We had already crossed Old Castille, when the axletree of the coach

gave way. The accident happened between Avila and Villaflor, at the

distance of three or four hundred yards from a castle near the foot

of a mountain. Night was coming on, and the measure of our troubles

seemed to be heaped up and overflowing. But there passed

accidentally by us a countryman, by whose assistance we were relieved

from our difficulties. He acquainted us that the castle yonder

belonged to Donna Elvira, widow of Don Pedro de Penarés; at the same

time giving so favorable a character of that lady, that my mistress

sent me to the castle with a request of a night's lodging. Elvira

did not disgrace the good word of the countryman. She received me

with an air of hospitality, and returned such an answer to my

compliment as I wished to carry back. We all went to the castle,

whither the mules dragged the carriage with considerable difficulty.

At the gate we met the widow of Don Pedro, who came out to meet my

mistress. I shall pass over in silence the reciprocal civilities

which were exchanged on this occasion, in compliance with the usage

of the polite world. I shall only say that Elvira was a lady rather

advanced in years, but remarkably well-bred, with an address superior

to that of most women in doing the honors of her house. She led

Aurora into a sumptuous apartment, where, leaving her to rest herself

for a short time, she looked after everything herself, and left

nothing undone which could in the least contribute to our comfort.

Afterwards, when supper was ready, she ordered it to be served up in

Aurora's chamber, where they sat down to table together; Don Pedro's

widow was not of a description to cast a slur on her own

hospitalities, by assuming an air of abstraction or sullenness. Her

temper was gay, and her conversation lively without levity; for her

ideas were dignified, and her expressions select. Nothing could

exceed her wit, accompanied by a peculiarly fine turn of thought.

Aurora appeared as much to be delighted as myself. They became sworn

friends, and mutually engaged in a regular correspondence. As our

carriage could not be repaired till the following day, and we should

have encountered some perils by setting out late at night, it was

determined that we should take up our abode at the castle till the

damage was made good. All the arrangements were in the first style

of elegance, and our lodgings were correspondent to the magnificence

of the establishment in other respects.

The day after, my mistress discovered new charms in Elvira's

conversation. They dined in a large hall, where there were several

pictures. One among the rest was distinguished for its admirable

execution, but the subject was highly tragic. A principal figure was

a man of superior mien, lying lifeless on his back, and bathed in his

own blood; yet in the very embraces of death he wore a menacing

aspect. At a little distance from him you might see a young lady in

different posture, though stretched likewise on the ground. She had

a sword plunged in her bosom, and was giving up her last sighs, at

the same time casting her dying glances at a young man who seemed to

suffer a mortal pang at losing her. The painter had besides charged

his picture with a figure which did not escape my notice. It was an

old man of a venerable physiognomy, sensibly touched with the objects

which struck his sight, and equally alive with the young man to the

impressions of the melancholy scene. It might be said that these

images of blood and desolation affected both the spectators with the

same astonishment and grief, but that the outward demonstrations of

their inward sentiments were different. The old man, sunk in a

profound melancholy, looked as if he was bowed down to the ground;

while the youth mingled something like the extravagance of despair

with the tears of affliction. All these circumstances were depicted

with touches so characteristic and affecting, that we could not take

our eyes off the performance. My mistress desired to know the

subject of the piece. Madam, said Elvira, it is a faithful

delineation of the misfortunes sustained by my family. This answer

excited Aurora's curiosity, and she testified so strong a desire to

learn the particulars, that the widow of Don Pedro could do no

otherwise than promise her the satisfaction she desired. This

promise, made before Ortiz, her two fellow-servants, and myself,

rooted us to the spot on which we were listening to their former

conversation. My mistress would have sent us away; but Elvira, who

saw plainly that we were dying with eagerness to be present at the

explanation of the picture, had the goodness to desire us to stay,

alleging at the same time that the story she had to relate was not of

a nature to enjoin secrecy. After a moment's recollection, she began

her recital to the following effect.

_CHAPTER IV._

_THE FATAL MARRIAGE: A NOVEL._

Roger, king of Sicily, had a brother and a sister. His brother, by

name Mainfroi, rebelled against him, and kindled a war in the

kingdom, bloody in its immediate effects, and portentous in its

future consequences. But it was his fate to lose two battles, and to

fall into the king's hands. The punishment of his revolt extended no

farther than the loss of liberty. This act of clemency served only

to make Roger pass for a barbarian in the estimation of the

disaffected party among his subjects. They contended that he had

saved his brother's life only to wreak his vengeance on him by

tortures the more merciless because protracted. People in general,

on better grounds, transferred the blame of Mainfroi's harsh

treatment while in prison to his sister Matilda. That princess had,

in fact, cherished a long-rooted hatred against this prince, and was

indefatigable in her persecutions during his whole life. She died in

a very short time after him, and her premature fate was considered as

the retribution of a just providence, for her disregard of those

sentiments implanted by nature for the best purposes.

Mainfroi left behind him two sons. They were yet in their childhood.

Roger had a kind of lurking desire to get rid of them, under the

apprehension lest, when arrived at a more advanced age, the wish of

avenging their father might hurry them to the revival of a faction

which was not so entirely overthrown as to be incapable of

originating new intrigues in the state. He communicated his purpose

to the senator Leontio Siffredi, his minister, who diverted him from

his bloody thoughts by undertaking the education of Prince Enriquez,

the eldest, and recommending the care of the younger, by name Don

Pedro, to the constable of Sicily, as a trusty counsellor and loyal

servant. Roger, assured that his nephews would be trained up by

these two men in principles of due submission to the royal authority,

gave up the reins of guardianship to their control, and himself took

charge of his niece Constance. She was of the same age with

Enriquez, and only daughter of the princess Matilda. He allowed her

an establishment of female attendants, and of masters in every branch

of the politer studies, so that nothing was wanting, either to her

instruction or her state.

Leontio Siffredi had a castle at the distance of less than two

leagues from Palermo, in a spot named Belmonte. There it was that

this minister exerted all his talents and diligence, to render

Enriquez worthy of one day ascending the throne of Sicily. From the

first, he discovered dispositions so amiable in that prince, that his

attachment became as strong as if he had no child of his own. He

had, however, two daughters--Blanche, the first-born, one year

younger than the prince, was armed at all points with the weapons of

a most perfect beauty. Her sister Portia was still in her cradle.

The mother had died in child-bed of this youngest. Blanche and

Prince Enriquez conceived a reciprocal affection as soon as they were

alive to the influence of love: but they were not allowed to improve

their acquaintance into familiar intercourse. The prince,

nevertheless, found the means of occasionally eluding the prudential

vigilance of his guardian. He knew sufficiently well how to avail

himself of those precious moments, and prevailed so far with

Siffredi's daughter, as to gain her consent to the execution of a

project which he meditated. It happened precisely at this time that

Leontio was obliged by the king's order to take a journey into one of

the most remote provinces in the island. During his absence,

Enriquez got an opening made in the wall of his apartment, which led

into Blanche's chamber. This opening was concealed by a sliding

shutter, so exactly corresponding with the wainscot, and so closely

fitting in with the ceiling and the floor, that the most suspicious

eye could not have detected the contrivance. A skilful workman, whom

the prince had gained over to his interests, helped him to this

private communication with equal speed and secrecy.

The enamoured Enriquez having obtained this inlet into his mistress's

chamber, sometimes availed himself of his privilege; but he never

took advantage of her partiality. Imprudent as it may well be

thought, to admit of a secret entrance into her apartment, it was

only on the express and reiterated assurance that none but the most

innocent favors should be requested at her hands. One night he found

her in a state of unusual perturbation. She had been informed that

Roger was drawing near his end, and had sent for Siffredi as lord

high chancellor of the kingdom, and the legal depositary of his last

will and testament. Already did she figure to herself her dear

Enriquez elevated to royal honors. She was afraid of losing her

lover in her sovereign, and that fear had strangely affected her

spirits. The tears were standing in her eyes, when the unconscious

cause of them appeared before her. You weep, madam, said he; what am

I to think of this overwhelming grief? My lord, answered Blanche, it

were vain for me to hide my apprehensions. The king, your uncle, is

at the point of death, and you will soon be called to supply his

place. When I measure the distance placed between us by your

approaching greatness, I will own to you that my mind misgives me.

The monarch and the lover estimate objects through a far different

medium. What constituted the fondest wish of the individual, while

his aspiring thoughts were checked by the control of a superior,

fades into insignificance before the tumultuous cares or brilliant

destinies of royalty. Be it the misgiving of an anxious heart, or

the whisper of a well-founded opinion, I feel distracting emotions

succeed one another in my breast, which not all my just confidence in

your goodness can allay. The source of my mistrust is not in the

suspected steadiness of your attachment, but in a diffidence of my

own happy fate. Lovely and beloved Blanche, replied the prince, your

fears but bind me the more firmly in your fetters, and warrant my

devotion to your charms. Yet this excessive indulgence of a fond

jealousy borders on disloyalty to love, and, if I may venture to say

so, trenches on the esteem to which my constancy has hitherto

entitled me. No, no, never entertain a doubt that my destiny can

ever be sundered from yours, but rather indulge the pleasing

anticipation, that you, and you alone, will be the arbitress of my

fate, and the source of all my bliss. Away then with these vain

alarms. Why must they disturb an intercourse so charming? Ah! my

lord, rejoined the daughter of Leontio, your subjects, when they

place the crown upon your head, may ask of you a princess-queen,

descended from a long line of kings, whose glittering alliance shall

join new realms to your hereditary estates. Perhaps, alas! you will

meet their ambitious aims, even at the expense of your softest vows.

Nay, why, resumed Enriquez, with rising passion, why too ready a

self-tormentor, do you raise up so afflicting a phantom of futurity?

Should heaven take the king, my uncle, to itself, and place Sicily

under my dominion, I swear to unite myself with you at Palermo, in

presence of my whole court. To this I call to witness all which is

held sacred and inviolable among men.

The protestations of Enriquez removed the fears of Siffredi's

daughter. The rest of their discourse turned on the king's illness.

Enriquez displayed the goodness of his natural disposition, for he

pitied his uncle's lot, though he had no reason to be greatly

affected by it; but the force of blood extorted from him sentiments

of regret for a prince whose death held out an immediate prospect of

the crown. Blanche did not yet know all the misfortunes which hung

over her. The constable of Sicily, who had met her coming out of her

father's apartment one day when he was at the castle of Belmonte on

some business of importance, was struck with admiration. The very

next day, he made proposals to Siffredi, who entertained his offer

favorably; but the illness of Roger taking place unexpectedly about

that time, the marriage was put off for the present, and the subject

had not been hinted at in the most distant manner to Blanche.

One morning, as Enriquez had just finished dressing, he was surprised

to see Leontio enter his apartment, followed by Blanche. Sir, said

this minister, the news I have to announce will in some degree

afflict your excellent heart, but it is counteracted by consoling

circumstances which ought to moderate your grief. The king, your

uncle, has departed this life, and by his death, left you the heir of

his sceptre. Sicily is at your feet. The nobility of the kingdom

wait your orders at Palermo. They have commissioned me to receive

them in person, and I come, my liege, with my daughter, to pay you

the earliest and sincerest homage of your new subjects. The prince,

who was well aware that Roger had been for two months sinking under a

complaint gradual in its progress, but fatal in its nature, was not

astonished at this news. And yet, struck with his sudden exaltation,

he felt a thousand confused emotions rising up by turns in his heart.

