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Title:TheJoyofCaptainRibot

Author:ArmandoPalacioValdés

Translator:MinnaCarolineSmith

ReleaseDate:December13,2011[EBook#38293]

Language:English

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TheJoyofCaptainRibot

THEJOYOFCAPTAINRIBOTAUTHORIZEDTRANSLATIONFROMTHE

ORIGINALOF

A.PALACIOVALDÉS

BYMINNACAROLINESMITH

colophon

NEWYORKBRENTANO'S

1900

COPYRIGHT,1900,BYBRENTANOS.

Chapter:I.,II.,III.,IV.,V.,VI.,VII.,VIII.,IX.,X.,XI.,XII.,XIII.,XIV.,XV.,XVI.,XVII.,XVIII.

Introduction"WeAmericansareapttothinkbecausewehavebangedtheSpanishwar-ships

topiecesthatwearesuperiortotheSpaniards,buthereinthefieldwherethereisalwayspeacetheyshineourmasters.Ifwehaveanynoveliststocomparewiththeirsattheirbest,Ishouldbepuzzledtothinkofthem,andIshouldliketohavesomeoneelsetry"—wroteWilliamDeanHowellsinLiterature.Whenaworkbyoneoftheworld'smastersoffictionhascalledfortharemark

like the foregoing from a leading man of letters in America, it would be amisfortune if thepublic towhom the remark is addressedmight not enjoy theprivilegeofacquaintancewiththatwork.Anditwasthismostcharmingnovelby Señor Armando Palacio Valdés, "La Alegria del Capitán Ribot," thatpromptedMr.Howellstowritethosewords.Anyreadermustbehardtopleasewho would not take the keenest delight in a story presented with a touch sodelicate.The scene is laid inValencia,oneof theearth's famousgardenspots,wherethetouchoftheclassichand,laiduponthespotagesagoyetlingers.Itisa story dominated by the purest joy, as its sereneMediterranean landscape isdominatedbythepurestsunshine.Everynovelistofcharactermusthavesomepurposeinmindinagivenwork,

and thepurposeofSeñorValdés in this isofnoslight import. Ithappens that,from an unclean quality that distinguishes the fiction of a certain nation, theminds of many lands have been infected. For the almost universal aim of itsauthorshasseemedtobesopervasivelytocolortheirpicturesof lifewithoneparticularkindofsinastogivetheimpressionthatitisamainfactorofmoderncivilization,insteadofsomethingthatblotsbutasmallproportionofthelivesofmen and women in any land. So, when Señor Valdés wrote to me, severalmonthsago,abouthisnewnovel,hesaid:"Itisaprotestfromthedepthsagainsttheeternaladulteryof theFrenchnovel."AndwhenIreadthebook,I thoughtthat"AMarriedWoman"wouldhavebeenagoodnameforthestory,sonoblyandsotrulydoesitpresentatypeofthetrueanddevotedwifeinCristinaMartí—one of the great creations in modern literature. The trait that makes SeñorValdésoneofthemosteminentof livingnovelists isgreatnessofsoul,findingexpressionasitdoesinaconsummatemasteryofhisart.Thattraitappearsinhis"LaFé"asinnoothernovelthatIknow;andinthepresentstoryitpervadesthewhole work, which, moreover, is clean, sweet, and wholesome in every part.

Magnanimityisawordthatsomehowimpliesthatgreatnessofsoulderivesitselffromgreatnessofheart,andthemagnanimityofSeñorValdésisofadegreethattranscendslimitationsofrace,ofcreed,andofpatriotism.Hehas given evidence that in his catholic sympathies the fact of a common

humanity is sufficient for the inclusionof anyman inhisbrotherly regard.Ofsuchashethenationsasyetcounttoofewamongtheirsons.Andwhenoneofthesespeaks,nodifferenceoftongueshouldbeallowedtobarourlistening.In thesamearticle thathasfurnishedthetextfor theseremarks,Mr.Howells

notes, among the admirable attributes in which this noble-minded Spaniardexcels,"somethingverylikeourownboastedAmericanhumorwithsomeotherthings which we cannot lay special claim to; as a certain sweetness, a gentlespirituality,aloveofpurityandgoodnessinthemselves,andaninsightintotheworkingsofwhatusedtobecalledthesoul."Astothespecificqualitiesofthebookbeforeus, Icannotbetterexpressmyownsentiments than tocontinue inthewordsofMr.Howells:"LaAlegriadelCapitánRibotis,asallthestoriesofthisdelightfulauthorare,

anovelofmanners, themodernmannersofprovincialSpain;and,bytheway,while we were spoiling our prostrate foe, I wish we could have got some ofthese,too;theywouldformanagreeablerelieftoourown,whichtheysurpasssomuchinpicturesqueness,tosaytheleast.ThesceneismostlyatValencia,whereCapitán Ribot, who commands a steamer plying between Barcelona andHamburg,istheguestofthecivilengineer,Martí.Thenovelis,asfarasRibotandhis twofriendsareconcerned,a tender idyll,buton theotherside it isanexquisitecomedy,withsomefine tragic implications.Aroundall is throwntheatmosphereofacivilizationsodifferentfromourown,andofahumanitysoliketheAnglo-Saxon, aswell as theRussian and the Scandinavian, even, thatwefindourselvescharmedatonceby itsstrangenessandits familiarity.Therearethe same temptations, the same aspirations, the same strong desires, the sametrembling resolutions, masking under southern skies and in alien air; butinstantlyrecognizablebytheirtruthtowhatallmenfeelandknow."Mr.HowellshasexpressedadesiretohaveSeñorValdésforourown.Sofaras

amost intelligently sympathetic presentation of this beautiful story inEnglishcandoso,Iamsurethatmyfriendthetranslatorhasmadehimso.

SYLVESTERBAXTER.

THEJOYOFCAPTAINRIBOT

CHAPTERI.

INMalaga they cook it not at all badly; inVigo better yet; inBilbao I haveeaten it deliciously seasoned on more than one occasion. But there is nocomparisonbetweenanyofthese,orthewayIhavehaditservedinanyoftheother ports where I have been wont to touch, and the cooking of a SeñoraRamonainacertainshopforwinesandediblescalledElCometa,situatedonthewharfatGijon.Therefore,whenthatmostintelligentwomanhearsthattheUranohasentered

port,shebeginstogetherstewpansreadyformyreception.Iprefertogoaloneandatnight,liketheselfishandluxuriousbeingthatIam.Shesetsmytableforme in a corner of the back shop; and there, at my ease, I enjoy pleasuresineffableandhavetakenmorethanoneindigestion.I arrived the9thofFebruary, at eleven in themorning, andaccording tomy

customIatelittle,preparingmyselfbyhealthfulabstinencefortheceremonyofthe evening. God willed otherwise. A little before the striking of the hour aheathen of a sailor broke a lantern; the burning wick fell upon a cask ofpetroleumandstartedafire,whichwegot thebetterofby throwingthebarreloverboard with several others. But the pilot-house was burned, together withmuchof the riggingandsomeof theupperworksof thesteamer. Inshort, theconsequenceskeptusbusyandonourfeetnearlyallnight.AndthiswasthereasonwhyIdidnotgotoeatmydishoftripeattheSeñora

Ramona's,butnotifiedher,bymeansofthespeakingtrumpet,tobereadyformethateveningwithoutfail.Itwasaboutteno'clock.Peacefulandcontented,Idescendedtheladderofthe

Urano,jumpedintoaboat,andinfourstrokesofmyboat-man'soarsIwastakentothewharf,whichstooddesertedandshadowy.Thehullsofthevesselscouldhardly be made out and absolute silence reigned on board them. Only thesilhouette of the guards on their rounds or that of some melancholy-lookingpasser-by was vaguely outlined in the gloom. But the obscurity, that the fewstreet-lampswere insufficient todissipate,was soon enlivenedby thewaveoflightthatproceededfromthetwoopendoorwaysofElCometa.Iflutteredawayinthatdirectionlikeaneagerbutterfly.Therewereonlythreeorfourcustomersleftintheshop;theothershaddeparted—somespontaneously,somebecauseof

intimations,eachtimemoreorlessperemptory,givenbySeñoraRamona,whoalwayscloseduppromptlyathalfafterten.Thiswomangreetedmyappearancewithapealoflaughter.Icannotsaywhat

curiousandmysterious titillationaffectedhernerves inmypresence;but Icanaffirm that shenever sawmeafter anabsencemoreor lessprolongedwithoutbeingviolentlyshakenbymerriment,whichinturninevitablyresultedinsevereattacksofcoughing,inflaminghercheeksandtransformingthemfromtheirhueofgrainyredtoviolet.YetIwasprofoundlygratifiedbythatpealoflaughterandthatattackofcoughing,consideringthemapledgeofunalterablefriendship,andthatIcouldcount,inlifeandindeath,uponherculinaryaccomplishments.Onsuchoccasions itwasmyduty todoublemyspine, shakemyhead, and laughboisterously until DameRamona recovered herself. And I complied therewithreligiously."Ay,buthowgooditwasyesterday,DonJulian!""Andwhynotto-day?""Becauseyesterdaywasyesterday,andto-dayisto-day."Before this invincible reason I grew serious, and a sigh escapedme. Dame

Ramonawentoffinafreshfitoflaughter,followedbyacorrespondingattackofasthmaticcoughing.Whenatlastsherecoveredherselfshefinishedwashingtheglassinherhands,andcalledtothreeorfoursailorschattinginacorner:"Come,upwithyou!Iamgoingtolockup."Oneofthemventuredtosay:"Waitabit,DameRamona.We'llgowhenthatgentlemandoes."Thehostess,frowninggrimly,volunteeredinsolemnaccents:"This gentleman has come to eat some stewed tripe, and the table is set for

him."Thereupon thecustomers, feeling theweightof thishint,andcomprehending

thegravityoftheoccasion,lostnotimeinrisingtodepart.Gazingatmeforaninstantwithamixtureofrespectandadmirationtheywentout,wishingusgood-night."Well,DonJulian!"exclaimedDameRamona,herfacebrighteningagain,"that

tripeofyesterdayfairlywasofakindtomakeone'smouthwaterwithdelight."Myfacemusthaveexpressedthemostprofounddespair."Andthatofto-day—won'titdoanything?"Iinquiredintonesofwoe."To-day—to-day—youwillseeforyourself."Shewavedherfathandinawaycalculatedtoleavemesubmergedinaseaof

doubt.While shewas giving the last touches to herwork, I took some absinthe to

preparemystomachadequatelyforitstask,atthesametimemeditatingupontheseriouswordsthatIhadheard.Would it, orwould it not, be sowell seasoned, piquant, and aromatic asmy

imaginationdepicted?ButwhenIhadseatedmyselfatthetable;whenIsawthedishbeforemeand

feltitsblandfragrancepenetratingmynostrils,arayoflightilluminingmybraindissipatedthatdarkspectraldoubt.Myheartbegantopalpitatewithinexplicablepleasure. I comprehended that the gods still held in reserve somemoments ofhappinessinthisworld.DameRamonadivinedtheemotionthatoverpoweredmysoul,andsmiledwith

maternalbenevolence."What's that, Dame Ramona?" I exclaimed, pausing with my fork held

motionlessintheair."Didyouhearit?""Yes,señor;Iheardascream.""Itcalled'Help!'""Outonthewharf.""Anotherscream!"Ithrewdowntheforkandrushedtothedoor,followedbymyhostess.WhenI

openeditIheardasoundofincoherentlamentation."Mymother!Help!ForGod'ssake!Sheisdrowning!"IntwojumpsIleapedovertherampartbetweenmeandthewharf,andmade

out the figure of awomanwaving her arms convulsively and uttering piteousscreams.Isawwhathadhappened,and,runningtoher,Iasked:"Whohasfallenin?""Mymother!Saveher!Saveher!""Where?""Here!"Andshepointedout thenarrowspace in thewaterbetweena lighterand the

wharf.Although narrow, it was too wide for me to reach the craft. I plucked up

courage,however,andsprangfortheriggingratherthanthedeck,managingtograspacable. In thisway Idropped to thedeck.Seizing the first rope Icame

across,Imadeitfastandsliddowntothewater'sedge.Happily,thewomanhadalsograspedtheropeandsokeptherselfafloat.WhenIgottoherIendeavoredtoseizeherbythehead.Butonlyawigremainedinmyhand!Imadeanotherattempt,andthistimecaughtherarm.Idrewhertothesideofthevessel.ThenIsawthatitwouldbeimpossibletogetheroutwithouthelp.HowcouldIclimbtheropewithonehandonly?Fortunatelythecriesofthedaughter,togetherwithmyown,arousedthecrewofalighter,composedoffoursailors,andtheyeasilygotusout.Thereweresomeplanksathand,andsowereachedthewharfwithher and took her to an apothecary's near by,where shewas at last restored toconsciousness.Whiletheapothecarywasattendingher,thedaughter,paleandsilent,bentover

her,her facebathedwith tears.Shewasayoung ladyofgoodstature,slender,pale,herhairblackandwavy;herwholepersonality, ifnotofsupremebeauty,attractiveandinteresting.Shewasdressedwithelegance,hermotheralso;andIinferredthattheywerepersonsdistinguishedinthetown.Butoneofthethrongthat had pressed into the shop informedme that theywere strangers, and hadbeenbutafewdaysinGijon.When I found that shewas neither dead nor hurt to any serious extent, and

feelingthechillofthebathpenetratingmeandmakingmeshiver,Iwishedthemgood-night.Theyoungladyraisedherhead,cametowardsmewithanimation,andseizing

myhandscordially,lookedintomyeyeswithtearfulearnestness,andmurmuredwithemotion:"Thankyou,thankyou,señor!Ishallneverforgetthis!"Igavehertounderstandthatmyservicedeservednothanks; thatanybodyin

my place would have done the same, as I sincerely thought. The only realsacrificethatIhadmadewasthatofthestewedtripe;butIdidnotsaythis,verynaturally.WhenIreachedthesteamerandgotintomyroomIfeltsochilledthatIfeared

aheavycold,ifnotpneumonia.ButIrubbedmyselfenergeticallywithalcoholand wrapped myself so warmly in my bed that I wakened as usual in themorning,healthyandlively,andinexcellenthumor.

CHAPTERII.

