_Of Guzman’s arrival at Genoa, and the gracious reception he met
with from his relations when they learnt who he was._
We went to lodge at the White Cross, which at that time was the best inn
in the place. It was already night, but as my squire had gone before us
to prepare the landlord to receive an Abbot of the first rank, I found
the house all in a bustle when I arrived. Some of the servants were at
the doors with flambeaux, and after Sayavedra had assisted me in
alighting from the litter, the master conducted me to the best apartment
in the house, from which a gentleman much more worthy to occupy it had
been turned out to make room for me.
The inn was at that time full of people of consequence, most of whom
were not a little curious to know who I was, and my new valet, well
instructed by Sayavedra, told all who questioned him that I was the
Abbot Don Juan de Guzman, son of a noble Genoese who had married at
Seville. I did not quit my chamber the first day, thinking it better to
affect the Abbot of consequence fatigued with his journey from Rome, and
to get every thing in readiness to shew myself at Genoa the next morning
in the character of a prelate. While I was employed in decorating myself
with this view, my faithful squire, who was assisting me, could not
refrain from saying, “I fear my dear master grows suspicious of me,
since he has not yet deigned to communicate the plan he has in
contemplation.” “No, my friend,” replied I, “thou hast always had my
confidence. If during our stay at Pavia I procured this new dress
without telling you my reasons, it was merely because it was not at
that time necessary that you should know them. But I will now satisfy
your curiosity; for so far from wishing to conceal my project from you,
I cannot execute it without your assistance.
“I have already told you at Milan that my father, a noble Genoese,
married at Seville a lady of the house of Guzman, whence I took my name.
I have even related to you the history of my life at large; but I
believe I never once mentioned that adventure to you which has been the
cause of my forming the enterprise I am about to discover to you. You
must know that about seven years since I set out from Toledo in
tolerable good plight to visit my relations here in Italy; but I took so
little care of my money on the road, that I arrived at Genoa in a most
miserable condition. This did not, however, deter me from presenting
myself before several members of the family, and among others one of my
worthy uncles, who received me so ill, or rather caused me to be
treated so cruelly, that I swore to be revenged on him if fortune ever
afforded me the opportunity. This oath I intend to keep now that it is
in my power; but the only vengeance that I am desirous of taking on my
relations is to rob them. With this view I have assumed the dress which
so much surprises you. Besides that it inspires respect; it appears to
me more calculated than any other to disguise my features from those who
saw me before; the alteration that time has made in them not being so
great but that I should be in fear of being recognized. Let us prepare
then, my dear Sayavedra, to play off some of our best tricks in our
family, to which I am incited not only by a just resentment, but by
interest also.” My confidant made answer, that I had only to give my
commands, and he would not fail to follow my instructions. We consulted
together what was best to be done, and proceeded as follows.
The second morning after my arrival I dressed myself out in my cassock
and long cloak, and when I looked in the glass I scarcely knew myself.
Without any vanity I did not look amiss. If I had not possessed the
talent which I did to imitate all sorts of persons, I had seen at Rome
so many fine models of Abbots of consequence, that I could not possibly
have failed. I soon made myself master of some of their best airs: I
learnt how to draw my chin down to my neck with good effect; to assume a
grave and austere carriage; hold up my cassock and cloak just high
enough to exhibit one leg which was not ill-made, with the silk stocking
and handsome shoe; to carry my hat in a manner equally genteel and
modest; to look at people with a peculiarly absent air, and to modulate
properly the tones of my voice in speaking to them. I possessed this
knowledge perfectly well in theory, and now was the time that I should
shew the city that I was as able to practise it. My major-domo
Sayavedra followed with my lackey, both very appropriately equipped. I
was stared at with the curiosity that a stranger generally excites, and
many made most profound bows to me, or rather to my fine dress; for one
is treated in the world according to the appearance one makes. Let even
Cicero present himself ill-dressed, and he would pass for a college
servant at the highest.
