Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back;
It is a swelling, and the last affection
A high mind can put off. It is a rebel
Both to the soul and reason, and enforces
All laws, all conscience; treads upon religion,
And offers violence to Nature's self.
Ben Jonson.
Gomez Arias, after his interview with Leonor, repaired to the place
where he had appointed his confidential valet to await his leisure. Upon
his way he met the diligent Roque, and briefly related to him the
success which had hitherto attended his operations.
"My good Roque," he gaily exclaimed, "our path now seems clear, and we
have nothing to impede our course."
"Aye, Senor," returned Roque, "so it appears; but God grant that our
course may not yet be obstructed. When he who walketh uprightly must see
that he stumbleth not, what chance have we?"
"Well," cried his master, laughing, "in such a case mind thou art not in
my way; for assuredly my fall will entail upon thee some sore bruises."
"Bless me, good Senor," cried the valet, jocosely, "do what I may, I
cannot guard myself from such peril; for, by some unaccountable
mischance, when you _do_ fall, I am sure to reap the disagreeable
results: however, may the saints protect us in all lawful enterprise,
and, certes, there is no stronger law than necessity."
"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Don Lope, at this moment, "Roque--look! who is
that cavalier in the distance?"
Roque looked as he was ordered, but could perceive nothing that might
call for such an exclamation.
"Senor," said he, surprised, "what causes your alarm?"
"Is not that _caballero_ going towards our mansion?"
"He may--but what is there strange in that?"
"Surely it is the Count Urena!"
"He looks very much like him."
"Then I am undone! Run, Roque; dispatch! Detain him."
And without further ceremony, by the smart application of his hand to
the back of the valet, he gave an additional impetus to the motives for
increased exertion, whilst he himself advanced at a brisk pace towards
the object that had so unseasonably disturbed his interesting
speculations.
Roque, like a good servant, without losing any time in useless parley,
obeyed his master's commands by making the best of his way to the person
in question, who in reality proved to be the Count. Gomez Arias, feeling
certain that his apprehensions were well founded, suddenly seized him by
the shoulder, at the same time calling on him to stay.
"What means this?" cried Urena, sharply, turning round, not at all
pleased with the roughness of the salutation: "who is he that dares----"
"Your friend," answered Gomez Arias, laughing.
"Don Lope!" cried Count Urena, in amazement.
"The same--but whither are you going?"
"To your house, surely: and now you must confess that I am a sincere
friend; for although not entirely recovered from my late indisposition,
I could not resist the desire of being present at your wedding; so I
posted to Granada, and here I am, in time, I suppose?"
"Oh, quite," replied Don Lope, evidently annoyed.
"But it seems," continued Count Urena, "that my arrival does not meet
with your approbation?"
"My dear friend, you must excuse my apparent want of cordiality, but I
have already dispatched an express to your castle to explain matters,
and you must on no account be seen in Granada."
"But why?"
"I ask it as a particular favor."
"I cannot comprehend," said the Count, perplexed: then he turned to
Roque; but Roque, as if aware that he was about to be questioned, and,
conscious of his total inability to satisfy any queries, to save the
Count a fruitless expenditure of words, shrugged up his shoulders, and
rolled his eyes most expressively.
"My dear Count," cried Gomez Arias, "it is of momentous importance that
you should not be seen in this city by any of our mutual relations and
friends. My peace of mind, my future prospects, nay, my very honor,
require this sacrifice from your friendship. I have no time now to enter
into explanation; but the enigma will be solved upon your perusal of my
dispatch: in the meantime suffice it to say, that your immediate removal
from Granada, and your strictly keeping within your house, will bind me
to you with a powerful and lasting obligation."
"_By Santiago_, Don Lope," exclaimed the Count, good humoredly, "you
must either be crazy, or wish to pass some merry jest upon me. Well, I
am heartily happy to see a bridegroom in such spirits."
"No, by my honor," returned Gomez Arias, "I solemnly vow to you, that
this step is demanded by actual and imperious necessity."
