Whilethisdialoguewasbeingrapidlycarriedon，PepeReysaw，infrontoftheterraceandverynearhim，awindowbelongingtothebombardedhouseopen；hesawasmilingfaceappearatit——afamiliarface——afacethesightofwhichstunnedhim，terrifiedhim，madehimturnpaleandtremble。ItwasthatofJacinto，who，interruptedinhisgravestudies，appearedatitwithhispenbehindhisear。Hismodest，fresh，andsmilingcountenance，appearinginthisway，hadanauroralaspect。
“Good-afternoon，SenorDonJose，“hesaidgayly。
“Jacinto，Jacinto，Isay！“
“Iamcoming。Iwassalutingafriend。”
“Comeaway，comeaway！“criedFlorentina，inalarm。“ThePenitentiaryisgoinguptoDonNominative\'sroomandhewillgiveusablessing。”
“Yes，comeaway；letusclosethedoorofthedining-room。”
Theyrushedpell-mellfromtheterrace。
“YoumighthaveguessedthatJacintowouldseeyoufromhistempleoflearning，“saidTafetantotheTroyas。
“DonNominativeisourfriend，“respondedoneofthegirls。“Fromhistempleofsciencehesaysagreatmanysweetthingstousonthesly，andheblowsuskissesbesides。”
“Jacinto?“askedtheengineer。“Whatthedeuceisthatnameyougavehim?“
“DonNominative。”
Thethreegirlsburstoutlaughing。
“Wecallhimthatbecauseheisverylearned。”
“No，becausewhenwewerelittlehewaslittletoo。But，yes，nowI
remember。Weusedtoplayontheterrace，andwecouldhearhimstudyinghislessonsaloud。”
“Yes，andthewholeblesseddayheusedtospendsingling。”
“Declining，girl！Thatiswhatitwas。Hewouldgolikethis:
\'Nominative，rosa，Genitive，Dative，Accusative。\'“
“IsupposethatIhavemynicknametoo，“saidPepeRey。
“LetMariaJuanatellyouwhatitis，“saidFlorentina，hidingherself。
“I?Tellittohimyou，Pepa。”
“Youhaven\'tanynameyet，DonJose。”
“ButIshallhaveone。IpromiseyouthatIwillcometohearwhatitisandtoreceiveconfirmation，“saidtheyoungman，makingamovementtogo。
“What，areyougoing?“
“Yes。Youhavelosttimeenoughalready。Towork，girls！Throwingstonesattheneighborsandthepassers-byisnotthemostsuitableoccupationforgirlsasprettyandascleverasyouare。Well，good-
by。”
Andwithoutwaitingforfurtherremonstrances，oransweringthecivilitiesofthegirls，heleftthehousehastily，leavingDonJuanTafetanbehindhim。
Thescenewhichhehadjustwitnessed，theindignitysufferedbythecanon，theunexpectedappearanceofthelittledoctoroflaws，addedstillfurthertotheperplexities，theanxieties，andthedisagreeablepresentimentsthatalreadydisturbedthesouloftheunluckyengineer。
HeregrettedwithhiswholesoulhavingenteredthehouseoftheTroyas，and，resolvingtoemployhistimebetterwhilehishypochondriasmlasted，hemadeatourofinspectionthroughthetown。
Hevisitedthemarket，theCalledelaTriperia，wheretheprincipalstoreswere；heobservedthevariousaspectspresentedbytheindustryandcommerceofthegreatcityofOrbajosa，and，findingonlynewmotivesofweariness，hebenthisstepsinthedirectionofthePaseodelasDescalzas；buthesawthereonlyafewstraydogs，for，owingtothedisagreeablewindwhichprevailed，theusualpromenadershadremainedathome。Hewenttotheapothecary\'s，wherevariousspeciesofruminantfriendsofprogress，whochewedagainandagainthecudofthesameendlesstheme，wereaccustomedtomeet，buttherehewasstillmorebored。Finally，ashewaspassingthecathedral，heheardthestrainsoftheorganandthebeautifulchantingofthechoir。Heentered，kneltbeforethehighaltar，rememberingthewarningswhichhisaunthadgivenhimaboutbehavingwithdecoruminchurch；thenvisitedachapel，andwasabouttoenteranotherwhenanacolyte，warden，orbeadleapproachedhim，andwiththerudestmannerandinthemostdiscourteoustonesaidtohim:
“Hislordshipsaysthatyouaretogetoutofthechurch。”
Theengineerfeltthebloodrushtohisface。Heobeyedwithoutaword。
Turnedouteverywhere，eitherbysuperiorauthorityorbyhisowntedium，hehadnoresourcebuttoreturntohisaunt\'shouse，wherehefoundwaitingforhim:
First，UncleLicurgo，toannounceasecondlawsuittohim；second，SenorDonCayetano，toreadhimanotherpassagefromhisdiscourseonthe“GenealogiesofOrbajosa“；third，Caballuco，onsomebusinesswhichhehadnotdisclosed；fourth，DonaPerfectaandheraffectionatesmile，forwhatwillappearinthefollowingchapter。
CHAPTERXIV
THEDISCORDCONTINUESTOINCREASE
Afreshattempttoseehiscousinthateveningfailed，andPepeReyshuthimselfupinhisroomtowriteseveralletters，hismindpreoccupiedwithonethought。
“To-nightorto-morrow，“hesaidtohimself，“thiswillendonewayoranother。”
WhenhewascalledtosupperDonaPerfecta，whowasalreadyinthedining-room，wentuptohimandsaid，withoutpreface:
“DearPepe，don\'tdistressyourself，IwillpacifySenorDonInocencio。
Iknoweverythingalready。MariaRemedios，whohasjustleftthehouse，hastoldmeallaboutit。”
DonaPerfecta\'scountenanceradiatedsuchsatisfactionasanartist，proudofhiswork，mightfeel。
“Aboutwhat?“
“Setyourmindatrest。Iwillmakeanexcuseforyou。YoutookafewglassestoomuchintheCasino，thatwasit，wasitnot?Thereyouhavetheresultofbadcompany。DonJuanTafetan，theTroyas！Thisishorrible，frightful。Didyouconsiderwell?“
“Iconsideredeverything，“respondedPepe，resolvednottoenterintodiscussionswithhisaunt。
“Ishalltakegoodcarenottowritetoyourfatherwhatyouhavedone。”
“Youmaywritewhateveryoupleasetohim。”
“Youwillexculpateyourselfbydenyingthetruthofthisstory，then?“
“Idenynothing。”
“Youconfessthenthatyouwereinthehouseofthose——“
“Iwas。”
“Andthatyougavethemahalfounce；for，accordingtowhatMariaRemedioshastoldme，FlorentinawentdowntotheshopoftheExtramaduranthisafternoontogetahalfouncechanged。Theycouldnothaveearneditwiththeirsewing。Youwereintheirhouseto-day；
consequently——“
“ConsequentlyIgaveittoher。Youareperfectlyright。”
“Youdonotdenyit?“
“WhyshouldIdenyit?IsupposeIcandowhateverIpleasewithmymoney?“
“ButyouwillsurelydenythatyouthrewstonesatthePenitentiary。”