I continued walking for above an hour, acknowledging the respectful
civilities I received like an Abbot who was accustomed to them. After
which I returned to the inn, where the landlord immediately informed me
that dinner was ready, and asked if I had any objection to some persons
of quality dining at the same table. I answered that it would afford me
pleasure. Having descended into the dining room, four gentlemen arrived
immediately and saluted me with respect. I returned the compliment very
politely, and dinner being served up, I took the seat of honour, and
then requested the gentlemen to seat themselves at table. The
conversation was at first serious on my account. I remarked this, and
enlivened it myself, and to let these gentlemen see that I was not the
devil, though dressed in black, I related two or three jocular stories,
which soon excited the rest to follow my example.
They were usually in the habit of amusing themselves at play after
dinner, and sometimes also after supper. They played high, but very
honourably. I passed an hour in looking over them, after which I
retired. They would have been much pleased if I had taken a fancy to
play with them, thinking me a rich Abbot rather than a skilful gamester,
though they ought to have known that there are a good many keen hands
even among the clergy. I did not choose to satisfy their desire so soon,
whatever longing I had for it. On the contrary, I professed a
repugnance for play, and it was not until we became more familiar
together, that I could be brought to join them, and then I pretended to
yield to their pressing entreaties out of pure complaisance. I played
only a short time, and for very small stakes, without employing
Sayavedra, or exerting my own skill. Thus what I lost was a mere trifle,
and I never pocketed what I won. Sometimes I left it to pay for the
cards, and at others distributed it among the servants. This conduct
acquired me the reputation of generosity, whence it happened that
whatever person chanced to drop in after dinner to look at us playing,
generally crowded round me in the hope of receiving some ducats.
One day, having won about forty pistoles, I took up five and twenty of
them, and left the remainder for those who stood about me. Then turning
towards a captain of a galley, who was among the interlopers, I said to
him in a low voice, slipping the money which I held in my hand into
his: “You have been too long in Spain to be ignorant that a gentleman
who has looked over the game and taken an interest in the fortune of any
particular player, never refuses any little token of gratitude that may
be offered him on that account.” He appeared somewhat confused by this
behaviour; but there are times in this life, as is said, when one
pistole is worth a thousand. My officer’s pocket was just at this time
so completely drained, that the pleasure of seeing this sudden shower of
gold, overcame his shame. In spite of his poverty however, I doubt
whether he was more sensible of the benefit than of the manner in which
it was conferred. I completely gained his heart. This he made several
attempts to assure me of, but I interrupted him by engaging him to talk
of his own pursuits. I even requested him to do me the honour to dine
and sup with me occasionally, for he did not usually dine at our inn;
and in taking leave of him I requested his friendship.
This captain was a man of merit, of good understanding, and agreeable
person, and as he was known to be a very honest man, he was received in
the best companies, where he made as good an appearance as his limited
income as a captain of a galley would permit. He was fond of gaming; and
though extremely unlucky at it, he could never restrain himself while a
crown remained in his pocket. In addition to this he was much addicted
to women, which alone would have been sufficient to have ruined him had
he been ever so rich. He called himself Favello, a name which a lady
whom he had formerly loved had bestowed on him, and which he had ever
since gone by, in remembrance of her. He told me the history of his life
a few days after, which I could not hear without sighing, so forcibly
did it recall to my mind my amour at Florence. The good qualities of
this captain, however, were not the only cause of all my politeness to
him; for I knew that the galleys would soon sail for Barcelona, and
intending as I did to profit by this opportunity of returning to Spain,
after having robbed my honest relations, the friendship of Captain
Favello was likely to be too useful to me, to neglect to acquire it.
