VI.

Almost as much as by Don Victoriano's arrival was Vilamorta

excited by the arrival of Señor de las Vides, accompanied by his

steward, Primo Genday. This event happened on the afternoon of the

memorable day on which Don Victoriano had infringed the commands of

science by eating half a pound of fresh bread. At three o'clock,

under a blazing sun, Genday the elder and Mendez entered the plaza,

the latter mounted on a powerful mule, the former on an ordinary nag.

Señor de las Vides was a little old man as dry as a vine branch.

His carefully shaven cheeks, his thin lips and aristocratically

pointed nose and chin, his shrewd, kind eyes, surrounded by

innumerable crows' feet, his intellectual profile, his beardless

face, called loudly for the curled wig, the embroidered coat and the

gold snuff-box of the Campomanes and Arandas. With his delicate and

expressive countenance the countenance of Primo Genday contrasted

strongly. The steward's complexion was white and red, he had the fine

and transparent skin, showing the full veins underneath, of those who

are predisposed to hemiplegy. His eyes were of a greenish color, one

of them being attached, as it were, to the lax and drooping lid,

while the other rolled around with mischievous vivacity. His silvery

curls gave him a distant resemblance to Louis Philippe, as he is

represented on the coins which bear his effigy.

By a combination not unusual in small towns Primo Genday and his

brother Clodio served under opposite political banners, both being in

reality of one mind and both pursuing the same end; Clodio ranged

himself on the side of the radicals, Primo was the support of the

Carlist party, and in cases of emergency, in the electoral contests,

they clasped hands over the fence. When the hoofs of Primo Genday's

nag resounded on the paving-stones, the windows of the reactionary

shop were opened and two or three hands were waved in friendly

welcome. Primo paused, and Mendez continued on his way to Agonde's

door, where he dismounted.

He was received in Don Victoriano's arms, and then disappeared

among the shadows of the staircase. The mule remained fastened to the

ring, stamping impatiently, while the onlookers on the plaza

contemplated with respect the nobleman's old-fashioned harness of

embossed leather, ornamented with silver, bright with use. One after

another other mules and horses were brought to join the first comer.

And the crowd assigned them their riders with considerable judgment.

The chestnut nag of the alguazil, a fine animal, with a saddle and a

silk headstall, was no doubt for the Minister. The black donkey with

the side-saddle--who could doubt that it was for the Señora? The

other gentle white donkey they would give to the little girl. The

Alcalde's ass was for the maid. Agonde would ride the mare he always

rode, the Morena, that had more malanders on her head than hairs in

her tail. During this time the radicals, García, Clodio, Genday, and

Ramon, were discussing the respective merits of the animals and the

condition of their trappings and calculating the probabilities of

their being able to reach Las Vides before nightfall. The lawyer

shook his head, saying emphatically and sententiously:

"They are taking their time about it if they expect to do that."

"And they are bringing the alguazil's horse for Don Victoriano!"

exclaimed the tobacconist. "Tricky as the very devil! There will be a

scene. When you rode him, Segundo, did he play you no trick?"

"Me, no. But he is lively."

"You shall see, you shall see."

The travelers were now coming out of the house, and the cavalcade

began to form. The ladies seated themselves in their side-saddles and

the men settled their feet in their stirrups. Then the scene

predicted by the tobacconist took place, to the great scandal and the

further delay of the party. As soon as the alguazil's nag became

aware of the presence of a female of his race he began to snuff the

air excitedly, neighing fiercely. Don Victoriano gathered up the

reins, but, before the animal had felt the iron in his mouth, he

became so unmanageable, first rearing, then kicking violently, and

finally turning his head around to try to bite his rider's legs, that

Don Victoriano, somewhat pale, thought it prudent to dismount.

Agonde, furious, dismounted also.

"What an infernal animal!" he cried. "Here, brutes--who told you

to bring the alguazil's horse? One would suppose you didn't know it

was a wild beast. You--Alcalde, or you, García--quick, go for

Requinto's mule; it is only two steps from here. Señor Don

Victoriano, take my mule. And that tiger, to the stable with him!"

