letters from the ladies were usually brought, and found one lying there
from Elvira, who sent him word that she should expect to see him that
night, as she had something very particular to impart to him. He little
thought that Elvira appointed this interview with him unknown to the
beautiful Moor, to have the opportunity of conversing with him in
private. He conceived that Daraxa would also be there as usual, and that
he might communicate to her in their own language, even in the presence
of her friend, what he wished her to know previous to their separation.
But let us leave Ozmin until the time appointed for this interview, and
return to notice the alarming preparations that were making by Don Lewis
to interrupt it.
He caused all the arms, offensive and defensive, that could be found in
the house, to be carried by two faithful domestics into his own
apartment, such as muskets, musketoons, pistols, halberts, pikes,
partizans, helmets, and targets; the whole of them covered with rust;
but the danger was too near at hand to think of having them cleaned. One
would have thought, from the active and terrible preparations that were
going forward, that it was at least apprehended that the enemy was
advancing to take the house by assault; for though Don Lewis had never
been himself in the wars, yet, being son and grandson to general
officers, he would not have it said that he knew nothing of the matter.
He dispatched one of his most trusty servants to purchase powder and
ball sufficient to load about seventeen or eighteen fire-arms, which he
designed to entrust to some of the bravest of his domestics. All these
preparations were made without any noise, being aware that great
undertakings required secrecy. Every thing was so well conducted, that
he even managed to conceal his designs from his son and daughter, on
account of their affection for Daraxa, who had not the least suspicion
of what was going forward.
When he had thus arranged everything agreeably to his desire, and the
clock had struck eleven, his two confidential servants brought up all
the other domestics, whom he posted in different places, distributing
the arms among them according as he judged each able to make use of
them. He disposed of the greater part of them in the highest rooms in
the house, whence they commanded a view of the garden, and were
themselves out of sight; and he forbade them from firing without first
apprising him of whatever they might see. He placed himself in a closet
directly opposite Daraxa’s chamber, choosing this post for himself as
one that particularly required his immediate vigilance and attention. He
was accompanied by his equerry, an old servant, whose bravery was equal
to his master’s, and who, from the bottom of his heart, wished all the
disturbers of his sleep at the devil. But the die was cast; and, since
posted on bivouac duty, they could not now in honour retreat until they
had fully ascertained that there was nothing to be feared from the
enemy.
The old Marquis, in his night-gown, night-cap, and slippers, with a dark
lantern in his hand, was most attentively on the watch at the window. It
was one of those clear star-light nights so common in hot countries;
from which circumstance they soon discovered the shadow of a man, at the
distance of about two hundred paces. No sooner did Don Lewis hear the
clock strike twelve, than, recollecting that it was at about that hour
his gardener had heard the noise the preceding night, his heart began to
beat most violently, and he was seized with a cold shivering in all his
limbs. This agitation, which sufficiently betrayed the feelings of his
soul in time of danger, was by no means diminished when he thought that
he could perceive somebody walking along the wall on the side next the
gallery. To be more convinced that he was not mistaken, he pointed to
the place that his equerry might also look, and asked him if he saw any
thing; but he, either that his sight was really not so good as his
master’s, or through fear, persisted in asserting that he saw nothing.
They were both, however, soon released from doubt by two of their
sentinels coming up to apprise them that there was a man conversing, at
the gallery window, with some person within the house. Don Lewis was the
more astonished at this information, having all the keys of the house in
his own possession. These were brought to him every night at nine
o’clock; so that he could not possibly conceive who it could be that was
supporting the conversation either from within or without, but could
think of no other but Daraxa, whom one of her lovers must have come to
visit at midnight through the assistance of one of the servants that he
had bribed to introduce him into the garden, and that she must have
procured another key for the gallery door by means of the same agent.
This conjecture appeared the most probable. He desired all his followers
to be in readiness, and formed the bold design of beginning the
expedition himself, by surprising the beautiful Moor, so that she could
not deny her crime. It is true, that, not daring to venture alone upon
so over-bold a project, he took with him two of the most resolute of his
musketeers, and his intrepid equerry before mentioned.
To make as little noise as possible our commander threw off his
slippers, and the others their shoes, in which state they arrived at the
gallery, the door of which they found open. Don Lewis advanced until he
heard the voices; he then made a stand, to listen to what was said, and
overheard the following words: “I have too much esteem for you to
resolve to make you unhappy: It behoves me to consider your high birth,
and you should reflect on the present condition of my fortune. I am a
Cavalier who must seek to make my fortune at Court, where I have need of
support. Who then would befriend me after having drawn upon myself the
hatred of so powerful a lord as your father? let us not, therefore, do
any thing of which we may repent as long as we live.”
