacinto，“toaskhimtogivemetheAugustoNicolas。” “Alwayscarryingbooks。Why，sometimesyoucomeintothehouseladenlikeadonkey。Verywell，then，letuswait。” “SenorDonJacintodoesnotwritehastily，“saidPepeRey；“heprepareshimselfwellforhiswork，sothathisbooksmaybetreasuresoflearning。” “Butthatboywillinjurehisbrain，“objectedDonaPerfecta。“ForHeaven\'ssakebecareful！Iwouldsetalimittohisreading。” “Sincewearegoingtowait，“saidthelittledoctor，inatoneofinsufferableconceit，“IwilltakewithmealsothethirdvolumeofConcilios。Whatdoyouthink，uncle?“ “Takethat，ofcourse。Itwouldneverdotoleavethatbehindyou。” FortunatelySenorDonCayetano(whogenerallyspenthiseveningsatthehouseofDonLorenzoRuiz)soonarrived，andthebooksbeingreceived，uncleandnephewleftthehouse。 Reyreadinhiscousin\'ssadcountenanceakeendesiretospeaktohim。 HeapproachedherwhileDonaPerfectaandDonCayetanowerediscussingsomedomesticmatterapart。 “Youhaveoffendedmamma，“saidRosarito。 Herfeaturesexpressedsomethingliketerror。 “Itistrue，“respondedtheyoungman；“Ihaveoffendedyourmamma——I haveoffendedyou。” “No，notme。IalreadyimaginedthattheInfantJesusoughtnottoweartrousers。” “ButIhopethatyouwillbothforgiveme。Yourmammawassokindtomealittlewhileago。” DonaPerfecta\'svoicesuddenlyvibratedthroughthedining-room，withsodiscordantatonethathernephewstartedasifhehadheardacryofalarm。Thevoicesaidimperiously: “Rosario，gotobed！“ Startled，hermindfilledwithanxiousfears，thegirllingeredintheroom，goinghereandthereasifshewaslookingforsomething。Asshepassedhercousinshewhisperedsoftlyandcautiouslythesewords: “Mammaisangry。” “But——“ “Sheisangry——beonyourguard，beonyourguard。” Thenshelefttheroom。Hermother，forwhomUncleLicurgowaswaiting，followedher，andforsometimethevoicesofDonaPerfectaandthecountrymanwereheardmingledtogetherinfamiliarconference。PepewasleftwithDonCayetano，who，takingalight，said； “Good-night，Pepe。Butdon\'tsupposethatIamgoingtosleep，Iamgoingtowork。Butwhyareyousothoughtful?Whatisthematterwithyou?——JustasIsay，towork。Iammakingnotesfora\'MemorialDiscourseontheGenealogiesofOrbajosa。\'Ihavealreadyfounddataandinformationoftheutmostvalue。Therecanbenodisputeaboutit。 IneveryperiodofourhistorytheOrbajosanshavebeendistinguishedfortheirdelicatesenseofhonor，theirchivalry，theirvalor，theirintellectuality。TheconquestofMexico，thewarsoftheEmperor，thewarsofPhilipagainsttheheretics，testifytothis。Butareyouill? Whatisthematterwithyou?AsIsay，eminenttheologians，valiantwarriors，conquerors，saints，bishops，statesmen——allsortsofillustriousmen——haveflourishedinthishumblelandofthegarlic。No，thereisnotinChristendomamoreillustriouscitythanours。Itsvirtuesanditsgloriesareinthemselvesenoughandmorethanenoughtofillallthepagesofourcountry\'shistory。Well，Iseethatitissleepyyouare——good-night。AsIsay，Iwouldnotexchangethegloryofbeingasonofthisnoblecityforallthegoldintheworld。Augusta，theancientscalledit；Augustissima，Icallitnow；fornow，asthen，high-mindedness，generosity，valor，magnanimity，arethepatrimonyofall。Well，good-night，dearPepe。ButIfancyyouarenotwell。Hasthesupperdisagreedwithyou?——AlonzoGonzalezdeBustamantewasrightwhenhesaidinhis\'FlorestaAmena\'thatthepeopleofOrbajosasufficeinthemselvestoconfergreatnessandhonoronakingdom。Don\'tyouthinkso?“ “Oh，yes，senor；undoubtedly，“respondedPepeRey，goingabruptlytowardhisroom。 CHAPTERXI THEDISCORDGROWS DuringthefollowingdaysPepeReymadetheacquaintanceofseveralofthepeopleoftheplace；hevisitedtheCasino，andformedfriendshipswithsomeoftheindividualswhospendtheirlivesintheroomsofthatcorporation。 ButtheyouthofOrbajosadidnotspendalltheirtimeintheCasino，asevil-mindedpeoplemightimagine。Intheafternoonsthereweretobeseenatthecornerofthecathedral，andinthelittleplazaformedbytheintersectionoftheCalledelCondestableandtheCalledelaTriperia，severalgentlemenwho，gracefullyenvelopedintheircloaks，stoodtherelikesentinels，watchingthepeopleastheypassedby。Iftheweatherwasfine，thoseshininglightsoftheUrbsAugustanculturebenttheirsteps，stillenvelopedintheindispensablecloak，towardthepromenadecalledthePaseodelasDescalzas，whichwasformedbyadoublerowofconsumptive-lookingelmsandsomewitheredbushesofbroom。TherethebrilliantPleiadwatchedthedaughtersofthisfellow- townsmanorthat，whohadalsocomethereforawalk，andtheafternoonpassedtolerably。Intheevening，theCasinofilledupagain；andwhilesomeofthemembersgavetheirloftymindstothedelightsofmonte，othersreadthenewspapers，whilethemajoritydiscussedinthecoffee- roomsubjectsofthevariouskinds，suchasthepolitics，horses，bulls，orthegossipoftheplace。TheresultofeverydiscussionwastherenewedconvictionofthesupremacyofOrbajosaanditsinhabitantsoveralltheothertownsandpeoplesonthefaceoftheearth。 