“Idonotthrowstones。”
“Imeanthatthosegirls，inyourpresence——“
“Thatisanothermatter。”
“AndtheyinsultedpoorMariaRemedios，too。”
“Idonotdenythat，either。”
“Andhowdoyouexcuseyourconduct！PepeinHeaven\'sname，haveyounothingtosay?Thatyouaresorry，thatyoudeny——“
“Nothing，absolutelynothing，senora！“
“Youdon\'tevengivemeanysatisfaction。”
“Ihavedonenothingtooffendyou。”
“Come，theonlythingthereisleftforyoutodonowis——there，takethatstickandbeatme！“
“Idon\'tbeatpeople。”
“Whatawantofrespect！What，don\'tyouintendtoeatanysupper?“
“Iintendtotakesupper。”
Formorethanaquarterofanhournoonespoke。DonCayetano，DonaPerfecta，andPepeReyateinsilence。ThiswasinterruptedwhenDonInocencioenteredthedining-room。
“HowsorryIwasforit，mydearDonJose！Believeme，Iwastrulysorryforit，“hesaid，pressingtheyoungman\'shandandregardinghimwithalookofcompassion。
Theengineerwassoperplexedforamomentthathedidnotknowwhattoanswer。
“Irefertotheoccurrenceofthisafternoon。”
“Ah，yes！“
“Toyourexpulsionfromthesacredprecinctsofthecathedral。”
“Thebishopshouldconsiderwell，“saidPepeRey，“beforeheturnsaChristianoutofthechurch。”
“Thatisverytrue。Idon\'tknowwhocanhaveputitintohislordship\'sheadthatyouareamanofverybadhabits；Idon\'tknowwhohastoldhimthatyoumakeaboastofyouratheismeverywhere；thatyouridiculesacredthingsandpersons，andeventhatyouareplanningtopulldownthecathedraltobuildalargetarfactorywiththestones。I
triedmybesttodissuadehim，buthislordshipisalittleobstinate。”
“Thanksforsomuchkindness。”
“AnditisnotbecausethePenitentiaryhasanyreasontoshowyoutheseconsiderations。Alittlemore，andtheywouldhavelefthimstretchedonthegroundthisafternoon。”
“Bah！“saidtheecclesiastic，laughing。“Buthaveyouheardofthatlittleprankalready?IwagerMariaRemedioscamewiththestory。AndI
forbadehertodoit——Iforbadeherpositively。Thethinginitselfisofnoconsequence，amInotright，SenordeRey?“
“Sinceyouthinkso——“
“ThatiswhatIthink。Youngpeople\'spranks！Youth，letthemodernssaywhattheywill，isinclinedtoviceandtoviciousactions。SenordeRey，whoisapersonofgreatendowments，couldnotbealtogetherperfect——whyshoulditbewonderedatthatthoseprettygirlsshouldhavecaptivatedhim，and，aftergettinghismoneyoutofhim，shouldhavemadehimtheaccompliceoftheirshamelessandcriminalinsultstotheirneighbors?Mydearfriend，forthepainfulpartthatIhadinthisafternoon\'ssport，“headded，raisinghishandtothewoundedspot，“Iamnotoffended，norwillIdistressyoubyevenreferringtosodisagreeableanincident。IamtrulysorrytohearthatMariaRemedioscameheretotellallaboutit。Mynieceissofondofgossiping！Iwagershetoldtooaboutthehalfounce，andyourrompingwiththegirlsontheterrace，andyourchasingoneanotherabout，andthepinchesandthecapersofDonJuanTafetan。Bah！thosethingsoughtnottobetold。”
PepeReydidnotknowwhichannoyedhimmost——hisaunt\'sseverityorthehypocriticalcondescensionofthecanon。
“Whyshouldtheynotbetold?“saidDonaPerfecta。“Hedoesnotseemashamedofhisconducthimself。IassureyouallthatIkeepthisfrommydeardaughteronlybecause，inhernervouscondition，afitofangermightbedangeroustoher。”
“Come，itisnotsoseriousasallthat，senora，“saidthePenitentiary。“Ithinkthemattershouldnotbeagainreferredto，andwhentheonewhowasstonedsaysthat，therestmaysurelybesatisfied。Andtheblowwasnojoke，SenorDonJose。Ithoughttheyhadsplitmyheadopenandthatmybrainswereoozingout。”
“Iamtrulysorryfortheoccurrence！“stammeredPepeRey。“Itgivesmerealpain，althoughIhadnopartinit——“
“YourvisittothoseSenorasTroyaswillbetalkedaboutalloverthetown，“saidthecanon。“WearenotinMadrid，inthatcentreofcorruption，ofscandal——“
“Thereyoucanvisitthevilestplaceswithoutanyoneknowingit，“
saidDonaPerfecta。
“Hereweareveryobservantofoneanother，“continuedDonInocencio。
“Wetakenoticeofeverythingourneighborsdo，andwithsuchasystemofvigilancepublicmoralsaremaintainedataproperheight。Believeme，myfriend，believeme，——andIdonotsaythistomortifyyou，——youarethefirstgentlemanofyourpositionwho，inthelightofday——thefirst，yes，senor——/Trojoequiprimusaboris/。”
Andburstingintoalaugh，heclappedtheengineeronthebackintokenofamityandgood-will。
“HowgratefulIoughttobe，“saidtheyoungman，concealinghisangerunderthesarcasticwordswhichhethoughtthemostsuitabletoanswerthecovertironyofhisinterlocutors，“tomeetwithsomuchgenerosityandtolerance，whenmycriminalconductwoulddeserve——“
“What！Isapersonofone\'sownblood，onewhobearsone\'sname，“saidDonaPerfecta，“tobetreatedlikeastranger?Youaremynephew，youarethesonofthebestandthemostvirtuousofmen，ofmydearbrotherJuan，andthatissufficient。YesterdayafternoonthesecretaryofthebishopcameheretotellmethathislordshipisgreatlydispleasedbecauseIhaveyouinmyhouse。”
“Andthattoo?“murmuredthecanon。
“Andthattoo。IsaidthatinspiteoftherespectwhichIowethebishop，andtheaffectionandreverencewhichIbearhim，mynephewismynephew，andIcannotturnhimoutofmyhouse。”
“ThisisanothersingularitywhichIfindinthisplace，“saidPepeRey，palewithanger。“Here，apparently，thebishopgovernsotherpeople\'shouses。”
“Heisasaint。Heissofondofmethatheimagines——heimaginesthatyouaregoingtocontaminateuswithyouratheism，yourdisregardforpublicopinion，yourstrangeideas。Ihavetoldhimrepeatedlythat，atbottom，youareanexcellentyoungman。”
“Someconcessionmustalwaysbemadetosuperiortalent，“observedDonInocencio。
“Andthismorning，whenIwasattheCirujedas\'——oh，youcannotimagineinwhatastatetheyhadmyhead！Wasittruethatyouhadcometopulldownthecathedral；thatyouwerecommissionedbytheEnglishProtestantstogopreachingheresythroughoutSpain；thatyouspentthewholenightgamblingintheCasino；thatyouweredrunkinthestreets?
