"I had a very miserable night, Friday."
"Why?"
"After you told me that you still had time to leave me, I could not
think of anything else. I imagined that you said it with a peculiar
meaning. I kept walking up and down the room all night. _Ay madre mia!_
how it made me feel! I was up before any one else in the house, and I
tiptoed in my bare feet to your room: then I laid my ear to the key-hole
to see if I could hear you breathing; but nothing! What a feeling of
dismay I had! When the maid got up, I asked her with a real sense of
dread if you had been called. She told me 'Yes,' and I drew a long
breath. But still I was not entirely myself: I was afraid that when the
cure asked if you loved me, you would say 'No.' When I heard you say
'Yes,' my heart gave a bound of joy, and I said to myself, 'Now you are
mine!'"
"And indeed I am!" exclaimed the young man, kissing her forehead.
The train was now rolling along across the plains near Madrid. The
Senoritas de Cuervo awoke; the daylight was not very flattering to their
natural beauties, but a series of delicate manipulations which gave
convincing proof of their artistic aptitude, quickly worked a change.
From a great Russia-leather dressing-case they took out combs, brushes,
pomade, hairpins, rice powder, and a rouge pot, and amid a thousand
affectionate words and infantile caresses, they proceeded to arrange and
retouch each other's toilettes with the most scrupulous care.
"Come, child, stand still!... If you aren't careful, I shall pinch
you.... Mercy, what a naughty girl you are!"
"I am nervous, Lola, I am nervous!"
"Everybody knows that you are going to see _somebody_ very soon, and I
am not going to tell."
"What a goose you are! Rivera will be sure to believe you!"
Maximina, with her eyes opened wide, looked in amazement at this
improvised toilette. The De Cuervos begged her to follow their example,
and then she suddenly awoke from her stupor, and thanked them with
embarrassment.
Our travellers found _la brigadiera_ Angela[5] and Julia waiting for
them at the station. The latter hugged and kissed her sister-in-law
again and again; the former offered her hand, and also kissed her on the
forehead.
After taking leave of their travelling acquaintances, with a thousand
friendly promises, they entered the carriage which _la brigadiera_ had
brought. Julia insisted that her mother and the bride should occupy the
back seat; she herself could not take her eyes from her new sister, and
she held her hands, pressing them affectionately all the time. Maximina
endeavored to conquer her timidity and appear affectionate, and by a
mighty effort she succeeded.
Miguel's step-mother showed herself affable and courteous, but still it
was impossible for her to get entirely rid of that proud and scornful
mien that was always peculiar to her. The bride from time to time cast
fleeting and timid glances at her.
On reaching the house, Julia ran ahead to show the way to the suite of
rooms that were put at their disposal; she herself had arranged them
with the greatest care. Not a single detail was lacking: never had
forethought been more successful in providing all the necessities of a
woman's life, from flowers and sewing-case to glove-buttoner and
hairpins. Unfortunately Maximina could not appreciate these refinements
of elegance and good taste: everything was for her equally new and
lovely.
Miguel met his sister in the corridor.
"Where is Maximina?"
"I left her in her room, taking off her wraps. She is waiting for her
maid to bring her shoes."
"Then I'm going to take off my things too, and brush my hair a little,"
said the young man, rather awkwardly.
Julia stifled a laugh, and ran away.
When Miguel reached his room, he took off his overcoat, and going to his
wife, who was still in her gray travelling-suit, he pressed her to his
heart, and kissed her again and again. Then taking her hand and drawing
her to a chair, he seated her on his knees, and began to kiss her
passionately.
Maximina grew as red as a cherry, and though she was conscious that all
this sort of thing was eminently proper, she managed gently to escape
from his arms. Miguel, who himself felt rather confused, allowed her to
get up and leave the room: he followed her shortly after.
It was Sunday, and they had to go to mass. As _la brigadiera_ and Julia
had already been, Maximina, Miguel, and Juana were the only ones to go,
and they chose San Ginez. The maid, who would not have considered it as
going to church at all if she did not have a full view of the priest
from head to foot, made her way through the crowd and took her place
near the altar. The young couple stationed themselves a little farther
back. Never before had the incruental sacrifice seemed so beautiful to
Miguel, and never had he taken so much joy in it, although his
imagination did not wing its flight exactly in the direction of
Golgotha, nor were his eyes always turned toward the officiating
clergyman. Heaven, which is ever very merciful to the newly wedded, has
ere this forgiven him these shortcomings.
After breakfast Miguel proposed a walk through the _Retiro_[6]; the
afternoon, though cold, was calm and clear. _La brigadiera_ did not care
to accompany them, but what delight Julita took in helping her
sister-in-law dress, and in giving the last touches to her toilette! She
selected the dress for her to wear, and helped her put it on; she
arranged her hair according to the fashion, fastened on her jewelry, and
the flowers in her bosom, and even brushed her boots. She was rosy with
delight in performing these offices. As soon as they reached the street,
she walked along by her side, intoxicated with pride, in a sweetly
patronizing way, as though saying: "Just behold this young creature,
even younger than I am! And yet she is a married lady! Treat her with
great respect!"
Before reaching the Park, Miguel, accidentally looking back, saw in the
dim distance of the Calle de Alcala, diminished by the density of the
ambient air, the delicate profile of Utrilla, that famous cadet of yore,
and he said calmly to his wife:--
"Now, Maximina, though we seem to be mere private citizens going out for
a walk to sun ourselves in the _Retiro_, still we have a military
escort."
Julita blushed.
"An escort? I see no one," exclaimed Maximina, turning her head.
"It is not so easy; but by and by I will give you the glass, and see if
you will be able to make him out."