I had not informed him of my return; he uttered a scream of joy when he
saw me enter his apartment. However, his satisfaction at my return made
room to sorrow, when I acquainted him with my deplorable situation.
“Yes, my friend!” said he, after he had viewed me some minutes with
looks of pity, “if it is in your power to subdue that passion, then let
me implore you--”
“Don’t finish that sentence!” I interrupted him, “it is impossible!”
“If that is the case, then only two ways are left to you to attain the
consent of your father; one of which is tedious and rugged, but
straight.”
“Name it!”
“You must endeavour to work upon the nerves of the paternal heart in
such a manner, that his affection for you gets the better of his
ambition.”
“And the second---”
“It is a bye-road which will lead you soon and safely to the
mark---serpents are, however, lurking on that road, and tygers lying in
ambush---”
“Don’t name it!”
“I will name it, in order to caution you against it---it is called
Alumbrado. O my friend!” squeezing my hand affectionately, “go take the
straightest road.”
“That I will, you have given me a very bad character of that Alumbrado.”
“And would not retract a syllable of what I have wrote.”
“Where is he, I have not yet seen him.”
“He is abroad.”
“I am curious to get acquainted with him.”
“Don’t come near him, lest he catch you in the same snare in which he
has caught your father.”
“Fear nothing, I shall endeavour to deliver my father from that shameful
captivity.”
“O! if you could do it! But be on your guard, lest he whom you are going
to draw out of the pit, drag you after him into the abyss.”