\'But，senoras，\'Isaidtothem，\'wouldyouhavemesendmynephewtothehotel?\'Besides，theyarewrongaboutthedrunkenness，andasforgambling——Ihaveneveryetheardthatyougambled。”
PepeReyfoundhimselfinthatstateofmindinwhichthecalmestmanisseizedbyasuddenrage，byablindandbrutalimpulsetostranglesomeone，tostrikesomeoneintheface，tobreaksomeone\'shead，tocrushsomeone\'sbones。ButDonaPerfectawasawomanandwas，besides，hisaunt；andDonInocenciowasanoldmanandanecclesiastic。Inadditiontothis，physicalviolenceisinbadtasteandunbecomingapersonofeducationandaChristian。Thereremainedtheresourceofgivingventtohissuppressedwrathindignifiedandpolitelanguage；
butthislastresourceseemedtohimpremature，andonlytobeemployedatthemomentofhisfinaldeparturefromthehouseandfromOrbajosa。
Controllinghisfury，then，hewaited。
Jacintoenteredastheywerefinishingsupper。
“Good-evening，SenorDonJose，“hesaid，pressingtheyoungman\'shand。
“Youandyourfriendskeptmefromworkingthisafternoon。Iwasnotabletowritealine。AndIhadsomuchtodo！“
“Iamverysorryforit，Jacinto。Butaccordingtowhattheytellme，youaccompanythemsometimesintheirfrolics。”
“I！“exclaimedtheboy，turningscarlet。“Why，youknowverywellthatTafetanneverspeaksawordoftruth。Butisittrue，SenordeRey，thatyouaregoingaway?“
“Isthatthereportinthetown?“
“Yes。IhearditintheCasinoandatDonLorenzoRuiz\'s。”
ReycontemplatedinsilenceforafewmomentsthefreshfaceofDonNominative。Thenhesaid:
“Well，itisnottrue；myauntisverywellsatisfiedwithme；shedespisesthecalumnieswithwhichtheOrbajosansarefavoringme——andshewillnotturnmeoutofherhouse，eventhoughthebishophimselfshouldtrytomakeherdoso。”
“Asforturningyououtofthehouse——never。Whatwouldyourfathersay?“
“Notwithstandingallyourkindness，dearestaunt，notwithstandingthecordialfriendshipofthereverendcanon，itispossiblethatImaymyselfdecidetogoaway。”
“Togoaway！“
“Togoaway——you！“
AstrangelightshoneinDonaPerfecta\'seyes。Thecanon，experiencedthoughhewasindissimulation，couldnotconcealhisjoy。
“Yes，andperhapsthisverynight。”
“Why，man，howimpetuousyouare；Whydon\'tyouatleastwaituntilmorning?Here——Juan，letsomeonegoforUncleLicurgotogetthenagready。Isupposeyouwilltakesomeluncheonwithyou。Nicolasa，thatpieceofvealthatisonthesideboard！Librada，thesenorito\'slinen。”
“No，Icannotbelievethatyouwouldtakesorasharesolution，“saidDonCayetano，thinkinghimselfobligedtotakesomepartinthequestion。
“Butyouwillcomeback，willyounot?“askedthecanon。
“Atwhattimedoesthemorningtrainpass?“askedDonaPerfecta，inwhoseeyeswasclearlydiscerniblethefeverishimpatienceofherexaltation。
“Iamgoingawayto-night。”
“Butthereisnomoon。”
InthesoulofDonaPerfecta，inthesoulofthePenitentiary，inthelittledoctor\'syouthfulsoulechoedlikeacelestialharmonytheword，“To-night！“
“Ofcourse，dearPepe，youwillcomeback。Iwroteto-daytoyourfather，yourexcellentfather，“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，withallthephysiognomicsignsthatmaketheirappearancewhenatearisabouttobeshed。
“Iwilltroubleyouwithafewcommissions，“saidthesavant。
“AgoodopportunitytoorderthevolumethatiswantinginmycopyoftheAbbeGaume\'swork，“saidtheyouthfullawyer。
“Youtakesuchsuddennotions，Pepe；youaresofullofcaprices，“
murmuredDonaPerfecta，smiling，withhereyesfixedonthedoorofthedining-room。“ButIforgottotellyouthatCaballucoiswaitingtospeaktoyou。”
CHAPTERXV
DISCORDCONTINUESTOGROWUNTILWARISDECLARED
Everyonelookedtowardthedoor，atwhichappearedtheimposingfigureoftheCentaur，serious-lookingandfrowning；embarrassedbyhisanxietytosalutethecompanypolitely；savagelyhandsome，butdisfiguredbytheviolencewhichhedidhimselfinsmilingcivillyandtreadingsoftlyandholdinghisherculeanarmsinacorrectposture。
“Comein，SenorRamos，“saidPepeRey。
“No，no！“objectedDonaPerfecta。“Whathehastosaytoyouisanabsurdity。”
“Lethimsayit。”
“Ioughtnottoallowsuchridiculousquestionstobediscussedinmyhouse。”
“WhatisSenorRamos\'businesswithme?“
Caballucoutteredafewwords。
“Enough，enough！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta。“Don\'ttroublemynephewanymore。Pepe，don\'tmindthissimpleton。DoyouwishmetotellyouthecauseofthegreatCaballuco\'sanger?“shesaid，turningtotheothers。
“Anger?IthinkIcanimagine，“saidthePenitentiary，leaningbackinhischairandlaughingwithboisteroushilarity。
“IwantedtosaytoSenorDonJose——“growledtheformidablehorseman。
“Holdyourtongue，man，forHeaven\'ssake！Anddon\'ttireusanymorewiththatnonsense。”
“SenorCaballuco，“saidthecanon，“itisnottobewonderedatthatgentlemenfromthecapitalshouldcutouttheroughridersofthissavagecountry。”
“Intwowords，Pepe，thequestionisthis:Caballucois——“
Shecouldnotgoonforlaughing。
“Is——Idon\'tknowjustwhat，“saidDonInocencio，“ofoneoftheTroyagirls，ofMariquitaJuana，ifIamnotmistaken。”
“Andheisjealous！Afterhishorse，thefirstthingincreationforhimisMariquillaTroya。”
“Aprettyinsinuationthat！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta。“PoorCristobal！
Didyousupposethatapersonlikemynephew——letushear，whatwereyougoingtosaytohim?Speak。”
“SenorDonJoseandIwilltalktogetherpresently，“respondedthebravoofthetownbrusquely。
Andwithoutanotherwordhelefttheroom。
ShortlyafterwardPepeReyleftthedining-roomtoretiretohisownroom。InthehallhefoundhimselffacetofacewithhisTrojanantagonist，andhecouldnotrepressasmileatthesightofthefierceandgloomycountenanceoftheoffendedlover。
“Awordwithyou，“saidthelatter，plantinghimselfinsolentlyinfrontoftheengineer。“DoyouknowwhoIam?“
Ashespokehelaidhisheavyhandontheyoungman\'sshoulderwithsuchinsolentfamiliaritythatthelatter，incensed，flunghimoffwithviolence，saying:
“Itisnotnecessarytocrushonetosaythat。”
Thebravo，somewhatdisconcerted，recoveredhimselfinamoment，andlookingatReywithprovokingboldness，repeatedhisrefrain:
“DoyouknowwhoIam?“
“Yes；Iknownowthatyouareabrute。”
Hepushedthebullyroughlyasideandwentintohisroom。Astracedontheexcitedbrainofourunfortunatefriendatthismoment，hisplanofactionmightbesummedupbrieflyanddefinitelyasfollows:TobreakCaballuco\'sheadwithoutlossoftime；thentotakeleaveofhisauntinseverebutpolitewordswhichshouldreachhersoul；tobidacoldadieutothecanonandgiveanembracetotheinoffensiveDonCayetano；
toadministerathrashingtoUncleLicurgo，bywayofwindinguptheentertainment，andleaveOrbajosathatverynight，shakingthedustfromhisshoesatthecitygates。