Thesedistinguishedmenwerethecreamoftheillustriouscity；somerichlandowners，othersverypoor，butallalikefreefromloftyaspirations。Theyhadtheimperturbabletranquillityofthebeggarwhodesiresnothingmoresolongashehasacrustofbreadwithwhichtocheathunger，andthesuntowarmhim。WhatchieflydistinguishedtheOrbajosansoftheCasinowasasentimentofbitterhostilitytowardallstrangers，andwheneveranystrangerofnoteappearedinitsaugusthalls，theybelievedthathehadcometheretocallinquestionthesuperiorityofthelandofthegarlic，ortodisputewithit，throughenvy，theincontestableadvantageswhichnaturehadbestoweduponit。 WhenPepeReypresentedhimselfintheCasino，theyreceivedhimwithsomethingofsuspicion，andasfacetiouspersonsaboundedinit，beforethenewmemberhadbeenthereaquarterofanhour，allsortsofjokeshadbeenmadeabouthim。WheninanswertothereiteratedquestionsofthemembershesaidthathehadcometoOrbajosawithacommissiontoexplorethebasinoftheNaharaforcoal，andtosurveyaroad，theyallagreedthatSenorDonJosewasaconceitedfellowwhowishedtogivehimselfairs，discoveringcoalbedsandplanningrailroads。Someoneadded: “Hehascometoabadplaceforthat，then。Thosegentlemenimaginethathereweareallfools，andthattheycandeceiveuswithfinewords。HehascometomarryDonaPerfecta\'sdaughter，andallthathesaysaboutcoalbedsisonlyforthesakeofappearances。” “Well，thismorning，“saidanother，amerchantwhohadfailed，“theytoldmeattheDominguez\'thatthegentlemanhasnotapeseta，andthathehascomehereinordertobesupportedbyhisauntandtoseeifhecancatchRosarito。” “Itseemsthatheisnoengineeratall，“addedanolive-planter，whoseplantationsweremortgagedfordoubletheirvalue。“Butitisasyousay:thosestarvelingsfromMadridthinktheyarejustifiedindeceivingpoorprovincials，andastheybelievethathereweallweartails——“ “Itisplaintobeseenthatheispenniless——“ “Well，half-jestandthewholeearnest，hetolduslastnightthatwewerelazybarbarians。” “Thatwespentourtimesunningourselves，liketheBedouins。” “Thatwelivedwiththeimagination。” “That\'sit；thatwelivedwiththeimagination。” “AndthatthiscitywaspreciselylikeacityinMorocco。” “Well！onehasnopatiencetolistentothosethings。Whereelsecouldhesee(unlessitmightbeinParis)astreetliketheCalledelCondestable，thatcanshowsevenhousesinarow，allofthemmagnificent，fromDonaPerfecta\'shousetothatofNicolasitaHernandez?Doesthatfellowsupposethatonehasneverseenanything，orhasneverbeeninParis?“ “Healsosaid，withagreatdealofdelicacy，thatOrbajosawasacityofbeggars；andhegaveustounderstandthatinhisopinionweliveinthemeanestwayherewithoutbeingourselvesawareofit。” “Whatinsolence！Ifheeversaysthattome，therewillbeasceneintheCasino，“exclaimedthecollectoroftaxes。“Whydidn\'ttheytellhimhowmanyarrobasofoilOrbajosaproducedlastyear?Doesn\'tthefoolknowthatingoodyearsOrbajosaproduceswheatenoughtosupplyallSpain，andevenallEurope，withbread?Itistruethatthecropshavebeenbadforseveralyearspast，butthatisnottherule。Andthecropofgarlic！Iwagerthegentlemandoesn\'tknowthatthegarlicofOrbajosamadethegentlemanofthejuryintheExpositionofLondonstare！“ TheseandotherconversationsofasimilarkindweretobeheardintheroomsoftheCasinointhosedays。Notwithstandingthisboastfultalk，socommoninsmalltowns，which，fortheveryreasonthattheyaresmall，aregenerallyarrogant，Reywasnotwithoutfindingsincerefriendsamongthemembersofthelearnedcorporation，fortheywerenotallgossips，norweretherewantingamongthempersonsofgoodsense。 Butourherohadthemisfortune——ifmisfortuneitcanbecalled——tobeunusuallyfrankinthemanifestationofhisfeelings，andthisawakenedsomeantipathytowardhim。 Dayspassed。Inadditiontothenaturaldisgustwhichthesocialcustomsoftheepiscopalcityproducedinhim，variouscauses，allofthemdisagreeable，begantodevelopinhismindaprofoundsadness，chiefamongthesecausesbeingthecrowdoflitigantsthatswarmedabouthimlikevoraciousants。ManyothersoftheneighboringlandownersbesidesUncleLicurgoclaimeddamagesfromhim，oraskedhimtorenderaccountsforlandsmanagedbyhisgrandfather。Aclaimwasalsobroughtagainsthimbecauseofacertaincontractofpartnershipenteredintobyhismotherandwhich，asitappeared，hadnotbeenfulfilled；andhewasrequiredinthesamewaytoacknowledgeamortgageontheestateofThePoplarsexecutedinanirregularformbyhisuncle。Claimsswarmedaroundhim，multiplyingwithant-likerapidity。Hehadcometothedeterminationtorenouncetheownershipofhislands，butmeanwhilehisdignityrequiredthatheshouldnotyieldtothewilymanoeuvresoftheartfulrustics；andasthetown-councilbroughtaclaimagainsthimalsoonaccountofapretendedconfusionoftheboundarylinesofhisestatewiththoseofanadjoiningwoodbelongingtothetown-lands，theunfortunateyoungmanfoundhimselfateverystepobligedtoprovehisrights，whichwerebeingcontinuallycalledinquestion。