WHEN I had dressed myself, and after I had complied with my ordinaryduties and looked after the carpenters repairing the damages from the fire, Ithoughtoftheladywhohadbeenonthepointofdrowningthenightbefore.Instricttruth,theonewhomIthoughtofwasthedaughter.Thoseeyeswereofthekind thatneithercanbe,norshouldbe, forgotten.Andwith thevaguehopeofseeingthemagainIwentashoreanddirectedmystepstowardstheapothecary's.Thedruggist informedmethat theywerestoppingat theIberia.SoIwent to

askaboutthelady'scondition."Isitnecessarythatyoushouldseethem?"thechambermaidaskedme.That was my desire, but I hardly ventured to say so. I told her it was not

necessary,butIshouldliketoknowhowtheyhadpassedthenight.IwastoldthatDoñaAmparo(theoldlady)hadrestedfairlywellandthatthedoctor,whohadjustgone,foundherbetterthanhehadexpected.DoñaCristina(theyounglady) was perfectly well. I left my card and went down stairs somewhatdepressed.But I had no sooner reached the street floor than the chambermaidcameaftermeandaskedmetocomeback,sayingthattheladieswishedtoseeme.Doña Cristina came out into the corridor to meet me. She wore an elegant

morning-gown of a violet color, and her black hair was half-imprisoned by awhitecapwithvioletribbons.Hereyeswerebeamingwithdelightandsheheldoutherhandmostcordially."Goodmorning,Captain.Whywereyouavoidingthethankswewishedtogive

you? I had just finished a letter to you in which I expressed, if not all thegratitudewefeel,atleastapart.Butitisbetterthatyouhavecome—andyettheletterwasnotwhollybad!"sheadded,smiling."Althoughyoumaynotbelieveit,wewomenaremoreeloquentwiththepenthanwiththetongue."Shetookmeintoaparlorwheretherewasanalcovewhoseglazeddoorswere

shut."Mamma,"shecalled,"hereisthegentlemanwhosavedyou,thecaptainoftheUrano."I heard a melancholy murmuring, something like suppressed sighing and

sobbing, with words between that I could not make out. I questioned thedaughterwithmyeyes."Shesaysthatsheregretsextremelyhavingcausedyoutoriskyourlife."IrepliedinaloudtonethatIhadrunnodangeratall;butevenifIhad,Iwas

simplydoingmyduty.Againthereproceededfromthealcovevariousconfusedsounds."Shetellsmetogiveyouatablespoonfuloforange-flowerextract.""Whatfor?"Iexclaimedinsurprise."She thinks that you also must have sustained a shock," explained Doña

Cristina,laughing."Mammausesthatremedyagreatdeal,andmakesusalltakeittoo.Justtellherthatyouaregoingtotakeit,anditwillpleaseherimmensely."BeforeIcouldrecoverfrommyastonishmentIdidasDoñaCristinarequested,

andwasimmediatelyrewardedwithamurmurofapproval."Ihave justgiven it tohim,mamma," sheannounced,dartingamischievous

glanceatme."Nowyoumayfeelatease!""Many thanks, señora," I calledout. "Ibelieve itwilldomegood, for Iwas

feelingabitnervous."DoñaCristinapressedmyhandandstruggledtokeepfromlaughing.Shesaid

inalowvoice:"Bravo!Youareonthewaytobecomeaconsummateactor."Thestrangeandunintelligiblesoundsrenewedthemselves."Sheasksifyouhavetelegraphedtoyourwife,andadvisesyounottodoso,as

itmightfrightenher.""Ihavenowife.Iamabachelor.""Thentoyourmother,"DoñaCristinahadthegoodnesstointerpret."Ihavenomother,either;norfather,norbrothersorsisters.Iamaloneinthe

world."Doña Amparo, so far as I could understand, showed herself surprised and

displeasedatmylonecondition,andinvitedmetochangeitwithoutlossoftime.Shealsoaddedthatamanlikemewasdestinedtomakeanywomanhappy.Idonotknowwhatqualitiesofahusbandtheladycouldhaveobservedinme,exceptfacility ingraspingandslidingdownacable. I responded that surely Idesirednothing else; but up to now no occasion had presented itself. My life as amariner,to-dayinoneplace,to-morrowinanother,theshynessofmenlikemewhodonotfrequentsociety,andeventhefactthatIhadnotmetawomanwhoreallyinterestedme—allthishadimpededitsrealization.

WhilesayingthisIfixedmygazeuponthesmilingeyesofDoñaCristina.Asweetandfancifulthoughtthereuponcameintomyhead."Letuschangethesubject,mamma.Everyonefollowshisownpleasure,andif

theCaptainhasnotmarrieditmustbe,ofcourse,becausehehasnotcaredto.""Exactly,"saidI,smiling,andgazingatherfixedly,"Ihavenotcaredtomarry

up to thepresent,but Icannotsay that Imaynotcare tosomedaywhenleastlookedfor.""Meanwhile we wish that you may be happy; that you may get a very

handsomewifeandahalf-dozenplumpchildren—livelyandmischievous.""Amen,"Iexclaimed.The frankness and graciousness of the young lady were spontaneously

attractive. I feltasmuchateasewithheras if Ihadknownher foryears.Sheinvitedme to seatmyself on the sofa, seatingherself there also, speaking lowthathermothermightrest,forthedoctorhadsaidthatshehadbetternottalk.I asked for the details of her mother's condition, and was told that she had

suffered a slight contusion on the shoulder,which the doctor had saidwas oflittleaccount.Shehadalsoovercometheilleffectsofthechill.Theonlythingtobe feared was the nervous shock. Her mamma was very nervous; her hearttroubled her, and nobody could say what might be the consequences of thatterribleshock.Ididmybesttoassuageherfears.Thentomakeconversation,Iasked her if they were Asturians, although knowing that they were not, bothfromwhatthedoctorhadsaid,andbecauseoftheiraccent."No,señor,weareValencianas.""Really?Valencianas?" Iexclaimed. "Thenwearealmostcompatriots! Iwas

borninAlicante."SowecontinuedthetalkinValencian,withpleasureunspeakableonmypart,

andIthinkalsoonherpart.ShetoldmethattheyhadbeeninGijononlyninedays,havingcometovisitanunwhowashermother'ssister.Theyhadhadthisintentionforyears,andhadnevercarrieditintoeffectbefore,onaccountofthelength and discomfort of the journey. At last they had undertaken it, butunfortunately, it seemed, for it hadnearly cost hermother her life.Theywerepleasedwiththecountry,althoughitseemedratherdullincomparisonwiththeirown."OValencia!" I exclaimed with ardor, "I who have visited themost remote

regionsoftheearthandhavebeenonsomanydiverseshores,haveneverfoundanythingcomparabletothatland.Therethesundoesnotriseinblood,asitdoesintheNorth,norscorchasinAndalusia;itslightisgentlydiffusedinbalmyand

tranquilair.Theseadoesnot terrifyas itdoeshere; it isbluerand its foam iswhiterandlighter.Therethebirdssingwithnotesmoredulcetandvaried;therethe breeze caresses at night as by day; there the delicious fruits, that in otherpartsareinseasononlyintheheatofsummer,areenjoyedtheyeararound;therenotonlytheflowersandtheherbshavescent,theearthitselfexhalesadelicatearoma.Therelife isnotsadandweary.Everythingisgentle,everythingsereneand harmonious. And the tranquillity of Nature seems to be reflected in theprofoundgazeoftheValencianwomen."That of Doña Cristina, whichwas themost gentle and profound I had ever

seen,sparkledwithacertainmischievousdelight."Whowouldthink,hearingyoutalk,thatyouwereasea-wolf!Youspeaklike

apoet. Iamalmost tempted tobelieve thatyouhavecontributedverses to theperiodicals.""Oh,no!"Iexclaimed,laughing."Iamaninoffensivepoet.Ineverwriteeither

verses or prose; but you will pardon me for saying that those eyes of yoursrevived inmymemory various beautiful things, all Valencian, and the poetrywenttomyhead."DoñaCristinaappearedtoremaininsuspenseforamoment;sheregardedme

withmorecuriositythangratification,andchangingtheconversationsheaskedgraciously:"Andthesteamerthatyouarecommanding—doesshegotoAmerica?""Onlyonceinawhile.UsuallywerunbetweenBarcelonaandHamburg.""Andyourstophereisforseveraldays?""Justlongenoughtorepairthedamagesfromalittlefireonboard,daybefore

yesterday."Onmypart,IaskedhowlongtheyproposedtoremainedinGijon."Wehadbeenthinkingofleavingthedayafterto-morrowandstoppingsome

daysinMadrid,whereweexpectedtomeetmyhusband;butnowitisnecessarytopostponegoingonaccountofwhathashappened.Atallevents,assoonasmymother has completely recovered herself and the doctor gives permission, weshallstart."I must confess it although it may seem ridiculous—that "my husband"

produced a strange sensation of chill and discouragement in me that I couldscarcely succeed in hiding. How the devil had it not occurred tome that theyoungladymightbemarried?Icannotaccountforittothisday.Andconcedingittobethecase,whyshouldtheinformationcausesuchabitteremotionwhenitconcerned a personwhom Iwas only just beginning to be acquaintedwith? I

cannot account for that either. I am tempted to believe in the truth of whathappensintheoldcomedieswhenthegallantisfiredwithloveatfirstsightofthelady.IfIwasnotonfire,atleastIhadonboardallthematerialsforthefire.Nevertheless, reason soon asserted its supremacy. I comprehended the

absurdityandtheridiculouscharacterofmysensations,and,calmingmyself,Iaskedaboutherhusbandwithnaturalandfriendlyinterest.ShetoldmethathewascalledEmilioMartí, andwasoneof thepartners in theshippinghouseofCastell andMartí,whosesteamers run toLiverpool.Moreover,hehadvariousotherlinesofbusiness,forhewasanactiveandenterprisingman.Theyhadbeenmarriedonlytwoyears."Andyouhavenofamily?""Notasyet,"sheresponded,blushingslightly.Shewenton to tellme that theywerebothborn inValencia,where theyhad

alwayslived;throughthewinterinthecity,CalledelMar;inthesummertimeattheirvillainCabañal.IknewseveraloftheCastellandMartísteamers.Ispokeofmysatisfactionin

placingmyselfattheserviceofthewifeofoneoftheirowners.Wetalkedalittlelonger.Iwasdowncastandfeltadesiretogo.Imanagedto

takemyleave,butnotwithoutanotherdialoguewithDoñaAmparowithcloseddoors and an interpreter. On reaching the street my unfounded and evenirrational depression was soon dissipated, as I talked with acquaintances andwentaboutmyaffairs.Butall throughthedaythefigureofDoñaCristinawasconstantlypresenttomyimagination.Iadorewomenwhoareslenderandwhite,withgreatblackeyes.Myfriendsusedtotellmeoncethat inorder tosuitmytasteawomanmustbeinthelaststageofphthisis.Theywerenotfarfromright.Myonly lovehadbeenaconsumptive,andshediedwhenall thepreparationsweremadeforourmarriage.ThenextdayIheldittobeinthelineofmydutytogotothehoteltoinquire

abouttheladies.DoñaCristinaaskedmeinandreceivedmewithevengreatercordiality,puttingherfingertoherlipsandaskingmetospeakinwhisperslikeherself,forhermotherwassleeping.Weseatedourselvesonthesofaandchattedin low but lively tones. Doña Amparo was well, and required nothing butattention."Moreover(Iwilltellyouinconfidence),untiltheyhavefinishedherwigshe

willnotshowherselfoutsideherroom.""Ah,thewig!Yes,Iremembernow.""Yes,yourememberthatyoutoreitoff,wickedone!"shereplied,laughing.

"Señora,itwasimpossibletoforesee!ItisfortunatethatIdidnottearherheadfromherbody."We both laughed heartily, forcing ourselves at the same time to laugh

noiselessly. A moment later she said, in a way so natural that it pleased meimmensely:"Iamhungry,captain,andamgoingtohavesomebreakfast.Willyounotjoin

me?"Ithankedherandexcusedmyself.ButasIcouldnotsaythatIhadbreakfasted

she said that of course Imust breakfast with her, andwent out to give someorders.Ifeltdelighted,andevenifIshouldsayenthusiasticitwouldnotbeanuntruth.Whilethemaidwasgettingthetablereadyintheroomwherewewere,wecontinuedourchat,ourmutualconfidencesteadilygrowing.Allthroughthebreakfast she treatedmewith a cordiality so frank andhospitable that it quitecharmedme.Shecutbreadandmeatformewithherownhandsandpouredoutwineandwater.WhenIwantedadishoraplate,withprovincialsimplicityshewouldjumpupandtakeitfromthesideboardwithoutwaitingforthemaid.Itoldherjestinglyofthegraveoccupationinwhichhercrieshadsurprisedme

thenightoftheaccident.ShelaughedheartilyandpromisedtomakeituptomewhenIcametoValencia,bycookingapaellaformebyalltherulesoftheart."NotthatIhavethemadpresumptionofexpectingtomakeyouforgetthetripe

ofSeñoraRamona.Ishallbesatisfiedifyoueatacoupleofplatefuls.""Why a couple? I perceive with sadness that you take me for a gross and

materialbeing.Ihopetoshowyou,inthecourseoftime,thatapartfromthesehours of tripe and snails, I am aman naturally spiritually-minded, poetic, andeven,tosomeextent,delicate."Sheridiculedthis,pilingupmyplateinmostscandalousstyle,invitingmenot

todissimulatemytruecondition,buttoeatasifshewerenotpresent."Do not think of my being a lady. Fancy yourself breakfasting with a

companion—thepilot,forinstance.""Ihavenotsufficient imagination for that.Thepilot is squint-eyedand lacks

twoteeth."ThislivelyandintimatechatintoxicatedmemorethantheBordeauxthatshe

pouredformewithoutceasing.Andhereyesintoxicatedmemorethanthewineor the chat. Although we talked in whispers and checked our laughter,occasionallythereescapedmeanindiscreetnote.DoñaCristinaraisedherfingerto her lips. "Silence, Captain, or I shall have to sentence you to the corridorbeforeyouhavehalfbreakfasted."