Butinthemidstofallthesemortificationsandpersecutionstheunfortunateyoungmanhadnotceasedtothinkofanotherunhappybeing，whomhebelievedtobeinasituationevenmorepainfulanddistressingthanhisown。Oneofthemaid-servantsfollowedtheengineerintohisroom。
“Didyougivehermymessage?“heasked。
“Yes，senor，andshegavemethis。”
Reytookfromthegirl\'shandafragmentofanewspaper，onthemarginofwhichhereadthesewords:
“Theysayyouaregoingaway。Ishalldieifyoudo。”
Whenhereturnedtothedining-roomUncleLicurgolookedinatthedoorandasked:
“Atwhathourdoyouwantthehorse?“
“Atnohour，“answeredReyquickly。
“Thenyouarenotgoingto-night?“saidDonaPerfecta。“Well，itisbettertowaituntilto-morrow。”
“Iamnotgoingto-morrow，either。”
“Whenareyougoing，then?“
“Wewillseepresently，“saidtheyoungmancoldly，lookingathisauntwithimperturbablecalmness。“ForthepresentIdonotintendtogoaway。”
Hiseyesflashedforthafiercechallenge。
DonaPerfectaturnedfirstred，thenpale。Shelookedatthecanon，whohadtakenoffhisgoldspectaclestowipethem，andthenfixedhereyessuccessivelyoneachoftheotherpersonsintheroom，includingCaballuco，who，enteringshortlybefore，hadseatedhimselfontheedgeofachair。DonaPerfectalookedatthemasagenerallooksathistrustybody-guard。Thenshestudiedthethoughtfulandserenecountenanceofhernephew——ofthatenemy，who，byastrategicmovement，suddenlyreappearedbeforeherwhenshebelievedhimtobeinshamefulflight。
Alas！Bloodshed，ruin，anddesolation！Agreatbattlewasabouttobefought。
CHAPTERXVI
NIGHT
Orbajosaslept。Themelancholystreet-lampsweresheddingtheirlastgleamsatstreet-cornersandinby-ways，liketiredeyesstrugglinginvainagainstsleep。Bytheirdimlight，wrappedintheircloaks，glidedpastlikeshadows，vagabonds，watchmen，andgamblers。Onlythehoarseshoutofthedrunkardorthesongoftheserenaderbrokethepeacefulsilenceofthehistoriccity。Suddenlythe“AveMariaPurisima“ofsomedrunkenwatchmanwouldbeheard，likeamoanutteredinitssleepbythetown。
InDonaPerfecta\'shousealsosilencereigned，unbrokenbutforaconversationwhichwastakingplacebetweenDonCayetanoandPepeRey，inthelibraryoftheformer。Thesavantwasseatedcomfortablyinthearm-chairbesidehisstudytable，whichwascoveredwithpapersofvariouskindscontainingnotes，annotations，andreferences，allarrangedinthemostperfectorder。Rey\'seyeswerefixedontheheapofpapers，buthisthoughtsweredoubtlessfarawayfromthisaccumulatedlearning。
“Perfecta，“saidtheantiquary，“althoughsheisanexcellentwoman，hasthedefectofallowingherselftobeshockedbyanylittleactoffolly。Intheseprovincialtowns，mydearfriend，theslightestslipisdearlypaidfor。IseenothingparticularinyourhavinggonetotheTroyas\'house。IfancythatDonInocencio，underhiscloakofpiety，issomethingofamischief-maker。Whathashetodowiththematter?“
“Wehavereachedapoint，SenorDonCayetano，inwhichitisnecessarytotakeadecisiveresolution。ImustseeRosarioandspeakwithher。”
“Seeher，then！“
“Buttheywillnotletme，“answeredtheengineer，strikingthetablewithhisclenchedhand。“Rosarioiskeptaprisoner。”
“Aprisoner！“repeatedthesavantincredulously。“ThetruthisthatI
donotlikeherlooksorherhair，andstilllessthevacantexpressioninherbeautifuleyes。Sheismelancholy，shetalkslittle，sheweeps——
friendDonJose，Igreatlyfearthatthegirlmaybeattackedbytheterriblemaladytowhichsomanyofthemembersofmyfamilyhavefallenvictims。”
“Aterriblemalady！Whatisit?“
“Madness——orrathermania。Notasinglememberofmyfamilyhasbeenfreefromit。Ialonehaveescapedit。”
“You！Butleavingasidethequestionofmadness，“saidRey，withimpatience，“IwishtoseeRosario。”
“Nothingmorenatural。Buttheisolationinwhichhermotherkeepsherisahygienicmeasure，dearPepe，andtheonlyonethathasbeensuccessfullyemployedwiththevariousmembersofmyfamily。ConsiderthatthepersonwhosepresenceandvoicewouldmakethestrongestimpressiononRosarillo\'sdelicatenervoussystemisthechosenofherheart。”
“Inspiteofallthat，“insistedPepe，“Iwishtoseeher。”
“PerhapsPerfectawillnotopposeyourdoingso，“saidthesavant，givinghisattentiontohisnotesandpapers。“Idon\'twanttotakeanyresponsibilityinthematter。”
Theengineer，seeingthathecouldobtainnothingfromthegoodPolentinos，rosetoretire。
“Youaregoingtowork，“hesaid，“andIwillnottroubleyouanylonger。”
“No，thereistimeenough。SeetheamountofpreciousinformationthatIcollectedto-day。Listen:\'In1537anativeofOrbajosa，calledBartolomedelHoyo，wenttoCivita-VecchiainoneofthegalleysoftheMarquisofCastelRodrigo。\'Another:\'InthesameyeartwobrothersnamedJuanandRodrigoGonzalezdelArcoembarkedinoneofthesixshipswhichsailedfromMaestrichtonthe20thofFebruary，andwhichencounteredinthelatitudeofCalaisanEnglishvesselandtheFlemishfleetcommandedbyVanOwen。\'Thatwastrulyanimportantexploitofournavy。IhavediscoveredthatitwasanOrbajosan，oneMateoDiazCoronel，anensignintheguards，who，in1709，wroteandpublishedinValenciathe\'MetricalEncomium，FuneralChant，LyricalEulogy，NumericalDescription，GloriousSufferings，andSorrowfulGloriesoftheQueenoftheAngels。\'Ipossessamostpreciouscopyofthiswork，whichisworththeminesofPeru。AnotherOrbajosanwastheauthorofthatfamous\'TreatiseontheVariousStylesofHorsemanship\'whichI
showedyouyesterday；and，inshort，thereisnotastepItakeinthelabyrinthofunpublishedhistorythatIdonotstumbleagainstsomeillustriouscompatriot。Itismypurposetodrawallthesenamesoutoftheunjustobscurityandoblivioninwhichtheyhavesolonglain。Howpureajoy，dearPepe，torestorealltheirlustretotheglories，epicandliterary，ofone\'snativeplace！AndhowcouldamanbetteremploythescantintellectwithwhichHeavenhasendowedhim，thefortunewhichhehasinherited，andthebriefperiodoftimeonearthallowedtoeventhelongestlife。ThankstomeitwillbeseenthatOrbajosaistheillustriouscradleofSpanishgenius。ButwhatdoIsay?Isnotitsillustriousancestryevidentinthenoblenessandhigh-mindednessofthepresentUrbsAugustangeneration?Weknowfewplaceswhereallthevirtues，unchokedbythemaleficweedsofvice，growmoreluxuriantly。
Hereallispeace，mutualrespect，Christianhumility。CharityispractisedhereasitwasinBiblicaltimes；hereenvyisunknown；herethecriminalpassionsareunknown，andifyouhearthievesandmurderersspokenof，youmaybesurethattheyarenotthechildrenofthisnoblesoil；or，thatiftheyare，theybelongtothenumberofunhappycreaturespervertedbytheteachingsofdemagogues。Hereyouwillseethenationalcharacterinallitspurity——upright，noble，incorruptible，pure，simple，patriarchal，hospitable，generous。