Hishonorwasengaged，andhehadnoalternativebuttodefendhisrightstothedeath。 DonaPerfectahadpromisedinhermagnanimitytohelphimtofreehimselffromthesedisgracefulplotsbymeansofanamicablearrangement；butthedayspassed，andthegoodofficesoftheexemplaryladyhadproducednoresultwhatever。Theclaimsmultipliedwiththedangerousswiftnessofaviolentdisease。PepeReypassedhourafterhouratcourt，makingdeclarationsandansweringthesamequestionsoverandoveragain，andwhenhereturnedhometiredandangry，thereappearedbeforehimthesharpfeaturesandgrotesquefaceofthenotary，whohadbroughthimathickbundleofstampedpapersfullofhorribleformulas——thathemightbestudyingthequestion。 ItwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatPepeReywasnotamantoenduresuchannoyanceswhenhemightescapefromthembyleavingthetown。Hismother\'snoblecityappearedtohisimaginationlikeahorriblemonsterwhichhadfasteneditsferociousclawsinhimandwasdrinkinghisblood。Tofreehimselffromthismonsternothingmorewasnecessary，hebelieved，thanflight。Butaweightyinterest——aninterestinwhichhisheartwasconcerned——kepthimwherehewas；bindinghimtotherockofhismartyrdomwithverystrongbonds。Nevertheless，hehadcometofeelsodissatisfiedwithhisposition；hehadcometoregardhimselfassoutterlyastranger，sotosay，inthatgloomycityoflawsuits，ofold- fashionedcustomsandideas，ofenvyandofslander，thatheresolvedtoleaveitwithoutfurtherdelay，without，however，abandoningtheprojectwhichhadbroughthimtoit。Onemorning，findingafavorableoccasion，heopenedhismindtoDonaPerfectaonthispoint。 “Nephew，“respondedthatlady，withheraccustomedgentleness，“don\'tberash。Why！youarelikefire。Yourfatherwasjustthesame——whatamanhewas！Youarelikeaflash——IhavealreadytoldyouthatIwillbeverygladtocallyoumyson。Evenifyoudidnotpossessthegoodqualitiesandthetalentswhichdistinguishyou(inspiteofsomelittledefects，foryouhavethose，too)；evenifyouwerenotasgoodasyouare；itisenoughthatthisunionhasbeenproposedbyyourfather，towhombothmydaughterandmyselfowesomuch，formetoacceptit。AndRosaritowillnotopposeitsinceIwishit。Whatiswanting，then?Nothing；thereisnothingwantingbutalittletime。Themarriagecannotbeconcludedwiththehasteyoudesireandwhichmight，perhaps，givegroundforinterpretationsdiscreditabletomydeardaughter\'sreputation。Butasyouthinkofnothingbutmachines，youwanteverythingdonebysteam。Wait，man，wait；whathurryareyouin? ThishatredthatyouhavetakentoourpoorOrbajosaisnothingbutacaprice。Butofcourseyoucanonlyliveamongcountsandmarquisesandoratorsanddiplomats——allyouwantistogetmarriedandseparatemeforeverfrommydaughter，“sheadded，wipingawayatear。“Sincethatisthecase，inconsiderateboy，atleasthavethecharitytodelayforalittlethismarriage，forwhichyouaresoeager。Whatimpatience！ Whatardentlove！Ididnotsupposethatapoorcountrygirllikemydaughtercouldinspiresoviolentapassion。” TheargumentsofhisauntdidnotconvincePepeRey，buthedidnotwishtocontradicther。Afreshcauseofanxietywassoonaddedtothosewhichalreadyembitteredhisexistence。HehadnowbeeninOrbajosafortwoweeks，andduringthattimehehadreceivednoletterfromhisfather。Thiscouldnotbeattributedtocarelessnessonthepartoftheofficialsofthepost-officeofOrbajosa，forthefunctionarywhohadchargeofthatservicebeingthefriendand/prot間?ofDonaPerfecta，thelattereverydayrecommendedhimtotakethegreatestcarethatthelettersaddressedtohernephewdidnotgoastray。Theletter-carrier，namedCristovalRamos，andnicknamedCaballuco——apersonagewhoseacquaintancewehavealreadymade——alsovisitedthehouse，andtohimDonaPerfectawasaccustomedtoaddresswarningsandreprimandsasenergeticasthefollowing: “Aprettymailserviceyouhave！HowisitthatmynephewhasnotreceivedasinglelettersincehehasbeeninOrbajosa?Whenthecarryingofthemailisentrustedtosuchagiddy-pate，howcanthingsbeexpectedtogowell?Iwillspeaktothegovernoroftheprovincesothathemaybecarefulwhatkindofpeopleheputsinthepost-office。” Caballuco，shrugginghisshoulders，lookedatReywiththemostcompleteindifference。 Onedayheenteredthehousewithaletterinhishand。 “ThankHeaven！“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew。“Herearelettersfromyourfather。Rejoice，man！Aprettyfrightwehavehadthroughmybrother\'slazinessaboutwriting。Whatdoeshesay?Heiswell，nodoubt，“sheadded，seeingthatPepeReyopenedtheletterwithfeverishimpatience。 Theengineerturnedpaleasheglancedoverthefirstlines。 “GoodHeavens！Pepe，whatisthematter?“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，risinginalarm。“Isyourfatherill?“ “Thisletterisnotfrommyfather，“respondedPepe，revealinginhiscountenancethegreatestconsternation。 “Whatisit，then?