She asked me to tell her something about my life. I gratified her curiosity,relatingmyhistory,whichwassimpleenough.Wediscussedthepleasuresofasailor'slife,whichshethoughtsuperiortothoseofanyother."Iadorethesea,buttheseaofmyhomeaboveall.Hereitmakesmeafraidand

sad. Ifyoucould seehowoften Igo to thewindowofourvilla atCabañal tolookatit!""ButinValenciaIpreferthewomentothesea,"Iremarked,havingreachedtoo

livelyastage."Icanbelieveit,"sheresponded,smiling."Oh,theyareverybeautiful.Ihavea

littlecousinnamedIsabelwhoistrulyperfection.Whateyesthatchildhas!""Aretheymorebeautifulthanyours?"Iaskedpresumptuously."Oh,mineareofnoaccount,"sheansweredwithablush."Ofnoaccount?"Iquestionedwithastonishment."Indeed,therearenoothers

sobewitchingonall this easterncoast, amongall thebeautifulones that thereabound.Theyaretwostarsofheaven!Theyareahappydreamfromwhichonewouldneverwishtoawake!"Sheinstantlybecameserious.Shekeptsilenceforawhile,withoutraisingher

eyes from the tablecloth.Then she saidwith an affected indifference, not freefromseverity:"You have breakfasted fairly well, have you not? But on board the food is

betterthanathotels."I kept silent for awhile, in turn.Without responding to her question, after a

momentIsaid:"Pardonme.We sailors express ourselves too frankly.We are not versed in

etiquette, but our intentions must excuse us. Mine were not to say anythingimpertinent."She was immediately mollified, and we continued our chat with the same

cordialityuntiltheendofthebreakfast.

CHAPTERIII.

IWENTbacktotheshipinaworsestatethanthatofthedaybefore.Theladyoccupiedmythoughtsmore thanwasdesirableforcontentorpeaceofmind. Iwentbackagainthatafternoonandagainthenextday.Herinterestingfigure,hereyes—so black, so innocent, and so piquant at the same time, were rapidlypenetratingmysoul.Andasalwayshappensinsuchcases,hereyesfirstbegantopleasemeandthenhervoicebegantoenchantme;soonitwasherfinehands,like alabaster; a little after that the soft veil of hair that adorned her temples;immediately thereupon, three little dimples in her right cheek.At last I foundhappinessinacertaindefectivewayshehadofpronouncingtheletterR.Theseandotherdiscoveriesoflikeimportancecouldnotbemade,itisevident,

without due attention, all of which, instead of pleasing the lady, annoyed hervisibly.Shealwaysreceivedmecordially,butnotwithherformerfranknessofmanner.Iobserved,notwithoutpain,thatinspiteofthegayetyandanimationofherconversationsherevealedabitofdisquietinthedepths,asiffearingthatImightagainsaysomethingunwelcome.Whilecomprehendingthis,neverthelessIhadnottheforceofwilltostopgazingathermorethanIshould.Atlastthewigwasbroughtinsecrettothehotel.DoñaAmparotrieditonin

themostabsoluteprivacy;shefounditimperfect.Itwasreturnedtothehandsofitsmaker; various changeswere effected in itwithout either the public or theauthoritiesbecomingawareofthefact,andaftervarioustrialsequallysecretthegoodladyemergedasfreshandjuvenileasifmysinfulhandshadneverattackedher charms. For in spite of all—that is, in spite of the wig, of years, and ofobesity—DoñaAmparohadnotcompletelylosthercharms.Theyinvitedmetotakeadrivewiththemthroughtheenvironsofthecity.The

pleasurewithwhich I acceptedmaybe imagined.On reaching thecountrywealighted, and for an hourwe feasted our eyes upon that smiling and splendidlandscape.Ifoundmyselfhappy,andthishappinessincitedmetoshowtowardsDoñaCristinagreatdeferenceandgentlenessofspeech.Ifeltimpelledtosaytoher everything beautiful and interesting that occurred to me. But she, as ifdivining these perverse tendencies of my tongue, curbed it with tact andfirmness,askingmesomeindifferentquestionwheneverthereseemedtobeanydangerofmyutteringsomethingindiscreet,leavingmewithhermammawhile

she went on ahead, or taking pains to make her mother talk. This did notdisheartenme.Iwassostupid,orsoindiscreet,thatinspiteoftheseclearsignalsI still persisted in seeking pretexts for directing various whiffs of incensetowardsher. Ideclare,however, that Ididnot think Iwasacting thegallant. Ibelieved in good faith that such obsequiousness and such flatteries werelegitimate;forweSpaniardsfromremoteantiquityhavearrogated toourselvesthe right of telling all pretty women that they are pretty, without otherconsequences.But she cast doubts upon the correctness of such a proceeding.Thatthesedoubtswerenotill-foundedIseeclearlyenough,nowthatthemistofmysentimentshasbeencompletelydissipatedandIreadmysoulasinanopenbook.It chanced that that same afternoon, on ourway back to the city, seeing the

numerous and handsome country houses that we passed, Doña Cristinaremarked:"OurplaceatCabañalisverycharming,butnotsumptuous.Myhusbandisnot

satisfiedwithit;hewantssomethingbetter.""Hewantssomethingbetter?"Icriedwithoutstoppingtothink."ButifIwere

yourhusband,Icoulddesirenothing!"The lady kept silence for amoment, turned her face towards thewindow to

lookattheroad,andmurmuredironically,—"Well,sir;letushavepatience."Ibelievethatnotonlymycheeks,myforehead,andmyearsturnedscarlet,but

eventhewhitesofmyeyes.ForseveralminutesIfeltonmyfacetheimpressionoftwored-hotbricks.Ididnotknowwhattosay,andseekingescapefrommyembarrassment I turned to the other window and remained in ecstaticcontemplation of the landscape. Doña Amparo, who had remarked nothing,spokeinresponsetoherdaughter'sobservation:"Emilioisaverygoodman,veryindustrious,althoughsomewhatfantastic.""How is he fantastic?" exclaimed Cristina, turning sharply, as if struck.

"Becausehedesireswhatisbetter,morebeautiful,andseekstoacquireit?Thatshows rather his good taste and goodwill. For if theworld did not havemenwhoaspired toperfection,whoalwaysseea 'fartheron'andwho takesteps toapproach it, neither these handsome country houses nor others still better, norany of the comforts that we enjoy to-day would exist. The idlers, thespendthrifts, and the poor in spirit ridicule such ideas so long as they are notrealized; but when the hour comes that the ends aimed at can be seen andtouched,theyshutthemselvesupintheirhousesandrefusetocongratulatethose

whomade itpossiblebecause theydonotcare toconfess their stupidity.Thenyou know well that Emilio, however 'fantastic,' has never had the fantasy tothinkofhimself;thatallhiseffortsaredevotedtogivepleasureandprosperitytohisfamily,tohisfriends,andtohisneighbors,andthatallhislifeuptonowhasbeenaconstantsacrificeforothers."Doña Amparo, during this vehement discourse, showed herself strangely

affected.Iwasastonishedtoseeherstammer,rubhereyes,growredintheface,andfallbackwardasifinaswoon."I—isitpossible?—myson!"Utteringtheseincoherentwords,sheswayed,thenseemedtoloseallsenseof

the external world. To restore her to consciousness it was necessary for herdaughtertobathehertempleswitheaudeCologneandapplysal-volatiletohernostrils.Whenatlastsheopenedhereyesthereburstforthafloodoftearsthatflowed down her cheeks and poured into her lap like a copious rain, some ofwhichmoistenedmycoat.At thesesymptomsDoñaCristinaagainopened thelittle satchel that she carried, that I could see containednumerous little flasks.She tookoneof these, togetherwitha lumpof sugar, andmoistened the latterwithseveraldropsof liquid.She thrust thesugar intohermother'smouth; thatladygraduallyrecoveredhersensesandatlastwasconsciousofherwhereaboutsandofwhowaswithher.Onmypart,beingtheindirectcauseoftheunfortunatescene,Iunderstoodthat

nothingwouldbemoresuitablethanformetothrowmyselfoutofthecarriagewindow,eventhoughIshouldfracturemyhead;butimaginingthattheresultsofsuchaproceduremightbe toomelancholy, Ihituponadecoroussubstitutebybiting at the head ofmy cane and staring into vacancy.DoñaCristina did notchoosetotakecognizanceofthesetragicmanifestations,buttheysopenetratedtheheartofhermammathatthelatterseizedmyhandsconvulsively,murmuringoccasionally:"Ribot!Ribot!Ribot!"Fearingthatshemightagainenterintotheworldoftheunconscious,Ihastened

totaketheflaskofsaltsandholdittohernose.The rest of the way back, heaven be praised! was traversed without further

mishap, and I made desperate efforts to have my foolishness forgotten andforgiven, talking with all formality about various things, principally of thosemosttothetasteofDoñaCristina.AtlengthIwasrewardedbyseeingherbrightface again unclouded and her eyes expressing their accustomed frankjoyousness. And, prompted by her humor, she even went so far as to make

graciousfunofhermamma."Didyouknow,CaptainRibot,thatmammaneverswoonsexceptwhensheis

withthefamily,oramongpersonsinwhomsheconfides?Thegreatestproofofthesympathywithwhichyouinspireheristhatwhichshehasjustgiven.""Cristina!Cristina!"exclaimedDoñaAmparo,halfsmiling,halfindignant."Now,befrank,mamma!IfCaptainRibothasnotwonyourconfidence,howis

ityouventuredtofaintawayinhispresence?"DoñaAmparodecidedtolaugh,givingherdaughterapinch.Whenweparted

atthehoteldoortheyinvitedmetobreakfastwiththemthenextday,theyhavingdecidedtoleaveforMadridonthedayafterthat.Itcouldnolongerbedoubted;ifIwasnotinloveIwasonthewaytobe,with

afairwindandallsailsset.Whywasit that thiswomanhadimpressedmesoprofoundlyinsoshortatime?Idonotthinkitwasmerelyherfigure,althoughitcoincidedwiththeidealtypeofbeautythatIhadalwaysadored.IfIhadfalleninlovewithallthewhiteandslenderwomenwithdarkeyesthatIhadmetinthecourseofmylife,therewouldnothaveremainedanytimetodoanythingelse.Butshehadaspecialattractiveness,atleastforme,whichconsistedinasingularcombinationofjoyousnessandgravity,ofsweetnessandbrusqueness,ofdaringandtimidity,alternatelyreflectedinherexpressivecountenance.The next day, at the appointed time, I presented myself at the hotel. Doña

Cristinawasinmostdelightfulhumorandletmeknowthatweweretobreakfastalone, for hermother hadnot sleptwell the night before andwas still in bed.Thisfilledmewithselfishsatisfaction,observinghermerrymood.Beforegoingtothetablesheservedmeanappetizer,graciouslyridiculingme."Since you always have such a delicate appetite, and look so languishing, I

haveorderedsomethingbitter foryou, tosee ifwecannotgivea little tone tothatstomachofyours."Ifellinwiththejest."I am in despair. I comprehend that it is ridiculous to have such a ready

appetite,butIamamanofhonorandIconfessit.OnetimewhenIattemptedtoconceal it I missed my reckoning. One of my passengers was a certain verycharmingandspirituelleladytowardswhomIfeltsomewhatfavorablydisposed.Icouldthinkofnobettermeanstoinspireherinterestthantofeignanabsolutelack of appetite, naturally accompanied by languor and poeticmelancholy.Attable I refused the greater part of the dishes. My nourishment consisted oftapioca, vanilla cream, some fruit, and much coffee. Then I complained ofweakness, and ordered glasses of sherry with biscuit. Of course I suffered

terribly from hunger; but I overcame it finely in solitude. The lady becameenthusiastic; she professed for me a profound and sincere admiration, anddespised for their grossness all those at the tablewhowere servedwithmoresolidnutriment.But, alas! there cameamomentwhen sheunexpectedly camedownintothedining-saloonandsurprisedmefeastingoncoldham.Thatendedtheaffair.Sheneverspokeanotherwordtome.""She did right," said Doña Cristina, with a laugh. "Hypocrisy is something

moreshamefulthanagoodappetite."We began our breakfast, and I gave her to understand that now that she so

abhorredhypocrisyIproposedtoproceedwithallpossiblefrankness."That is right! Entirely frank!" And she served me an enormous ration of

omelette.Wewent on chatting and laughing in undertones, but DoñaCristina did not

neglect toservemewithfabulousquantitiesof food,greater, in truth, thanmygastriccapacity.Iwantedtodecline,butshewouldnotpermitit."Befrank,Captain!Youhavepromisedtobeentirelyfrank.""Señora,thissurpassesfrankness.Anybodymightcallitgrossness.""Idonotcallitso.Goon!Goon!"Butsoon,straighteningherselfbackinherchairabit,andassumingasolemn

tone,shespoke:"Captain,Iamnowgoingtotreatyouasifyouhadnotonlysavedmymother's

life,butmineaswell.AtoneandthesametimeIwishtopayyouforher lifeandmyown."My eyes openedwidelywithoutmy comprehending the significance of such

words.DoñaCristinarosefromherchairand,goingtothedoor,openeditwide.Thereappearedthemaidwithabigdishofstewedtripeinherhands."Tripe!"Iexclaimed."StewedbySeñoraRamona,"proclaimedDoñaCristina,gravely.The jokeputme inbetterhumoryet.Buthowshortwas thedurationof that

intoxicating delight!Whenwe reached the dessert she informedme, perfectlynaturally:"Ihavenewsforyou.Wearenotgoingto-morrow.Myhusbandiscomingfor

usthedayafter.""Yes?"Iexclaimed,withtheexpressionofamanwhoisforcedtotalkundera

showerbath."Althoughthejourneyisabituncomfortable,comingandgoingagainatonce,

he says that as mamma has probably not yet completely recovered from hershockhedoesnotliketohaveustravelalone."Sayingthis,shetooktheletterfromherpocketandproceededtolookitover.