He mused for some time, then breaking silence, addressed these words

to Leontio: Wise Siffredi, I have always considered you as my father.

I shall make it my glory to be governed by your counsels, and you

shall reign in Sicily with a sway paramount to my own. With these

words, advancing to the standish and taking a blank sheet of paper,

he wrote his name at the bottom. What are you doing, sir, said

Siffredi. Proving my gratitude and my esteem, answered Enriquez.

Then the prince presented the paper to Blanche, and said! Accept,

madam, this pledge of my faith, and of the empire with which I invest

you over my thoughts and actions. Blanche received it with a blush,

and made this answer to the prince: I acknowledge, with all humility,

the condescensions of my sovereign, but my destiny is in the hands of

a father, and you must not consider me as ungrateful if I deposit

this flattering token in his custody, to be used according to the

dictates of his sage discretion.

In compliance with these sentiments of filial duty, she gave the sign

manual of Enriquez to her father. Then Siffredi saw at once what,

till that moment, had eluded his penetration. He entered clearly

into the prince's sentiments, and said: Your majesty shall have no

reproaches to make me. I shall not act unworthily of the confidence

... My dear Leontio, interrupted Enriquez, you and unworthiness never

can be allied. Make what use you please of my signature. I shall

confirm your determination. But go, return to Palermo, prescribe the

ceremonies for my coronation there, and tell my subjects that I shall

follow you in person immediately, to receive their oaths of

allegiance, and assure them of my protection in return. The minister

obeyed the commands of his new master, and set out for Palermo with

his daughter.

Some hours after their departure, the prince also left Belmonte, with

his thoughts more intent on his passion, than on the high rank to

which he was called. Immediately on his arrival in the city, the air

was rent with a thousand cries of joy. He made his entry into the

palace amid the acclamations of the people, and everything was ready

for the august formalities. The Princess Constance was waiting to

receive him, in a magnificent mourning dress. She appeared deeply

affected by Roger's death. The customs of society required from them

a reciprocal compliment of condolence on the late event, and they

each of them acquitted themselves with good breeding and propriety.

But there was somewhat more coldness on the part of Enriquez than on

that of Constance, who could not enter into family quarrels, and

resolved on hating the young prince. He placed himself on the

throne, and the princess sat beside him in a chair of state a little

less elevated. The great officers of the realm fell into their

places, each according to his rank. The ceremony began; and Leontio,

as lord high chancellor of the kingdom, holding in his possession the

will of the late king, opened it, and read the contents aloud. This

instrument contained in substance that Roger, in default of issue,

nominated the eldest son of Mainfroi his successor, on condition of

his marrying the Princess Constance; and in the event of his refusing

her hand, the crown of Sicily was to devolve, to his exclusion, on

the head of the infant Don Pedro, his brother, on the like condition.

These words were a thunderstroke to Enriquez. His senses were all

bewildered even to distraction, and his agonies became still more

acute, when Leontio, having finished the reading of the will,

addressed the assembly at large to the following effect: My lords,

the last injunction of the late king having been made known to our

new monarch, that pious and excellent prince consents to honor his

cousin, the Princess Constance, with his hand. At these words

Enriquez interrupted the chancellor. Leontio, said he, remember the

writing; Blanche ... Sire, interrupted Siffredi in his turn with

precipitation, lest the prince should find an opportunity of making

himself understood, here it is. The nobility of the kingdom, added

he, exhibiting the blank paper to the assembly, will see by your

majesty's august subscription, the esteem in which you hold the

princess, and your implicit deference to the last will of the late

king your uncle.

Having finished these words, he forthwith began reading the

instrument in such terms he had himself inserted. According to the

contents, the new king gave a promise to his people, with formalities

the most binding and authentic, that he would marry Constance, in

conformity with the intention of Roger. The hall reëchoed with

pealing shouts of satisfaction. Long live our high and mighty King

Enriquez! exclaimed all those who were present. As the marked

aversion of the prince for the princess had never been any secret, it

was apprehended, not without reason, that he might revolt against the

condition of the will, and light up the flame of civil discord in the

kingdom; but the public enunciation of this solemn act, quieting the

fears of the nobility and the people on that head, excited these

universal applauses, which went to the monarch's heart like the stab

of an assassin. Constance, who had a nearer interest than any human

being in the result, from the double motive of glory and personal

affection, laid hold of this opportunity for expressing her

gratitude. The prince had much ado to keep his feelings within

bounds. He received the compliment of the princess with so

constrained an air, and evinced so unusual a disorder in his

behavior, as scarcely to reply in a manner suited to the common forms

of good-breeding. At last, no longer master of his violent passions,

he went up to Siffredi, whom the formalities of his office detained

near the royal person, and said to him in a low tone of voice, What

is the meaning of all this, Leontio? The signature which I deposited

in your daughter's hands was not meant for such a use as this. You

are guilty of...

My liege, interrupted Siffredi again with a tone of firmness, look to

your own glory. If you refuse to comply with the injunctions of the

king your uncle, you lose the crown of Sicily. No sooner had he

thrown in this salutary hint, than he got away from the king, to

prevent all possibility of a reply. Enriquez was left in a most

embarrassing situation. A thousand opposite emotions agitated him at

once. He was exasperated against Siffredi. To give up Blanche, was

more than he could endure: so that, balancing his private feelings

and the calls of public honor, he was doubtful to which side he

should incline. At length his doubts were resolved, under the idea

of having found the means to secure Siffredi's daughter, without

giving up his claim to the throne. He affected, therefore, an entire

submission to the will of Roger, in the hope, while a dispensation

from his marriage with his cousin was soliciting at Rome, of gaining

the leading nobility by his largesses, and thus establishing his

power so firmly, as not to be under the necessity of fulfilling the

conditions of the obnoxious instrument.

After forming this design, he got to be more composed; and turning

towards Constance, confirmed to her what the lord high chancellor had

read in presence of the whole assembly. But at the very moment when

he had so far betrayed himself as to pledge his faith, Blanche

arrived in the hall of council. She came thither, by her father's

command, to pay her duty to the princess; and her ears, on entering,

were startled at the expressions of Enriquez. In addition to this

shock, Leontio determined, not to leave her in doubt of her

misfortune, accompanied her presentation to Constance with these

words: Daughter, make your homage acceptable to your queen; call down

upon her the blessings of a prosperous reign and a happy marriage.

This terrible blow overwhelmed the unfortunate Blanche. Vain were

all her attempts to suppress her anguish; her countenance changed

successively from the deepest blush to a deadly paleness, and she

trembled from head to foot. And yet the princess had no suspicion

how the matter really stood; but attributed the confused style of her

compliment to the awkwardness of a young person brought up in a state

of rustication, and totally unacquainted with the manners of a court.

But the young king was more in the secret. The sight of Blanche put

him out of countenance; and the despair, too legible in her eyes, was

enough to drive him out of his senses. Her feelings were not to be

misunderstood; and they pointed at him as the most faithless of men.

Could he have spoken to her, it might have tranquilized his

agitation: but how to lay hold of the happy moment, when all Sicily,

at least the illustrious part of it, was fixed in anxious expectation

on his proceedings? Besides, the stern and inflexible Siffredi

extinguished at once every ray of hope. This minister, who was at no

loss to decipher the hearts of the two lovers, and was firmly

resolved, if possible, to prevent the evil consequences impending

over the state from the violence of this imprudent attachment, got

his daughter out of the assembly with the dexterity of a practised

courtier, and regained the road to Belmonte with her in his

possession, determined, for more reasons than one, to marry her as

soon as possible.

When they reached home, he gave her to understand all the horror of

her destiny, by announcing his promise to the constable. Just

Heaven! exclaimed she, transported into a paroxysm of despair, which

her father's presence could not restrain; what unparalleled suffering

have you the cruelty to lay up in store for the ill-fated Blanche?

Her agony went to such a degree of violence, as to suspend every

power of her soul. Her limbs seemed as if stiffened under the icy

grasp of death. Cold and pale, she fell senseless into her father's

arms. Neither was he insensible to her melancholy condition. Yet,

feeling as he did all the alarm and anxiety of a parent, the stern

inflexibility of the statesman remained unshaken. Blanche, after a

time, was recalled to life and feeling, rather by the keenness of her

mental pangs than by the means which Siffredi used for her recovery.

Languishingly did she raise her scarcely conscious eyes: when,

glancing on the author of her misery, as he was anxiously employed

about her person: My lord, said she, with inarticulate and convulsive

accents, I am ashamed to let you see my weakness: but death, which

cannot be long in finishing my torments, will soon rid you of a

wretched daughter, who has ventured to dispose of her heart without

consulting you. No, my dear Blanche, answered Leontio, your death

would be too dear a sacrifice: Virtue will resume her empire over

your actions. The constable's proposals do you honor; it is one of

the most considerable alliances in the state..... I esteem his person

and am sensible of his merit, interrupted Blanche; but, my lord, the

king had given me encouragement to indulge.... Daughter, vociferated

Siffredi, breaking in upon her discourse, I anticipate all you have

to say on that subject. Your partiality for the prince is no secret

to me, nor would it meet my disapprobation under other circumstances.

You should even see me active and ardent to secure for you the hand

of Enriquez, if the cause of glory and the welfare of the realm

demanded it not indispensably for Constance. It is on the sole

condition of marrying that princess, that the late king has nominated

him his successor. Would you have him prefer you to the crown of

Sicily? Believe me, my heart bleeds at the mortal blow which impends

over you. Yet, since we cannot contend with the fates, make a

magnanimous effort. Your fame is concerned, not to let the whole

nation see that you have nursed up a delusive hope. Your sensibility

towards the person of the king might even give birth to ignominious

rumors. The only method of preserving yourself from their poison,

is, to marry the constable. In short, Blanche, there is no time left

for irresolution. The king has decided between a throne, and the

possession of your charms. He has fixed his choice on Constance.

The constable holds my word in pledge: enable me to redeem it, I

beseech you. Or, if nothing but a paramount necessity can fix your

wavering resolution, I must make an unwilling use of my parental

authority: know then, I command you.

Ending with this threat, he left her to make her own reflections on

what had passed. He was in hopes that after having weighed the

reasons he had urged to support her virtue against the bias of her

feelings, she would determine of herself to admit the constable's

addresses. He was not mistaken in his conjecture: but at what an

expense did the wretched Blanche rise to this height of virtuous

resolution! Her condition was that in the whole world the most

deserving of pity. The affliction of finding her fears realized,

respecting the infidelity of Enriquez, and of being compelled,

besides losing the man of her choice, to sacrifice herself to another

whom she could never love, occasioned her such storms of passion and

alternate tossings of frantic desperation, as to bring with each

successive moment a variety of vindictive torture. If my sad fate is

fixed, exclaimed she, how can I triumph over it but by death?