ThereforeitisthatIlivesohappyinthissolitudefarfromtheturmoilofcitieswhere，alas！falsehoodandvicereign。ThereforeitisthatthemanyfriendswhomIhaveinMadridhavenotbeenabletotemptmefromthisplace；thereforeitisthatIspendmylifeinthesweetcompanionshipofmyfaithfultownspeopleandmybooks，breathingthewholesomeatmosphereofintegrity，whichisgraduallybecomingcircumscribedinourSpaintothehumbleandChristiantownsthathavepreserveditwiththeemanationsoftheirvirtues。Andbelieveme，mydearPepe，thispeacefulisolationhasgreatlycontributedtopreservemefromtheterriblemaladyconnaturalinmyfamily。InmyyouthI
suffered，likemybrothersandmyfather，fromalamentablepropensitytothemostabsurdmanias；buthereyouhavemesomiraculouslycuredthatallIknowofthemaladyiswhatIseeofitinothers。AnditisforthatreasonthatIamsouneasyaboutmylittleniece。”
“IamrejoicedthattheairofOrbajosahasprovedsobeneficialtoyou，“saidRey，unabletoresistthejestingmoodthat，byastrangecontradiction，cameoverhiminthemidstofhissadness。“WithmeithasagreedsobadlythatIthinkIshallsoonbecomemadifIremaininit。Well，good-night，andsuccesstoyourlabors。”
“Good-night。”
Pepewenttohisroom，butfeelingneitheradesireforsleeportheneedofphysicalrepose，——onthecontrary，aviolentexcitationofmindwhichimpelledhimtomove，toact，——hewalkedupanddowntheroom，torturinghimselfwithuselesscavilling。Afteratimeheopenedthewindowwhichoverlookedthegardenand，leaninghiselbowsontheparapet，hegazedoutonthelimitlessdarknessofthenight。Nothingcouldbeseen，buthewhoisabsorbedinhisownthoughtsseeswiththementalvision，andPepeRey，hiseyesfixedonthedarkness，sawthevariedpanoramaofhismisfortunesunrollitselfuponitbeforehim。
Theobscuritydidnotpermithimtoseetheflowersoftheearth，northoseoftheheavens，whicharethestars。Theveryabsenceoflightproducedtheeffectofanillusorymovementinthemassesoffoliage，whichseemedtostretchaway，torecedeslowly，andcomecurlingbacklikethewavesofashadowysea。Avastfluxandreflux，astrifebetweenforcesvaguelycomprehended，agitatedthesilentsky。Themathematician，contemplatingthisstrangeprojectionofhissouluponthenight，saidtohimself:
“Thebattlewillbeterrible。Letusseewhowillcomeoutofitvictorious。”
Thenocturnalinsectswhisperedinhisearmysteriouswords。Hereashrillchirp；thereaclick，liketheclickmadewiththetongue；
furtheron，plaintivemurmurs；inthedistanceatinklelikethatofthebellontheneckofthewanderingox。SuddenlyReyheardastrangesound，arapidnote，thatcouldbeproducedonlybythehumantongueandlips。Thissibilantbreathingpassedthroughtheyoungman\'sbrainlikeaflashoflightning。Hefeltthatswift“s-s-s“dartsnake-likethroughhim，repeatedagainandthenagain，withaugmentedintensity。
Helookedallaround，thenhelookedtowardtheupperpartofthehouse，andhefanciedthatinoneofthewindowshecoulddistinguishanobjectlikeawhitebirdflappingitswings。ThroughPepeRey\'sexcitedmindflashedinstantlytheideaofthephoenix，ofthedove，oftheregalheron，andyetthebirdhesawwasnotingmorethanahandkerchief。
Theengineersprangfromthebalconyintothegarden。Observingattentively，hesawthehandandthefaceofhiscousin。Hethoughthecouldperceivethegesturecommonlyemployedofimposingsilencebylayingthefingeronthelips。Thenthedearshadepointeddownwardanddisappeared。PepeReyreturnedquicklytothisroom，enteredthehallnoiselessly，andwalkedslowlyforward。Hefelthisheartbeatwithviolence。Hewaitedforafewmoments，andatlasthehearddistinctlylighttapsonthestepsofthestairs。One，two，three——thesoundswereproducedbyapairoflittleshoes。
Hewalkedinthedirectionwhencetheyproceeded，andstretchedouthishandsintheobscuritytoassistthepersonwhowasdescendingthestairs。Inhissoultherereignedanexaltedandprofoundtenderness，but——whyseektodenyit——minglingwiththistenderfeeling，theresuddenlyarosewithinhim，likeaninfernalinspiration，anothersentiment，afiercedesireforrevenge。Thestepscontinuedtodescend，comingnearerandnearer。PepeReywentforward，andapairofhands，gropinginthedarkness，cameincontactwithhisown。Thetwopairsofhandswereunitedinacloseclasp。
CHAPTERXVII
LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS
Thehallwaslongandbroad。Atoneendofitwasthedooroftheroomoccupiedbytheengineer，inthecentrethatofthedining-room，andattheotherendwerethestaircaseandalargecloseddoorreachedbyastep。ThisdooropenedintoachapelinwhichthePolentinosperformedtheirdomesticdevotions。Occasionallytheholysacrificeofthemasswascelebratedinit。
Rosarioledhercousintothedoorofthechapelandthensankdownonthedoorstep。
“Here?“murmuredPepeRey。
FromthemovementsofRosarito\'srighthandhecomprehendedthatshewasblessingherself。
“Rosario，dearcousin，thanksforallowingmetoseeyou！“heexclaimed，embracingherardently。
Hefeltthegirl\'scoldfingersonhislips，imposingsilence。Hekissedthemrapturously。
“Youarefrozen。Rosario，whydoyoutrembleso?“
Herteethwerechattering，andherwholeframetrembledconvulsively。
Reyfelttheburningheatofhiscousin\'sfaceagainsthisown，andhecriedinalarm:
“Yourforeheadisburning！Youarefeverish。”
“Very。”
“Areyoureallyill?“
“Yes。”
“Andyouhaveleftyourroom——“
“Toseeyou。”
Theengineerwrappedhisarmsaroundhertoprotectherfromthecold，butitwasnotenough。
“Wait，“hesaidquickly，rising。“Iamgoingtomyroomtobringmytravellingrug。”
“Putoutthelight，Pepe。”
Reyhadleftthelampburninginhisroom，throughthedoorofwhichissuedafaintstreakoflight，illuminatingthehall。Hereturnedinaninstant。Thedarknesswasnowprofound。Gropinghiswayalongthewallhereachedthespotwherehiscousinwassitting，andwrappedtherugcarefullyaroundher。
“Youarecomfortablenow，mychild。”
“Yes，socomfortable！Withyou！“
“Withme——andforever！“exclaimedtheyoungman，withexaltation。
Butheobservedthatshewasreleasingherselffromhisarmsandwasrising。
“Whatareyoudoing?“
Ametallicsoundwasheard。Rosariohadputthekeyintotheinvisiblelockandwascautiouslyopeningthedooronthethresholdofwhichtheyhadbeensitting。Thefaintodorofdampness，peculiartoroomsthathavebeenlongshutup，issuedfromtheplace，whichwasasdarkasatomb。PepeReyfelthimselfbeingguidedbythehand，andhiscousin\'svoicesaidfaintly:
“Enter！“
Theytookafewstepsforward。HeimaginedhimselfbeingledtoanunknownElysiumbytheangelofnight。Rosariogropedherway。Atlasthersweetvoicesoundedagain，murmuring:
“Sitdown。”
Theywerebesideawoodenbench。Bothsatdown。PepeReyembracedRosarioagain。Ashedidso，hisheadstruckagainstahardbody。