"Well, well," replied the nobleman, acquiescing, "I will, at all events,
comply with your request, whatever may be the motive."
The friends took leave of each other, and Gomez Arias breathed more
freely, as he again considered himself assured of the success of his
plans.
"Senor," said Roque, "we were just speaking of impediments, and there
comes the Count. Now, God send that we may meet no more!"
"Ay, Roque," replied Gomez Arias: "If I think rightly, the most material
part of the business remains yet to be done, and it puzzles me strangely
how to ensure its success."
"Most prudently said, Senor," returned Roque; "for it is indeed a
ticklish point to dispose of a lady, when it unfortunately happens that
she is not equally desirous to be disposed of;--but whither are we going
now?"
"To the gardens,--for there we shall be unobserved:" then, after a
pause, he continued; "Roque, thou appearest uneasy; what is the reason
that at every minute thy head is turned backwards, as if in
apprehension?"
"Oh, nothing, Senor, nothing in the world."
The valet delivered these words in an irresolute tone, for his master's
observations had been just. Roque had for some time betrayed such
disquietude in his manner, that at length the attention of Don Lope was
directed towards the object of his valet's uneasiness, and he perceived
a stranger following them at some distance. It was a Moor, of dark and
repulsive appearance, who was evidently observing them, although he
affected a total indifference to their movements.
"Roque," said Gomez Arias, in whom the slightest incident now created
suspicion, "Dost thou know that strange looking man?"
"Think you, my honored master," returned Roque, "that I am likely to
consort with so villainous looking a Moor? What should I do with such an
acquaintance? I am a _Christiano viejo_,[38] and my conscience would not
allow me to consort with infidels, and particularly when they are so
ill-favored as yonder prowling rascal."
"Roque, Roque, thou talkest too much, and the very earnestness of thy
manner makes me strongly suspect that thy knowledge of the stranger is
more than thou art willing that I should learn."
"_San Pedro me valga!_" ejaculated Roque. "My honored master, how can
you thus call in question my integrity? Do you think, Senor, it is
really possible for me to use any mystery with my master?"
"Avaunt, thou hypocritical dog!" cried Don Lope; "thou canst not deceive
me: however, I am now too deeply engrossed with more important matters;
but mark me--should I find out any double dealing, any imposition on thy
part, thou mayest well tremble!"
"Tremble!" exclaimed Roque, in a shrill tone, and affecting
indifference. "An honest man has no reason to tremble."
And he trembled and quivered like the aspen leaf, which doubtless did
not look as if he had yet possessed himself of the attributes of an
honest man. They had by this time arrived at the gardens, and Gomez
Arias was exceedingly surprised when he observed that the strange Moor
had followed them thither, though keeping always the same respectful
distance.
"By my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "such conduct cannot be merely
accidental. Roque, _maldito_,[39] some mystery lies in this."
"In what, Senor Don Lope?" demanded the valet, with much simplicity.
"Attempt not to impose on me, thou base-born and ungracious varlet. Why
does that Moor follow us in this manner?"
"My dear master," replied Roque, "is it in my power to stop the man?
What dominion have I over him? These places are public, and I suppose
that he, though a Moor, considers that he has the same right to walk
here as we faithful Christians. Now, good Senor, could you prevail upon
the queen to limit the privileges of those infidels, and allot them a
piece of ground for their own use, aloof from all public places,
certainly much abomination and contamination would be spared; and
thus----"
"Cease, thou graceless dog!" interrupted Don Lope. "Cease, for I can no
longer endure thy interminable prosing; a more talkative varlet never
intruded on the patience of an indulgent master. See! there is the
mysterious Moor again; and if I mistake not, it is the very same who has
followed me already twice before. Yes, surely he is the same, although
he has somewhat altered his attire."
"What!" cried Roque thrown off his guard; "has he followed you too,
Senor?"
"Ah!" returned Don Lope, "then you have seen him before. Now, rascal,"
he added, grasping roughly the poor valet by the collar--"Leave off this
foolish dissembling, or by _Santiago_, I'll strangle thee on the spot!"