“ “AnorderfromtheMinisterofPublicWorks，relievingmefromthechargewhichwasconfidedtome。” “What！Canitbepossible！“ “Adismissalpureandsimple，expressedintermsverylittleflatteringtome。” “Wasthereeveranythingsounjust！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，whenshehadrecoveredfromheramazement。 “Whatahumiliation！“exclaimedtheyoungman。“ItisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhavereceivedanaffrontlikethis。” “ButtheGovernmentisunpardonable！Toputsuchaslightuponyou！DoyouwishmetowritetoMadrid?Ihaveverygoodfriendsthere，andI maybeabletoobtainsatisfactionforyoufromtheGovernmentandreparationforthisbrutalaffront。” “Thanks，senora，Idesirenorecommendations，“saidtheyoungman，withill-humor。 “Butwhatapieceofinjustice！whatahigh-handedproceeding！Todischargeinthiswayayoungmanofyourmerit，aneminentscientist。 Why，Icannotcontainmyanger！“ “Iwillfindout，“saidPepe，withenergy，“whoitisthatoccupieshimselfininjuringme。” “Thatminister——butwhatistobeexpectedfromthoseinfamouspoliticasters?“ “Inthisthereisthehandofsomeonewhoisdeterminedtodrivemetodesperation，“declaredtheyoungman，visiblydisturbed。“Thisisnottheactoftheminister；thisandothercontrarietiesthatIamexperiencingaretheresultofarevengefulplot，ofasecretandwell- laidplanofsomeimplacableenemy，andthisenemyishereinOrbajosa，thisplothasbeenhatchedinOrbajosa，doubtitnot，dearaunt。” “Youareoutofyourmind，“repliedDonaPerfecta，withalookofcompassion。“YouhaveenemiesinOrbajosa，yousay?Someonewishestorevengehimselfuponyou?Come，Pepillo，youhavelostyoursenses。Thereadingofthosebooksinwhichtheysaythatwehaveforancestorsmonkeysorparrotshasturnedyourbrain。” Shesmiledsweetlyassheutteredthelastwords，andtakingatoneoffamiliarandaffectionateadmonition，sheadded: “Mydearboy，thepeopleofOrbajosamayberudeandboorishrustics，withoutlearning，orpolish，orfinemanners；butinloyaltyandgoodfaithweyieldtonoone——tonoone，Isay，noone。” “Don\'tsuppose，“saidtheyoungman，“thatIaccuseanyoneinthishouse。Butthatmyimplacableandcruelenemyisinthiscity，Iampersuaded。” “Iwishyouwouldshowmethatstagevillain，“respondedDonaPerfecta，smilingagain。“IsupposeyouwillnotaccuseUncleLicurgo，noranyoftheotherswhohavebroughtsuitsagainstyou；forthepoorpeoplebelievetheyareonlydefendingtheirrights。Andbetweenourselves，theyarenotaltogetherwantinginreasoninthiscase。Besides，UncleLicurgolikesyougreatly。Hehastoldmesohimself。Fromthemomenthesawyou，youtookhisfancy，andthepooroldmanhasconceivedsuchanaffectionforyou——“ “Oh，yes——aprofoundaffection！“murmuredPepe。 “Don\'tbefoolish，“continuedhisaunt，puttingherhandonhisshoulderandlookingathimclosely。“Don\'timagineabsurdities； convinceyourselfthatyourenemy，ifyouhaveone，isinMadrid，inthatcentreofcorruption，ofenvyandrivalry，notinthispeacefulandtranquilcorner，whereallisgood-willandconcord。Someone，nodoubt，whoisenviousofyourmerit——ThereisonethingIwishtosaynow——andthatis，thatifyoudesiretogotheretolearnthecauseofthisaffrontandaskanexplanationofitfromtheGovernment，youmustnotneglectdoingsoonouraccount。” PepeReyfixedhiseyesonhisaunt\'scountenance，asifhewishedtopenetratewithhisglancetheinmostdepthsofhersoul。 “Isaythatifyouwishtogo，doso，“repeatedDonaPerfecta，withadmirableserenity，whilehercountenanceexpressedthemostcompleteandunaffectedsincerity。 “No，senora:Idonotwishtogo。” “Somuchthebetter；Ithinkyouareright。Youaremoretranquilhere，notwithstandingthesuspicionswithwhichyouaretormentingyourself。 PoorPepillo！WepoorrusticsofOrbajosalivehappyinourignorance。 Iamverysorrythatyouarenotcontentedhere。Butisitmyfaultifyouvexandworryyourselfwithoutacause?DoInottreatyoulikeason?HaveInotreceivedyouasthehopeofmyhouse?CanIdomoreforyou?Ifinspiteofallthisyoudonotlikeus，ifyoushowsomuchindifferencetowardus，ifyouridiculeourpiety，ifyouinsultourfriends，isitbychancebecausewedonottreatyouwell?“ DonaPerfecta\'seyesgrewmoist。 “Mydearaunt，“saidPepe，feelinghisangervanish，“ItoohavecommittedsomefaultssinceIhavebeenaguestinthishouse。” “Don\'tbefoolish。Don\'ttalkaboutcommittingfaults。Amongthepersonsofthesamefamilyeverythingisforgiven。” “ButRosarito——whereisshe?“askedtheyoungman，rising。“AmInottoseeherto-day，either?“ “Sheisbetter。Doyouknowthatshedidnotwishtocomedownstairs?“ “Iwillgouptoherthen。” “No，itwouldbeofnouse。Thatgirlhassomeobstinatenotions—— to-daysheisdeterminednottoleaveherroom。Shehaslockedherselfin。” “Whatastrangeidea！“ “Shewillgetoverit。Undoubtedlyshewillgetoverit。Wewillseeto-nightifwecannotputthesemelancholythoughtsoutofherhead。Wewillgetupapartytoamuseher。Whydon\'tyougotoDonInocencio\'sandaskhimtocomehereto-nightandbringJacintillowithhim?“ “Jacintillo！