I kept my promise. Since then my days go on, happy and full of peace. I
fixed my residence in Alicante, but for long spaces of time, indeed
during almost half the year, I am in Valencia. And when I am there, I am
looked upon at Cristina's house not merely as a friend, but as a member
of the family. Nobody fails to show delight when I am seen arriving, but
most of all does my coming please my god-daughter, an enchanting little
girl of five years, with eyes as luminous as her mother's. As soon as
she hears my step, she comes running to meet me, laughing and jumping,
throws herself upon my neck, covers me with kisses, and pulls my beard
in a way to bring tears--of pleasure.
I can hear her voice on the stair at this moment calling:
"Uncle Ribot! Uncle Ribot!" While I stay in Valencia she comes to the
hotel for me every morning with her nurse. We go out together. We walk
about the streets and in the Glorieta. We go into the confectioners'
shops (Julianita knows all the best ones that are to be found in the
Hacienda) and buy sweets. We go to the flower-market and buy flowers.
And when luncheon time comes, we go to the house loaded with parcels and
sprays of flowers. The mamma comes and opens the door for us. Her
beautiful eyes shine with joy, and always glisten with gratitude.
There is nothing more that I long for. Secure in the affection of these
beings that I love, and in my own self-respect, I watch calmly the
fleeting of the hours. Snow has begun to show slowly about my temples,
but it does not touch my heart. Neither envy nor boredom enters it. And
if, as I have heard Castell say many times, life has no flavor, I am
persuaded that he does not know what it can give. For me it has a
delicate, exquisite savor. I am an artist in happiness. This thought
increases my pleasures.
And when inexorable death knocks at my door I shall not wait for him to
call twice. With firm step and tranquil heart, I will go to meet him,
and giving him my hand say:
"I have done my duty, and I have lived happily. Nobody has suffered
because of me. Whether I am led to a sweet eternal sleep, or to a new
incarnation of this impalpable force that fills me, I have no fear. Here
I am!"
But, no! it is not death that will in that moment knock at my door. It
is life, radiant, immortal, divine! From my opened window I feel it and
see it. The sun rises in the firmament and sheds its rays upon the
garden. The flowers, shining, exhale their perfume. This light and these
odors intoxicate me. Everything is riant, stirring, singing, in the
world that I behold from my balcony. Beautiful is life! Her fruitful
breath meets my own softly. What joy in the freshness of this springtime
morning! The birds among the boughs sing joyfully with melodious voices
in concert with the sunbeams.
But I would not exchange all their melodious voices for one that is now
calling me impatiently from the stairway:
"Uncle Ribot, I am waiting for you!"
"I am coming, my girlie; I am coming."
* * * * *
Press of J. J. Little & Co.
Astor Place, New York
* * * * *
The following typographical errors were corrected by the etext
transcriber:
He had also overcome the ill effects of the chill=>She had also overcome
the ill effects of the chill
The world bears it goal in it own existence.=>The world bears it goal in
its own existence.
irresistible impluse of his nature=>irresistible impulse of his nature
Si en la nocha callada=>Si en la noche callada
* * * * *
End of Project Gutenberg's The Joy of Captain Ribot, by Armando Palacio Valdes