No sooner was I up the next morning, than he called to tender his
services, and to invite me to take a sail with him on the water: which I
gladly accepted. I was conducted after dinner to his galley, where I was
received with all the honors that the Pope or the Doge of Genoa could
have expected. We left the harbour to admire the fine pleasure-houses
along the sea shore, which form a most charming spectacle. Our officer,
who was a Genoese by extraction, and spoke freely whatever he thought,
did not content himself with naming the proprietors, but added their
characters also. Among those whom he spared the least, he chanced to
mention one of my relations. I began to laugh: “Softly, Mr. Captain,”
said I, “I ask quarter for this last gentleman, for you know that I am
one of his family.” “Of his family?” cried he, with surprise mingled
with confusion, “How can that be?” “I will tell you,” replied I; “my
father was a noble Genoese, but having become a bankrupt to a large
amount, was obliged to pass over into Spain. He settled at Seville,
where he established his affairs by marrying a lady of the house of
Guzman, which name I bear preferably to my own, for two reasons; first,
to secure to myself a succession which might otherwise have escaped me;
and, secondly, because being at least as much the son of my mother as my
father, I thought myself entitled to make choice of which ever of their
two names would confer most honour on me.”
“You perhaps imagine,” said Favello, “that you are speaking of
circumstances with which I am not at all acquainted; but you are
mistaken. I am particularly intimate with two of your cousins, who have
more than once conversed with me respecting your father. They have told
me that he was a shrewd intelligent man: that he was taken prisoner by
an Algerine Corsair, and that after having recovered his liberty through
the love which a lady at Algiers conceived for him, he went to Seville
in search of his correspondent, where he captivated a lady of quality
and married her. You are then the son of that illustrious house?” “At
your service,” replied I, smiling again. “Know then,” continued he,
“that Signor Don Bertrand, your father’s eldest brother, is full of
years, still unmarried, and one of the richest nobles in Genoa.” “You
tell me what I was ignorant of,” said I; “for I have never seen him, and
my mother never had any correspondence with him.” “I am surprised,”
said he, “that you have not already made yourself known to him. Your
relations are certainly of great consequence in this country, and I know
not what should prevent your seeing them.” “What would you have me do?”
answered I; “would you have me announce my name before people who do not
know me, and who will naturally be apt to discredit what a man says who
has only his own word as a security. No no, I stand in no need of their
acquaintance, for I want nothing of them. Let us remain as we are.
Though they should know that I am here, as a stranger, it is not for me
to make the first advances.” “You are right,” said Favello, “but allow
me to call and apprise them to-morrow morning of your arrival. I am
persuaded that I shall no sooner have informed them than they will
behave with proper attention towards you.” “You are a man of prudence
and good understanding,” replied I, to the captain, “and may therefore
do what you think best. Only recollect to put no restraint on their
inclinations, for it is by no means my wish to intrude myself on their
acquaintance.”
While we were conversing in this manner, Favello had a very handsome
collation of the best fruits and sweetmeats served up, which he had
prepared on purpose for me, and on which he must have expended the
greater part of the pistoles I had presented him with. We still
continued to talk together, and the officer, who was perfectly well
acquainted with my uncle and cousins, told me so many particulars
relating to them, that I soon knew almost as much of their affairs as my
own. Night coming on obliged us to re-enter the harbour, where we left
the galley, and I took the captain home with me to my inn, where we
supped with the gentlemen who lodged there. After supper these
gentlemen invited me to play a game with him, saying they had not
forgotten the forty pistoles I had won of them the preceding day, and
that it was but just I should give them their revenge. I consented; and
feeling myself in good cue for playing, I said to Favello: “At least Mr.
Captain, you will recollect we go halves this time.” He replied with a
smile, that he thought me so lucky, that he should be proud to be my
partner. Fortune favoured me from the very commencement to the end of
the game. I won a hundred pistoles, which I divided with the captain.
This was the more agreeable to him as it did not hurt his pride. Thus I
gained his friendship by degrees, so that he could not possibly refuse
me the favour I expected of him.