“ “Yes，whenRosaritohasthesefitsofmelancholy，theonlyonewhocandivertheristhatyoungman。” “ButIwillgoupstairs——“ “No，youmustnot。” “Whatetiquettethereisinthishouse！“ “Youareridiculingus。DoasIaskyou。” “ButIwishtoseeher。” “Butyoucannotseeher。Howlittleyouknowthegirl！“ “IthoughtIknewherwell。Iwillstayhere，then。Butthissolitudeishorrible。” “Therecomesthenotary。” “Maledictionsuponhim！“ “AndIthinktheattorney-generalhasjustcomeintoo——heisanexcellentperson。” “Hebehangedwithhisgoodness！“ “Butbusinessaffairs，whentheyareone\'sown，serveasadistraction。 Someoneiscoming。Ithinkitistheagriculturalexpert。Youwillhavesomethingtooccupyyounowforanhourortwo。” “Anhourortwoofhell！“ “Ah，ha！ifIamnotmistakenUncleLicurgoandUnclePasoLargohavejustentered。Perhapstheyhavecometoproposeacompromisetoyou。” “Iwouldthrowmyselfintothepondfirst！“ “Howunnaturalyouare！Fortheyareallveryfondofyou。Well，sothatnothingmaybewanting，therecomestheconstabletoo。Heiscomingtoserveasummonsonyou。” “Tocrucifyme。” Alltheindividualsnamedwerenowenteringtheparloronebyone。 “Good-by，Pepe；amuseyourself，“saidDonaPerfecta。 “Earth，openandswallowme！“exclaimedtheyoungmandesperately。 “SenorDonJose。” “MydearDonJose。” “EsteemedDonJose。” “MydearestDonJose。” “Myrespectedfriend，DonJose。” Hearingthesehoneyedandinsinuatingpreliminaries，PepeReyexhaledadeepsighandgavehimselfup。Hegavehimselfup，soulandbody，totheexecutioners，whobrandishedhorribleleavesofstampedpaperwhilethevictim，raisinghiseyestoheavenwithalookofChristianmeekness，murmured: “Father，whyhastthouforsakenme?“ CHAPTERXII HEREWASTROY Love，friendship，awholesomemoralatmosphere，spirituallight，sympathy，aneasyinterchangeofideasandfeelings，thesewerewhatPepeRey\'snatureimperativelydemanded。Deprivedofthem，thedarknessthatshroudedhissoulgrewdeeper，andhisinwardgloomimpartedatingeofbitternessanddiscontenttohismanner。Onthedayfollowingthescenesdescribedinthelastchapter，whatvexedhimmorethananythingwasthealreadyprolongedandmysteriousseclusionofhiscousin，accountedforatfirstbyatriflingindispositionandthenbycapricesandnervousfeelingsdifficultofexplanation。 ReywassurprisedbyconductsocontrarytotheideawhichhehadformedofRosarito。Fourdayshadpassedduringwhichhehadnotseenher；andcertainlyitwasnotbecausehedidnotdesiretobeatherside；andhissituationthreatenedsoontobecomehumiliatingandridiculous，if，byboldlytakingtheinitiative，hedidnotatonceputanendtoit。 “ShallInotseemycousinto-day，either?“hesaidtohisaunt，withmanifestill-humor，whentheyhadfinisheddining。 “No，notto-day，either。HeavenknowshowsorryIamforit。Igaveheragoodtalkingtothismorning。Thisafternoonwewillseewhatcanbedone。” Thesuspicionthatinthisunreasonableseclusionhisadorablecousinwasratherthehelplessvictimthanthefreeandwillingagent，inducedhimtocontrolhimselfandtowait。HaditnotbeenforthissuspicionhewouldhaveleftOrbajosathatveryday。HehadnodoubtwhateverthatRosariolovedhim，butitwasevidentthatsomeunknowninfluencewasatworktoseparatethem，anditseemedtohimtobethepartofanhonorablemantodiscoverwhencethatmaligninfluenceproceededandtoopposeit，asfarasitwasinhispowertodoso。 “IhopethatRosarito\'sobstinacywillnotcontinuelong，“hesaidtoDonaPerfecta，disguisinghisrealsentiments。 OnthisdayhereceivedaletterfromhisfatherinwhichthelattercomplainedofhavingreceivednonefromOrbajosa，acircumstancewhichincreasedtheengineer\'sdisquietude，perplexinghimstillfurther。 Finally，afterwanderingaboutaloneinthegardenforalongtime，heleftthehouseandwenttotheCasino。Heentereditwiththedesperateairofamanabouttothrowhimselfintothesea。 Intheprincipalroomshefoundvariouspeopletalkinganddiscussingdifferentsubjects。Inonegrouptheyweresolvingwithsubtlelogicdifficultproblemsrelatingtobulls；inanother，theywerediscussingtherelativemeritsofdifferentbreedsofdonkeysofOrbajosaandVillahorrenda。Boredtothelastdegree，PepeReyturnedawayfromthesediscussionsanddirectedhisstepstowardthereading-room，wherehelookedthroughvariousreviewswithoutfindinganydistractioninthereading，andalittlelater，passingfromroomtoroom，hestopped，withoutknowingwhy，atthegaming-table。Fornearlytwohoursheremainedintheclutchesofthehorribleyellowdemon，whoseshiningeyesofgoldatoncetortureandcharm。Butnoteventheexcitementofplayhadpowertolightenthegloomofhissoul，andthesametediumwhichhadimpelledhimtowardthegreenclothsenthimawayfromit。 Shunningthenoise，hefoundhimselfinanapartmentusedasanassembly-room，inwhichatthetimetherewasnotalivingsoul，andhereheseatedhimselfwearilyatawindowoverlookingthestreet。 Thiswasverynarrow，withmorecornersandsalientanglesthanhouses，andwasovershadedthroughoutitswholeextentbytheimposingmassofthecathedralthatlifteditsdarkandtime-corrodedwallsatoneendofit。