“Whatisthis?“heasked。
“Thefeet。”
“Rosario——whatareyousaying?“
“ThefeetoftheDivineJesus，oftheimageofChristcrucified，thatweadoreinmyhouse。”
PepeReyfeltacoldchillstrikethroughhim。
“Kissthem，“saidtheyounggirlimperiously。
Themathematiciankissedthecoldfeetoftheholyimage。
“Pepe，“thencriedtheyounggirl，pressinghercousin\'shandardentlybetweenherown，“doyoubelieveinGod?“
“Rosario！Whatareyousaying?Whatabsurditiesareyouimagining?“
respondedhercousin，perplexed。
“Answerme。”
PepeReyfeltdropsofmoistureonhishands。
“Whyareyoucrying?“hesaid，greatlydisturbed。“Rosario，youarekillingmewithyourabsurddoubts。DoIbelieveinGod?Doyoudoubtit?“
“Idonotdoubtit；buttheyallsaythatyouareanatheist。”
“Youwouldsufferinmyestimation，youwouldloseyouraureoleofpurity——yourcharm——ifyougavecredittosuchnonsense。”
“WhenIheardthemaccuseyouofbeinganatheist，althoughIcouldbringnoprooftothecontrary，Iprotestedfromthedepthsofmysoulagainstsuchacalumny。Youcannotbeanatheist。Ihavewithinmeasstronganddeepaconvictionofyourfaithasofmyown。”
“Howwiselyyouspeak！Why，then，doyouaskmeifIbelieveinGod?“
“BecauseIwantedtohearitfromyourownlips，andrejoiceinhearingyousayit。ItissolongsinceIhaveheardthesoundofyourvoice！
Whatgreaterhappinessthantohearitagain，saying:\'IbelieveinGod?\'“
“Rosario，eventhewickedbelieveinhim。Iftherebeatheists，whichI
doubt，theyarethecalumniators，theintriguerswithwhomtheworldisinfested。Formypart，intriguesandcalumniesmatterlittletome；andifyourisesuperiortothemandcloseyourheartagainstthediscordwhichaperfidioushandwouldsowinit，nothingshallinterferewithourhappiness。”
“Butwhatisgoingonaroundus?Pepe，dearPepe，doyoubelieveinthedevil?“
Theengineerwassilent。ThedarknessofthechapelpreventedRosariofromseeingthesmilewithwhichhercousinreceivedthisstrangequestion。
“Wemustbelieveinhim，“hesaidatlast。
“Whatisgoingon?Mammaforbidsmetoseeyou；but，exceptinregardtotheatheism，shedoesnotsayanythingagainstyou。Shetellsmetowait，thatyouwilldecide；thatyouaregoingaway，thatyouarecomingback——Speaktomewithfrankness——haveyouformedabadopinionofmymother?“
“Notatall，“repliedRey，urgedbyafeelingofdelicacy。
“Doyounotbelieve，asIdo，thatshelovesusboth，thatshedesiresonlyourgood，andthatweshallintheendobtainherconsenttoourwishes?“
“Ifyoubelieveit，Idotoo。Yourmamaadoresusboth。But，dearRosario，itmustbeconfessedthatthedevilhasenteredthishouse。”
“Don\'tjest！“shesaidaffectionately。“Ah！Mammaisverygood。Shehasnotoncesaidtomethatyouwereunworthytobemyhusband。Allsheinsistsuponistheatheism。Theysay，besides，thatIhavemanias，andthatIhavethemanianowoflovingyouwithallmysoul。Inourfamilyitisarulenottoopposedirectlythemaniasthatarehereditaryinit，becausetoopposethemaggravatesthem。”
“Well，Ibelievethatthereareskilfulphysiciansatyoursidewhohavedeterminedtocureyou，andwhowill，intheend，myadoredgirl，succeedindoingso。”
“No，no；athousandtimesno！“exclaimedRosario，leaningherforeheadonherlover\'sbreast。“IamwillingtobemadifIamwithyou。ForyouIamsuffering，foryouIamill；foryouIdespiselifeandIriskdeath。Iknowitnow——to-morrowIshallbeworse，Ishallbedangerouslyill，Ishalldie。Whatdoesitmattertome?“
“Youarenotill，“heresponded，withenergy；“thereisnothingthematterwithyoubutanagitationofmindwhichnaturallybringswithitsomeslightnervousdisturbances；thereisnothingthematterwithyoubutthesufferingoccasionedbythehorriblecoercionwhichtheyareusingwithyou。Yoursimpleandgeneroussouldoesnotcomprehendit。
Youyield；youforgivethosewhoinjureyou；youtormentyourself，attributingyoursufferingtobaleful，supernaturalinfluences；yousufferinsilence；yougiveyourinnocentnecktotheexecutioner，youallowyourselftobeslain，andtheveryknifewhichisplungedintoyourbreastseemstoyouthethornofaflowerthathaspiercedyouinpassing。Rosario，castthoseideasfromyourmind；considerourrealsituation，whichisserious；seekitscausewhereitreallyis，anddonotgivewaytoyourfears；donotyieldtothetortureswhichareinflicteduponyou，makingyourselfmentallyandphysicallyill。Thecouragewhichyoulackwouldrestoreyoutohealth，becauseyouarenotreallyill，mydeargirl，youare——doyouwishmetosayit?——youarefrightened，terrified。Youareunderwhattheancients，notknowinghowtoexpressit，calledanevilspell。Courage，Rosario，trustinme！
Riseandfollowme。ThatisallIwillsay。”
“Ah，Pepe——cousin！Ibelievethatyouareright，“exclaimedRosario，drownedintears。“Yourwordsresoundwithinmyheart，arousinginitnewenergy，newlife。Hereinthisdarkness，wherewecannotseeeachother\'sfaces，anineffablelightemanatesfromyouandinundatesmysoul。Whatpowerhaveyoutotransformmeinthisway?ThemomentIsawyouIbecameanotherbeing。InthedayswhenIdidnotseeyouI
returnedtomyformerinsignificance，mynaturalcowardice。Withoutyou，myPepe，IliveinLimbo。Iwilldoasyoutellme，Iwillariseandfollowyou。Wewillgotogetherwhereveryouwish。DoyouknowthatIfeelwell?DoyouknowthatIhavenofever:thatIhaverecoveredmystrength；thatIwanttorunaboutandcryout；thatmywholebeingisrenewedandenlarged，andmultipliedahundred-foldinordertoadoreyou?Pepe，youareright。Iamnotsick，Iamonlyafraid；orrather，bewitched。”
“Thatisit，bewitched。”
“Bewitched！Terribleeyeslookatme，andIremainmuteandtrembling。
Iamafraid，butofwhat?Youalonehavethestrangepowerofcallingmebacktolife。Hearingyou，Iliveagain。IbelieveifIweretodieandyouweretopassbymygrave，thatdeepunderthegroundIshouldfeelyourfootsteps。Oh，ifIcouldseeyounow！Butyouareherebesideme，andIcannotdoubtthatitisyou。Somanydayswithoutseeingyou！Iwasmad。Eachdayofsolitudeappearedtomeacentury。
Theysaidtome，to-morrowandto-morrow，andalwaysto-morrow。I
lookedoutofthewindowatnight，andthelightofthelampinyourroomservedtoconsoleme。Attimesyourshadowonthewindowwasformeadivineapparition。Istretchedoutmyarmstoyou，Ishedtearsandcriedoutinwardly，withoutdaringtodosowithmyvoice。WhenI
receivedthemessageyousentmewiththemaid，whenIreceivedyourlettertellingmethatyouweregoingaway，Igrewverysad，IthoughtmysoulwasleavingmybodyandthatIwasdyingslowly。Ifell，likethebirdwoundedasitflies，thatfallsand，falling，dies。To-night，whenIsawthatyouwereawakesolate，IcouldnotresistthelongingIhadtospeaktoyou；andIcamedownstairs。Ibelievethatallthecourageofmylifehasbeenusedupinthissingleact，andthatnowI
canneverbeanythingagainbutacoward。Butyouwillgivemecourage；youwillgivemestrength；youwillhelpme，willyounot?