Merciless powers, who preside over our wayward fortunes, why feed and

tantalize me with the most flattering hopes, only to plunge me

headlong into a gulf of miseries? And thou too, perfidious lover! to

rush into the arms of another, when all those vows of eternal

fidelity were mine. So soon then is that plighted faith void and

forgotten? To punish thee for so cruel a deception, may it please

heaven, in its retribution, to make the conscious couch of conjugal

endearment, polluted as it must be by perjury, less the scene of

pleasure than the dungeon of remorse! May the fond caresses of

Constance distil poison through thy faithless heart? Let us rival

one another in the horrors of our nuptials! Yes, traitor, I mean, to

wed the constable, though shrinking from his ardent touch, to avenge

me on myself! to be my own scourge and tormentor, for having selected

so fatally the object of my frantic passion. Since deep-rooted

obedience to the will of God forbids to entertain the thought of a

premature death, whatever days may be allotted me to drag on shall be

but a lengthened chain of heaviness and torment. If a sentiment of

love lurks about your heart, it will be revenge enough for me to cast

myself into your presence, the devoted bride or victim of another:

but if you have thrown off my remembrance with your own vows, Sicily

at least shall glory in the distinction of reckoning among its

natives a woman who knew how to punish herself for having disposed of

her heart too lightly.

In such a state of mind did this wretched martyr to love and duty

pass the night preceding her marriage with the constable. Siffredi,

finding her the next morning ready to comply with his wishes,

hastened to avail himself of this favorable disposition. He sent for

the constable to Belmonte on that very day, and the marriage ceremony

was performed privately in the chapel of the castle. What a crisis

for Blanche! It was not enough to renounce a crown, to lose a lover

endeared to her by every tie, and to yield herself up to the object

of her hatred. In addition to all this, she must put a constraint on

her sentiments before a husband, naturally jealous, and long occupied

with the most ardent admiration of her charms. The bridegroom,

delighted in the possession of her, was all day long in her presence.

He did not leave her to the miserable consolation of pouring out her

sorrows in secret. When night arrived, Leontio's daughter felt all

her disgust and terror redoubled. But what seemed likely to become

of her when her women, after having undressed her, left her alone

with the constable? He enquired respectfully into the cause of her

apparent faintness and discomposure. The question was sufficiently

embarrassing to Blanche, who affected to be ill. Her husband was at

first deceived by her pretences; but he did not long remain in such

an error. Being, as he was, sincerely concerned at the condition in

which he saw her, but still pressing her to go to bed, his urgent

solicitations, falsely construed by her, offered to her wounded mind

an image so cruel and indelicate, that she could no longer dissemble

what was passing within, but gave a free course to her sighs and

tears. What a discovery for a man who thought himself at the summit

of his wishes! He no longer doubted but the distressed state of his

wife was fraught with some sinister omen to his love. And yet,

though this knowledge reduced him to a situation almost as deplorable

as that of Blanche, he had sufficient command over himself to keep

his suspicions within his own breast. He redoubled his assiduities,

and went on pressing his bride to lay herself down, assuring her that

the repose of which she stood in need should be undisturbed by his

interruption. He offered of his own accord even to call her women,

if she was of opinion that their attendance could afford any relief

to her indisposition. Blanche, reviving at that proposal, told him

that sleep was the best remedy for the debility under which she

labored. He affected to think so too. They accordingly partook of

the same bed, but with a conduct altogether different from what the

laws of love, sanctioned by the rites of marriage, might authorize in

a pair mutually delighted and delighting.

While Siffredi's daughter was giving way to her grief, the constable

was hunting in his own mind for the causes which might render the

nuptial office so contemptible a sinecure in his hands. He could not

be long in conjecturing that he had a rival, but when he attempted to

discover him he was lost in the labyrinth of his own ideas. All he

knew with certainty was the peculiar severity of his own fate. He

had already passed two thirds of the night in this perplexity of

thought, when an undistinguishable noise grew gradually on his sense

of hearing. Great was his surprise when a footstep seemed audibly to

pace about the room. He fancied himself mistaken, for he recollected

shutting the door himself after Blanche's women had retired. He drew

back the curtain to satisfy his senses on the occasion of this

extraordinary noise. But the light in the chimney corner had gone

out, and he soon heard a feeble and melancholy voice calling Blanche

with anxious and importunate repetitions. Then did the suggestions

of his jealousy transport him into rage. His insulted honor obliging

him to rush from the bed to which he had so long aspired, and either

to prevent a meditated injury, or take vengeance for its

perpetration, he caught up his sword and flew forward in the

direction whence the voice seemed to proceed. He felt a naked blade

opposed to his own. As he advanced, his antagonist retired. The

pursuit became more eager, the retreat more precipitate. His search

was vigilant, and every corner of the room seemed to contain its

object but that which he momentarily occupied. The darkness,

however, favored the unknown invader, and he was nowhere to be found.

The pursuer halted. He listened, but heard no sound. It seemed like

enchantment! He made for the door, under the idea that this was the

outlet to the secret assassin of his honor, yet the bolt was shut as

fast as before. Unable to comprehend this strange occurrence, he

called those of his retinue who were most within reach of his voice.

As he opened the door for this purpose, he placed himself so as to

prevent all egress, and stood upon his guard, lest the devoted victim

of his search should escape.

At his redoubled cries, some servants ran with lights. He laid hold

of a taper, and renewed his search in the chamber with his sword

still drawn. Yet he found no one there, nor any apparent sign of any

person having been in the room. He was not aware of any private

door, nor could he discover any practicable mode of escape; yet, for

all this, he could not shut his eyes against the nature and

circumstance of his misfortune. His thoughts were all thrown into

inextricable confusion. To ask any questions of Blanche was in vain,

for she had too deep an interest in perplexing the truth, to furnish

any clew whatever to its discovery. He, therefore, adopted the

measure of unbosoming his griefs to Leontio; but previously sent away

his attendants with the excuse that he thought he had heard some

noise in the room, but was mistaken. His father-in-law, having left

his chamber in consequence of this strange disturbance, met him, and

heard from his lips the particulars of this unaccountable adventure.

The narrative was accompanied with every indication of extreme agony,

produced by deep and tender feeling, as well as by a sense of

insulted honor.

Siffredi was surprised at the occurrence. Though it did not appear

to him at all probable, that was no reason for being easy about its

reality. The king's passion might accomplish anything; and that idea

alone justified the most cruel apprehensions. But it could do no

good to foster either the natural jealousy of his son-in-law, or his

particular suspicions arising out of circumstances. He, therefore,

endeavored to persuade him, with an air of confidence, that this

imaginary voice, and airy sword opposed to his substantial one, were,

and could possibly be, but the gratuitous creations of a fancy, under

the influence of amorous distrust. It was morally impossible that

any person should have made his way into his daughter's chamber.

With regard to the melancholy so visible in his wife's deportment, it

might very naturally be attributed to precarious health and delicacy

of constitution. The honor of a husband need not be so tremblingly

alive to all the qualms of maiden fear and inexperience. Change of

condition, in the case of a girl habituated to live almost without

human society, and abruptly consigned to the embraces of a man in

whom love and previous acquaintance had not inspired confidence,

might innocently be the cause of these tears, of these sighs, and of

this lively affliction so irksome to his feelings. But it was to be

considered that tenderness, especially in the hearts of young ladies,

fortified by the pride of blood against the excesses of love-sick

abandonment, was only to be cherished into a flame by time and

assiduity. He, therefore, exhorted him to tranquillize his disturbed

mind; to be ardently officious in redoubling every instance of

affection; to create a soft and seducing interest in the sensibility

of Blanche. In short, he besought him earnestly to return to her

apartment, and labored to persuade him that his distrust and

confusion would only set her on an unconjugal and litigious defence

of her insulted virtue.

The constable returned no answer to the arguments of his

father-in-law, whether because he began to think in good earnest that

his senses were imposed on by the disorder of his mind, or because he

thought it more to the purpose to dissemble than to undertake

ineffectually to convince the old man of an event so devoid of all

likelihood. He returned to his wife's chamber, laid himself down by

her side, and endeavored to obtain from sleep some relief from his

extreme uneasiness. Blanche, on her part, the unhappy Blanche, was

not a whit more at her ease. Her ears had been but too open to the

same alarming sounds which had assailed her husband's peace; nor

could she construe into illusion an adventure of which she well knew

the secret and the motives. She was surprised that Enriquez should

attempt to find his way into her apartment, after having pledged his

faith so solemnly to the Princess Constance. Instead of feeding her

soul with vanity, or deriving any flattering omens from a proceeding

fraught with personal tenderness, but destructive to

self-approbation, she considered it as a new insult, and her heart

was only so much the more exasperated with resentment against the

author.

While Siffredi's daughter, with all her prejudices excited against

the young king, believed him the most guilty of men, that unhappy

prince, more than ever ensnared by Blanche, was anxious for an

interview, to satisfy her mind on a subject which seemed to make so

much against him. For that purpose he would have visited Belmonte

sooner, but for a press of business too urgent to be neglected; nor

could he withdraw himself from the court before that night. He was

perfectly at home in all the turnings of a place where he had been

brought up, and, therefore, was at no loss to slip into the castle of

Siffredi. Nay, he was still in possession of the key to a secret

door communicating with the gardens. By this inlet did he gain his

former apartment, and there found his way into Blanche's chamber.

Only conceive what must have been the astonishment of that prince to

find a man in possession, and to feel a sword opposed to his guard!

He was just on the point of betraying all, and of punishing the rebel

on the very spot, whose sacrilegious hand had dared to lift itself

against the person of its lawful sovereign. But then the delicacy

due to the daughter of Leontio held his indignation in check. He

retreated in the same direction as he had advanced, and regained the

Palermo road, in more distress and perplexity than ever. Getting

home some little time before daybreak, his apartment afforded him the

most quiet retreat. But his thoughts were all on the road back to

Belmonte, the resting-place of his affections. A sense of honor; in

a word, love with all its pretensions and surmises, would never allow

him to delay an explanation, involving all the circumstances of so

strange and melancholy an adventure.

As soon as it was daylight he gave out that he was going on a hunting

expedition. Under cover of sporting, his huntsmen and a chosen party

of his courtiers penetrated into the forest of Belmonte under his

direction. The chase was followed for some time, as a blind to his

real design. When he saw the whole party eagerly driving on, and

wholly engrossed by the sport, he galloped off in a different

direction, and struck, without any attendants, into the road towards

Leontio's castle. The various tracks of the forest were too well

known to him to admit of his losing his way. His impatience, too,

would not allow him to take any thought of his horse, so that the

moments scarcely flitted faster than his expedition in leaving behind

him the distance which separated him from the object of his love.

His very soul was on the rack for some plausible excuse to plead for

a private interview with Siffredi's daughter, when, crossing a narrow

path just at the park gate, he observed two women sitting close by

him, in earnest conversation, under the shelter of a tree. It might

well be supposed that these females belonged to the castle; and even

that probability was sufficient to rouse an interest in him. But his

emotion was heightened into a feeling beyond his reason to control,

for these ladies happened to look round on hearing the trot of a

horse advancing in that direction, when at once he recognized his

dear Blanche. The fact was, she had made her escape from the castle

with Nisa, the person of all others among her women most in her

confidence, that she might at least have the satisfaction of weeping

over her misfortunes without intrusion or restraint.