"Healso tellsme togiveyouamillion thanksand isglad thathe is tohaveachancetogivethemtoyouinperson."Iwas lookingat thebackof the letter,but Icaught thewordsof theending:

"Adiós,lifeofmysoul,"anditaugmentedthesadnessofmymood.However,IexpressedmysatisfactionattheprospectofknowingSeñorMartísosoon,butitrequiredsomeeffort tosayso.Asmelancholybegantotakepossessionofme,and as Doña Cristina was not slow in perceiving the fact, I found no bettermeans of combating it than to take more cognac after my coffee than wasprudent.Thisproducedanexaltationthatresembled,withoutbeing,joyousness.I chattered away, and must have uttered many ridiculous things and some ofthem wide of the mark, although I cannot remember. Doña Cristina smiledbenevolently.Butwhen,forthefifthorsixthtime,Itookthedecantertopouroutanotherthimbleful,shetouchedmyarm,saying:"Youarealreadyexceedinglyfrank,Captain.Iwillfreeyoufromyourword.""Iamitsslave,señora,atthecostofmylife,"Ireplied,laughingly."ButIwill

drink no more. I am resolved to obey you in this, as in everything youmaycommand.But nevertheless," I continued, looking boldly into her eyes, "therearethingsthatintoxicatemorethancognacandallspirituousbeverages."DoñaCristina'seyesfellandherfairfacefrowned.Butinstantlysmiling,she

saidvivaciously:"Butyoumustnotintoxicateyourselfinanyfashion.Iabhordrunkards."Ididnotwishtofollowthisadvice;andthoughitistrueIdranklittlemore,I

insistedupongazingat thefascinating lady.Icontinuedchatting likeadentist,and in themidst ofmy prattle I came near giving utterance tomore than oneendearing phrase; but Doña Cristina, ingeniously and prudently, cut these offbeforeIhadachancetosaythem.Webothrosefromourseats.Wewenttothebalconytolookatthetrafficand

movementonthewharf.Withherpermission,IwassmokingaHavanacigar.Asher beautiful headoccupiedmy thoughtsmore than the traffic on thewharf, Inotedthatalittleshellcombwasfallingoutofherhair."If I were this little comb I should be very content withmy place. I would

makenoefforttoescape."Andboldly,withnothoughtofwhatIdid,Iraisedmyhandtoherheadandput

thecombbackinplace.

Sheturnedasredasacherry,hereyesfell,andsheremainedsilentforseveralseconds; at last, lookingme in the facewith a lofty expression, she said in achangedtone:"Señor,Idonotknowwhatmotiveinducesyoutotakeanylibertieswithme.

Theserviceyouhaverenderedusentitlesyoutomygratitude,butnottotreatmewithoutrespect."My semi-intoxication was dissipated as by magic. It left me petrified and

ashamedasIhadneverbeforebeeninmylifeandneverexpecttobeagain,andI scarcely hadpower tomurmur a fewwords of excuse. I believe shedid nothearthem.Sheturnedherbackdisdainfullyandlefttheroom.Inaboutonemoment afterwards there flashed throughmymindan idea that

did not lack a certain probability, that is to say, that Iwas superfluous in thatplace.Andwithoutwaitingtoexamineitwithsufficientattentioninthelightofreasonableandseriouscriticism,Iputitimmediatelyinpractice,takingmyhatandremovingmyselfbeforeanygrasshadachancetogrowundermyfeet.ThoughIwasonshipboardandintheconsignee'sofficeandinotherpartsof

thecity,shamedidnotquitmealldaylong.ItwasfastenedtomyfacewitharedsealandIwasunspeakablymortified.Myfriends laughedandmurmuredsuchwordsas"Marteltresestrellas,""Jamaica,""AnísdelMono,"andotherswhichsoundedlikemarksofliquors,butIknewwhatailedme,andthisincreasedmywoe. On the next day, after washing and scrubbingmyself energetically withsoap, it seemedas if thereweresomebitsof that redseal stilladhering tomyskin.OfcourseIdidallIcouldtoforgetDoñaCristinaandhersoholyname,and

seemedtosucceed throughout theday.Butatnighther imagewouldnot leavemycouchforamoment;ittwitchedmyfeet,itpulledmyhair,andlater,tomakeitup tome for theseshocking tribulations, itgently inclined itself towardsmeandlightlytouchedmycheekwithitslips.Onawaking,aluminousideaattackedme.Martíwastoarrivethatday,andit

wasmyunavoidableduty togo tomeethimat the station: first, forcourtesy'ssake; second, to prevent his asking forme, and thereby causing his wife anyagitation; third, because my absence would surprise Doña Amparo; fourth,becauseitwasnecessarynottorevealwhathadoccurred;fifth—Idonotknowwhatthefifthreasonwas,butIhaveanideathattherewasafifthreasonandthatithadsomethingtodowiththemaddesirethatIfelttoseeDoñaCristinaagain.Themailtrainarrivedintheafternoon.Ithereforehadsufficienttimetothink

overthebotherofsuchastepandtochangemypurpose.Butafterconsideringit

in all its aspects and then considering it again andmaking infinite efforts forheaventotouchmyheart,Istilldidnotrepent,andmyfeetconductedmetothestationalmostinspiteofmyself.OnreachingtheplatformIsawmyladiestalkingwithanemployee.Availing

myself of the prodigious diplomatic aptitude with which heaven had been sogoodastofavorme,Ipassedalongbehindthemataslowpaceandprofoundlyabsorbedinthecontemplationofapileofbeets."Ribot!Ribot!"Istopped,filledwithastonishment.Iturnedmyheadtothesoutheast,thento

thenorth,nexttothenortheast,andsoonsuccessivelytowardsallthepointsofthe compass until, after many unfruitful efforts, I succeeded in locating thedirectionfromwhichthevoiceproceeded."Oh,señoras!"I approached them, overflowing with astonishment, and seized the hand of

DoñaAmparo. Istarted todo likewisewithCristinaand—didInotsaybeforethat this lady was distinguished by a white skin? The statement must becorrected.AtthatmomentshemighthavebeenborninSenegal.Iaskedforherhealthwithoutventuringtoextendmyhand,andsheresponded,

lookinginanotherdirection."Howisthis,CaptainRibot?"askedDoñaAmparo."Alldayyesterdayyoudid

notcome,orto-dayeither."Iexcusedmyself,sayingIhadbeenoccupied.DoñaAmparowouldnotaccept

my explanation and talked tome fondly. This lady showed herself constantlymore affectionate and amiable towards me. While we were talking, DoñaCristinadidnotopenherlips.Ifelthurtandconfused.Ididnotventuretolookher in theface,butobservedherfromthecornerofmyeyeandnotedthatherface, insteadof recovering itsordinaryaspect, becamemoreandmore cloudy.HereyespersistedingazingintheoppositedirectionfromwhereIstood.DoñaAmparo,notremarkinganything,monopolizedtheconversation.Onmy

part, I spoke little and incoherently.My having come at allwasweighingmedown fearfully, and I had an impulse to leave under some pretext, withoutawaitingthearrivalofMartí.ButbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindthestation-guardsoundedhistrumpetannouncingthetrain.Soitwasnolongerpossibletogowithoutgravediscourtesy.The train came into the station, andamong thegoodlynumberofheads that

suddenly showed themselves at the car windows the eyes of Doña Cristinadiscoveredthatofherhusband.

"Emilio!"shecriedjoyfully."Cristina!"herepliedinaliketone.And without waiting for the train to come to a full stop he leaped out and

embracedandkissedher effusively.But she,blushing like a schoolgirl, andatthesametimesmilingwithpleasure,brusquelyfreedherselffromhisarms."Alwaysthesame!"heexclaimed,laughingheartily,asheextendedhishandto

hismother-in-law.She,however,wasnotsatisfiedwithhishandandseizedhimbytheheadlikea

childandkissedhimrepeatedly,askingwithheartyinterestabouthisjourneyasheinquiredaboutherhealth.WhiletheyweretalkingImaintainedarespectfuldistancefromthegroup.And

thenitwasthatDoñaCristinaturnedhereyestowardsmewithafriendlysmile,at thesametimebeckoningmetoapproach.ThatunexpectedsmilecausedmesuchpleasureandsurprisethatIcouldscarcelyhidemyfeelings.Ihastenedtoobey."He saved mamma!" she said, with a little emphasis, presenting me to her

husband.He graspedmy hands affectionately, expressing boundless thanks.Hewas a

manoftwenty-eightorthirtyyears,tall,slender,pale-facedandblack-eyed,hisbeard also black, silky, and abundant; a Levantine type, like his wife—butdelicateandfragile,atleastinappearance."Thanks tohisbravery,wearenotmourningamisfortune to-day,"continued

thelady."Señora!" I exclaimed, "the action was of no merit whatever. Any passing

sailorwouldhavedonethesame."Butshe,payingnoattention,wentontorelatewhathappenedwithalldetails,

exaggeratingmyconduct.This panegyric from her mouth, after what had happened, caused me more

shamethanpleasure.Ifeltthepangsofremorse,andwhatatfirsthadseemedtomeaslightimprudencenowappearedalackofdelicacy.ReturningtothetownIleftthematthehoteldoor,refusingtostopwiththem,

inspiteofMartí's insistence. In these firstmoments thepresenceofastrangermightbeunwelcome.But I agreed to takecoffeewithhim thateveningat theSuizo.Ihopedthathemightbringhiswife,forsheenjoyedtakingawalkafterdinner.But the hope was not realized. Martí came alone, saying that his wife was

fatiguedand indisposed. I thought this apretext, and itmademe sad.Perhapsthat firstmomenthadexhaustedhereffusivegratitude, anddistrust and rancorhadreturnedtoherheart.In less than an hour,Martí and I were excellent friends. He struckme as a

sympathetic person, of open nature, affectionate, cheerful, and candid. Thehundredaffairs thatoccupiedhimdidnot leavehimmuch time togive toanyone thing. In his conversation he sped lightly from one affair to another, butshowed himself everwide-awake and energetic. I let him talk, observing himwith intense curiosity. The impression from that first conversation that bestremainswithmewashisfashionofrumplinghiswavyhair,runninghisfingersbackthroughitafterthemannerofacomb,andgivingalittlecoughwhenaboutto express some idea that he deemed important. This mannerism, which inanothermightperhapsseemridiculous,hadinhimagraciouseffect,boyishandattractive. I cannot clearly express the sentiments thatMartí inspired inme atthat time. They were an indefinablemixture of sympathy and repugnance, ofcuriosityandjealousy,whichcanbeaccountedforonlybyonewhohasfoundhimselfinasituationanalogoustomine.TheUranowastoweighanchorthenextdayatflood-tideintheafternoon.In

themorning I presentedmyself at the hotel to take leave ofmy new friends.Martí and his mother-in-law warmly expressed their regret at my departure.Cristinadidnotmakeherappearance.Shewasshutinherchamberathertoilet,as I understood, and had not the kindness to have me asked to wait; on thecontrary,shedismissedmesoabruptlythatsheseemedtofearImight."Adios, Captain Ribot!" she called fromwithin. "Pardonme for not coming

out; it is impossibleat thismoment.Mayyouhaveamosthappyvoyage;andagainyouhaveamillion thanks fromme.Wecannever forgetwhatyouhavedone.Apleasanttrip!"Martí urgedme to breakfastwith them, but I hadmuch to do and declined.

Moreover,ImustconfessIfeltsomelancholythatIwantedtogetintothestreet.He,aswellasDoñaAmparo,offeredmeathousandinducementstorundowntoValenciaonmyreturntoBarcelona,wherethesteameralwaysstayedforeightortendays.He,aswellashiswife,wouldtakegreatpleasureinentertainingmeattheirhome.Iwasobligedtopromisetodoso,butwiththedefiniteintentionofnotcomplying.Itwas always difficult to get away from the ship; and the coldness ofDoña

Cristinagavemenoencouragementtomakesuchavisit.IntheafternoonMartícameonboardtopressmyhandoncemorebeforemy

departure.Heagainurgedmecordiallynottofailtomakethemavisit.AgainI

made the promise, with themental reservation alreadymentioned.We finallybade each other a most affectionate farewell and I put to sea, continuingmyvoyagetoHamburg.

CHAPTERIV.

NOTuntil I foundmyselfon thebridgeofmysteamer,between theskyandthesea,couldItakeaccountoftheimpressionthatthewifeofMartíhadmadeuponme.HowmanyhoursIhavepassedthatway,inthesolitudeoftheocean,given over to my thoughts! Seldom have they been sad. My life, after theprofoundgriefcausedbythedeathofmyfiancée,ofwhichIhavespoken,hasgenerallyhadatranquil,ifnothappy,course.Iwas born inAlicante,my father a seafarer. Inmy school days I showed a

fondnessforstudy.Myfatherwouldhavedesiredmetobecomea lawyeroraphysician; anything rather than a sailor.But I found such careers prosaic, andimpelledbytheromanticismnaturaltoyouth,andtomysomewhatdreamyandfanciful temperament, I preferred that calling. My father agreed to this withapparentreluctance,butwas,perhaps,pleasedinrealitybytheappreciationthatI showed for his own profession. I soon learned navigation, and made twovoyagestoCuba.Butmyonlysisterhavingdiedandmymotherfeelingratherlonely,Ifeltobligedtostayathomeandleadthelifeofayounggentlemanofleisure.Nobodywassurprisedatthis.Asmyfatherwassaidtohaveamassedareasonablefortune,Iwastoagooddegreeexemptfromthehardlawoftoil.A few years later I fell in love.Mymarriagewas arranged andwould have

takenplacehadnotMatilde,asshewasnamed,beentakenill.Herrecoverywashopedfor,buthopingandhoping,thegoodandbeautifulgirlpassedfromlife.Mygriefwassointensethatmyhealthandevenmyreasonwerethreatened.Myparents could find nomore adequate remedy than to sendme to sea again. Iagreedwithindifference.NowIwentassecondofficerinasteamerofthesamecompanyinwhichmyfatherwasemployed.Afterafewmonthsmyfatherwascrippled by rheumatism, and while he was undergoing treatment the ownersplacedme temporarily in command of theUrano.Unfortunately he could notresumehisplace;afterdraggingoutapainfulexistenceforsometimehedied.Mymotherwouldhave likedme to forsake the sea andagain live leisurely athomewith her; but I had grown so accustomed to the sea, to the varied andactiveexistenceofthenavigator,to-dayinoneport,to-morrowinanother,thatIcould not be persuaded to forsake it. On board of my steamer, therefore, towhich I had become greatly attached, I reached my thirty-sixth birthday. My

motherdied,andalittlelatertheincidenttookplacethatIhavejustrelated.I have said that when alone with my thoughts I comprehended that Doña

Cristinahad taken toomuchpossessionof them.Her image floatedbeforemelike a dream. That look, now grave, now roguish, of her black eyes; thatimpressionable shyness, her blushing like a schoolgirl in contrast with hergracious self-possession; then her facile forgiveness, and the repressedtendernessthatsheshowedforherhusband—alltendedtoidealizeher.Butmorethan anything, I confess, my own temperament contributed to this, and thesolitudeinwhichthemarinerpassesmostofhistime.AfterthedeathofMatildenotruelovehadeveroccupiedmyheartagain.Idleaffairs,adventuresforafewdays,amusedmealongvariousdegreesofthescale.AndsoIhadcometoseethe first gray threads inmy beard and hair.Butmy romantic nature, althoughdormant in thedepths ofmyheart,wasbynomeansdead.The adventures infolly, the coarse pleasures of the seaports, far from choking that tendency,encouraged its revival. I never feltmore thoughtful andmelancholy than afteroneof those affairs.To recovermyequilibrium, Iwould stretchoutunder theawning with a book inmy hands; fillingmy lungs with the pure sea air andopeningmysoultotheideasofthegreatpoetsandphilosophers,peaceandjoywould return. Reading has always been the supreme resource of my life, themostefficaciousbalmforitstroubles.The adventurewithDoñaCristina transportedme to complete ideality, and I

breathed the atmosphere wherein I found myself most sane and happy. So Ioccupiedmyselfwith pleasurable thoughts about her,without considering thatunhappyconsequencesmightfollow.Manyatime,whenaprettyyoungwomanhadcrossedmypath inport, Iwouldafterwards tenaciouslyholdher image inmymind'seye.Again,inthesolitudeofthesea,fancywouldevokeher,Iwouldimagineherindiversesituations,Iwouldmakehertalkandlaugh,Iwouldmakeher grow angry and weep, and would endow her with a thousand charmingqualities.AndinthecompanionshipofthisphantasmIwouldpasshappydays,untilonarrivalinportitwoulddissolveorbereplacedbyanother.So now I attempted to do the same.But I could not succeed, even partially.