"Sweet master, you surely don't mean to harm your faithful Roque?"
"Art thou, then, prepared to confess thy knowledge of the Moor?"
demanded Gomez Arias.
"Like a good Christian, I am always prepared to confess."
"Well, then, begin, thou sinner."
"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir,
that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct their
natural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Senor,
unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all."
Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of the
sincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectly
elegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain in
observing the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handle
his luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in its
colour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan--his loquacious tongue
protruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes started
out with an unusual degree of animation.
Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few hearty
shakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthened
respirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he had
sustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar--
"_Virgen Santa!_" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honored
master, what have you done! There is my beautiful--my best
_gorguera_[40] completely destroyed--torn to tatters--absolutely spoilt
for ever--past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine _gorguera_, too, of
the very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers of
Lisarda--and what will she say? What will she say when her loquacious
abilities are called into action by no less a subject than the total
destruction of her superb _gorguera_?"
"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I would
confidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world."
"Senor Don Lope, a fine _gorguera_ is perhaps unworthy of your
eloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for more
deserving objects. But consider, Sir----"
"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon your
foolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; but
now, Roque, be explicit or---- how often have you seen that Moor?"
"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque.
"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?"
"Apparently he did; but you know, Senor, we must not always trust to
appearances."
"How did you meet his advances?"
"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself all
the time, and as it happened that we adhered constantly to the same
regular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without ever
coming into contact."
"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed as
he was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of his
valet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely to
succeed by gentle means than by actual force--
"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what you
say, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return."
"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit we
are even."
"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?"
"For my wages," composedly answered the valet.
"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh at
your fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor.
However, as to the point in question,--it appears that the Moor had
really sought your acquaintance?"
"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I am
in no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian may
take to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which is
precisely the case in the present instance."
"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a future
period, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque,
tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of the
troublesome object of my disquietude."
"My fruitful invention, Senor, as you are kindly pleased to term that
faculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat with
contempt;--my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up----"
"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master.
"Nothing," drawled out the valet.
"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces me
to retain such a dull brute about me."
A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course to
determine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by the
trees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque,
unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine the
unfortunate _gorguera_, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over its
melancholy fate.
"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy but
placing Theodora in a convent."
"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents."
"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to the
inconvenience of consulting her inclination?--No, Roque; unless some
better plan be instantly devised, I must even resolve upon the convent;
for the time passes rapidly away, and this girl must be disposed of
to-night."
"Could you not contrive to send her to her father?" demanded Roque:
"Poor thing, she is so very unhappy that----"
"Send her to her father!" returned Gomez Arias. "Art thou mad,
Roque?--or is it thy wish that my fortune should be ruined for ever?"
"Neither one nor the other," rejoined the valet; "but it strikes me as
plainly as day-light, that before we contrive to shut up this bird in
the cage, her continual chirping will call some one to the rescue, and
then I do not see any chance of mending our fortune; but, by-the-bye,
talking of mending, I wonder if I am likely to find any for this most
innocent and ill-treated _gorguera_?"
"A thousand curses on thee and on thy _gorguera_!" cried Gomez Arias,
impatiently; then, assuming a calmer tone, he continued--"With regard to
thy fears that she may call for rescue, that inconvenience may be easily
obviated."
"_Santos cielos!_" exclaimed Roque, with visible affright--"You surely
do not mean to cut off her tongue?"
"No," answered Don Lope, "that fate I reserve for yours, unless you
contrive to keep it under better control."--He then added--"By sending
Theodora to some nunnery in a remote city, such as Barcelona or
Saragossa for example,--the air must be sharp, indeed, that can convey
thus far the sound of her complaints."
"But, Senor," asked Roque, "is the young lady to be conducted to the
said remote city by magic, or is she merely to be led in the ordinary
way; for if this last be the case, what deception can you use subtle
enough to lure a bird that has already been caught once in your snares?"