PepeReylookedupanddownandineverydirection；nosignoflife——notafootstep，notavoice，notaglance，disturbedthestillness，peacefulasthatofatomb，thatreignedeverywhere。 Suddenlystrangesounds，likethewhisperingoffemininevoices，fellonhisear，andthentherustlingofcurtainsthatwerebeingdrawn，afewwords，andfinallythehummingofasong，thebarkofalap-dog，andothersignsofsociallife，whichseemedverystrangeinsuchaplace。Observingattentively，PepeReyperceivedthatthesenoisesproceededfromanenormousbalconywithblindswhichdisplayeditscorpulentbulkinfrontofthewindowatwhichhewassitting。Beforehehadconcludedhisobservations，amemberoftheCasinosuddenlyappearedbesidehim，andaccostedhimlaughinglyinthismanner: “Ah，SenorDonPepe！whatarogueyouare！Soyouhaveshutyourselfinheretooglethegirls，eh?“ ThespeakerwasDonJuanTafetan，averyamiableman，andoneofthefewmembersoftheCasinowhohadmanifestedforPepeReycordialfriendshipandgenuineadmiration。Withhisredcheeks，hislittledyedmustache，hisrestlesslaughingeyes，hisinsignificantfigure，hishaircarefullycombedtohidehisbaldness，DonJuanTafetanwasfarfrombeinganAntinousinappearance，buthewasverywittyandveryagreeableandhehadahappygiftfortellingagoodstory。Hewasmuchgiventolaughter，andwhenhelaughedhisface，fromhisforeheadtohischin，becameonemassofgrotesquewrinkles。Inspiteofthesequalities，andoftheapplausewhichmighthavestimulatedhistasteforspicyjokes，hewasnotascandal-monger。Everyonelikedhim，andPepeReyspentwithhimmanypleasanthours。PoorTafetan，formerlyanemployeinthecivildepartmentofthegovernmentofthecapitaloftheprovince，nowlivedmodestlyonhissalaryasaclerkinthebureauofcharities；ekingouthisincomebygallantlyplayingtheclarionetintheprocessions，inthesolemnitiesofthecathedral，andinthetheatre，wheneversomedesperatecompanyofplayersmadetheirappearanceinthosepartswiththeperfidiousdesignofgivingrepresentationsinOrbajosa。 ButthemostcuriousthingaboutDonJuanTafetanwashislikingforprettygirls。Hehimself，inthedayswhenhedidnothidehisbaldnesswithhalfadozenhairsplastereddownwithpomade，whenhedidnotdyehismustache，when，inthefreedomfromcareofyouthfulyears，hewalkedwithshouldersunstoopedandheaderect，hadbeenaformidable/Tenorio/。Tohearhimrecounthisconquestswassomethingtomakeonedielaughing；forthereare/Tenorios/andTenorios/，andhewasoneofthemostoriginal。 “Whatgirls?Idon\'tseeanygirls，“respondedPepeRey。 “Yes，playtheanchorite！“ Oneoftheblindsofthebalconywasopened，givingaglimpseofayouthfulface，lovelyandsmiling，thatdisappearedinstantly，likealightextinguishedbythewind。 “Yes，Iseenow。” “Don\'tyouknowthem?“ “OnmylifeIdonot。” “TheyaretheTroyas——theTroyagirls。Thenyoudon\'tknowsomethinggood。Threelovelygirls，thedaughtersofacolonelofstaff，whodiedinthestreetsofMadridin\'54。” Theblindopenedagain，andtwofacesappeared。 “Theyarelaughingatme，“saidTafetan，makingafriendlysigntothegirls。 “Doyouknowthem?“ “Why，ofcourseIknowthem。Thepoorthingsareinthegreatestwant。 Idon\'tknowhowtheymanagetolive。WhenDonFranciscoTroyadiedasubscriptionwasraisedforthem，butthatdidnotlastverylong。” “Poorgirls！Iimaginetheyarenotmodelsofvirtue。” “Andwhynot?Idonotbelievewhattheysayinthetownaboutthem。” Oncemoretheblindsopened。 “Good-afternoon，girls！“criedDonJuanTafetantothethreegirls，whoappeared，artisticallygrouped，atthewindow。“Thisgentlemansaysthatgoodthingsoughtnottohidethemselves，andthatyoushouldthrowopentheblinds。” Buttheblindwasclosedandajoyousconcertoflaughterdiffusedastrangegayetythroughthegloomystreet。Onemighthavefanciedthataflockofbirdswaspassing。 “Shallwegothere?“saidTafetansuddenly。 Hiseyessparkledandaroguishsmileplayedonhisdiscoloredlips。 “Butwhatsortofpeoplearethey，then?“ “Don\'tbeafraid，SenordeRey。Thepoorthingsarehonest。Bah！Why，theyliveuponair，likethechameleons。Tellme，cananyonewhodoesn\'teatsin?Thepoorgirlsarevirtuousenough。Andeveniftheydidsin，theyfastenoughtomakeupforit。” “Letusgo，then。” AmomentlaterDonJuanTafetanandPepeReywereenteringtheparloroftheTroyas。Thepovertyhesaw，thatstruggleddesperatelytodisguiseitself，afflictedtheyoungman。Thethreegirlswereverylovely，especiallythetwoyoungerones，whowerepaleanddark，withlargeblackeyesandslenderfigures。Well-dressedandwellshodtheywouldhaveseemedthedaughtersofaduchess，andworthytoallythemselveswithprinces。 Whenthevisitorsentered，thethreegirlswereforamomentabashed: butverysoontheirnaturallygayandfrivolousdispositionsbecameapparent。Theylivedinpoverty，asbirdsliveinconfinement，singingbehindironbarsastheywouldsinginthemidstoftheabundanceoftheforest。Theyspentthedaysewing，whichshowedatleasthonorableprinciples；butnooneinOrbajosa，oftheirownstationinlife，heldanyintercoursewiththem。