He did not fail to keep his promise of going the next day to my
relations to announce to them the arrival of the Abbot Don Guzman at
Genoa. You will readily imagine that he gave them a fine account of my
person, merit, and generosity, for in the afternoon of the same day they
called at the inn, completely dressed out for the occasion. My
major-domo, to whom I had given my instructions, met them at the door,
and conducted them to my apartment where I received them with a grave
face, but with much civility. At first there came only two, both
children of a senator who had been dead five or six years, and who was
one of my father’s brothers. A third next made his appearance, the son
of a sister of my father’s, still living. They loaded me with
compliments, and made an offer of their house, credit, and purse,
because Sayavedra had given them to understand that I wanted neither. If
nothing else could convince them that I was a very rich abbot, what they
observed in my apartment was sufficient to impress them with that
opinion of me. I had taken care to spread negligently on the table my
gold chain, various other jewels, and the Milan casket with the lid
open, in which their sharp eyes doubtless espied part of the pistoles it
contained.
My uncle, who was the chief of the family, came last. It was
particularly to him that I owed a grudge. He supported himself on a
large stick, and seemed to walk with difficulty. I could no longer
discern that venerable appearance, which had pleased me so much when I
first saw him; on the contrary, my blood seemed to curdle at the sight
of this malicious old ape, who, with his assistant sham devils had
amused himself so cruelly at my expence. In spite of these painful
recollections, however, I failed not to receive him more graciously than
my cousins, who, shortly after taking their leave, left us alone
together. The old gentleman began by assuring me of his extreme joy at
the sight of the son of a brother who had ever been dear to him; then
surveying me from head to foot, he declared that I was very like my
father, and that he felt proud of a connexion so likely to do honour to
the family. He then complained that I had not ventured to take up my
lodging with him, where I should have found apartments more suitable
than any at an inn, for a man of my rank and character. I thanked him
very politely, and told him that my cousins also had made an offer of
their house, but that I had declined such an accommodation, being very
unwilling to inconvenience any of my relatives during the short stay I
should make at Genoa, whither I had come merely to ascertain the
condition of the family, as much for my own satisfaction, as for that of
my mother, who had desired to be kindly remembered.
These last words presented an opportunity to Don Bertrand to make
inquiries respecting my mother and her children. I replied that I was
her only son, and it had almost escaped me that I had two fathers; but
I restrained my tongue in time, and praised my mother up to the skies.
My uncle, impatient to relate to me what I knew quite as well as him,
interrupted my eulogium, saying: “I must tell you, my dear nephew, an
adventure which happened to us six or seven years ago. A little rascal
made his appearance in Genoa half naked. He ran about the streets
telling all those who were fools enough to listen to him, that he was
the son of your father; and this young beggar, who could not be mistaken
for any thing but what he was, flattered himself that some of our family
would be weak enough to believe him on his word, and humane enough to
have compassion on his misery. I threw myself in his way with the
intention of being revenged on him for the discredit he brought upon the
family, and I was fortunate enough to meet him. I allured him into my
house by soft words, and by promising that I would the next day
introduce him to a gentleman who would not fail to be of service to him.
When I got him home, I put some questions to him, which soon convinced
me that he was a little scape grace. I accordingly determined that he
should be punished for his presumption, and perceiving that he was dying
with hunger, I sent him to bed without any supper in a magnificent
chamber, where I caused him to be tormented all night long by certain
devils in masks, who tossed him in a blanket to his heart’s content.”
In relating this story to me the old rascal laughed with all his might,
and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could restrain the rage I
felt. I however, managed to dissemble, and forcing a sort of grin, I
agreed with him that the adventure was comical enough. “All that I
regret,” continued my uncle, “is, that he disappeared the next morning,
and is still at large. Could I have secured him, it was my intention to
have inflicted a much severer punishment on him for his presumption, in
daring to assert that he bore any affinity to our family.” After this
declaration I changed the subject, and a quarter of an hour after the
old gentleman took his leave, and I accompanied him to the street door,
paying him all the respect due to my father’s elder brother.