Pepe，mydearcousin，tellmethatyouwill；tellmethatIamstrong，andIwillbestrong；tellmethatIamnotill，andIwillnotbeill。
Iamnotillnow。IfeelsowellthatIcouldlaughatmyridiculousmaladies。”
Asshesaidthisshefeltherselfclaspedrapturouslyinhercousin\'sarms。An“Oh！“washeard，butitcame，notfromherlips，butfromhis，forinbendinghishead，hehadstruckitviolentlyagainstthefeetofthecrucifix。Inthedarknessitisthatthestarsareseen。
Intheexaltedstateofhismind，byaspeciesofhallucinationnaturalinthedarkness，itseemedtoPepeReynotthathisheadhadstruckagainstthesacredfoot，butthatthishadmoved，warninghiminthebriefestandmosteloquentmanner。Raisinghisheadhesaid，halfseriously，halfgayly:
“Lord，donotstrikeme；Iwilldonothingwrong。”
AtthesamemomentRosariotooktheyoungman\'shandandpresseditagainstherheart。Avoicewasheard，apure，grave，angelicvoice，fulloffeeling，saying:
“LordwhomIadore，LordGodoftheworld，andguardianofmyhouseandofmyfamily；LordwhomPepealsoadores；holyandblessedChristwhodiedonthecrossforoursins；beforethee，beforethywoundedbody，beforethyforeheadcrownedwiththorns，Isaythatthismanismyhusband，andthat，afterthee，heisthebeingwhommyheartlovesmost；IsaythatIdeclarehimtobemyhusband，andthatIwilldiebeforeIbelongtoanother。Myheartandmysoularehis。Letnottheworldopposeourhappiness，andgrantmethefavorofthisunion，whichIsweartobetrueandgoodbeforetheworld，asitisinmyconscience。”
“Rosario，youaremine！“exclaimedPepeRey，withexaltation。“Neitheryourmothernoranyoneelseshallpreventit。”
Rosariosankpowerlessintohercousin\'sarms。Shetrembledinhismanlyembrace，asthedovetremblesinthetalonsoftheeagle。
Throughtheengineer\'smindthethoughtflashedthatthedevilexisted；
butthedevilthenwashe。Rosariomadeaslightmovementoffear；shefeltthethrillofsurprise，sotosay，thatgiveswarningthatdangerisnear。
“Sweartomethatyouwillnotyieldtothem，“saidPepeRey，withconfusion，observingthemovement。
“Iswearittoyoubymyfather\'sashesthatare——“
“Where?“
“Underourfeet。”
Themathematicianfeltthestoneriseunderhisfeet——butno，itwasnotrising；heonlyfancied，mathematicianthoughhewas，thathefeltitrise。
“Iswearittoyou，“repeatedRosario，“bymyfather\'sashes，andbytheGodwhoislookingatus——Mayourbodies，unitedastheyare，reposeunderthosestoneswhenGodwillstotakeusoutofthisworld。”
“Yes，“repeatedthePepeRey，withprofoundemotion，feelinghissoulfilledwithaninexplicabletrouble。
Bothremainedsilentforashorttime。Rosariohadrisen。
“Already?“hesaid。
Shesatdownagain。
“Youaretremblingagain，“saidPepe。“Rosario，youareill；yourforeheadisburning。”
“IthinkIamdying，“murmuredtheyounggirlfaintly。“Idon\'tknowwhatisthematterwithme。”
Shefellsenselessintohercousin\'sarms。Caressingher，henoticedthatherfacewascoveredwithacoldperspiration。
“Sheisreallyill，“hesaidtohimself。“Itwasapieceofgreatimprudencetohavecomedownstairs。”
Heliftedherupinhisarms，endeavoringtorestorehertoconsciousness，butneitherthetremblingthathadseizedhernorherinsensibilitypassedaway；andheresolvedtocarryheroutofthechapel，inthehopethatthefreshairwouldreviveher。Andsoitwas。
WhensherecoveredconsciousnessRosariomanifestedgreatdisquietudeatfindingherselfatsuchanhouroutofherownroom。Theclockofthecathedralstruckfour。
“Howlateitis！“exclaimedtheyounggirl。“Releaseme，cousin。I
thinkIcanwalk。Iamreallyveryill。”
“Iwillgoupstairswithyou。”
“Oh，no；onnoaccount！Iwouldratherdragmyselftomyroomonmyhandsandfeet。Don\'tyouhearanoise?“
Bothweresilent。Theanxietywithwhichtheylistenedmadethesilenceintense。
“Don\'tyouhearanything，Pepe?“
“Absolutelynothing。”
“Payattention。There，thereitisagain。Itisanoisethatsoundsasifitmightbeeithervery，verydistant，orverynear。Itmighteitherbemymother\'sbreathingorthecreakingofthevaneonthetowerofthecathedral。Ah！Ihaveaveryfineear。”
“Toofine！Well，dearcousin，Iwillcarryyouupstairsinmyarms。”
“Verywell；carrymetotheheadofthestairs。AfterwardIcangoalone。AssoonasIrestalittleIshallbeaswellasever。Butdon\'tyouhear?“
Theystoppedonthefirststep。
“Itisametallicsound。”
“Yourmother\'sbreathing?“
“No，itisnotthat。Thenoisecomesfromagreatdistance。Perhapsitisthecrowingofacock?“
“Perhapsso。”
“Itsoundslikethewords，\'Iamgoingthere，Iamgoingthere！\'“
“Now，nowIhear，“murmuredPepeRey。
“Itisacry。”
“Itisacornet。”
“Acornet！“
“Yes。Letushurry。Orbajosaisgoingtowakeup。NowIhearitclearly。Itisnotatrumpetbutaclarionet。Thesoldiersarecoming。”
“Soldiers！“
“Idon\'tknowwhyIimaginethatthismilitaryinvasionisgoingtobeadvantageoustome。Ifeelglad。Up，quickly，Rosario！“
“Ifeelglad，too。Up，up！“
Inaninstanthehadcarriedherupstairs，andtheloverstookawhisperedleaveofeachother。
“Iwillstandatthewindowoverlookingthegarden，sothatyoumayknowIhavereachedmyroomsafely。Good-by。”
“Good-by，Rosario。Takecarenottostumbleagainstthefurniture。”
“Icanfindmywayhereperfectly，cousin。Weshallsoonseeeachotheragain。Standatyourwindowifyouwishtoreceivemytelegraphicdespatch。”
PepeReydidashewasbade；buthewaitedalongtime，andRosariodidnotappearatthewindow。Theengineerfanciedheheardagitatedvoicesonthefloorabovehim。
CHAPTERXVIII
THESOLDIERS
TheinhabitantsofOrbajosaheardinthetwilightvaguenessoftheirmorningslumbersthesamesonorousclarionet，andtheyopenedtheireyes，saying:
“Thesoldiers！“