Theywere，toacertainextent，proscribed，lookeddownupon，avoided，whichalsoshowedthatthereexistedsomecauseforscandal。But，tobejust，itmustbesaidthatthebadreputationoftheTroyasconsisted，morethaninanythingelse，inthenametheyhadofbeinggossipsandmischief-makers，fondofplayingpracticaljokes，andboldandfreeintheirmanners。Theywroteanonymousletterstogravepersonages；theygavenicknamestoeverylivingbeinginOrbajosa，fromthebishopdowntothelowestvagabond； theythrewpebblesatthepassers-by；theyhissedbehindthewindowbars，inordertoamusethemselveswiththeperplexityandannoyanceofthestartledpasser-by；theyfoundouteverythingthatoccurredintheneighborhood；towhichendtheymadeconstantuseofeverywindowandapertureintheupperpartofthehouse；theysangatnightinthebalcony；theymaskedthemselvesduringtheCarnival，inordertoobtainentranceintothehousesofthehighestfamilies；andtheyplayedmanyothermischievousprankspeculiartosmalltowns。Butwhateveritscause，thefactwasthatontheTroyatriumviraterestedoneofthosestigmasthat，onceaffixedonanyonebyasusceptiblecommunity，accompaniesthatpersonimplacablyevenbeyondthetomb。 “Thisisthegentlemantheysayhascometodiscoverthegold-mines?“ saidoneofthegirls。 “AndtodoawaywiththecultivationofgarlicinOrbajosatoplantcottonorcinnamontreesinitsstead?“ Pepecouldnothelplaughingattheseabsurdities。 “AllhehascomeforistomakeacollectionofprettygirlstotakebackwithhimtoMadrid，“saidTafetan。 “Ah！I\'llbeverygladtogo！“criedone。 “Iwilltakethethreeofyouwithme，“saidPepe。“ButIwanttoknowonething；whywereyoulaughingatmewhenIwasatthewindowoftheCasino?“ Thesewordswerethesignalforfreshburstsoflaughter。 “Thesegirlsaresillythings，“saidtheeldest。 “ItwasbecausewesaidyoudeservedsomethingbetterthanDonaPerfecta\'sdaughter。” “Itwasbecausethisonesaidthatyouareonlylosingyourtime，forRosaritocaresonlyforpeopleconnectedwiththeChurch。” “Howabsurdyouare！Isaidnothingofthekind！ItwasyouwhosaidthatthegentlemanwasaLutheranatheist，andthatheentersthecathedralsmokingandwithhishaton。” “Well，Ididn\'tinventit；thatiswhatSuspiritostoldmeyesterday。” “AndwhoisthisSuspiritoswhosayssuchabsurdthingsaboutme?“ “Suspiritosis——Suspiritos。” “Girls，“saidTafetan，withsmilingcountenance，“theregoestheorange-vender。Callhim；Iwanttoinviteyoutoeatoranges。” Oneofthegirlscalledtheorange-vender。 TheconversationstartedbytheTroyasdispleasedPepeReynotalittle，dispellingtheslightfeelingofcontentmentwhichhehadexperiencedatfindinghimselfinsuchgayandcommunicativecompany。 Hecouldnot，however，refrainfromsmilingwhenhesawDonJuanTafetantakedownaguitarandbegintoplayuponitwithallthegraceandskillofhisyouthfulyears。 “Ihavebeentoldthatyousingbeautifully，“saidReytothegirls。 “LetDonJuanTafetansing。” “Idon\'tsing。” “NorI，“saidthesecondofthegirls，offeringtheengineersomepiecesoftheskinoftheorangeshehadjustpeeled。 “MariaJuana，don\'tleaveyoursewing，“saidtheeldestoftheTroyas。 “Itislate，andthecassockmustbefinishedto-night。” “Thereistobenoworkto-day。Tothedevilwiththeneedles！“ exclaimedTafetan。 Andhebegantosingasong。 “Thepeoplearestoppinginthestreet，“saidthesecondofthegirls，goingoutonthebalcony。“DonJuanTafetan\'sshoutscanbeheardinthePlaza——Juana，Juana！“ “Well?“ “Suspiritosiswalkingdownthestreet。” “Throwapieceoforange-peelather。” PepeReylookedoutalso；hesawaladywalkingdownthestreetatwhomtheyoungestoftheTroyas，takingaskilfulaim，threwalargepieceoforange-peel，whichstruckherstraightonthebackofthehead。Thentheyhastilyclosedtheblinds，andthethreegirlstriedtostifletheirlaughtersothatitmightnotbeheardinthestreet。 “Thereisnoworkto-day，“criedone，overturningthesewing-basketwiththetipofhershoe。 “Thatisthesameassaying，to-morrowthereistobenoeating，“saidtheeldest，gatheringupthesewingimplements。 PepeReyinstinctivelyputhishandintohispocket。Hewouldgladlyhavegiventhemanalms。Thespectacleofthesepoororphans，condemnedbytheworldbecauseoftheirfrivolity，saddenedhimbeyondmeasure。 IftheonlysinoftheTroyas，iftheonlypleasurewhichtheyhadtocompensatethemforsolitude，poverty，andneglect，wastothroworange-peelsatthepassers-by，theymightwellbeexcusedfordoingit。Theausterecustomsofthetowninwhichtheylivedhadperhapspreservedthemfromvice，buttheunfortunategirlslackeddecorumandgood-breeding，thecommonandmostvisiblesignsofmodesty，anditmighteasilybesupposedthattheyhadthrownoutofthewindowsomethingmorethanorange-peels。PepeReyfeltprofoundpityforthem。 Henotedtheirshabbydresses，madeover，mended，trimmed，andretrimmed，tomakethemlooklikenew；henotedtheirbrokenshoes——andoncemoreheputhishandinhispocket。 “Vicemayreignhere，“hesaidtohimself，“butthefaces，thefurniture，allshowthatthisisthewreckofarespectablefamily。