"That is true," replied Gomez Arias, "but I must risk a distant danger,
to ward off a more immediate one. I do not entirely flatter myself that
this unfortunate business will not come to light some time; but if I
cannot avoid the storm, I am anxious that, ere it explode, I should at
least be under good shelter."
"Well, Senor," said Roque, "it is a very delicate piece of business,
and I really cannot harbour the presumption of offering you my advice. I
shall obey your commands, as in duty bound, provided they are not in too
direct an opposition with my conscience and----"
"And what?" inquired Don Lope.
"_Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas_," solemnly chaunted the valet, at
the same time affecting to wash his hands.
"_Lavabo inter innocentes_, indeed," exclaimed Gomez Arias: "here's a
conscientious sinner with a vengeance! So you cannot light upon some
feasible design?"
"No, in very truth I cannot."
"Then who in the name of Satan can extricate me?" cried Gomez Arias, in
despair.
"I can!" answered a deep and determined voice.
Gomez Arias started, turned round, and with amazement beheld the
mysterious stranger standing, with folded arms, looking calmly upon him.
"And who art thou?" demanded Don Lope, "that presumest thus to intrude
upon my privacy?"
"Good Heavens! who should it be?" said Roque, not allowing time to the
stranger to give an answer; "why, my honored master, you piously invoked
Satan, and his diabolical majesty sends you forthwith one of his
emissaries."
"Stranger!" proceeded Gomez Arias, not heeding his valet, "what is thy
name?"
"To know that were superfluous," coldly answered the Moor, "and in
nowise necessary towards the acceptation of my services."
"And what assistance canst thou afford me? I know thee not--and yet
those features should not be entirely strangers to my eyes."
"It is possible that they are not," replied the stranger, unmoved, "nor
is your countenance altogether unknown to me."
"Who then art thou?" demanded Gomez Arias.
"Surely a Moor--a worthless Moor!" bitterly returned the renegade; for
it was no other that now addressed Don Lope;--nor did he feel
apprehensive of discovery, altered as he was by the conflict of his
passions, continual sufferings, and even by the dress which he had
adopted to baffle the penetration of Gomez Arias.
"Whoever I may be," continued the renegade, "is of no consequence; I
come to render you service--are you disposed to accept it?"
"I cannot," firmly replied Don Lope, "from an utter stranger, without
previously knowing the motives by which he is actuated."
"What!" exclaimed Bermudo, affecting surprise, "cannot you guess my
motives? Certainly, I do not pretend to deny that by assisting you
_now_, I chiefly mean to serve myself. You surely cannot expect more
from a perfect stranger, as you call me. Look at me, Christian!" he
added, stifling the conflict which was working in his bosom at the very
sight of his foe; "behold, I am a Moor--a miserable Moor. And what else
but interest could prompt a destitute, a desperate man to proffer his
services to the proud and rich ones of the land?--Love, or esteem, or
gratitude, think you? No, never! My own interest I consult--consult
yours, and decide."
"Interest!" cried Gomez Arias; "there is something reassuring in that
word. I like to hear a man talk of his interest, for then I am tempted
to believe in his sincerity. What, then, canst thou do for thy interest,
Moor? Let us hear in what manner thou art able to serve me."
"I can do much," replied the renegade: "You, Don Lope Gomez Arias, are
at present involved in a most distressing predicament?"
"I am."
"And the source of your disquietude is a woman?"
"Proceed."
"Her name, Theodora?"
"Thou art indeed instructed in this affair--how cam'st thou by the
knowledge?"--and he cast a terrible look on the trembling Roque.
"Senor," cried Roque, "as I hope for salvation, I----"
"Silence, Sirrah!" exclaimed his master.
"Nay," observed the renegade, "blame not yon trembler; it is true that I
applied to him before I resolved upon offering you my services
personally; but from fear, or some other reason, he paid no regard to my
proposal. I therefore waved all further ceremony, and knowing the crisis
to be at hand, I have seized this opportunity to address you."
"And what proposition hast thou to make?" demanded Don Lope.