Doña Cristina had not fleetingly passed me by like many other handsomewomen. The impression that she had left withmewasmuch deeper; she hadstirrednearlyeveryfibreofmybeing.InsteadofrepresentingherasIchose,Isaw her as she had appeared in reality. And again I felt the shame and thesadnessthatshehadmademeexperience.Ontheotherhand,herconditionasamarried woman deprived my dreams of the innocence that they had had onformeroccasions;ittingedthemwithasombreshadethatwaslittlepleasingto

myconscience.Ithereforedeterminedtoclearmymindofthesethoughts.Isoughttodistract

myselffromsuchimaginings,toforgetthebeautifulValenciana,andrecovermypeace. Thanks to my efforts, and even more to my prosaic occupations, Isucceeded.But on skirting the eastern coast onmy return trip fromHamburg,when Idoubled thecapeofSanAntonioand there spreadbeforemyview theincomparablylovelyplainthatholdsValenciaandsurroundsitwithitsgardenofeternalverdurelikeabroochofemerald,theimageofDoñaCristinaappearedtome in form more ideal, more seductive than ever; it took possession of myimaginationnevertoleaveitagain.I do not know how it was, but the day after arriving at Barcelona I hastily

adjusted themost importantmatters, left the ship inchargeof the firstofficer,and took the train forValencia. I arrivedatdusk,went toagoodhotel,dined,changedmyclothes,andmadethemostcareful toiletteIhadevermadeinmylife.ThenIwentouttolookupthehouseofMartí.NotuntilthendidItakeaccountofthefollyIhadcommitted.Iwellknewthat

Martíwouldreceivemewithopenarms,andwouldbedelightedatmyvisit.Butwhatwouldhiswife thinkof it?Wouldshenot suspect that itsmotivewasaninterestedone,andputherselfonherguard?TheideathatshemightthinkthatIsoughtpayment inannoyinggallantryformyserviceatGijonwasabhorrent. Iwas tempted to return to the hotel, go to bed, and leave the next daywithoutletting anybody know that I was in Valencia. Nevertheless, an irresistibleimpulsepressedmetoseeheragain.Aninstant,onlyforaninstant,toengraveher imagemost profoundly in my soul and then to go away and dream of itthroughallmylife!Walking slowly I came to thePlaza de laReina, themost central and lively

placeinthecity.Thenightwasserene, theairwarm,thebalconieswereopen;before the cafés people were sitting outdoors. And to think that there inHamburgIhadleftthepoorGermansshiveringwithcold!ItookaseatundertheawningoftheCafédelSiglo,asmuchforthesakeofcalmingmyselfastowaituntiltheyhadfinishedsupperatthehouseofMartí.WhenIthoughtitwastime,Ientered theCalledelMar,whichwasnearby. I followed itscourse,agitatedandjoyous,andstoppedbeforethenumberthatMartíhadindicated.Itwasoneof the most sumptuous houses of the street, elegant, of modern construction,withahighprincipalstory,crownedbyahandsomeupperstory.Thegreatportalwasadornedbystatuesandplantsandilluminatedbytwoclustersofgaslights.Oneofthewindowswasopenandatthatmomentthereescapedthelivelynotesofapiano."Isitshewhoisplaying?"Iaskedmyselfwithemotion.Ienjoyedthe

musicforamoment,andatlastapproachedthedoor.Theportercalledaservant,whomItoldthatIwishedtoseehismasteronurgentbusiness.Iwasshownintotheoffice.Martíappearedwithoutdelay.Whatacryofsurprise!whatacordialembrace he gave me! Then taking me through a corridor, speaking to memeanwhileinawhisperthathiswifemightnotfailtobesurprised,heusheredmeintoaroomfullofpeople."Cristina,herecomesthebadman!"Shewasatthepiano.Atthesoundofherhusband'svoicesheturnedherhead;

hereyesmetmine.Sheinstantlyturnedthemawayandbacktothepianojustasquickly, as if she had seen something sad or alarming.But controlling herselfalmostinthesamemoment,sherose,and,advancingtowardsmewithaforcedsmile,sheextendedherhand."Iamverygladtoseeyou,CaptainRibot.Weareimmenselypleasedtohave

youvisitus."I felt my heart constricted, and I could not help responding with a certain

carelessness:"Thereisnooccasionforsuchfeeling.Itisentirelycasual.Ihadsomebusiness

tolookafterinValenciaandonthataccountyouseemehere."Martíembracedmeanew."Iamenchantedwiththerudefranknessofyousailors!Thatisjustthewayto

speak!Awaywiththeseconventionalliesthatdeceivenobodyandsimplyservetoshowwhatactorsweare.Themain thing is thatwehaveyouhereand thatyourvisitgivesusgenuinepleasure."Thenturningtothecompanyheadded,notwithoutacertainemphasis:"Señores, I present you to the captain of theUrano. I have nothingmore to

say."Anextraordinarilyleanyoungmanapproachedtogivemehishand.Hisskin

wasroughandweather-marked,asifhehadcomefromlongandpainfullaborsin the sun. He was prematurely bald, and from his mouth there depended anenormous pipe stuffedwith tobacco. Hewas dressedwith elegance, though alittlecarelessly."Mybrother-in-law,Sabas."HewasfollowedbyapersonofabouttheageofMartí,moreorless,tallrather

thanshort,blonde,hismustachesmallandsilky,hisskinflaccid,mostcarefullyshaven. He was likewise fashionably dressed, and with a care that contrastedwiththenegligenceoftheother.

"Myintimatefriendandpartner,DonEnriqueCastell."Theseweretheonlymenpresent.IwasnexttakenbeforeDoñaAmparo,who

was working at her crochet, seated in a crimson-velvet chair; I was thenpresented to thewifeofhisbrother-in-law,aplumplittlewoman, round-faced,blonde,andblue-eyed,sittingonadivanandatworkwithanembroideryframeon her lap. Beside her was a young girl of seventeen years whose face ofadmirable correctness, soft and ivory-like, had the same expression of timidinnocenceasthevirginsofMurillo.Shewasthedaughterofawhite-hairedladywith an aquiline nose and severe and imposing physiognomy, seated beside agilded tablewith a newspaper in her hands.Martí presentedme to her as hisAuntClara,acousinofhismother-in-law.The entire company welcomed me most kindly, particularly Doña Amparo,

whowithtearfuleyesseizedbothmyhands,retainingthemuntil theexcessofheremotionobligedher todrop theminorder to raiseherhandkerchief tohereyes. The conversation first turned upon themishap of that lady.My conductwaseulogizedtoadegreethatputmetoshameandmademeuneasy,andtheydiscussed the causes of the accident. The brother-in-law ofMartí, with voicecavernous and husky, perhaps from abuse of tobacco, bitterly censured theconductof theauthoritiesofGijonfornothavingproperly lightedthewharf. Irepliedthatalmostallwharveswerelightedinthesameway,sincetheywerenotintended for purposes of public pleasure but for the loading and unloading ofmerchandise.He insisteduponhisposition, showing that inallmaritimecitiesthewharvesareplacesofrecreation.Irepliedthatinthatcasepeoplemustlookoutforthemselves.MartícutshortthedisputebyaskingmetowhathotelIhadgone,thathemightsendformyluggage.InvainIopposedhisdoingso.Seeingthathe felthurtbymyrefusal Igavewayat last,all themoresince theentirefamilyjoinedinurgingme.InthemeantimeCristinaplayedthepianowithcarelessfingers,talkingallthe

whilewithhersister-in-law.Shewaselegantlydressedinaloosecrimsongownbeneathwhose foldswere revealed the linesof comingmaternity.Whenever IcouldIgazedatherwithintenseattention.Andwhensheobserveditsheseemedrestlessandnervous,andtookpains thathereyesshouldnotmeetmine.Martíwentouttogivesomeordersaboutmychamber.Hisfriendandpartner,whohadkeptsilent,recliningnegligentlyinaneasy-chairwithlegscrossed,begantoaskmevariousquestionsaboutmyvoyages, the fleetof steamers, theportswherewetouched,andeverythingrelatingtothecommerceinwhichtheshipsofourlinewereengaged.Thetalkacquiredthecharacterofanexamination,forCastellshowed that he knew as much as I did, or more, about such things. He had

travelledmuch,knewtwoorthreelanguagesperfectly,andonhistravelshadnotonly gained knowledge useful in commercial affairs but a multitude ofethnographic,historical,andartisticfactsthatIwasfarfrompossessing.Hewasa really accomplished man, but I could not help noting that he was fond ofexhibiting his learning, that he carefully rounded his periods in his talk andlistenedtohimself,andthat,withoutlackingincourtesy,hedidnotconcealhisslight appreciation of the opinions of others. On the whole the man was notcongenial tome, although I recognizedhis excellent qualities.Hehad a voiceclearandmellowlikeapreacher,withgraveandnoblegesturesthatenabledhimtodisplayhishand,whichwasshortandbeautiful,andornamentedwithrings.Martí returned, and his Aunt Clara, without giving up her newspaper,

questionedhim."Howisitwitholives,now,Emilio?Havetheynotrisentwentycentimosthis

week?""Yes,aunt,Iaminformedthattheyhaverisenandwillrisestillfurther.""Itcouldn'tbeotherwise,"sheexclaimedintriumphanttones."ItoldRetamoso

so last month, and he paid no attention to me. He is obstinate, like a goodGalician,andsoshort-sightedinbusinessthathecanscarcelyseethelengthofhisnose.Ifitweren'tforme,Ibelievethathewouldsoongointobankruptcy."The voice of the lady was vibrant and powerful; her sculptural head raised

itself soproudlywhen she spoke,her aquilinenosewasheld sohigh, andhereyes flashed so imposingly that in her presence one might fancy himselftransportedtotheheroicageoftheRomanrepublic.Cornelia,themotheroftheGracchi,couldnothavebeenmoresevereandmajestic.Martícoughed,toavoidreplying,desiringneithertocontradicthisauntnorto

offendhisuncle."Andwhat do you say to the fall in cocoa?" she continued,with the heroic

accent thatmightbeemployedinaskingaconsulabouta legionsurprisedandoverwhelmedbytheGauls.Martícontentedhimselfwithshrugginghisshoulders."Yet he had the assurance to deny that it is anything serious," she continued

withincreasingscorn."Itcouldonlybehidfromamanofthenarrowest,mostlimitedjudgment,altogetherunadaptedtoventuresinthewholesaletrade.WhenIsawtheIbarrasteamersarriving,loadedwithGuayaquil,Isaidtomyself,'Yes,indeed,thisstapleisboundtofall.'""UncleDiegoknowshowtotellwheretheshoepinches,allthesame,"Martí

venturedtoremark.

"Yes, indeed! Behind a counter, selling cheese and codfish by the quarterpound, he would be invaluable. But as a man of business he is a good-for-nothing;itisonlybecauseIhavetakenthetroubletothinkforthetwoofusthatwehavebeenabletogetwhereweare."At thismoment there appeared in the doorway a short stoutman, of a pale

complexion,bald,withsmalleyes,whogreetedthosepresentwithapronouncedGalicianaccent."Goodevening!Howdoyoudo?""Hola!UncleDiego!Howdoyoudo,Retamoso?"DoñaClara,caughtintheact,turnedhereyesagaintoherperiodical,without

abatinganatomofherdignity.Her husband,who, so far as could be seen, had heard nothing, shook hands

withthoseabouthim,kissedhisdaughter,andcomingovertohiswife,saidtoherinaffectionatetones:"Don'treadatnight,wife!Now,youknowyouaretryingyoureyes."Doña Clara took no notice. Retamoso, turning to the others, declared with

profoundconviction:"She never can be idle. Isabelita, my daughter, entreat your mamma not to

read!Now,youknowthatshedoes toomuch.Whenshe isnot reading,she iscasting up accounts; when not casting up accounts, she goes down to thewarehousetomakeoutbills;whennotmakingoutbills,shewritesletters;whennotwriting letters, she speaksEnglishwith theRicartes's governess.Hers is awonderfulhead!Idon'tunderstandhowsheisabletodosomanythingsinturn,withoutbeingeitherdisturbedorfatigued."IoweittoDoñaClaratosaythatsheseemedsuspiciousofthispanegyric,for

instead of acknowledging it and showing herself gratified by it, shemade thegestureofanoffendedqueen."I do not disturb myself for such little things, dear, because I have trained

myselfinamannerdifferentfromthewomenofyourprovince.Iftheretheystillgoonspinningbythefireside,intherestoftheworldtheyholdamorebrilliantposition.Here isasailor,"sheadded, indicatingme,"whohas travelledmuch,andcanconfirmthis."Ibowedandmurmuredsomecourteousphrases."Well,allthisdoesnothindermyadmiringyourability,"wentonRetamosoin