Ifthesepoorgirlswereasbadasitissaidtheyare，theywouldnotliveinsuchpovertyandtheywouldnotwork。InOrbajosatherearerichmen。” Thethreegirlswentbackandforwardbetweenhimandthewindow，keepingupagayandsprightlyconversation，whichindicated，itmustbesaid，aspeciesofinnocenceinthemidstofalltheirfrivolityandunconventionality。 “SenorDonJose，whatanexcellentladyDonaPerfectais！“ “SheistheonlypersoninOrbajosawhohasnonickname，theonlypersoninOrbajosawhoisnotspokenillof。” “Everyonerespectsher。” “Everyoneadoresher。” Totheseutterancestheyoungmanrespondedbypraisesofhisaunt，buthehadnolongeranyinclinationtotakemoneyfromhispocketandsay，“MariaJuana，takethisforapairofboots。”“Pepa，takethistobuyadressforyourself。”“Florentina，takethistoprovideyourselfwithaweek\'sprovisions，“ashehadbeenonthepointofdoing。Atamomentwhenthethreegirlshadrunouttothebalconytoseewhowaspassing，DonJuanTafetanapproachedReyandwhisperedtohim: “Howprettytheyare！Aretheynot?Poorthings！Itseemsimpossiblethattheyshouldbesogaywhenitmaybepositivelyaffirmedthattheyhavenotdinedto-day。” “DonJuan，DonJuan！“criedPepilla。“Herecomesafriendofyours，NicolasitoHernandez，inotherwords，CirioPascual，withthisthree- storyhat。Heisprayingtohimself，nodoubt，forthesoulsofthosewhomhehassenttothegravewithhisextortion。” “Iwagerthatneitherofyouwilldaretocallhimbyhisnickname。” “Itisabet。” “Juana，shuttheblinds，waituntilhepasses，andwhenheisturningthecorner，Iwillcallout，\'Cirio，CirioPascual！\'“ DonJuanTafetanranouttothebalcony。 “Comehere，DonJose，sothatyoumayknowthistype，“hecalled。 PepeRey，availinghimselfofthemomentinwhichthethreegirlsandDonJuanweremakingmerryinthebalcony，callingNicolasitoHernandezthenicknamewhichsogreatlyenragedhim，steppedcautiouslytooneofthesewingbasketsintheroomandplacedinitahalfouncewhichhehadleftafterhislossesatplay。 Thenhehurriedouttothebalconyjustasthetwoyoungestcriedinthemidstofwildburstsoflaughter，“Cirio，CirioPascual！“ CHAPTERXIII ACASUSBELLI AfterthispranktheTroyascommencedaconversationwiththeirvisitorsaboutthepeopleandtheaffairsofthetown。Theengineer，fearingthathisexploitmightbediscoveredwhilehewaspresent，wishedtogo，whichdispleasedtheTroyasgreatly。Oneofthemwhohadlefttheroomnowreturned，saying: “Suspiritosisnowintheyard；sheishangingouttheclothes。” “DonJosewillwishtoseeher，“saidanotherofthegirls。 “Sheisafine-lookingwoman。AndnowshearrangesherhairintheMadridfashion。Come，allofyou。” Theytooktheirvisitorstothedining-room——anapartmentverylittleused——whichopenedonaterrace，wheretherewereafewflowersinpotsandmanybrokenanddisusedarticlesoffurniture。Theterraceoverlookedtheyardofanadjoininghouse，withapiazzafullofgreenvinesandplantsinpotscarefullycultivated。Everythingaboutitshowedittobetheabodeofneatandindustriouspeopleofmodestmeans。 TheTroyas，approachingtheedgeoftheroof，lookedattentivelyattheneighboringhouse，andthen，imposingsilencebyagestureontheircavaliers，retreatedtoapartoftheterracefromwhichtheycouldnotseeintotheyard，andwheretherewasnodangeroftheirbeingseenfromit。 “Sheiscomingoutofthekitchennowwithapanofpeas，“saidMariaJuana，stretchingouthernecktolook。 “Theregoes！“criedanother，throwingapebbleintotheyard。 Thenoiseoftheprojectilestrikingagainsttheglassofthepiazzawasheard，andthenanangryvoicecrying: “Nowtheyhavebrokenanotherpaneofglass！“ Thegirls，hidden，closebesidethetwomen，inacorneroftheterrace，weresuffocatingwithlaughter。 “SenoraSuspiritosisveryangry，“saidRey。“Whydotheycallherbythatname?“ “Because，whensheistalking，shesighsaftereveryword，andalthoughshehaseverythingshewants，sheisalwayscomplaining。” Therewasamoment\'ssilenceinthehousebelow。PepitaTroyalookedcautiouslydown。 “Thereshecomesagain，“shewhispered，oncemoreimposingsilencebyagesture。“Maria，givemeapebble。Giveithere——bang！thereitgoes！“ “Youdidn\'thither。Itstrucktheground。” “LetmeseeifIcan。Letuswaituntilshecomesoutofthepantryagain。” “Now，nowsheiscomingout。Takecare，Florentina。” “One，two，three！Thereitgoes！“ Acryofpainwasheardfrombelow，amalediction，amasculineexclamation，foritwasamanwhoutteredit。PepeReycoulddistinguishclearlythesewords: “Thedevil！Theyhaveputaholeinmyhead，the——Jacinto，Jacinto！ Butwhatanabominableneighborhoodthisis！“ “GoodHeavens！whathaveIdone！“exclaimedFlorentina，filledwithconsternation。“IhavestruckSenorDonInocencioonthehead。” “ThePenitentiary?“saidPepeRey。 “Yes。” “Doesheliveinthathouse?“ “Why，whereelseshouldhelive?“ “Andtheladyofthesighs——“ “Ishisniece，hishousekeeper，orwhateverelseshemaybe。Weamuseourselveswithherbecausesheisverytiresome，butwearenotaccustomedtoplaytricksonhisreverence，thePenitentiary。”