He flew, and seemed rather to throw himself headlong than to fall at

her feet. But when he beheld in the expression of her countenance

every mark of the deepest affliction, his heart was softened. Lovely

Blanche, said he, do not, let me entreat you, give way to the

emotions of your grief. Appearances, I own, must represent me as

guilty in your eyes, but when you shall be made acquainted with my

project in your behalf, what you consider as a crime, will be

transformed in your thoughts into a proof of my innocence, and an

evidence of my unparalleled affection. These words, calculated,

according to the views of Enriquez, to allay the grief of Blanche,

served only to redouble her affliction. Fain would she have

answered, but her sobs stifled her utterance. The prince,

thunderstruck at the death-like agitation of her frame, addressed her

thus: What, madam, is there no possibility of tranquillizing your

agitation? By what sad mischance have I lost your confidence, at the

very moment when my crown and even my life are at stake, in

consequence of my resolution to hold myself engaged to you? At this

suggestion the daughter of Leontio, doing violence to her own

feelings, but thinking it necessary to explain herself, said to him:

My liege, your assurances are no longer admissible. My destiny and

yours are henceforward as far asunder as the poles. Ah! Blanche,

interrupted Enriquez with impatience, what cutting words are these,

too painful for my sense of hearing? Who dares step in between our

loves? Who would venture to stand forward against the headlong rage

of a king who would kindle all Sicily into a conflagration, rather

than suffer you to be ravished from his long-cherished hopes? All

your power, my liege, great as it is, replied the daughter of

Siffredi in a tone of melancholy, becomes inefficient against the

obstacles in the way of our union. I know not how to tell it you,

but ... I am married to the constable.

Married to the constable! exclaimed the prince, starting back to some

distance from her. He could proceed no further in his discourse, so

completely was he thunderstruck at the intelligence. Overwhelmed by

this unexpected blow, he felt his strength forsake him. His

unconscious limbs laid themselves without his guidance against the

trunk of a tree just behind him. His countenance was pallid, his

whole frame in a tremor, his mind bewildered, and his spirits

depressed. With no sense or faculty at liberty but that of gazing,

and there every power of his soul was suspended on Blanche, he made

her feel most poignantly how he himself was agonized by the fatal

event she had announced. The expression of countenance on her part

was such as to show him that her emotions were not uncongenial with

his own. Thus did these two distressed lovers for a time preserve a

silence towards each other, which portended something of terror in

its calmness. At length the prince, recovering a little from his

disorder by an effort of courage, resumed the discourse, and said to

Blanche with a sigh, Madam, what have you done? You have destroyed

me, and involved yourself in the same ruin by your credulity.

Blanche was offended at the seeming reproaches of the king, when the

strongest grounds of complaint were apparently on her side. What! my

lord, answered she, do you add dissimulation to infidelity? Would

you have me reject the evidence of my own eyes and ears, so as to

believe you innocent in spite of their report? No, my lord, I will

own to you such an effort of abstraction is not in my power. And

yet, madam, replied the king, these witnesses by whose testimony you

have been so fully convinced, are but impostors. They have been in a

conspiracy to betray you. It is no less the fact that I am innocent

and faithful, than it is true that you are married to the constable.

What is it you say, my lord? replied she. Did I not overhear you

confirming the pledge of your hand and heart to Constance? Have you

not bound yourself to the nobility of the realm, and undertaken to

comply with the will of the late king? Has not the princess received

the homage of your new subjects as their queen, and in quality of

bride to Prince Enriquez? Were my eyes then fascinated? Tell me,

tell me rather, traitor, that Blanche was weighed as dust in the

balance of your heart, when compared with the attractions of a

throne. Without lowering yourself so far as to assume what you no

longer feel, and what perhaps you never felt, own at once that the

crown of Sicily appeared a more tenable possession with Constance

than with the daughter of Leontio. You are in the right, my lord.

My title to an illustrious throne, and to the heart of a prince like

you, stands on an equally precarious footing. It was vanity in the

extreme to prefer a claim to either; but you ought not to have drawn

me on into error. You will recollect what alarms were my portion at

the very thought of losing you, of which I had almost a supernatural

foreboding. Why did you lull my apprehensions to sleep! To what

purpose was that delusive mockery? I might else have accused Fate

rather than yourself, and you would at least have retained an

interest in my heart, though unaccompanied by a hand which no other

suitor could ever have obtained. As we are now circumstanced, your

justification is out of season. I am married to the constable. To

relieve me from the continuance of an interview which casts a shade

over my purity hitherto unsullied, permit me, my lord, without

failing in due respect, to withdraw from the presence of a prince to

whose addresses I am even no longer at liberty to listen.

With these words, she darted away from Enriquez in as hurried a step

as the agitation of her spirits would allow. Stop, madam, exclaimed

he; drive not to despair a prince inclined to overturn a throne which

you reproach him for having preferred to yourself, rather than yield

to the importunities of his new subjects. That sacrifice is under

present circumstances superfluous, rejoined Blanche. The bond must

be broken between the constable and me, before any effect can be

produced by these generous transports. Since I am not my own

mistress, little would it avail that Sicily should be embroiled, nor

does it concern me to whom you give your hand. If I had betrayed my

own weakness, and suffered my heart to be surprised, at least shall I

muster fortitude enough to suppress every soft emotion, and prove to

the new king of Sicily, that the wife of the constable is no longer

the mistress of Prince Enriquez. While this conversation was

passing, they reached the park gate. With a sudden spring she and

Nisa got within the walls. As they took care to fasten the wicket

after them, the prince was left in a state of melancholy and

stupefaction. He could not recover from the stunning sensation

occasioned by the intelligence of Blanche's marriage. Unjust may I

well call you! exclaimed he. You have buried all remembrance of our

solemn engagement! Spite of my protestations and your own, our fates

are rent asunder! The long-cherished hope of possessing those charms

was an empty phantom! Ah! cruel as you are, how dearly have I

purchased the distinction of compelling you to acknowledge the

constancy of my love!

At that moment his rival's happiness, heightened by the coloring of

jealousy, presented itself to his mind in all the horrors of that

frantic passion. So arbitrary was its sway over him for some

moments, that he was on the point of sacrificing the constable, and

even Siffredi, to his blind vengeance. Reason, however, calmed by

little and little the violence of his transports. And yet the

obvious impossibility of effacing from the mind of Blanche her

natural conviction of his infidelity, reduced him to despair. He

flattered himself with weaning her from her prejudices, could he but

converse with her secure from interruption. To attain this end, it

seemed the most feasible plan to get rid of the constable. He,

therefore, determined to have him arrested, as a person suspected of

treasonable designs in the then unsettled state of public affairs.

The commission was given to the captain of his guard, who went

immediately to Belmonte, secured the person of his prisoner just as

the evening was closing in, and carried him to the castle of Palermo.

This occurrence spread an alarm at Belmonte. Siffredi took his

departure forthwith, to offer his own responsibility to the king for

the innocence of his son-in-law, and to represent in their true

colors the unpleasant consequences attending such arbitrary exertions

of power. The prince, who had anticipated such a proceeding on the

part of his minister, and was determined at least to secure himself a

free interview with Blanche before the release of the constable, had

expressly forbidden any one to address him till the next day. But

Leontio, setting this prohibition at defiance, contrived so well as

to make his way into the king's chamber. My liege, said he, with an

air of humility tempered with firmness, if it is allowable for a

subject full of respect and loyalty to complain of his master, I have

to arraign you before the tribunal of your own conscience. What

crime has my son-in-law committed? Has your majesty sufficiently

reflected what an everlasting reproach is entailed on my family? Are

the consequences of an imprisonment calculated to disgust all the

most important officers of the state with the service, a matter of

indifference? I have undoubted information, answered the king, that

the constable holds a criminal correspondence with the Infant Don

Pedro. A criminal correspondence! interrupted Leontio, with

surprise. Ah! my liege, give no ear to the surmise. Your majesty is

played upon. Treason never gained a footing in the family of

Siffredi. It is sufficient security for the constable that he is my

son-in-law, to place him above all suspicion. The constable is

innocent; but private motives have been the occasion of your

arresting him.

Since you speak to me so openly, replied the king, I will adopt the

same sincerity with you. You complain of the constable's

imprisonment! Be it so. And have I no reason to complain of your

cruelty? It is you, barbarous Siffredi, who have wrested my

tranquillity from me, and reduced your sovereign, by your officious

cares, to envy the lowliest of the human race. For do not so far

deceive yourself as to believe that I shall ever enter into your

views. My marriage with Constance is quite out of the question.....

What, my liege, interrupted Leontio, with an expression of horror, is

there any doubt about your marrying the princess, after having

flattered her with that hope in the face of your whole people? If

their wishes are disappointed, replied the king, take the credit to

yourself. Wherefore did you reduce me to the necessity of giving

them a promise my heart would not allow me to make good? Where was

the occasion to fill up with the name of Constance an instrument

designed for the elevation of your own daughter? You could not be a

stranger to my design; need you have completed your tyranny by

devoting Blanche to the arms of a man to whom she could not give her

heart? And what authority have you over mine to dispose of it in

favor of a princess whom I detest? Have you forgotten that she is

the daughter of that cruel Matilda, who, trampling the rights of

consanguinity and human nature under foot, caused my father to

breathe his last under all the rigors of a hard captivity? And

should I marry her! No, Siffredi, throw away that hope. Before the

lurid torch of such an hymeneal shall be kindled in your presence,

you shall behold all Sicily in flames, and the expiring embers

quenched in blood.

Do not my ears deceive me? exclaimed Leontio. Ah! Sovereign, what a

scene do you present me with! Who can hear such menaces without

shuddering? But I am too forward to take alarm, continued he, in an

altered voice. You are in too close a union with your subjects to be

the instrument of a catastrophe so melancholy. You will not suffer

passion to triumph over your reason. Virtues like yours shall never

lose their lustre by the tarnish of human and ordinary weakness. If

I have given my daughter into the arms of the constable, it was with

the design, my liege, of securing to your majesty a powerful subject,

able by his own valor, and the army under his command, to maintain

your party against that of the Prince Don Pedro. It appeared to me

that by connecting him with my family in so close a bond .... Yes,

yes! This bond, exclaimed Prince Enriquez, this fatal bond has been

my ruin. Unfeeling friend, to aim a wound at my vital part! What

commission had you to take care of my interests at the expense of my

affections? Why did you not leave me to support my pretensions by my

own arm? Was there any question about my courage, that I should be

thought incompetent to reduce my rebellious subjects to their

obedience? Means might have been found to punish the constable had

he dared to have fallen off from his allegiance! I am well aware of

the difference between a lawful king and an arbitrary tyrant. The

happiness of our people is our first duty. But are we, on the other

hand, to be the slaves of our subjects? From the moment when we are

selected by Heaven for our high office, do we lose the common

privilege of nature, the birthright of the human race, to dispose of

our affections in whatsoever current they flow? Well, then! If we

are less our own masters than the lowest of the human race, take

back, Siffredi, that sovereign authority you affect to have secured

to me by the wreck of my personal happiness.

You cannot but be acquainted, my liege, replied the minister, that it

was on your marriage with the princess, the late king, your uncle,

made the succession of the crown to depend. And by what right,

rejoined Enriquez, did even he assume to himself so arbitrary a

disposition? Was it on such unworthy terms that he succeeded his

brother, King Charles? How came you yourself to be so besotted as to

allow of a stipulation so unjust! For a high chancellor, you are not

too well versed in our laws and constitutions. To cut the matter

short, though I have promised my hand to Constance, the engagement

was not voluntary. I do not, therefore, think myself bound to keep

my word; and if Don Pedro founds on my refusal any hope of succeeding

to the throne without involving the nation in a bloody and

destructive contest, his error will be too soon visible. The sword

shall decide between us to whom the prize of empire may more worthily

fall. Leontio could not venture to press him further, and confined

himself to supplicating on his knees for the liberty of his

son-in-law. That boon he obtained. Go, said the king to him, return

to Belmonte, the constable shall follow you thither without delay.