The Marquis immediately knew the voice of the pretended Ambrosio; and
notwithstanding the spite which he felt towards him for having thus
duped him, he could not but admire his virtue and prudence on this
occasion. Thinking that this discourse was addressed to Daraxa, he was
not a little curious to hear her answer. But how was he shocked, when he
heard his own daughter, whose voice he could not mistake, reply to the
cavalier in these words: “Can love reason thus? have you scrupled to
deceive my father by a stratagem which subjects you to many dangers?
have you then come hither at the risk of your life, merely to lose such
precious time in teaching me my duty? instead of abandoning yourself to
the joy with which my favourable sentiments ought to have inspired you,
you are the one to throw difficulties in their way: I did not expect so
cold an acknowledgement of your gratitude. Can the consideration of
fortune withhold you, when I declare that the summit of all my desires
is to be your’s? Why need you fear my father? the Court of Ferdinand is
not the only Court in which a man of your merit may expect advancement.
But may you ever seek in vain to establish yourself advantageously in
any Court! Elvira would ever prefer living with you in the most obscure
retreat, to the greatest pomp and splendor that can be conferred on her
by her union with another.”
She was going on thus, when a musket was discharged, followed in a
moment by ten or twelve others, with the reports of which the gallery
resounded. This dreadful noise so frightened the daughter of Don Lewis,
that thinking of nothing but her fears she immediately betook herself to
flight. But her father who had way-laid her in the passage, seizing her
suddenly by the arm: “Is it thus,” said he, “wretched girl, that you
dishonour the illustrious blood of Padilla?” At the voice and action of
the Marquis, Donna Elvira, whose spirits were but too much troubled by
the first shock, uttered a piercing shriek, and fell into her father’s
arms, who, finding that she remained quite senseless, opened his
dark-lantern to look at her, and she seemed to him in so deplorable a
condition, that in spite of his anger he was much affected. He really
loved her: but not being able to bear the sight any longer without
relenting, he left her in the care of his equerry.
But the more he was touched with compassion at the sight of his daughter
in such a state, the more eager did he feel to take revenge on the
insolent author of all this disorder. He now longed only for Ambrosio’s
death, whose prudence he had but a moment before been applauding. He
assembled all his men of arms, tucked up his night-gown, over which he
put on his armour, a helmet over his night-cap, with a target on his
left arm, and a long pike in his right hand; and this brave captain in
his slippers and gauntlets, caused the garden gate to be thrown open,
through which his troop defiled three abreast: the musketeers marched
first, and the halberdeers brought up the rear, followed by the Marquis
himself. This little army, composed of soldiers worthy of their captain,
went in search of the enemy: during their march they were reinforced by
the gardener, who joined them with a small sword at his side, an
arquebuse on his shoulder, and two pistols in his belt. He assured them
that he had seen the enemy, and that there were two of them, and that if
he had dared to have disobeyed his master’s orders, he should have fired
upon them. Don Lewis was astonished at this information, and having
learnt which way they went, ordered his troop to take that direction.
What had become of Ozmin all this while? As soon as he perceived that
Elvira had taken flight at the report of the fire-arms which had
interrupted their conversation, and which he found had not been levelled
at him, he retreated precipitately from the gallery with the intention
of taking shelter in an arbour, where he determined to sell his life
dearly, if attacked. But a man who followed close behind him obliged him
to stop, saying: “Signor Don Jaymé, you have need of assistance;
accept, therefore, of mine: it is you for whom they are searching;
accept my services without delay, if you do not wish to be assassinated
by a troop of rascally servants, who will shortly rush upon you.”
Ozmin, as much surprised at hearing himself styled Don Jaymé, as at
meeting with so obliging a stranger, answered: “I know not who you are,
nor why you interest yourself in my behalf; but whoever you be, you
cannot but be a Cavalier of great worth: I will request the loan of some
of your arms, having but a poniard to defend myself with; but can accept
of no other assistance from you, without abusing your extreme kindness.
I can by no means suffer so brave a man to expose his life for my sake.”
“No, no,” replied the unknown, “do not imagine that I will leave you to
perish, when I may render you assistance. I have two good pistols, one
of which is at your service, and I will fight at your side; or, if you
wish me to retire, you must accompany me.” “I believe,” said Ozmin,
“that it will be the wiser way. We shall get no great honour in
employing our valour against such rascals. But how can we quit the
garden?” “That you shall see,” replied the stranger, “you have only to
follow me.”
These two Cavaliers then ran together to that part of the garden where
the wall had been repaired, against which was erected a long ladder.