"No," interrupted Segundo, "I will ride him as he is already

saddled. I will go with you as far as the cross."

And Segundo, providing himself with a strong switch, caught the

nag by the mane and at a bound was in the saddle. Instead of leaning

his weight on the stirrup he pressed the animal's sides between his

legs, raining a shower of blows at the same time on his head. The

animal, which was already beginning to curvet and prance again, gave

a snort of pain, and now, quivering and subdued, obeyed his rider's

touch. The cavalcade put itself in motion as soon as Requinto's mule

was brought, after handshakings, waving of hats, and even a timid

_viva_, from what quarter no one knew. The cortége proceeded along

the highway, the mare and the mules heading the procession, the

donkeys following behind, and at their side the nag, kept in order by

dint of switching. The sun was sinking in the west, turning the dust

of the road into gold; the chestnut trees cast lengthened shadows on

the ground, and from the osier-brake came a pleasant breeze laden

with moisture from the river.

Segundo rode along in silence; Victoriniña, delighted to be

riding on a donkey, smiled, making fruitless efforts to hide with her

frock her sharp knee-bones, which the shape of the saddle compelled

her to raise and uncover. Nieves, leaning back in her saddle, opened

her rose-lined écru lace parasol, and, as they started, drew from her

bosom a diminutive watch, which she consulted for the hour. A few

moments of embarrassed silence followed. At last Segundo felt that it

was necessary to say something:

"How are you doing, Victoriniña?" he said to the child. "Are you

comfortable?"

"Yes, quite comfortable."

"I warrant you would rather ride on my horse. If you are not

afraid I will take you before me."

The girl, whose embarrassment had now reached its height, lowered

her eyes without answering; her mother, smiling graciously, however,

now joined in the conversation.

"And tell me, García, why don't you address the child as _thou_?

You treat her with so much ceremony! You will make her fancy she is a

young lady already."

"I should not dare to do so without her permission."

"Come, Victoriniña, tell this gentleman he has your permission."

The child took refuge in that invincible muteness of growing

girls whom an exquisite and precocious sensibility renders painfully

shy. A smile parted her lips, and at the same time her eyes filled

with tears. Mademoiselle said something gently to her in French;

meanwhile Nieves and Segundo, laughing confidentially at the

incident, found the way smoothed for them to begin a conversation.

"When do you think we shall arrive at Las Vides? Is it a pretty

place? Shall we be comfortable there? How will it agree with

Victoriano? What sort of a life shall we lead? Shall we have many

visitors? Is there a garden?"

"Las Vides is a beautiful place," said Segundo. "It has an air of

antiquity--a lordly air, as it were. I like the escutcheon, and a

magnificent grapevine that covers the courtyard, and the camellias

and lemon trees in the orchards, that look like good-sized chestnut

trees, and the view of the river, and, above all, a pine grove that

talks and even sings--don't laugh--that sings; yes, Señora, and

better than most professional singers. Don't you believe it? Well,

you shall see for yourself presently."