The minister departed, and made the best of his way to Belmonte,

under the persuasion that his son-in-law would overtake him on the

road. In this he was mistaken. Enriquez was determined to visit

Blanche that night, and with such views he deferred the enlargement

of her husband till the next morning.

During this time the feelings of the constable were of the most

agonizing nature. His imprisonment had opened his eyes to the real

cause of his misfortune. He gave himself up to jealousy without

restraint or remorse, and belieing the good faith which had hitherto

rendered his character so valuable, his thoughts were all bent on his

revenge. As he conjectured rightly that the king would not fail to

reconnoitre Blanche's apartment during the night, it was his object

to surprise them together. He, therefore, besought the governor of

the castle at Palermo to allow of his absence from the prison, on the

assurance of his return before daybreak. The governor, who was

devoted to his interest, gave his permission so much the more easily,

as being already advertised that Siffredi had procured his liberty.

Indeed he even went so far as to supply him with a horse for his

journey to Belmonte. The constable on his arrival there fastened his

horse to a tree. He then got into the park by a little gate of which

he had the key, and was lucky enough to slip into the castle without

being recognized by any one. On reaching his wife's apartment, he

concealed himself in the ante-chamber, behind a screen placed as if

expressly for his use. His intention was to observe narrowly what

was going forward, and to present himself on the sudden in Blanche's

chamber at the sound of any footstep he should hear. The first

object he beheld was Nisa, taking leave of her mistress for the

night, and withdrawing to a closet where she slept.

Siffredi's daughter, who had been at no loss to fathom the meaning of

her husband's imprisonment, was fully convinced that he would not

return to Belmonte that night, although she had heard from her father

of the king's assurance that the constable should set out immediately

after him. As little could she doubt but Enriquez would avail

himself of the interval to see and converse with her at his pleasure.

With this expectation she awaited the prince's arrival, to reproach

him for a line of conduct so pregnant with fatal consequences to

herself. As she had anticipated, a very short time after Nisa had

retired, the sliding panel opened, and the king threw himself at the

feet of his beloved. Madam, said he, condemn me not without a

hearing. It is true I have occasioned the constable's imprisonment,

but then consider that it was the only method left me for my

justification. Attribute, therefore, that desperate stratagem to

yourself alone. Why did you refuse to listen to my explanation this

morning? Alas! to-morrow your husband will be liberated, and I shall

no longer have an opportunity of addressing you. Hearken to me then

for the last time. If the loss of you has embittered the remainder

of my days, vouchsafe me at least the melancholy satisfaction of

convincing you that I have not called down this misfortune on myself

by my own inconstancy. I did indeed confirm the pledge of my hand to

Constance, but then it was unavoidable in the situation to which your

father's policy had reduced us. It was necessary to put this

imposition on the princess for your interest and for my own; to

secure to you your crown, and with it the hand and heart of your

devoted lover. I had flattered myself with the prospect of success.

Measures were already taken to supersede that engagement, but you

have destroyed the bright illusions of my fancy; and, by disposing of

yourself too precipitately, have antedated an eternity of torment for

two hearts, whom a mutual and perfect love might have conducted to

perpetual bliss.

He concluded this explanation with such evident marks of unfeigned

agony, that Blanche was affected by his words. She had no longer any

hesitation about his innocence. At first her joy was unbounded at

the conviction; but then again a sense of their cruel circumstances

gained the ascendant over her mind. Ah! my honored lord, said she to

the prince, after such a determination of our destinies, you only

inflict a new pang by informing me that you were not to blame. What

have I done, wretched as I am? My keen resentment has betrayed me

into error. I fancied myself cast off; and in the moment of my

anger, accepted the hand of the constable, whose addresses my father

promoted. But the crime is all my own, though the woes are mutual.

Alas! In the very conjuncture when I accused you of deceiving me, it

was my own act, too credulously impassioned as I was, that the ties

were broken, which I had sworn for ever to make indissoluble. Take

your revenge, my lord, in your turn. Indulge your hatred against the

ungrateful Blanche .... Forget .... What! and is it in my power

then, madam? interrupted Enriquez with a dejected air: how is it

possible to tear a passion from my heart, which even your injustice

had not the power of extinguishing? Yet it becomes necessary for you

to make that effort, my liege, replied the daughter of Siffredi, with

a deep sigh .... And shall you be equal to that effort yourself?

replied the king. I am not confident with myself for my success,

answered she: but I shall spare no pains in the attainment of my

object. Ah! unfeeling fair one, said the prince, you will easily

banish Enriquez from your remembrance, since you can contemplate such

a purpose so steadfastly. Whither, then, does your imagination lead?

said Blanche, in a more decisive tone. Do you flatter yourself that

I can permit the continuance of your tender assiduities? No, my

lord; banish that hope for ever from your thoughts. If I was not

born for royalty, neither has Heaven formed me to be degraded by

illicit addresses. My husband, like yourself, my liege, is allied to

the noble house of Anjou. Though the call of duty were less

peremptory, in opposing an insurmountable obstacle to your insidious

proposals, a sense of pride would hinder me from admitting them. I

conjure you to withdraw; we must meet no more. What a barbarous

sentence! exclaimed the king. Ah! Blanche, is it possible that you

should treat me with so much severity? Is it not enough, then, to

weigh me down, that the constable should be in possession of your

charms? And yet you would cut me off from the bare sight of you, the

only comfort which remains to me! For that very reason avoid my

presence, answered Siffredi's daughter, not without some tears of

tenderness. The contemplation of what we have dearly loved is no

longer a blessing, when we have lost all hope of the possession.

Adieu, my lord! Shun my very image. You owe that exertion to your

own honor and to my good name. I claim it also for my own peace of

mind: for to deal sincerely, though my virtue should be steady enough

to combat with the suggestions of my heart, the very remembrance of

your affection stirs up so cruel a conflict, that it is almost too

much for my frail nature to support the shock.

Her utterance of these words was attended with so energetic an

action, as to overset the light placed on a table behind her, and its

fall left the room in darkness. Blanche picked it up. She then

opened the door of the antechamber, and went to Nisa's closet, who

was not yet gone to bed, for the purpose of lighting it again. She

was now returning, after having accomplished her errand. The king,

who was waiting for her impatiently, no sooner saw her approach, than

he resumed his ardent plea with her, to allow of his attentions. At

the prince's voice, the constable rushed impetuously, sword in hand,

into the room, almost at the same moment with his bride. Advancing

up to Enriquez with all the indignation which his fury kindled within

him: This is too much, tyrant! cried he; flatter not yourself that I

am cowardly enough to bear with this affront which you have offered

to my honor. Ay! traitor, answered the king, standing on his guard,

lay aside the vain imagination of being able to compass your purpose

with impunity. With these mutual taunts, they entered on a conflict,

too violent to be long undecided. The constable, fearing lest

Siffredi and his attendants should be roused too soon by the piercing

shrieks of Blanche, and should interpose between him and his revenge,

took no care of himself. His frenzy robbed him of all skill. He

fenced so heedlessly, as to run headlong on his adversary's sword.

The weapon entered his body up to the hilt. He fell; and the king

instantaneously checked his hand. The daughter of Leontio, touched

at her husband's condition, and rising superior to her natural

repugnance, threw herself on the ground, and was anxious to afford

him every assistance. But that ill-fated bridegroom was too deeply

prejudiced against her, to allow himself to be softened by the

evidences she gave of her sorrow and her pity. Death, whose hand he

felt upon him, could not trifle the transports of his jealousy. In

these his last moments, no image presented itself to his mind but his

rival's success. So insufferable was that idea to him, that,

collecting together the little strength he had left, he raised his

sword, which he still grasped convulsively, and plunged it deep in

Blanche's bosom. Die, said he, as he inflicted the fatal wound; die,

faithless bride, since the ties of wedlock were not strong enough to

preserve to me the vow which you had sworn upon the altar! And as

for you, Enriquez, pursued he, triumph not too loudly on your

destinies. You are prevented from taking advantage of my froward

fortune; and I die content. Scarcely did these words quiver on his

lips, when he breathed his last. His countenance, overcast as it was

with the shades of death, had still something in it of fierceness and

of terror. That of Blanche presented a quite different aspect. The

wound she had received was mortal. She fell on the scarcely

breathing body of her husband; and the blood of the innocent victim

flowed in the same stream with that of her murderer, who had executed

his cruel purpose so suddenly that the king could not prevent it from

taking effect.

This ill-fated prince uttered a cry at the sight of Blanche as she

fell. Pierced deeper than herself by the stab which deprived her of

life, he did his utmost to afford the same relief to her as she had

offered, though at so fatal an expense, to one who might have

rewarded her better. But she addressed him in these words, while the

last breath quivered on her lips: My lord, your assiduities are

fruitless; I am the victim. Merciless Fate demands me, and I resign

myself to death. May the anger of Heaven be appeased by the

sacrifice, and the prosperity of your reign be confirmed. As she was

with difficulty uttering these last words, Leontio, drawn thither by

the reverberation of her shrieks, came into the room, and,

thunderstruck at the dreadful scene before him, remained fixed to the

spot where he stood. Blanche, without noticing his presence, went on

addressing herself to the king. Farewell, prince, said she; cherish

my memory with the tenderness it deserves. My affection and my

misfortunes entitle me at least to that. Harbor no aversion to my

father; he is innocent. Be a comfort to his remaining days; assuage

his grief; acknowledge his fidelity. Above all, convince him of my

spotless virtue. With this I charge you, before every other

consideration. Farewell, my dear Enriquez ... I am dying ... Receive

my last sigh.

Here her words were intercepted by the approach of death. For some

time, the king maintained a sullen silence. At length he said to

Siffredi, whose senses seemed to be locked up in a mortal trance:

Behold, Leontio; feed on the contemplation of your own work. In this

tragical event, you may ruminate on the issues of your officious

cares, and your overweening zeal for my service. The old man

returned no answer, so deeply was he penetrated by his affliction.

But wherefore dwell on the description of circumstances, when the

powers of language must sink under the weight of such a catastrophe?

Suffice it to say, that they mutually poured forth their sorrows in

the most affecting terms, as soon as their grief allowed them to give

vent to its effusions in speech.

Through the whole course of his life, the king cherished a tender

recollection of his mistress. He could not bring himself to marry

Constance. The Infant Don Pedro combined with that princess, and, by

their joint efforts, an obstinate attempt was made to carry the will

of Roger into execution; but they were compelled in the end to give

way to Prince Enriquez, who gained the ascendancy over all his

enemies. As for Siffredi, the melancholy he contracted from having

been the cause of destruction to his dearest friends, gave him a

disgust to the world, and made a longer abode in his native country

insupportable. He turned his back on Sicily for ever; and, coming

over into Spain with Portia, his surviving daughter, purchased this

mansion. He lived nearly fifteen years after the death of Blanche,

and had the consolation, before his own death, of establishing Portia

in the world. She married Don Jerome de Silva, and I am the only

issue of that marriage. Such, pursued the widow of Don Pedro de

Pinares, is the story of my family: a faithful recital of the

melancholy events, represented in that picture, which was painted by

order of my grandfather Leontio, as a record to his posterity of the

fatal adventure I have related.