They had here some slight difference as to who should first ascend, each
yielding the precedence to the other. After many compliments which two
such courageous men could not fail to make on such an occasion, Ozmin
was prevailed on to ascend first, to complete the noble behaviour of his
companion. The _Gendarmerie_ of Don Lewis had taken quite an opposite
direction, so that they had abundance of time to get over the wall by
means of this ladder, which they drew up after them to prevent the
Marquis from ascertaining in what manner the pretended Ambrosio had
escaped his fury. On the other side of the wall was another ladder by
which they descended into the street, and which was guarded by five or
six stout footmen well armed, who had been kept in readiness to throw
themselves into the garden on the first signal. Ozmin, judging from this
that his generous friend was not a man of common rank, requested to be
informed to whom he was so much obliged. But the unknown gentleman
answered that he would explain this to him at his house. “As you are a
stranger,” added he, “you cannot be aware what sort of a man Don Lewis
is, of whom, I assure you, you cannot be too cautious. I make you an
offer, therefore, of my house, where you will be secure from his
resentment by remaining with me, until we see in what manner the
Padillas resolve to prosecute this affair.”
Ozmin was charmed with the generous and noble manner in which this offer
was made, and not being able to resist the earnest entreaties of the
Cavalier to accept of his house, accompanied him thither. When they
beheld each other by the light of the flambeaux, they each looked at the
other with an attention mingled with surprise, as if they thought they
had met somewhere before. The master of the house was the first to
distinguish Ozmin, by an imperfect recollection that he had of his
features; and being convinced that he was not mistaken, he cried with
transport, embracing him: “what happiness do I experience in thus
meeting a man to whom I owe my life! I cannot be mistaken: you must be
he who preserved me from the fury of the bull on the last day of the
sports.” “My lord,” answered the Moor, smiling with a modest air, “you
have now well repaid me for that service in retrieving me from a danger,
in which, without your assistance, I must inevitably have perished.”
“No, no,” replied Don Alonso de Zuniga, “I am still in arrears with you.
At the very time that you rescued me from certain death, I had given you
but little cause to expose your own life for the preservation of mine.”
They passed the remainder of the night in conversing together. Don
Alonso, who had no doubt that Ozmin was really Don Jaymé Vivez, and that
he was enamoured of Donna Elvira, related to him in what manner he had
heard of his intrigue. “This made me desire,” added he, “to form an
acquaintance with you, to commence which was the object of my entering
Don Lewis’s garden to-night. Besides which, as I love Daraxa, the
intimate friend of your mistress, I considered that our friendship
might become useful to both our loves.”
Although Ozmin felt great repugnance in concealing his real sentiments,
he did not wish to undeceive Don Alonso, thinking it more prudent to
pass for Don Jaymé. After a long conversation, Zuniga conducted his
guest to the apartment that was prepared for him, and leaving him to his
rest, retired also to his own. But Ozmin not being able to sleep, sent
for Orviedo as soon as it was day, to impart to this faithful servant
his last night’s adventure, as well as to desire him to bring him some
apparel more suitable than Ambrosio’s to support the character of Don
Jaymé.
It is a misfortune to which all great houses that keep a number of
servants are liable, that whatever happens cannot long remain a secret.
The story of the pretended Ambrosio was known all over the town the very
next day, where it was related in various ways; but all at the expence
of Donna Elvira; at which Ozmin was extremely mortified.
Don Alonso and Ozmin became in a few days the best friends in the world;
sympathy seemed to attach them to each other, or rather, they each made
daily discoveries of the other’s amiable qualities. They were both most
anxious to know how things went on at the Marquis de Padilla’s. This
they could only learn from Claricia, from whom they received no tidings;
for this servant, who was known to be most in Elvira’s confidence, was
more strictly watched than the others. She managed, however, at length
to elude their vigilance, and brought Don Jaymé a letter at Don
Alonso’s, containing the detail they so ardently longed for. Claricia
informed Vivez that his old patron, enraged that the pretended Ambrosio
had escaped his fury, had employed ten or a dozen men to go through
Seville in search of him, who till then had sought him in vain: that
Elvira was very ill, and that Daraxa had also been much indisposed from
the share she took in her friend’s affliction: that, lastly, Don Lewis
was so much ashamed and vexed at the whole affair, that he would see
nobody, but had made up his mind to retire into the country until all
these unpleasant rumors had blown over.
Claricia’s letter was a fresh topic of conversation for the two
Cavaliers, and amused Don Alonso exceedingly, who, having no regard for
the house of Padilla, was delighted at the recital of this adventure.
Ozmin having so good an opportunity of giving some account of himself to
Daraxa, wrote her a very long letter in the Moorish language, which he
sent by Claricia. Daraxa, who was most anxious on his account, fearing
that he had been wounded by the many musket shots which, as she thought,
had been fired at him, was overjoyed to hear of his good luck, and that
she might now have the means of returning him an answer by the same
messenger.