a tone of exaggerated adulation. "Does not all theworld know it inValencia?AmItobetheonlyonewhodoesnot,orpretendsnot toknowit?Howmanywomenmightbeeducatedlikeyou,andyetnothavethecapacitytoaccomplish

inamonthwhatyoudoinaday!""Tellme,Ribot,"queriedDoñaClara, addressingmeas if shehadnotheard

herhusband,whowentonmurmuringflatteringphrases,openinghiseyeswideand arching his eyebrows to express the admiration which possessed him,"amongallthemanyportsthatyouhavevisited,haveyounotmetwomenwithasmuchbusinessfacultyasmen,ormore?""I have known some women at the head of powerful commercial houses,

directingwithmuchwisdom,carryingoncorrespondencesinseverallanguages,and keeping their books with perfect exactitude. But—I confess freely that awoman engaging in industrial speculations, or inclined to politics or business,appearstomelikeaprincesswithatasteforsellingmatchesandnewspapersinthestreets.""What'sthis!"exclaimedDoñaClara,throwingupherRomanhead."Thenyou

believe that the position of woman is nothing more than that of a domesticanimal,caressedorbeatenbyman,accordingtohiscaprice?Womanshould,inthis view, remain always in complete ignorance, without studying, withoutinstruction!""Let her be instructed as much as she likes," I replied, "but in my notion

womanhasnoneedoflearninganything,becausesheknowseverything——""Just so!" interruptedRetamosowith enthusiasm. "That has always beenmy

opinion.Isabelita,"hewenton,turningtohisdaughter,"haveInotsaidtoyouathousandtimesthatyourmammaknowseverythingbeforehavingtolearnit?"IsawasmileflitoverMartí'slips.Cristinarosefromthepianowhereshehad

beensittingandwentoutoftheroom."Idonotunderstandwhatyouwishtosay,"declaredDoñaClara,withacertain

acerbity."Womenwho know how tomake us happy,make happiness for themselves

also.Whatotherknowledgecanequalthisupontheearth?Thetoilsofmen,thecallings conquered by civilization, go to achieve slowly and painfully whatwomanperformsatonceandwithout endeavor,making lifemore supportable,and alleviating itswoes.Being, as she is, the repository of charity and of thegentleandbeneficentsentiments,sheguardsinherheartthesecretofthedestinyofhumanity,andtransmitsitbyheredityandeducationtohersons,contributingtoprogressinthiswaymoretrulythanourselves.""Thatismoregallantthanexact,"interruptedCastell,impertinently."Womanis

nottherepositoryofprogress,andhascontributednothingtoit.Youmaystudythehistoryof thearts, thesciences,and the industries,andyouwillnot finda

singleusefuldiscovery thatweowe to thegeniusor the industryofawoman.Thisdemonstratesclearly thathermind is incapableofelevation to the spherewhereinmovethehighinterestsofcivilization.Womanisnottherepositoryofprogress.Sheissolelytherepositoryofbeing;andasthisisthecase,twothingsonlyoughttobedemandedofher,healthandbeauty.""Youwouldberight,"Ireplied,"iftheuniquephaseofprogresslayinuseful

discoveries.Butthereareothers;and,asIunderstandthem,moreimportantones—thebrotherhoodofman,themorallaw.Thisisthetruegoaloftheworld."Castellsmiled,and,withoutlookingatme,saidinalowvoice:"For all that, I believe that I could name about fifty-seven other goals, if I

knowtheworld."Andliftinghisvoiceheadded:"Ihavediscussedlifewithmanymen,andIcan

declarethatscarcelyonehasfailedtoassignhisownespecialgoaltotheworld.Amongclergymen it is the triumphof theChurch; amongdemocrats, politicalliberty; amongmusicians,music; and among dancers, the dance. And yet thepoorworld contents itselfwith existing, laughing once in awhile at somuchfolly,andtramplingeverybodyunderfootasitgoesitsway."He paused and settled himself more comfortably in his arm-chair. I felt

annoyedatthosewords,andespeciallyatthescornfultoneinwhichtheywereuttered. Iwas going to replywith energy, butCastell continued his discourse,tranquillyexpoundinghis thoughts inaseriesof reasoningsheld togetherwithlogic,andexpressedinelegantandprecisefashion.Icouldnothelpadmiringthevariedqualitiesofhiserudition,hispenetrativetalent,and,aboveall,theclarityand grace of his choice of words. Like submissive slaves, all of those in thedictionarycametroopingtohistongue'send,toexpresshisthoughtseasilyandharmoniously.Histheoriesseemedstrangeandsadtome.Theworldbearsitsgoalinitsown

existence.Moralityistheresultofespecialconditionsthatlifehasunfoldedforitselfuponourplanet.Ifthehumanracehadbeenproducedunderconditionsoflifelikethoseofthebees,itwouldbeadutyforunmarriedwomentodealoutdeathtotheirbrothers,astheworkersdo.Allmanifestationsoflife,eventothehighest,areruledbyinstinct.Thevirtuousman,likethedegenerate,ismovedbyanirresistibleimpulseofhisnature.Morality,whichthereligiousmanadmiresasadivinerevelation,isnothingmorethananinventiondestinedtosatisfythisorthatinstinct.I really foundmyself without enough courage to contradict successfully his

audaciousassertions.Myreadingwaswide,butdesultory,asIhadreadmorefor

entertainmentthanforinstruction.Then, too, I had never cultivated expression; becausemy profession did not

requireit,andIwrestledwithgreatdifficultieswhenever I tried toexpressmythoughts.Martícametomyaid,cuttingoffthediscussioninajocularfashion."Doyouknowwhatis thedestinyofwomanaccordingtomybrother-in-law,

Sabas?"Alllookedup,includingtheonespokenof."Sewingonbuttons.""Idon'tseewhyyousaythat,"mutteredSabas,ill-humoredly,takinghispipe

inhishand."Whyshouldn'tIsayit?Thereisn'tamaninthePeninsulawhohaslostmore

buttonsthanyou!YetIcouldnotmentiononeofhavinggonetoyourhouseandnotfindingMatildesewingonsome."Sabasmutteredsomeunintelligiblewords."Whatdoesshesay?"askedMartí."Yes,helosesenough!"saidtheplumplady,laughing.Butherhusband,coloring,gaveMartíasevereglance."Ifhelosesasmanyasthereareintheworld,"interruptedDoñaAmparo,from

her little red-satin elbow-chair, "buttons are not everlasting, and I believe thatmysonwouldrathergolikeAdamthantroubleotherstosewonhisbuttons!"Shespokethesewordswithemotionasiftheywereaccusinghersonofafault."Although he loses more than there are in the world, it is a matter of no

importance,andnotworthwhileforyoutoputyourselfoutabout,orbevexedwithus,"repliedMartí."Iamputoutabout itbecause it seems tome thateverybodyhasadesire to

findfaultwithmyson.Thepoorfellowisalwaysindisgrace.Butuntilthedayhedieshismotherwillalwaysdefendhim!"Sheutteredthesewordswithevenmoreemotion.Isawwithastonishmentthat

shewaspreparingtoweep."But,mamma!"exclaimedherson-in-law."But,mamma!"exclaimedherdaughter-in-law.Bothofthemappearedcontriteandconcerned."Suchismymaternalpassion,mychildren!"wentonDoñaAmparo,struggling

nottoweep."Icannothelpit!Weallhavefaultsinthisworld,butamotheris

not able to endure those of her children. I suffer horriblywhen anyone pointsthemouttome,andmuchmorewhenitisamemberofthefamily.Somesuchsadideascomeintomyhead!Itseemstomethatyoudonotcarefor—IbelievethatIcoulddiecontentifIknewthatyoucaredasmuchforoneanotherasIcareforyou."Excessofemotionpreventedherfromsayingmore.Sheletherneedleworkfall

uponherlap,leanedherforeheaduponherhand,andseemedhalfreadytofaintaway.Herdaughter-in-lawhurriedtobringherflaskofsalts,andshebegantosmell

it. Martí also assisted, with filial solicitude. Both showered a thousandaffectionateattentionsuponher,soothingherandmakingexcuses.Thanksmoretotheirtenderwords,Ithink,thantothesalts,thesensitivemotherrecoveredherfaculties.When thesewere restored, she tenderly kissed her daughter-in-law'sbrowandseizedMartí'shand,beggingpardonforhavingoffendedthem.AsIalreadyknewalittleofthecharacterandwhimsofDoñaAmparo,Iwas

notsurprisedthatRetamosoandhiswife,IsabelitaandCastell,paidscarcelyanyattention to this incident, andwenton talking among themselves as if nothinghadhappened.Sabas,thecauseofthedisquiet,tranquillysmokedhispipe.As soonashehadcalmedhismother-in-law,Martí invitedme tocomewith

him that he might showme the room intended for me. It was luxurious andelegant, exceedingly luxurious it seemed tomewhohadpassedmy life in thenarrowconfinesofaship'scabin,orinourmodestdwellingatAlicante.Whenwe reached this room, a maid was making ready my bed under the señora'sinspection.Asweenteredunheardshewasherselfsmoothingthesheetswithherdelicate hands. Our footsteps made her lift her head, and as if she had beencaughtdoingsomethingwrong,sheseemedannoyed,relinquishedhertask,andsaidtothemaidwithanill-temperedaccent:"Well,youmaygoonwiththis,andseeifyoucanfinishitquickly."Shewasgoingout,butherhusbanddetainedher,takingherhand."Haveordersbeengivenforbringingupcoldcoffeeandcognac?""Yes, yes; Regina will stay and see to everything," she replied with some

impatience,drawingawayherhandandwalkingout.Ienjoyedherembarrassmentwithill-concealeddelight.Aswewentoutagain

intothecorridorIsaidtoMartí,tomaketalk,andalsooutofcuriosity:"ItseemstomethatDoñaAmparowasagooddealupset.""You saw that!"heexclaimed, laughing in the frankandcordialmanner that

characterizedhim."Theleastthingupsetsher.Thepoorthingissogood!Iamas

fondofherasifsheweremyownmother.Heronedesireisforustoloveher.Sheissosensitivethattheleastlittlesignofindifference,thesmallestneglect,affectsherdeeply,andalmostmakesherill.Forthatmatter,althoughweallgooncarefully, andareveryattentive toher, it isnot enough.Fancy this! Ihavetaken up the customof kissing her good-night before going to bed! If by badluckIforgetitforoneday,thepoorladycannotsleep,thinkingthatIamvexedwithher,wonderingifshehasoffendedmewithoutknowingit;andnextdayshecasts timid, anguished glances at me that I do not understand until my wifeexplainstheenigmatome.Ilaugh,andgoandsmoothherdown."Whenwereturnedtotheparlor,thecompanywasdispersing.Castellgaveme

hiswell-cared-forhand,shakingmine,expressingwiththecarelesscoolnessofamanoftheworldhispleasureinknowingme.Sabasandhiswifeshowedmorewarmth. Doña Clara, majestic and severe, said good-night to me withoutmentioningJupiterorPollux,oranyotherpagandivinity,whichsurprisedme.RetamosoimprovedamomentofconfusiontosaytomehalfinGalician:"Itmaybethatyouareright,SeñordeRibot,andthatwomenarenotmadefor

business.Butmineisanexception,youknow.Oh,amarvel!Youhavealreadyhadopportunitytobeconvincedofthis.Averitablemarvel.Phs!"Andhearchedhiseyebrowsandshowedthewhitesofhiseyes,asifhebeheld

beforehimtheHimalayasorthepyramidsofEgypt.Cristina took leave of them all from the head of the stair with the gracious

gravity that suited so well her attractive face. I had eyes for nobody but her.Doña Amparo kissed everybody, kissed her son, her daughter-in-law, DoñaClara,Isabelita,andalso,even,Retamoso.IdonotsayshekissedCastell,butIbelieveitwasmorefromlackofcouragethanlackofinclination.At last we four found ourselves alone. In order to prolong the waking

moments, I begged Cristina to play on the piano a piece from an opera. Sheshowedherselfwilling,and,withoutreplying,seatedherselfonthepianostool,fingeredthekeyslightlyforamoment,thencommencedtosinginahalf-voicethe serenade from Mozart's "Don Juan." As I did not know of thisaccomplishmentmysurprisewasgreat,butevengreatermypleasure.Herswasacontraltovoice,graveandsweet.Themusicofthegreatmastershasalwaysthepowertomoveus,butwhenthevoiceofanadoredwomantransportsthesoul,musictrulyseemsasifithadcomehitherfromtheheavens.Ienjoyedforsomemoments ahappiness impossible todescribe.Myverybeingwas transformed,enlarged, quickened with love and joy. When the last notes of the lovelyaccompaniment died away, I remained swallowed up in a delicious ecstasy,scarcelyknowingwhereIwas.

Martípulledmeoutofthatabruptly."Come,come!TheCaptainisfallingasleep!"Weallrose.DoñaAmparoretiredtoherroom,butnotuntilMartíhadkissed

herhand,givingmeatthesametimeamischievouswink."Ifyouneedanything,"saidCristinatome,"youhaveonlytoringthebell."And without giving me her hand, she wished me good-night. Martí

accompaniedmetomyroom,andtookhimselfoff,chaffingmeaffectionately."Ifyouarenotabletosleepwithoutthesmellofpitch,Captain,Iwillordera

piecebroughtupandwewillsetitonfire."WhenIfoundmyselfalone,alltheimpressionsoftheeveningwereloosedin

my heart like imprisoned birds, and began fluttering about in a bewilderingwhirl.Whywas I there?What did I expect?Howwas this going to end?Thekind welcome and frank cordiality of this noble family moved me. TheheartinessofMartífilledmewithconfusionandshame,butthelovelyformofCristinaroseupbeforeme,adorable,bewildering,blottingoutall therest.Thethoughtof being sonear her,when I had resignedmyself to seeher nomore,overwhelmedmewithfelicity.Iaskedagainandagain,howwouldthisend?AtlastIslept,kissingthehemofthesheetthatherhandshadsmoothed.

CHAPTERV.