_CHAPTER V._

_THE BEHAVIOR OF AURORA DE GUZMAN ON HER ARRIVAL AT SALAMANCA._

Ortiz, her companions, and myself, after having heard this tale,

withdrew together from the hall, where we left Aurora with Elvira.

There they lengthened out the remainder of the day in a mutual

intercourse of confidence. They were not likely to be weary of each

other, and on the following morning, when we took our leave, there

was as much to do to part them, as if they had been two friends

brought up in the closest habits of confidence and affection.

In due time we reached Salamanca without any impediment. There we

immediately engaged a ready-furnished house, and Dame Ortiz, as it

had been before agreed, assumed the name of Donna Kimena de Guzman.

She had played the part of a duenna too long not to be able to shift

her character according to circumstances. One morning she went out

with Aurora, a waiting-maid, and a man-servant, and betook herself to

a lodging-house, where we had been informed that Pacheco most

commonly took up his abode. She asked if there was any lodging to be

let there. The answer was in the affirmative, and they showed her

into a room in very neat condition, which she hired. She paid down

earnest to the landlady, telling her that it was for one of her

nephews who was coming from Toledo to finish his studies at

Salamanca, and might be expected on that very day.

The duenna and my mistress, after having made sure of this apartment,

went back the way they came, and the lovely Aurora, without the loss

of time, metamorphosed herself into a spruce young spark. She

concealed her black ringlets under a braid of light-colored hair, the

better to disguise herself; ... manufactured her eyebrows to

correspond, and dressed herself up in such a costume as to look for

all the world as if her sex were of a piece with her appearance. Her

deportment was free and easy; so that, with the exception of her

face, which was somewhat more delicate than became the manly

character, there was nothing to lead to a discovery of her

masquerading. The waiting-woman who was to officiate as page, got

into her paraphernalia at the same time, and we had no apprehension

respecting her competency to perform her part. There was no danger

of her beauty telling any tales; and, besides, she could put on as

brazen-faced a swagger as the most impudent dog in town. After

dinner, our two actresses, finding themselves in cue to make their

first appearance on the stage, where the scene was laid in the

ready-furnished lodging, took me along with them. We all three

placed ourselves in the coach, and carried with us all the baggage we

were likely to have occasion for.

The landlady, Bernarda Ramirez by name, welcomed us with a glut of

civility, and led the way to our room, where we began to make our

arrangements with her. We concluded a bargain for our board by the

month, which she undertook should be suitable to our condition. Then

we asked if she had her compliment of boarders. I have none at all

at present, answered she. Not that there would be any want of

enough, if I was of the mind to take in all sorts of people; but

young men of fashion are the thing for me. I expect one of that

description this morning: he is coming hither from Madrid to complete

his education. Don Lewis Pacheco! But you must have heard of him

before now. No, said Aurora, I have no acquaintance whatever with

the gentleman; and since we are to be inmates together, you will do

me a kindness by letting me a little into his character. Please your

honor, replied the landlady, leering at this outside of a man, his

figure is as taking as your own; just the same sort of make, and

about the same size. O! how well you will do together! By St.

James, though I say it who should not say it, I shall have about me

two of the prettiest young fellows in all Spain. Well, but about Don

Lewis! for my mistress was in a fidget to ask the grand question. Of

course; ... he is well with the ladies in your parts! Enough of ...

of love affairs ... on his hands! O! do not you be afraid of that,

rejoined the old lady; it is a forward sprig of gallantry, take my

word for it. He has but to show himself before the works, and the

citadel sends to capitulate. Among the number of his conquests, he

has got into the good graces of a lady, with as much youth and beauty

as he will know what to do with. Her name is Isabella. Her father

is an old doctor of laws. She is over head and ears in love with

him; absolutely out of her wits! Well, but do tell me now, my dear

little woman, interrupted Aurora, as if she was ready to burst, is he

out of his wits too? He used to be very fond of her, answered

Bernarda Ramirez, before he went last to Madrid, but whether he holds

in the same mind still, I will not venture to say; because on these

points he is not altogether to be trusted. He is apt to flirt, first

with one woman, and then with another, just as all you young

deceivers take pleasure in doing. You are all alike!

The bonny widow had scarcely got to the end of her harangue, before

we heard a noise in the court. On looking out at the window, behold!

there appeared two young men dismounting from their steeds. Who

should it be, but the identical Don Lewis Pacheco, just arrived from

Madrid, with a servant behind him. The old lady rushed off to go and

usher him in; while my mistress was putting herself in order, not

without some palpitation of heart, to enact Don Felix to the best of

her conceptions. Without waiting for any formalities, in marched Don

Lewis to our apartment in his travelling dress. I have just been

informed, said he, paying his respects to Aurora, that a young

nobleman of Toledo takes up his abode in this house. May I take the

liberty of expressing my joy in the circumstance, and hoping that we

may be better acquainted? During my mistress's reply to this

compliment, it seemed to me as if Pacheco did not know what to make

of so smock-faced a young spark. Indeed he could not refrain from

declaring a more than ordinary admiration of an air and figure so

attractive. After abundance of discourse, with every demonstration

of reciprocal good breeding, Don Lewis withdrew to the apartment

provided for him.

While he was getting his boots off, and changing his dress and linen,

a sort of a page, on the look-out after him to deliver a letter, met

Aurora by chance on the staircase. Her he mistook for Don Lewis.

Thinking he had found the right owner for this tender message, of

which he was the Mercury, Softly! my honored lord and master, said

he, though I have not the honor of knowing Signor Pacheco, there can

be no occasion for asking whether you are the man. It is impossible

to be mistaken in the guess. No, my friend, answered my mistress

with a most happy presence of mind, assuredly you are not mistaken.

You acquit yourself of your embassies to a marvel. I am Don Lewis

Pacheco. You may retire! I will find an opportunity of sending an

answer. The page vanished, and Aurora, shutting herself up with her

waiting-maid and me, opened the letter, and read to us as

follows:--"I have just heard of your being at Salamanca. With what

joy did I receive the news! I thought I should have gone out of my

senses. But do you love Isabella as well as ever? Lose no time in

assuring her that you are still the same. In good truth, she will

almost expire with pleasure when once she is assured of your

constancy."

This is a mighty passionate epistle, said Aurora. The heart that

indited it has been caught in a trap. This lady is a rival of no

mean capacity. No pains must be spared to wean Don Lewis from her,

and even to prevent any future interview. The undertaking is

difficult, I acknowledge, and yet there seems no reason to despair of

the result. My mistress, taking her own hint, fell into a fit of

musing; from which, having recovered as soon as she fell into it, she

added: I will lay a wager they are at daggers drawn in less than

twenty-four hours. It so happened that Pacheco, after a short repose

in his apartment, came to look after us in ours, and entered once

more into conversation with Aurora before supper. My dapper little

knight, said he with a rakish air, I fancy the poor devils of

husbands and lovers will have no reason to hug themselves on your

arrival at Salamanca. You will make their hearts ache for them. As

for myself, I tremble for all my snug arrangements. I tell you what!

answered my mistress with congenial spirit, your fears are not

without their foundation. Don Felix de Mendoza is rather formidable,

so take care what you are about. This is not my first visit in this

country; the ladies hereabouts, to my knowledge, are made of

penetrable materials. About a month ago my way happened to lie

through this city. I halted for eight days, and you are to know ...

but you must not mention it ... that I set fire to the daughter of an

old doctor of laws.

It was evident enough that Don Lewis was disturbed by this

declaration. Might one without impropriety, replied he, just ask the

lady's name? What do you mean by impropriety? exclaimed the

pretended Don Felix. Why make any secret about such a matter as

that? Do you think me more of a Joseph than other young noblemen of

my standing? Have a better opinion of my spirit. Besides, the

object, between ourselves, is unworthy of any great reserve, she is

but a little mushroom of the lower ranks. A man of fashion never

quarrels with his conscience about such obscure gallantries, and even

thinks it an honor conferred on a tradesman's wife or daughter when

he leaves her without any. I shall, therefore, acquaint you in plain

terms, that the name of the doctor's daughter is Isabella. And the

doctor himself, interrupted Pacheco impatiently .... he possibly may

be Signor Murcia de la Llana? Precisely so, replied my mistress.

Here is a letter sent me just now. Read it, and then you will see

how deeply your humble servant has dipped into her good graces. Don

Lewis just cast his eye upon the note, and recognizing the

handwriting, was struck dumb with astonishment and vexation. What is

the matter? cried Aurora, with an air of surprise, keeping up the

spirit of her assumed character. You change color! God forgive me,

but you are a party concerned in this young lady. Ah! plague take my

officious tongue for having opened my affairs to you with so much

frankness.

I am very much obliged to you for it for my own part, said Don Lewis,

in a transport made up of spite and rage. Traitress! Jilt! My dear

Don Felix, how shall I ever requite you! You have restored me to my

senses when they were just on the wing for an eternal flight. I was

tickling myself into a fool's paradise of credulous love. But love

is too cold a term to express my extravagances. I fancied myself

adored by Isabella. The creature had wormed herself into my heart by

feigning to give me her own. But now I know her clearly for a

coquette, and as such despise her as she deserves. Your feelings on

the occasion do you infinite credit, said Aurora, testifying a

friendly sympathy in his resentment. A plodding pettifogger's

worthless brood might have gorged to surfeit on the love of a young

nobleman so captivating as yourself. Her fickleness is inexcusable.

So far from taking her sacrifice of you in good part, it is my

determination to punish her by the keenest contempt. As for me,

rejoined Pacheco, I shall never set eyes on her again; and if that is

not revenge, the devil is in it. You are in the right, exclaimed our

masquerading Mendoza. At the same time, that she may fully

understand how ineffably we both disdain her, I vote for sitting

down, each of us, and writing her a sarcastic farewell. They shall

be enclosed in one cover, and serve as an answer to her own letter.

But do not let us proceed to this extremity till you have examined

your heart; it may be you will repent hereafter of having broken off

with Isabella. No, no, interrupted Don Lewis, I am not such a fool

as that comes to; let it be a bargain, and we will mortify the

ungrateful wretch as you propose.

I immediately sent for pen, ink, and paper, when they sat themselves

down at opposite corners of the table, and drew up a most tender bill

of indictment against Doctor Murcia de la Llana's daughter. Pacheco,

in particular, was at a loss for language forcible enough to convey

his sentiments in all their acrimony; away went exordium after

exordium, to the tearing and maiming of five or six fair sheets,

before the words looked crooked enough to please his jealous eyes.

At length, however, he produced an epistle which came up with his

most tragical conceptions. It ran thus: "Self-knowledge is a leading

branch of wisdom, my little philosopher. As a candidate for a

professor's chair, lay aside the vanity of fancying yourself amiable.

It requires merit of a far different compass to fix my affections.

You have not enough of the woman about you to afford me even a

temporary amusement. Yet do not despair; you have a sphere of your

own; the beggarly servitors in our university have a keen appetite,

but no very distinguishing palate." So much for this elegant

epistle! When Aurora had finished hers, which rang the changes on

similar topics, she sealed them, wrapped them up together, and giving

me the packet: There, Gil Blas, said she, take care that comes to

Isabella's hands this very evening. You comprehend me! added she,

with a glance from the corner of her eye, which admitted of no

doubtful construction. Yes, my lord, answered I, your commands shall

be executed to a tittle.