A few days after this, the old Marquis set out with his family and all
his servants, for a country house of his own at about a league beyond
Seville. This would have proved very vexatious to Ozmin, who feared that
by this absence he should be deprived of Claricia, whose mediation was
so great an advantage to him, had not Don Alonso consoled him by saying;
“we ought to rejoice at Don Lewis’s being in the country. Within about
two miles from his house, I have a pretty little seat which I visit
occasionally. We have nothing to do but to get there as privately as
possible. We shall find it more easy to obtain accounts of our
mistresses there, than in this city, and may even find occasional
opportunities of seeing and conversing with them.”
Vivez was much pleased with this design, and the two friends left
Seville the next morning before day light, accompanied by Orviedo and
two footmen only. As soon as they arrived at Don Alonso’s country house,
the young lord employed a sharp peasant lad to deliver a letter into
Claricia’s own hands, by which she was apprized that the following day
she would meet in the wood, which is about two hundred paces from the
Marquis’s house, two young shepherds who were dying with desire to have
a little chat with her.
Claricia, who was not now so strictly watched as she had been in the
city, soon found an opportunity of stealing out of the house, and ran to
the place appointed, where she found Don Alonso and Don Jaymé dressed as
peasants. She informed them that the ladies were both well, but so
completely prisoners, that they were scarcely permitted to walk in the
garden. “However,” continued she, “if Don Lewis go to-morrow to a farm
of his about three leagues off, on an affair of consequence which
requires his presence, I think I may be able to obtain you an interview
with them. Don Rodrigo,” added she, “has just set out for Seville, and
is not expected back for two days.”
If the Cavaliers were charmed at the flattering prospect that Claricia
held out to them, she was equally well pleased with the presents that
she received as a recompence for her attention. After having taken leave
of them, she returned to the house, and communicated to the ladies the
particulars of the conversation she had just had with the young
nobleman.
The next morning, every thing seemed propitious to the lovers’ wishes:
the Marquis set out for his farm, and the ladies prepared to profit by
so favorable an opportunity. They dressed themselves as peasant girls,
in conformity with the disguises of their lovers, and left the house
attended by Claricia and Laida. They soon reached the wood, where their
shepherds were already waiting for them, and met with joyful
congratulations at seeing each other again; after which they laughed and
amused themselves exceedingly by looking at each other in their several
fantastical disguises. Parties of this sort generally create a vast deal
of pleasure; but do not always end so pleasantly as they begin.
They were conversing on general subjects, which was rendered more
agreeable to each by being with those whom they loved, and were
proceeding to penetrate into the more private walks of the grove, when
they perceived through the trees two real peasants coming towards them.
They conceived them to be inhabitants of a neighbouring town which
formed part of the Marquis’s manor, and they were right in their
conjecture. As these countrymen passed by, the ladies turned their backs
upon them, that they might not see their faces, and Vivez and Zuniga
followed their example for the same reason; but the fellows instead of
passing on, made a full stand; and one of them gave Don Alonso so
furious a blow with a cudgel, upon his back and head, as almost stunned
him. Ozmin having heard the blow, turned about instantly upon the other
fellow who was preparing to serve him in the same manner; but the Moor,
from his excessive quickness, warded off the blow that was intended for
his head, so that it slid down his back; after which he struck his
adversary so tremendous a blow, with a large stick that he carried,
directly on his face, that he broke half his jaw and laid him senseless
on the ground: then flew to the assistance of his friend, who stood much
in need of it, for he was hard put to it by his antagonist. But this
rascal knew better than to await the coming up of a man who had just
made his comrade bite the dust; he ran off towards the town, where he
put them all in alarm, by giving out that his companion was killed,
who, in fact, was only wounded.
During this skirmish, the ladies very prudently took flight, and
returned to Don Lewis’s house in the greatest alarm, and most anxious to
know how this affair would end. Their uneasiness was not ill-founded;
for the Cavaliers, who would have acted wisely in decamping as quickly
as possible, remained so long on the scene of action consulting upon
what was best to be done, that they afforded sufficient time for three
ruffians from the town to rush upon them with drawn swords. One of these
fellows, who was superior to the others both in point of appearance and
courage, came up before the rest, and advancing towards Ozmin in a most
determined manner, endeavoured to run him through the body, but the Moor
received the thrust in the most skilful manner with his stick, and
returned him so terrible a blow on the head that it laid him lifeless at
his feet; then seizing the sword which his enemy had made so bad a use
of, he was prepared to receive the two others, who presently attacked
him. This combat lasted longer than either that had preceded it. Ozmin
being assailed by two men at once, was fully engaged in parrying their
several thrusts, one of which wounded him slightly in the hand. Don
Alonso did not stand idle all this time, but laid about him so furiously
with his stick, that he at length decided the victory, by a chance blow
which fell with such force on the right arm of one of their antagonists
that he dropped his sword, and immediately fled with his companion
towards the town as precipitately as their wounds would admit of.