Somemurmuredtothemselvesbetweensleepingandwaking:
“Atlasttheyhavesentusthatrabble。”
Othersgotoutofbedhastily，growling:
“Letusgotakealookatthoseconfoundedsoldiers。”
Somesoliloquizedinthisway:
“Itwillbenecessarytohurryupmatters。Theysaydraftsandcontributions；wewillsayblowsandmoreblows。”
Inanotherhousewereheardthesewordsutteredjoyfully:
“Perhapsmysoniscoming！Perhapsmybrotheriscoming！“
Everywherepeoplewerespringingoutofbed，dressinghastily，openingthewindowstoseetheregimentthatcausedallthisexcitemententeringthecityintheearlydawn。Thecitywasgloom，silence，age；
thearmygayety，boisterousness，youth。Asthearmyenteredthecityitseemedasifthemummyreceivedbysomemagicartthegiftoflifeandsprangwithnoisygayetyfromitsdampsarcophagustodancearoundit。
Whatmovement，whatshouting，whatlaughter，whatmerriment！Thereisnothingsointerestingasaregiment。Itisourcountryinitsyouthfulandvigorousaspect。Alltheineptitude，theturbulence，thesuperstitionattimes，andattimestheimpietyofthecountryasrepresentedintheindividual，disappearsundertheironruleofdiscipline，whichofsomanyinsignificantfiguresmakesanimposingwhole。Thesoldier，orsotosay，thecorpuscle，separatingatthecommand“Breakranks！“fromthemassinwhichhehasledaregularandattimesasublimelife，occasionallypreservessomeofthequalitiespeculiartothearmy。Butthisisnotthegeneralrule。Theseparationismostoftenaccompaniedbyasuddendeterioration，withtheresultthatifanarmyisthegloryandhonorofanation，anassemblageofsoldiersmaybeaninsupportablecalamity；andthetownsthatshedtearsofjoyandenthusiasmwhentheyseeavictoriousbattalionentertheirprecincts，groanwithterrorandtremblewithapprehensionwhentheyseethesamesoldiersseparateandoffduty。
ThislastwaswhathappenedinOrbajosa，forinthosedaystherewerenogloriousdeedstocelebrate，norwasthereanymotiveforweavingwreathsortracingtriumphalinscriptions，orevenformakingmentionoftheexploitsofourbravesoldiers，forwhichreasonallwasfearandsuspicionintheepiscopalcity，which，althoughpoor，didnotlacktreasuresinchickens，fruits，money，andmaidenhood，allofwhichrangreatriskfromthemomentwhenthebefore-mentionedsonsofMarsenteredit。Inadditiontothis，thenativetownofPolentinos，asacityremotefromthemovementandstirbroughtwiththembytraffic，thenewspapers，railroads，andotheragentswhichitisunnecessarynowtospecify，didnotwishtobedisturbedinitstranquilexistence。
Besideswhich，itmanifestedoneveryfavorableoccasionastrongaversiontosubmittingtothecentralauthoritywhich，badlyorwell，governsus；andcallingtominditsformerprivilegesandruminatinguponthemanew，asthecamelchewsthecudofthegrasswhichitateyesterday，itwouldoccasionallydisplayacertainrebelliousindependence，andvicioustendenciesmuchtobedeplored，whichattimesgavenolittleanxietytothegovernoroftheprovince。
ItmustalsobetakenintoaccountthatOrbajosahadrebelliousantecedents，orratherancestry。Doubtlessitstillretainedsomeofthoseenergeticfibreswhich，inremoteages，accordingtotheenthusiasticopinionofDonCayetano，impelledittounexampledepicdeeds；and，eveninitsdecadence，occasionallyfeltaneagerdesiretodogreatthings，althoughtheymightbeonlybarbaritiesandfollies。
Asithadgiventotheworldsomanyillustrioussons，itdesired，nodoubt，thatitsactualscions，theCaballucos，Merengues，andPelosmalos，shouldrenewtheglorious/Gesta/oftheirpredecessors。
WhenevertherewasdisaffectioninSpain，Orbajosagaveproofthatitwasnotinvainthatitexistedonthefaceoftheearth，althoughitistruethatitwasneverthetheatreofarealwar。Thespiritofthetown，itssituation，itshistory，allreducedittothesecondarypartofraisingguerillas。Itbestoweduponthecountrythisnationalproductin1827，atthetimeoftheApostolics，duringtheSevenYears\'
War，in1848，andatotherepochsoflessresonanceinthenationalhistory。Theguerillasandtheirchiefswerealwayspopular，afatalcircumstanceduetotheWarofIndependence，oneofthosegoodthingswhichhavebeentheoriginofaninfinitenumberofdetestablethings。
/Corruptiooptimipessima/。Andwiththepopularityoftheguerillasandtheirchiefscoincided，inever-increasingproportion，theunpopularityofeveryonewhoenteredOrbajosainthecharacterofadelegateorinstrumentofthecentralpower。Thesoldierswereheldinsuchdisreputetherethat，whenevertheoldpeopletoldofanycrime，anyrobbery，assassination，orthelikeatrocity，theyadded:“Thishappenedwhenthesoldierswerehere。”
Andnowthattheseimportantobservationshavebeenmade，itwillbewelltoaddthatthebattalionssentthereduringthedaysinwhichtheeventsofourstorytookplacedidnotgotoparadethroughthestreets，butforanotherpurposewhichwillbeclearlyandminutelysetforthlateron。Asadetailofnolittleinterest，itmaybenotedthattheeventshererelatedtookplaceataperiodneitherveryremotenorveryrecent。ItmayalsobesaidthatOrbajosa(calledbytheRomansUrbsAugusta，althoughsomelearnedmoderns，enquiringintotheetymologyofthetermination/ajosa/[*]areoftheopinionthatitcomesbyitfrombeingtherichestgarlic-growingcountryintheworld)
isneitherverynearMadridnorveryfarfromit；norcanwesaywhetheritsgloriousfoundationsarelaidtowardthenorthortowardthesouth，towardtheeastortowardthewest；butthatitmaybesupposedtobeinanypartofSpainwherethepungentodorofitsgarlicistobeperceived。
[*]Richingarlic。