I lost no time in taking my departure; no sooner in the street than I

said to myself, So ho! Master Gil Blas, your part then is that of the

intriguing footman in this comedy. Well! so be it, my friend! show

that you have wit and sense enough to top it over the favorite actor

of the day. Signor Don Felix thinks a wink as good as a nod. A high

compliment to the quickness of your apprehension! Is he then in an

error? No! His hint is as clear as daylight. Don Lewis's letter is

to drop its companion by the way. A lucid exposition of a dark

hieroglyphic, enough to shame the dulness of the commentators. The

sacredness of a seal could never stand against this bright discovery.

Out came the single letter of Pacheco, and away went I to hunt after

Doctor Murcia's abode. At the very threshold, whom should I meet but

the little page who had been at our lodging. Comrade, said I, do not

you happen to live with the great lawyer's daughter? His answer was

in the affirmative. I see by your countenance, resumed I, that you

know the ways of the world. May I beg the favor of you to slip this

little memorandum into your mistress's hand?

The little page asked me on whose behalf I was a messenger. The name

of Don Lewis Pacheco had no sooner escaped my lips, than he told me,

Since that is the case, follow me; I have orders to show you up;

Isabella wants to confer with you. I was introduced at once into a

private apartment, where it was not long before the lady herself made

her appearance. The beauty of her face was inexpressibly striking; I

do not recollect to have seen more lovely features. Her manner was

somewhat mincing and infantine, and yet for all that it had been

thirty good years at least since she had mewled and puked in her

nurse's arms. My friend, said she with an encouraging smile, are you

on Don Lewis Pacheco's establishment? I told her I had been in

office for these three weeks. With this I fired off my paper popgun

against her peace. She read it over two or three times, but if she

had rubbed her eyes till doomsday she would have seen no clearer. In

point of fact, nothing could be more unexpected than so cavalier an

answer. Up went her eyes towards the heavens, appealing to their

rival luminaries. The ivory[*] fences of her pretty mouth committed

alternate trespass on her soft and suffering lips, and her whole

physiognomy bore witness to the pangs of her distressed and

disappointed heart. Then coming to herself a little, and recovering

her speech, My friend, said she, has Don Lewis taken leave of his

senses? Tell me, if you can, his motive for so heroic an epistle.

If he is tired of me, well and good, but he might have taken his

leave like a gentleman.

[*] Should this phrase appear far-fetched in the person of Gil Blas,

it may be recollected, that though not much of a student himself, he

had waited on students; and might have sucked in, while standing

behind their chairs, along with "fates and destinies, and such old

sayings, the sisters three, and such branches of learning," that

exquisitely characteristic Greek metaphor, "a hedge of

teeth."--TRANSLATOR.

Madam, said I, my master most assuredly has not acted as I should

have acted in his place. But he has in some sort been compelled to

do as he has done. If you would give me your word to keep the

secret, I could unravel the whole mystery. You have it at once,

interrupted she with eagerness; depend on it you shall be brought

into no scrape by me, therefore explain yourself without reserve.

Well then! replied I, the fact is, without paraphrase,

circumlocution, loss of time, or perplexity of understanding, as I

shall distinctly state in two short words: Not half a minute after

the receipt of your letter, there came into our house a lady, under a

veil as impenetrable as her purpose was dark. She enquired for

Signor Pacheco, and talked with him in private for some time. At the

close of the conversation, I overheard her saying, You swear to me

never to see her more; but we must not stop there: to set my heart

completely at rest, you must instantly write her a farewell letter of

my dictating. You know my terms. Don Lewis did as she desired;

then, giving the result into my custody, Acquaint yourself, said he,

where Doctor Murcia de la Llana lives, and contrive to administer

this love potion to his daughter Isabella.

You see plainly, madam, pursued I, that this uncivil epistle is a

rival's handiwork, and that, consequently, my master is not so much

to blame as he appears. O Heaven! exclaimed she, he is more so than

I was aware of. His words might have been the error of his hand, but

his infidelity is the offence of his heart. Faithless man! Now he

is held by other ties! .... But, added she, assuming an air of

disdain, let him devote himself unconstrained to his new passion; I

shall never cross him. Tell him, however, that he need not have

insulted me. I should have left the course open to my rival, without

his warning me from the field: for so fickle a lover has not soul

enough about him to pay for the degradation of soliciting his return.

With this sentiment she gave me my dismissal, and retired in a

whirlwind of passion against Don Lewis.

My exit was conducted entirely to my own satisfaction, for I

conceived that with due cultivation of my talent I might in time

become a consummate hypocrite and most successful cheat. I returned

home on the strength of it, where I found my worthy master Mendoza

and Pacheco supping together, and rattling away as if they had been

playfellows from their cradles. Aurora saw at once, by my

self-sufficient air, that her commission had not been neglected in my

hands. Here you are again then, Gil Blas, said she; give us an

account of your embassy. Wit and invention was all I had to trust

to, so I told them I had delivered the packet into Isabella's own

hands; who, after having glanced over the contents of the two

letters, so far from seeming disconcerted, burst into a fit of

laughter, as if she had been mad, and said, Upon my word, our young

men of fashion write in a pretty style. It must be owned they are

much more entertaining than scribes of plebeian rank. It was a very

good way of getting out of the scrape, exclaimed my mistress; she

must be an arrant coquette. For my part, said Don Lewis, I cannot

trace a feature of Isabella in this conduct. Her character must have

been completely metamorphosed in my absence. She struck me, too, in

a very different light, replied Aurora. It must be allowed some

women can assume all modes and fashions at will. I was once in love

with one of that description, and a fine dance she led me. Gil Blas,

can you tell the whole story? She had an air of propriety about her

which might have imposed upon a whole synod of old maids. It is

true, said I, putting in my oar; it was a face to play the devil with

a sworn bachelor: I could scarcely have been proof against it myself.

The personated Mendoza and Pacheco shouted with laughter at my manner

of expressing myself; the one for the false witness I bore against a

culprit of my own creation; the other laughed simply at the phrase in

which my anathema was couched. We went on talking about the

versatility of women; and the verdict, after hearing the evidence,

all on one side, was given against Isabella. A convicted coquette!

and sentence passed on her accordingly. Don Lewis made a fresh vow

never to see her more, and Don Felix, after his example, swore to

hold her in eternal abhorrence. By dint of these mutual

protestations, a sort of friendship was established on the spur of

the occasion, and they promised on both sides to keep no secrets from

each other. The time after supper passed in ingratiating

intercourse, and the time seemed short till they retired to their

separate apartments. I followed Aurora to hers, where I gave her a

faithful account of my conversation with the doctor's daughter, not

forgetting the most trivial circumstance. She had much ado to help

kissing me for joy. My dear Gil Blas, said she, I am delighted with

your spirit. When one has the misfortune to be engaged in a passion

not to be gratified but by stratagems, what an advantage is it to

secure on the right side a lad of so enterprising a genius as

yourself. Courage, my friend! we have thrown a rival into the back

ground, whose presence in the scene might have marred our comedy. So

far, all is well. But as lovers are subject to strange vagaries, it

seems to me that we must make short work of it, and bring Aurora de

Guzman on the stage to-morrow. The idea met with my entire

approbation; so, leaving Signor Don Felix with his page, I withdrew

to bed in an adjoining closet.

_CHAPTER VI._

_AURORA'S DEVICES TO SECURE DON LEWIS PACHECO'S AFFECTIONS._

The two new friends met as soon as they came down in the morning.

The ceremonies of the day began with reciprocal embraces, about which

it was impossible for Aurora to be squeamish, for then Don Felix must

have dropped the mask altogether. They went out and walked about

town arm in arm, attended by Chilindron, Don Lewis's footman, and

myself. We loitered about the gates of the university, looking at

some posting-bills and advertisements of new publications. There

were a good many people amusing themselves, like us, with reading

over the contents of these placards. Among the rest, my eye was

caught by a little fellow who was giving his opinion very learnedly

on the works exposed for sale. I observed him to be heard with

profound attention, and could not help remarking how amply he

deserved it in his own opinion. He was evidently a complete coxcomb,

of an arrogant and dictatorial stamp, the common curse of your gentry

under size. This new translation of Horace, said he, announced here

to the public in letters of a yard long, is a prose work, executed by

an old college author. The students have taken a great fancy to the

book, so as to carry off four editions; but not a copy has been

bought by any man of taste! His criticisms were scarcely more candid

on any of the other books: he mauled them every one without mercy.

It was easy enough to see he was an author! I should not have been

sorry to have staid out his harangue, but Don Lewis and Don Felix

were not to be left in the lurch. Now, they took as little pleasure

in this gentleman's remarks as they felt interest in the books which

he was Scaligerizing, so that they took a quiet leave of him and the

university.

We returned home at dinner-time. My mistress sat down at table with

Pacheco, and dexterously turned the conversation on her private

concerns. My father, said she, is a younger branch of the Mendoza

family, settled at Toledo, and my mother is own sister to Donna

Kimena de Guzman, who came to Salamanca some days ago on an affair of

business, with her niece Aurora, only daughter of Don Vincent de

Guzman, whom possibly you might be acqainted with. No, answered Don

Lewis; but I have often heard of him, as well as of your cousin

Aurora. Is it true what they say of her? Her wit and beauty are

reported to be unrivalled. As for wit, replied Don Felix, she

certainly is not wanting, for she has taken great pains to cultivate

her mind; but her beauty is by no means to be boasted of--indeed we

are thought to be very much alike. If that is the case, exclaimed

Pacheco, she cannot be behindhand with her reputation. Your features

are regular, your complexion almost too fine for a man: your cousin

must be an absolute enchantress. I should like to see and converse

with her. That you shall, if I have any interest in the family, and

this very day, too, replied the little Proteus of a Mendoza. We will

go and see my aunt after dinner.

My mistress took the first opportunity of changing the topic and

conversing on indifferent subjects. In the afternoon, while the two

friends were getting ready to go and call on Donna Kimena, I played

the scout, and ran before to prepare the duenna for her visitors.

But there was no time to be lost on my return, for Don Felix was

waiting for me to attend Don Lewis and him on their way to his

aunt's. No sooner had they stepped over the threshold than they were

encountered by the adroit old lady, making signs to them to walk as

softly as possible. Hush! hush! said she, in a low voice; you waken

my niece. Ever, since yesterday; she has had a dreadful headache,

but is just now a little better; and the poor girl has been taking a

little sleep for the last quarter of an hour. I am sorry for this

unlucky accident, said Mendoza; I was in hopes we should have seen my

cousin; besides, I meant to have introduced my friend Pacheco. There

is no such great hurry on that account, answered Ortiz, with a

significant smile; and if that is all, you may defer it till

to-morrow. The gentlemen did not trouble the old lady with a long

visit, but took their leave as soon as they decently could.