"To remove from your path this obstacle to your ambition; to rid you
immediately of Theodora."
"Fiend!" fiercely cried Gomez Arias, "thou darest not propose murder to
me?"
"No, Christian," calmly returned Bermudo "dark as my form may be, and
unseemly as my features are, yet I would scorn to imbrue my hands in the
blood of a woman: no, though a ruffian, I am not yet sunk to the
despicable wretch you suppose me. Theodora shall not suffer any
indignity from me, but merely be removed from Granada."
"And what security wouldst thou afford of thy adherence to this promise,
should I be inclined to enter into arrangements?"
"Security! the most firm and unbounded--the love which a Moor has
conceived for her charms."
"What! art thou then the admirer?" sneeringly asked Gomez Arias.
"No!" indignantly exclaimed the renegade--"see you aught of that in me?
Can the signs of any tender sentiment be traced in my visage?"
"Well," muttered Roque, "methinks he speaks very sensibly."
"I cannot love," repeated the renegade; "but a Moor, my superior in
rank, one whom I have bound myself to serve, is powerfully stricken with
the beauty of her you now wish to discard; he will treat her with every
consideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upon
gaining her love."
The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade made
these overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination.
He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyze
every feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery were
discernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That dark
brow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which he
should be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for an
interview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus,
his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from which
expression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs that
had urged him to proffer his services.
"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause.
"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired Don
Lope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all further
communication on the subject would be needless."
"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though not
far from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you be
disposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as I
shall be obliged to take my measures accordingly."
He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seeming
indifference.--Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was something
in this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; but
the shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of the
danger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived the
inward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentle
remonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lope
indignantly repulsed the presuming valet.
"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humility
will not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offer
thy opinion now."
"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energies
to a firm resolution.
"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensible
must be commensurate with the importance of my assistance."
"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider a
just remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion."
"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place confidence
in the magnitude of my service, I shall leave the reward entirely to
your generosity,--and now listen. At midnight you must be with Theodora
at the extremity of _El cerro de los Martires_;[41] the distance is
short from Granada, and can therefore soon be traversed. There I will
wait for you, and there you may likewise meet the noble Moor that
employs me."
"I am resolved," cried Gomez Arias. "Yes, I will meet you at midnight
then"--and rising, he was about to withdraw, when the renegade gently
detaining him--
"Stay," he said; "I must have a pledge to present to my master."
"What dost thou demand?" asked Don Lope.
"That ring," returned Bermudo, pointing to one that sparkled on the hand
of Gomez Arias.
"I cannot part with this gem; it is a bauble, but one I must preserve;
ask for another boon three times as valuable, and it shall be granted
thee."
"One does not hinder the other," said the renegade, dissembling. "Think
you, Don Lope, that the difficulty from which I disentangle you merits
no other reward than a paltry ring? I must have it for a pledge, and it
shall be returned in due time for gold."
Gomez Arias cast a look of contempt on the Moor, who, thoroughly
prepared for his part, most efficaciously assumed the appearance of the
mercenary he was then undertaking to personate.
"Well, what is it you resolve," he cried, with a malicious smile--"to
part with a ring, or keep the woman you detest?"
"Take it!" disdainfully replied Gomez Arias, throwing the required
pledge on the ground.
The renegade humbly inclined himself to take it; but he could not so
completely master his feelings as not to betray some marks of the
pleasure he felt at the possession of so precious a gage. Gomez Arias,
however, erroneously attributed these symptoms to the avaricious
disposition of the wretch who appeared willing to undertake any service
for gold. He again cast a contemptuous glance on the Moor, and making a
sign to Roque, abruptly left the place. The renegade gave a loose to the
joy which swelled tumultuously in his bosom; he kissed the ring with
wild demonstrations of pleasure, and looking in the direction that Gomez
Arias was gone--
"Now," he exclaimed, "my time is coming, and soon, proud Spaniard, wilt
thou feel the power of thy bitterest enemy."