ACCORDINGtomymorningcustomIrosefirstofanybodyinthehouse,andwentouttotakeawalkinthecity.IhadseenmuchofValencia,andwasalwaysgratefully impressedby thequiet animationof her streets, her sereneheavens,her perfumed balminess. Yet how different from those impressions was thesensationthatInowexperienced.Thebeautifulcityoftheeastwasawakeningfromsleep.Peoplebeganstirring

in the streets; balconies were opened, and faces, pearl-white and withmagnificent Arab eyes, were visible behind the flower-pots. As a morninggreeting the gardens sent forth odors of pinks and gillyflowers, mallows andhyacinths; the sea its breezes fresh andwholesome; the sky its raysof radiantlight. Valencia awoke and smiled upon her flower-gardens, her sea, and herincomparablesky.HerfortunatesituationmademethinkofancientGreece;andas I sawpassingme thehappy, peaceful, intelligent facesof her inhabitants, IlongedtorepeatthefamouswordsofEuripidestohiscountrymen:"Oh,belovedsonsofthebeneficentgods!Inyoursacredandunconquerablecountryyoureapthegloryofwisdomasafruitofyoursoil;andyoutreadstatelyevermorewithsweetsatisfactionbeneaththeeternalradianceofyourskies."Idoubtifanyone,GreekorValencian,wasevermorecontentthanIwasatthis

moment.Butasasorrowfulmomentwaitseagerlyuponeveryjoyousoneinlife,Iwasdisappointed, on returning to thehouse, not to seeCristina.Martí and Ibreakfastedaloneinthedining-room;andIlearnedfromhimthathiswifehadalreadybreakfasted,andwasinherownroom.Whatmanwasever sogay, soaffectionateasMartí?Hebegan to tellofhis

family, his friends, and his projects exactly as if we had been friends all ourlives. His projects were innumerable—tramways, harbor improvements,railroads,streetwidening,etc.Icouldnothelpthinkingthatforcarryingoutalltheseplansnotonlyanenormouscapitalwouldbeneeded,butalsoanactivityalmost superhuman. Martí seemed to possess it. At that time, besides thesteamboattrafficthatalmostranitselfandtookupbutlittleofhistime,hewasexploiting some zinc mines in Vizcaya, was building several wagon roads inseveralprovinces,andwasopeningartesianwellsinMurcia.Inthislasthehadalreadyusedalargesumwithoutgettingmuchresult,buthewassureofsuccess.

"Whenwe strikewater," he said tome, laughing, "I intend to sell it by thecupfullikesherry."He expressed himself rapidly, incoherently at times; but always pleasingly,

becauseheputhiswholesoulintoeveryword.I contrasted his confused and vehementmode of expressionwith that of his

friendandpartner,Castell,sofirm,soclear,sopolished.Wespokeofhim,andMartíoutdidhimselfineulogiesofhispersonality.Therewasnotapparentlyinall the world a man better informed, more talented, or upright. He kneweverything;thescienceshadnosecretsforhim;theplanethidnocornerthathehad not explored.Hewas,moreover, highly trained in the plastic arts, and heowned a collection of antique paintings, picked up on his travels, that wasfamousinSpainandinforeignlands."But—Castellisatheorist,didyouknowit?"heendedbysaying,winkingone

eye. "We are two opposites, andmaybe because of thiswe have been friendsfromchildhood.Hehasalwaysbeengiventostudyingthefoundationofthings,andtheirreason,philosophy,æsthetics.Idon'tunderstandanythingofallthat,Ihaveatemperamentessentiallypractical,andifyouwillnotthinkmeboastful,Iwill venture to say that in Spain there is a greater lack of usefulmen than ofphilosophers.Does itnot seemas if there isaplethoraof theologians,orators,andpoets?IfwewishtotakeourplacebesidetheothercountriesofEuropeitisnecessary to think about opening ways of communication, making harbors,pushingindustries,exploitingmines.Inmymodestsphere,IhavedoneallthatIcouldfortheprogressofourcountry;andifIhavenotaccomplishedmore,"headded, laughing, "donotbelieve that it is for lackofwill, but forwantof thepreciousmetal.""AndCastellisyourpartnerintheseenterprises?"Iaskedhim."No;wearenotassociatedexcept in thesteamboat line.He isamanwho is

fretted by figures. He is rich and wishes to enjoy his fortune tranquilly. Butalthoughhedoesnotmixmuchinbusiness,whenthereisanylackofmoneyhefindsitformewithouthesitation,becausehehasfullconfidenceinme.""It seems as if this taste for business is in the family.YourAuntClara also

shares this temperament," I said, to satisfy the curiosity that had pricked mesincethepreviousnight."My Aunt Clara is a notable woman of great talent. But I believe, without

speakingillofher,thatthesoulofthehouse,whohasmadeallthemoney,isherhusband.Oh,myUncleDiegolooksoutfornumberone.Thereisnoablernormoreprudentmerchantonalltheeasterncoast.Believeme,anythingheletsgo

byisn'tworthstoopingtopickup.""Surely,accordingtowhatIhavebeengiventounderstandbyhimself,itisthe

señora who guides him in difficult matters, who really holds the tiller in thebusiness.""Yes,yes,"saidMartí,smilingandalittleoutofcountenance,"Idonotdoubt

that my Aunt Clara gives him some good counsel, but not of necessity. InValenciaheisconsideredabitcrafty.Itispossiblethattheremaybesometruthinit.YouknowtheGalicians——"Hecoughedtohidehisembarrassment,andtochangetheconversation.Ihad

already taken notice that it was repugnant to him to find any fault. He foundhimselfon terra firmaonlywhenhewaspraisingpeople,andhedid thiswithsuch ardor that he seemed to taste apeculiar pleasure in it.Rare andpreciousquality,thatevermadehimmoreworthyofesteeminmyeyes!Whenwehad finishedbreakfast, Ipretended that Ihadoccupations, and left

him to look after his own. I went out into the streets again, and I soonencounteredSabasinoneofthenearestones.Heseemedtomeevenmoredriedupandblackthanlastnight.Hesalutedmewithgravecourtesy,andafterturningandjoiningme,urgedmetoaccompanyhimtohishouse,asitwasnecessaryforhimtochangehisclothes.Iwassurprisedatthisnecessity,asIcouldnotseethathewasdamporuntidy.Later I foundout that itwashiscustom tochangehisgarbthreeorfourtimeseveryday,followingtheelegantrulesofcourtlife.Meantime,aswewendedourwaytohishouse,notfarfromthatofhisbrother-

in-law,he informedme thathehadacollectionofcanesandofpipes—averynotablecollection.Itappearedthatitwasoneofthesightsmostworthyavisitofany in the city, andwith an amiability that I appreciated highly, he offered toshow it tome.He lived inacharming littlehouse.Hiswifecame toopen thedoorforus,towhomhesaidlaconically:"Ihavecometochange."Wewenttohisroom,andheatonceproceededtoopenthecupboardswherein

hekeptthecanes.Therewere,indeed,alotofthemandofmanykinds,andheexhibited them with a pleasure and pride that filled me with even moreastonishmentthantheirnumberandvariety."You see this palasan; it has forty-two knots. It had forty-three, but it was

necessary to takeoffone,because itwas too long.Lookat thisotherone, thisviolet stick."He stroked it. "Feel it.This one is of tortoise-shell. It is the realthing—awhiteone.Itwasbroughttomebythecaptainofoneofmybrother-in-law'ssteamers."

Thedooroftheroomwashalf-openedandalittleredheadappeared."Papa,mammaletuscometogiveyouakiss.""Runaway;wearebusynow,"repliedthefathersolemnly,dismissingthechild

withagesture.ButIhadgonetothedoor,andIkissedwithpleasurethatlittleredhead.Hewasabrightchildofsixorsevenyears.Behindhimcameanothersmallerone,red-headedtoo,andleadingbythehandagirlofthreeorfouryears,dark,withgreatblackeyesandcurlingblackhair.Ihaveneverseenmorelovelylittlecreatures. Icaressed themallwarmly,andespecially the littlegirl,whosevelvety eyes were marvellous. But they were all timid, and without payingattention to my questions, looked doubtfully at their father. His face showedsternness and annoyance. He seemed offended that I found his collection ofchildrenmorenotablethanhiscanes.Hekissedthemasif incompromise,andwhenhiswifecamerunningtofindthem,hesaidtohersharply:"WhydidyouletthemcomeinherewhileIwasbusy?""TheygotawaywhileIwasgettingoutashirtforyou,"sheansweredhumbly.Andpushingthechicksbeforeher,shedrovethemfromtheroom.AfterthisI

felt hopeful that her husband would terminate his exhibition of canes. Hefinished at last, and I, knowing that I flattered him, uttered a thousandexaggerations about his collection, which profoundly delighted him. He thentookthelibertyofdressingbeforeme.Hiswifebegantowaituponhimlikethemostefficientandservileofvalets.Sheputonhisshirt;sheputonhiscravat;she got down upon the floor to fasten the buttons of his shoes. This happyhusband let himself be dressed and polished off with a restrained gravity,meantime prattling about his canes and pipes, these collections being, itappeared, theaimandendofhisexistence.Fromtime to timehereprovedhismeekspouse."Don'tfastenitsotight!Lessdressingandmorerubbingontheseshoes!Tell

themaidthatIwishhertotakecarenottodaubmyshoes.Idon'tcareforthatcravat;bringmeascarfthatwilltie!"Findingabuttonoffhiswaistcoat,hewasstruckdumb.Hestaredathiswife

withalooksoseverethatitmadeherflush."I don't know how I missed it," she stammered. "It came off when the

waistcoatwaswashed.Iputitasidetosewiton.Iwascalledtothekitchen,andafterallIforgotallaboutit.""Nothing,it isnothing!Ofwhatconsequenceisonebuttonmoreorless?"he

saidwithasarcasticsmile."YouknowIamverysorryaboutit."

"HaveInottoldyouit isnothing,madam?Whydoyouworryaboutit?Onebutton, one button!What does one button signify compared to a bit of gossipwiththelaundress?""But,man,forheaven'ssake,don'tbelikethat!"shecriedinanguish."HaveIsaidanything?"heshouted,furious.Matildecontrolledherselfandoccupiedherselfwithsewingonthebutton."HowshouldIbe?Say!"hepersistedwithunabatedfury.Hiswifedidnotlookup.Sabas then permitted several snorts to escape him, mingled with incoherent

words,andaccompaniedbyagnashingofteeththatthesarcasticsmilestilluponhislipsmadeevenmorerepellent.With heroic courage I tried to soothe his troubled spirit. Thewinds fell, the

wavesbecametranquil,andhesaidtomeaffably:"Youaregoingtodineonapaellato-day.IknowitalreadyfromCristina.My

sisterhasacookwhostewslikeanangel."Matildefinishedsewingonthebutton.WhensheliftedherheadIsawtearsin

hereyes.Sabas gave the signal for starting, but first he sent his good lady to find his

gloves, tobringhisstick,andthenhishandkerchief.Hedrencheditwithscentfromaperfumebottle,gavethelastpolishtohisshoes,andafewtouchesofthecombtohiswhiskers.Matildeflutteredabouthimlikeabutterfly,arranginghiscoat and his cravat and his hat with her plump white hands. And when he,dismissingher,tookherchininhishandwithacareless,protectinggesturehereyesshonewitharadiant,triumphantexpressionthatseemedtotransporthertotheheavens.In thepassageasweweregoingoutweencountered the threechildren,who

would have thrown themselves upon their father to be kissed, but he stoppedthemwithathreateninggesture."No,Ican'tnow.Ishouldbeallslobberedover."I,who had no fears of being daubed, kissed themwith pleasure,wishing to

makeamendstothemforhiscrossness.Vainhope!Theyreceivedmycaresseswithindifference,followingwiththeireyestheirelegantandmorosepapa.Matildewatchedusfromthetopof thestair,havingeyesfornothingbuther

husband.Shenoticedthatthecollar-bandofhisshirtdidnotfitwell,onaccountofhisovercoat,hastenedtopullitdownforhimandturnitup;andprofitedbytheopportunitytogiveafewmoretouchestohiswhiskerswithherfingers.

Itwasnoweleveno'clockintheforenoon.Thestreetswerefullofpeople.Thesun shone in the sky in all its splendor.We breathed a perfumed air, provingourselves to be in the city of flowers. At every stepwe encountered servantscarryingbranchesandspraysof themthat lovingonesweresending todelighttheirfriends.InValenciaflowersmakeupsolargeapartoflife,andtheiruseissogeneralandnatural,thatthesendingofflowersislikesayinggood-morning.Contemplatingthisprofusionofcarnations,roses,andliliesthatrejoicetheeyesandmakefragranttheair,Icouldnothelpsaying,"Thisisthecitywherethereissomuch that is lovely to enjoy that itmatters littlewhat one doeswith one'sdays!"I could have gone about the streets with pleasure until time for dinner, but