Nieves looked with lively curiosity at the young man and then

hastily turned her glance aside, remembering the quick and nervous

hand-pressure of the day before, when she was alighting from the

carriage. For the second time in the space of a few hours this young

man had surprised her. Nieves led an extremely regular life in

Madrid--the life of the middle classes, in which all the incidents

are commonplace. She went to mass and shopped in the morning; in the

afternoon she went to the Retiro, or made visits; in the evening she

went to her parents' house or to the theater with her husband; on

rare occasions to some ball or banquet at the house of the Duke of

Puenteanchas, a client of Don Victoriano's. When the latter received

the portfolio it made little change in Nieves' way of life. She

received a few more salutations than before in the Retiro; the clerks

in the shops were more attentive to her; the Duchess of Puenteanchas

said some flattering things to her, calling her "pet," and here ended

for Nieves the pleasure of the ministry. The trip to Vilamorta, the

picturesque country of which she had so often heard her father speak,

was a novel incident in her monotonous life. Segundo seemed to her a

curious detail of the journey. He looked at her and spoke to her in

so odd a way. Bah, fancies! Between this young man and herself there

was nothing in common. A passing acquaintance, like so many others to

be met here at every step. So the pines sang, did they? A misfortune

for Gayarre! And Nieves smiled graciously, dissembling her strange

thoughts and went on asking questions, to which Segundo responded in

expressive phrases. Night was beginning to fall. Suddenly, the

cavalcade, leaving the highroad, turned into a path that led among

pine groves and woods. At a turn of the path could be seen the

picturesque dark stone cross, whose steps invited to prayer or to

sentimental reverie. Agonde stopped here and took his leave of the

party, and Segundo followed his example.

As the tinkling of the donkeys' bells grew fainter in the

distance Segundo felt an inexplicable sensation of loneliness and

abandonment steal over him, as if he had just parted forever from

persons who were dear to him or who played an important part in his

life. "A pretty fool I am!" said the poet to himself. "What have I to

do with these people or they with me? Nieves has invited me to spend

a few days at Las Vides, _en famille_. When Nieves returns to Madrid

this winter she will speak of me as 'That lawyer's son, that we met

at Vilamorta.' Who am I? What position should I occupy in her house?

An altogether secondary one. That of a boy who is treated with

consideration because his father disposes of votes."

While Segundo was thus caviling, the apothecary overtook him, and

horse and mule pursued their way side by side. In the twilight the

poet could distinguish the placid smile of Agonde, his red cheeks,

looking redder in contrast to the lustrous black mustache, his

expression of sensual amiability and epicurean beatitude. An enviable

lot was the apothecary's. This man was happy in his comfortable and

well-ordered shop, with his circle of friends, his cap and his

embroidered slippers, taking life as one takes a glass of cordial,

sipping it with enjoyment, in peace and harmony, along with the other

guests at the banquet of life. Why should not Segundo be satisfied

with what satisfied Agonde perfectly? Whence came this longing for

something that was not precisely money, nor pleasure, nor fame, nor

love--which partook of all these, which embraced them all and which

perhaps nothing would satisfy?

"Segundo."

"Eh?" he answered, turning his head toward Agonde.

"How silent you are, my boy! What do you think of the Minister?"

"What would you have me think of him?"

"And the Señora? Come, you have noticed her, I warrant. She wears

black silk stockings, like the priests. When she was mounting the

donkey----"

"I am going to take a gallop as far as Vilamorta. Do you care to

join me, Saturnino?"

"Gallop with this mule? I should arrive there with my stomach in

my mouth. Gallop you, if you have a fancy for doing so."

The nag galloped for half a league or so, urged by his rider's

whip. As they drew near the canebrake by the river, Segundo slackened

his horse's gallop to a very slow walk. It was now almost dark and

the cool mists rose, moist and clinging, from the bosom of the

Avieiro. Segundo remembered that it was two or three days since he

had put his foot in Leocadia's house. No doubt the schoolmistress was

now fretting herself to death, weeping and watching for him. This

thought brought sudden balm to Segundo's wounded spirit. How tenderly

Leocadia loved him! With what joy did she welcome him! How deeply his

poetry, his words, moved her! And he--why was it that he did not

share her ardor? Of this exclusive, this absolute, boundless love,

Segundo had never deigned to accept even the half; and of all the

tender terms of endearment invented by the muse he chose for Leocadia

the least poetical, the least romantic; as we separate the gold and

silver in our purse from the baser coin, setting aside for the beggar

the meanest copper, so did Segundo dispense with niggard hand the

treasures of his love. A hundred times had it happened to him, in his

walks through the country, to fill his hat with violets, with

hyacinths and branches of blackberry blossoms, only to throw them all

into the river on reaching the village, in order not to carry them to

Leocadia.