Don Lewis took us to see a young gentleman of his acquaintance, by

name Don Gabriel de Pedros. There we staid the remainder of the day,

and took our suppers. About two o'clock in the morning we sallied

forth on our return home. We had got about half way, when we

stumbled against something on the ground, and discovered two men

stretched at their length in the street. We concluded they had

fallen under the knife of the assassin, and stopped to assist them,

if yet within reach of assistance. As we were looking about to

inform ourselves of their condition as nearly as the darkness of the

night would allow, the patrol came up. The officer took us at first

for the murderers, and ordered his people to surround us; but he

mended his opinion of us on the sound of our voices, and by favor of

a dark lantern held up to the face of Mendoza and Pacheco. His

myrmidons, by his direction, examined the two men, whom our fancies

had painted as in the agonies of death; but it turned out to be a fat

licenciate with his servant, both of them overtaken in their cups,

and not dead, but dead drunk. Gentlemen, exclaimed one of the posse,

this jolly fellow is an acquaintance of mine. What! do you not know

Signor Guyomer the licentiate, head of our university? With all his

imperfections he is a great character--a man of superior genius. He

is as staunch as a hound at a philosophical dispute, and his words

flow like a gutter after a hailstorm. He has but three foibles in

which he indulges: intoxication, litigation, and fornication. He is

now returning from supper at his Isabella's, whence, the more is the

pity, the drunk was leading the drunk, and they both fell into the

kennel. Before the good licentiate came to the headship this

happened continually. Though manners make the man, honors, you

perceive, do not always mend the manners. We left these drunkards in

custody of the patrol, who carried them safe home, and betook

ourselves to our lodging and our beds.

Don Felix and Don Lewis were stirring about mid-day. Aurora de

Guzman was the first topic of their conversation. Gil Blas, said my

mistress to me, run to my aunt, Donna Kimena, and ask if there is any

admission for Signor Pacheco and me to-day, we want to see my cousin.

Off I went to acquit myself of this commission, or rather to concert

the plan of the campaign with the duenna. We had no sooner laid our

heads together to the purpose intended, than I was once more at the

elbow of the false Mendoza. Sir, quoth I, your cousin Aurora has got

about wonderfully. She enjoined me from her own lips to acquaint you

that your visit could not be otherwise than highly acceptable, and

Donna Kimena desired me to assure Signor Pacheco that any friend of

yours would always meet with a hospitable reception.

These last words evidently tickled Don Lewis's fancy. My mistress

saw that the bait was swallowed, and prepared herself to haul the

prey to shore. Just before dinner, a servant made his appearance

from Signora Kimena, and said to Don Felix, My lord, a man from

Toledo has been inquiring after you, and has left this note at your

aunt's house. The pretended Mendoza opened it, and read the contents

aloud to the following effect: "If your father and family still live

in your remembrance, and you wish to hear of their concerns, do not

fail, on the receipt of this, to call at the Black Horse, near the

university." I am too much interested, said he, in these proffered

communications, not to satisfy my curiosity at once. Without

ceremony, Pacheco, you must excuse me for the present; if I am not

back again here within two hours, you may find your way by yourself

to my aunt's; I will join the party in the evening. You recollect

Gil Blas' message from Donna Kimena; the visit is no more than what

will be expected from you. After having thrown out this hint, he

left the room, and ordered me to follow him.

It can scarcely be necessary to apprise the reader, that instead of

marching down to the Black Horse, we filed off to our other quarters.

The moment that we got within doors, Aurora tore off her artificial

hair, washed the charcoal from her eyebrows, resumed her female

attire, and shone in all her natural charms, a lovely,

dark-complexioned girl. So complete, indeed, had been her disguise

that Aurora and Don Felix could never have been suspected of

identity. The lady seemed to have the advantage of the gentleman

even in stature, thanks to a good high pair of heels, to which she

was not a little indebted. It was her first business to heighten her

personal graces with all the embellishments of art; after which she

looked out for Don Lewis, in a state of agitation, compounded of fear

and hope. One instant she felt confident in her wit and beauty; the

next, she anticipated the failure of her attempt. Ortiz, on her

part, set her best foot foremost, and was determined to play up to my

mistress. As for me, Pacheco was not to see my knave's face till the

last act of the farce, for which the great actors are always

reserved, to unravel the intricacy of the plot; so I went out

immediately after dinner.

In short, the puppet-show was all adjusted against Don Lewis's

arrival. He experienced a very gracious reception from the old lady,

in amends for whose tediousness he was blessed with two or three

hours of Aurora's delightful conversation. When they had been

together long enough, in popped I, with a message to the enamoured

spark. My lord, my master Don Felix begs you ten thousand pardons,

but he cannot have the pleasure of waiting on you here this evening.

He is with three men of Toledo, from whom he cannot possibly get

away. O! the wicked little rogue, exclaimed Donna Kimena; as sure as

a gun, then, he is going to make a night of it. No, madam, replied

I, they are deeply engaged in very serious business. He is really

distressed that he cannot pay his respects, and commissioned me to

say everything proper to your ladyship and Donna Aurora. O! I will

have none of his excuses, pouted out my mistress; he knows very well

that I have been indisposed, and might show some slight degree of

feeling for so near a relation. As a punishment, he shall not come

near me for this fortnight. Nay, madam, interposed Don Lewis, such a

sentence is too severe. Don Felix's fate is but too pitiable, in

having been deprived of your society this evening.

They bandied about their fine speeches on these little topics of

gallantry for some time, and then Pacheco withdrew. The lovely

Aurora metamorphosed herself in a twinkling, and resumed her swashing

outside. The grass did not grow under her feet while she was running

to the other lodging. I have a million of apologies to make, my dear

friend, said she to Don Lewis, for not giving you the meeting at my

aunt's; but there was no getting rid of the tiresome people I was

with. However, there is one comfort, you have had so much the more

leisure to look about you, and criticise my cousin's beauty. Well,

and how do you like her? She is a most lovely creature, answered

Pacheco. You were in the right to claim a resemblance to her. I

never saw more correspondent features: the very same cast of

countenance, the eyes exactly alike, the mouth evidently a family

feature, and the tone of voice scarcely to be distinguished. The

likeness, however, goes no further, for Aurora is taller than you,

she is brown and you are fair, you are a jolly fellow, she has a

little touch of the demure; so that you are not altogether the male

and female Sosias. As for good sense, continued he, if an angel from

heaven were to whisper wisdom in one ear, and your cousin her mortal

chit-chat in the other, I am afraid the angel might whistle for an

audience. In a word, Aurora is all-accomplished.

Signor Pacheco uttered these last words with so earnest an

expression, that Don Felix said with a smile: My friend, I advise you

to stay away from Donna Kimena's; it will be more for your peace of

mind. Aurora de Guzman may set your wits a wandering, and inspire a

passion...

I have no need of seeing her again, interrupted he, to become

distractedly enamoured of her. I am sorry for you, replied the

pretended Mendoza, for you are not a man to be seriously caught, and

my cousin is not to be made a fool of, take my word for it. She

would never encourage a lover whose designs were otherwise than

honorable. Otherwise than honorable! retorted Don Lewis; who could

have the audacity to form such on a lady of her rank and character?

As for me, I should esteem myself the happiest of mankind, could she

be prevailed on to favor my addresses, and link her fate with mine.

Since those are your sentiments, rejoined Don Felix, you may command

my services. Yes, I will go heart and hand with you in the business.

All my interest in Aurora shall be yours, and by to-morrow morning I

will commence an attack on my aunt, whose good word has more

influence than you may think. Pacheco returned his thanks with the

best air possible to this young go-between, and we were all agog at

the promising appearance of our stratagem. On the following day we

found the means of heightening the dramatic effect by entangling the

plot a little more. My mistress, after having waited on Donna

Kimena, as if to speak a good word in favor of the suitor, came back

with the result of the interview. I have spoken to my aunt, said

she, but it was as much as I could do to make her hear your proposal

with patience. She was primed and loaded against you. Some

good-natured friend in the dark has painted you out for a reprobate;

but I took your part with some little quickness, and at length

succeeded in vindicating your moral character from the attack it had

sustained.

This is not all, continued Aurora. You had better enter on the

subject with my aunt in my presence; we shall be able to make

something of her between us. Pacheco was all impatience to insinuate

himself into the good graces of Donna Kimena; nor was the opportunity

deferred beyond the next morning. Our amphibious Mendoza escorted

him into the presence of Dame Ortiz, where such a conversation passed

between the trio as put fire and tow to the combustible heart of Don

Lewis. Kimena, a veteran performer, took the cue of sympathy at

every expression of tenderness, and promised the enamoured youth that

it should not be her fault if his plea with her niece was urged in

vain. Pacheco threw himself at the feet of so good an aunt, and

thanked her for all her favors. In this stage of the business Don

Felix asked if his cousin was up. No, replied the Duenna, she is

still in bed, and is not likely to be down stairs while you stay; but

call again after dinner, and you shall have a tête-à-tête with her to

your heart's content. It is easy to imagine that so coming on a

proposal from the dragon which was to guard this inaccessible

treasure, produced its full complement of joy in the heart of Don

Lewis. The remainder of the long morning had nothing to do but to be

sworn at! He went back to his own lodging with Mendoza, who was not

a little enraptured to observe, with the scrutinizing eye of a

mistress under the disguise of a friend, all the symptoms of an

incurable amorous infirmity.

Their tongues run on no earthly subject but Aurora. When they had

done dinner, Don Felix said to Pacheco: A thought has just struck me.

It would not be amiss for me to go to my aunt's a few minutes before

you; I will get to speak to my cousin in private, and pry, if it be

possible, into every fold and winding of her heart, as far as your

interests are concerned. Don Lewis just chimed in with this idea, so

that he suffered his friend to set out first, and did not follow him

till an hour afterwards. My mistress availed herself so diligently

of the interval, that she was tricked out as a lady from heel to

point before the arrival of her lover. I beg pardon, said the poor

abused inamorato, after having paid his compliments to Aurora and the

duenna, I took it for granted Don Felix would be here. You will see

him in a few seconds, answered Donna Kimena; he is writing in my

closet. Pacheco was easily put off with the excuse, and found his

time pass cheerfully in conversation with the ladies. And yet,

notwithstanding the presence of all his soul held dear, it seemed

very strange that hour after hour glided away but no Mendoza stepped

forth from the closet! He could not help remarking, that the

gentleman's correspondence must be unusually voluminous, when

Aurora's features all at once assumed the broader contour of a laugh,

with a delightfully provoking question to Don Lewis: Is it possible

that love can be so blind as not to detect the glaring imposition by

which it has been deluded? Has my real self made so faint an

impression on your senses, that a flaxen peruke and a pencilled

eyebrow could carry the farce to such a height as this? But the

masquerade is over now, Pacheco, continued she, resuming an air of

gravity; you are to learn that Don Felix de Mendoza and Aurora de

Guzman are but one and the same person.

It was not enough to discover to him all the springs and contrivances

by which he had been duped; she confessed the motives of tender

partiality that led her to the attempt, and detailed the progress of

the plot to the winding up of the catastrophe. Don Lewis scarcely

knew whether to be most astonished or delighted at the recital; at my

mistress's feet he thus uttered the transports of his fond applause:

Ah! lovely Aurora, can I believe myself indeed the happy mortal on

whom your favors have been so lavished? What can I do to make you

amends for them? My affection, were this life eternal, could

scarcely pay the price. These pretty speeches were followed by a

thousand others of the same quality and texture; after which, the

lovers descended a little nearer to common sense, and began planning

the rational and human means of arriving at the accomplishment of

their wishes. It was resolved that we should set out without loss of

time for Madrid, where marriage was to drop the curtain on the last

act of our comedy. This purpose was executed in the spirit of

impatience which conceived it, so that Don Lewis was united to my

mistress in a fortnight, and the nuptial ceremonies were graced with

the usual accompaniments of music, feasting, balls, and rejoicings,

without either end or respite.

END OF VOL. I.

BALLANTYNE AND HANSON, EDINBURGH

CHANDOS STREET, LONDON