Sabas felt himself in duty bound to invite me to take an appetizer, and weenteredacaféinthePlazadelaReina.While sipping a glass of vermouth Sabas showed himself loquacious and

expansive, but without losing his natural gravity. He talked to me about hisfamilyandfriends. Isawatonce thathehadananalytical temperamentof thefirst rank, clear perceptions, and a keen instinct for seeing the weak side ofpeopleandthings.Hissisterwasadiscreetwoman,affectionate,ofuprightandnobleintentions—

but her character was excessively difficult; she enjoyed opposing people; attimes she lacked courtesy; shewaswanting in docility, in a certainmeeknessabsolutely essential in a woman; lastly, although really generous, she did notmakeherselfliked.I should have enjoyed protesting against this absurd summing up. It was

precisely these qualities of her character, at once timid and resolute, and hercoldnessabitharsh,thatmadememoreinlovethanever.Iabstained,however,forprudentialreasons,fromspeaking.Hisbrother-in-lawwas,poorfellow,anindustriousman,generous, intelligent

in business—but absolutely incapable, as everybody knew. All the worldimposeduponhimandusedhim.Hewasofa temperament sovolatile thatassoonashehadundertakenoneprojecthewastiredofit,andthinkingofanother.This hadmade him lose a great deal of money. He could not tell howmanyenterprises Martí had engaged in. Some of them would have been verysuccessful if he had stayed in them; but he scarcely encountered the firstdifficulties in thembeforehe threw themaside, abandoned them.Hehadonlyshownhimselfpersistentwhere itwasabsolutelyuseless—in thematterof theartesianwells.Whatalotofmoneythemanhadalreadycarriedoffandburiedinthatwretchedbusiness!Theonethingthathadreally turnedoutwellhadbeen

thesteamboats,andthesehedidnotstart,butinheritedthemfromhisfather.His friendCastellpossessedgreat learning,expressedhimselfadmirably,and

was immensely rich—but had not a scrap of heart. He had never shown anyaffectionforanybody.Emiliowasmistakenthroughandthroughinthinkingthathereturnedthepassionate,ferventadorationthathefeltforhim."Butdonottouchuponthispointwhenyouareagainwithhim,asIhavetried

it several times.Whenever theconversationbrings in thenameofCastell it isnecessary to open themouth, roll up the eyes to theirwhites, and fall into anecstasy,asifonebeheldadivinityofOlympus.Castellknowsthisweaknessofmybrother-in-law,approvesofit,andgiveshimselfairsoverit.Fortherest,onthedaywhenhehasanyneedofhim,hewillseehowthematterstandsthen.""But Martí told me that he finds money for him when he needs it in his

business,"Iputin."Yes, yes," he agreedwith his sarcastic smile; "I do not doubt that he finds

moneyforhim,buteverybodyinValenciaknowsthemeaningofthat."Iaskednoquestions.Havingbeenadmittedintotheintimacyofthefamily,I

wouldnotprompthim.Sabaswenton:"Thismanis,moreover,viciousandimmoral.Hehasbeenentangledforyears

withawomanwhohasbornehimseveralchildren;butthisisnoobstacletohisbringingbackacharmerwithhimwheneverhemakesaforeignjourney.Hehasalreadyhad three, one of themaGreek, a beautifulwoman!Hekeeps themawhileandpresentlytiresofthem,likelackeyswhonolongerpleasehim.This,youunderstand,makesagreatscandalinaprovincialcapital;butasheisnamedDonEnriqueCastell and owns eight or tenmillion pesetas, nobodywishes tooffendhim.Thepriestsandthecanons,andevenuptothebishop,takeofftheirhatstohimaleagueoff.""Ihavebeentoldofthewealthofyourrelations,theRetamosos!""Oh, no; that is amuchmoremodest fortune; it is counted by thousands of

duros,notbymillions;butallthathasbeenearnedbitbybit,didyouknowit?—pesetabypeseta,atfirstbehindacounter,andthenatadesk.""YourAuntClara,itseems,isaladyofmuchjudgmentinbusiness."Sabasroaredwithlaughter."MyAuntClara is an imbecile! She has never done anything in all her life,

exceptspeakEnglishwithgovernessesandshowherclassicnoseintheGlorietaandtheAlameda.ButmyUncleDiegoistheslyestGalicianborninthiscentury.Helaughsathiswife,andheiscapableoflaughingathisownghost.Idonotconsider thathehasabilityforanygreatenterprises.Hehasnot,asI justsaid,

the genius of affairs; but I assure you that, among those who handle smallamounts, I have never known, nor do I think you could readily find, a morecautiousman."In this fashionmy elegant friend continued his studies of his family with a

criticismimplacable,yetcleverandattimeswitty.Fromthathewentontotalkabouthisnativecity; and I foundhisobservations concerning the characteroftheValencians, their customs,politics, andadministrationofprovincial affairs,sharpandtothepoint.IconfessthatIhadmistakenhim.Ihadatfirsttakenhimfor amere coxcomb, a vapid and frivolousyoungman.He turnedout tobe amanofgoodunderstanding,observingandclever,althoughalittleexaggeratedinhisanalyses,andsufficientlysevere.Wewentoutofthecafé,andbeforegoingtothehouse,wetookanotherturnin

the streets. Naturally, as I am a native of the east coast, son of a sailor, andmyself a sailor, the aspect of the great Mediterranean city had an especialseductionforme.Thenarrowstreets,tortuous,clean,withtheirprofusionoffineshops;thelargenumberofancientstonehouseswithartisticfaçades,belongingtonoble families thathavemade theirnamesknownand respected throughouttheworld; the hill towers, amongwhose turrets onemay imagine still flit theold-time archers; the bridges with their benches; the Lonja, whose rooms ofexceptional size and beauty shelter the richest traders of Spain; the livelymarket-place and open space about—all reveal, together with her mercantiletraditions,anancientandopulentcapital.Allspoketomeofthegrandeurofmyrace.I gavemyself into the hands ofmy companion,who tookme to the flower-

market.Wewerenot longinpenetratingan iron-walledpassagewhere,ononeside and the other, leaving space in themiddle,was seen amultitude of pale,black-eyed women exhibiting their merchandise—carnations, roses, lilies,hibiscus,andiris.Greatwastheanimationinthislittleplace.Ladies,withtheirrosaries andmass-books in theirhands, stoodbefore thesevenders, examiningtheirwareswith liberalandintelligenteye,andbargainingeverlastinglybeforedeciding to buy. Gentlemen laden with branches and sprays were givennumerous instructions concerning their arrangement. Servants and shop-girlsalso hastened to the stalls, took their little handful of flowers, stuck some ofthemintheirhair,andleavingtheirbitsofcopper,marchedhappilyawaywithothersintheirhands,tocontinuetheirtasks.Withwhatenthusiasmtheywouldlookattheirflower-fillets!Withwhatpleasuretheybreathedtheirfragrance!As we cruised among the stalls I observed that most of the flower-venders

greetedmyfriendbyname,smilingamiablyuponhim,andaskinghimifhehad

noorderstogive."Youarepopularinthemarket,"Isaidtohim,laughing."Iamagoodcustomer,nothingmore,"heansweredmodestly.Andplacinghishandonmyshoulder,hepushedmetowardsoneofthedoors,

where we stationed ourselves, somewhat retired and half-hidden among thefoliage."Thisisastrategicpoint,"hesaidtome."Youwillseehowmanyfinefigures

passbyherewithinfiveminutes."And truly the ladies who entered by the other door, after making their

purchasesorgiving theirorders,wentoutby thisone.Theypassedsonearusthat their dresses brushed us.My companion had a compliment or a pleasantwordforall.Manyofthemknewhimandgreetedhim;somepausedaninstantto respondwithgracious repartee tohisgallantphrases. Iwas surprisedat theimpudence with which this man, married, and understanding good form, thuspaid court to women; and yetmore that they accepted his gallantries withoutreserve.Ihaveseenmanybeautifulfacesinthevariouslandswheremywanderinglife

hascarriedme,butnowheresomany,sodelicate,ofsuchopalinetransparencyof complexion, of such exquisite purity as now. Then, what eyes! The soulmoved in their blackness and mystery as if yearning to enfold you in happydreams—sweet,voluptuous,unfathomable eyes, that seemed toholdboth loveanddeath.Fromamongthemultitudeofheadstherewascastuponmeaswiftglance.Itwasshe;yes,itwasshe!Whilestillshewashidinthecrowd,Iknewitwasshewhoapproached!Myheartbegan tobeatviolently. Ina fewmomentssheappeared.Shewasdressed inblack, andworeamantilla. Inonehand shecarriedhermass-bookandarosarywoundaboutherwristlikeabracelet;intheother,abunchofcarnations.Shewaswithhercousin Isabelita,andbothwereaccompaniedbyCastell.Icannotexplainthesortofimpressionthatmanmadeuponmeatthismoment.Myheartwasconstrictedasifinthepresenceofgreatdanger, and thevagueantipathyhehad inspiredmewith thenightbeforewastransformed intohatred.Theviolencewithwhich this feelingwasbornwithinmesurprisedme,butIdidnotconfesstomyselfthecauseofit.IhelditwellinhandandforcedmyselftoappearasagreeableasIcould.Theyseemedsurprisedwhen theysawus.CastellandIsabelitacongratulated

usontheexcellentpositionthatwehadchosen."Whatdoesn'tthisrogueknowabouttheconductofgallantries!"exclaimedthe

daughterofRetamoso,givingSabasa tapon theshoulderwithherbook.And

then,laughing,sheblushedlikeapoppy."Come,cousin,"returnedSabas,"atleastyouknowthatIhaven'tofferedyou

anygallantries.Butwe stillhave time.Youaregotupwith somuchelegancethatonseeingyouIforgetourfamilyties."Isabelita blushed even more, if that were possible. Sabas persisted in his

compliments.Castellcametohisaid.MeanwhileCristinaglancedabsentlyfromonetoanother.Idivinedthatitwastoavoidmeetingmyeyes.Sabasspoketoher:"Little sister, aren't you going to put one of your carnations in my button-

hole?""Whynot?"sheanswered.Andhandingherbook toher cousin, she took the largest andmostbeautiful

oneinherbouquetandfasteneditwherehebadeher.Movedbyasuddenimpulse,andwithadaringthatIthoughtIhadlosttowards

thiswoman,Isaid:"Andistherenothingfortheothers?""Wouldyoulikeone?"sheaskedme,handingmeonewithaglance."No; I desire thehonorofhavingyou fasten it inmybutton-hole," I replied

firmly.Therewasaninstantofsuspense.Sheshowedindecision;butatlastpickedout

anothercarnationandhastilyputitinitsplace.IthoughtInoticed(itmayhavebeen illusion, I do not know) that her hands trembled. Oh,Dios, with whatpleasureIcouldhavekissedthem!"AndI?DoInothavemyturn?"askedCastellthen,bowingwithanamiable

smile."Oh, pshaw! we have already had enough of carnations," she said crossly,

goingonoutofthedoor."Icametoolate,"murmuredthebankerinsomeconfusion."Wouldyoulikeoneofmine?"Isabelitaaskedhim,timidly."Oh,withthegreatestpleasure."Andhebowedsmiling,andapparentlydelightedwhile theyounggirlplaced

thecarnationinhiscoat.YetIunderstoodthathewasdisgruntled.WeallfollowedCristina;andhercousinpairedoffwithher,Sabas,Castell,and

Iwalkingbehind.ButwehadnotwalkedfarwhenSabassawacharmingshop-girl, andstopped tochatwithher.Castell and Iwaited forhimamoment,butseeinghewasnotlikelytofinishsoon,wefollowedonaftertheladies.

"This brother-in-law of Martí's seems to me a youngster of a good deal ofability,"Isaidtomycompanion."Asacritic?"askedCastell,laconically."Asacritic?"Ireturned,surprised."Yes;heisadmirablyendowedwithpowertoseetheweakandstrongsidesof

things, to weigh and measure, to compare, to penetrate the labyrinths ofconscience.Butthesefacultiesareexerciseduponothers;itneveroccurstohimto apply them to himself. Thus all his analyses, criticisms, wise and pointedcounsels,arewasted;andhe isanabsolutely fatuousanduselessman.Hehasundertaken five or six careers, and gone on in none of them; he wasted hispatrimony in gambling and dissipation; he martyrizes his wife, neglects hischildren,andheisatpresentlivingonhisbrother-in-law.""Agoodpanegyric!"Iexclaimed,laughing."Youwillhearthesamefromallsensiblepeopleintown.Thisdoesnothinder

him from being an agreeable fellow, popular and generally liked; and this isbecausehisdefectscanscarcelybecalledpublic,butprivatevices."Wejoinedtheladiesatlast,andarrivedatMartí'saboutthehourofdinner.My

hostshadinvitedinmyhonorthecompanyofthenightbefore,allofthemwiththeexceptionofCastellbeingmembersofthefamily.Emiliomademesitathiswife'sright.Thetouchofherdress,theperfumethatfloatedfromher,andayetmoremysterious fluidwherewithhernearness filledme, intoxicatedandupsetme.Thiswentsofarthat,desiringtoshowmyselfgallantandattentivetoher,Icould scarcely say or do the most ordinary things. I spilled water on thetablecloth,Iaskedherthreetimesifshelikedolives,anddroppedtheolive-forkinofferingherone.ButIwashappy,andIcouldnotconcealit.Sheshowedherselfcourteousanda littlemorekindlydisposed, thankingme

formyattentionsandgracefullycoveringupmyblunders.ItmademeevenmorehappywhenCastellfixedhisglanceuponthecarnation

inmybutton-hole,andaskedmewithhiscold,ironicalsmile:"Captain, would you take a thousand pesetas for that carnation you are

wearing?""Athousandpesetas!"exclaimedMartí,lookingupinsurprise.Iwasindescribablyagitated,asifIhadbeensurprisedintheactofcommitting

acrime.Iknewnobetterthantosmilestupidlyandexclaim:"Howfullofjokesyouare!"But Cristina held up her beautiful head proudly, and turning to Castell, she

said:"CaptainRibotisagentleman,anddoesnotselltheflowersthataladybestows

uponhim.""Ah,soshebestowedituponyou!"saidMartí,and turning toCastelladded:

"But,Enrique,wouldyouwishRibottosellyouthiscarnation,when,ifshehadgivenittome,I,althoughherhusband,wouldnotletyouhaveitforyourwholefortune?"Andatthesametimehegazedathiswifewithalookofintenseaffection.The

innocenceandnoblenessofthatmanmovedme.HemusthavetouchedthesoulofCristina.Droppingherheadagain,shemurmuredinintensetones:"Thouartthou—tu!"Thesesimplewordswereapoemoftenderness."Itiswellknown,"observedCastellwiththesameindifference,"thatthereare

things in the world that cannot be and should not be bought with money.Unfortunatelymen are not in the same categorywith them, and therefore wepursuematerial and even gross objects untilwe secure them, however remotetheymaybe.""ButIdonotfindthemremote,"saidSabas."Itseemstomethatmoneyserves

well enough for almost all the cases that present themselves. Thus you holdanothercarnationtobebetterthanthis.Thiswasgivenmebyalady.Allright,Castell,Iwillletyouhavethisonefortwopesetas."Thecompanylaughed.Cristinaseemedvexedandsaidtoherbrother:"Youare rude; you are a clodhopper.Matilde, dome the favorof taking the

carnationawayfromthatpig.Afterthat,heshallnotkeepit."Sabascovereditupwithhishands."Waitabit,mygirl,waitabit.IfCastellpaysthetwopesetas,I'llgiveitup.

Untilthenwedonotseparate,no!""Hereitis!"saidCastell,takingthemoneyoutofhispocket-bookandpassing

itacrossthetable."There—go!"saidSabas,passingoverthecarnation.Thisjestproducedashoutatthetable.YetitdidnotpleaseCristina.Shewas

furious,andcalledherbrothernames,andvowedthatshewouldnevergivehimanotherfloweraslongasshelived.MeanwhileIhadhadtimetorecoverfromtheextremeagitationthatthewords

ofCastellhadcausedme.Wefinisheddininggayly,butCristinadidnotagainappearsmilingandcordialasbefore.

Two hours later I took the train for Barcelona, where my presence wasindispensable.IwasaccompaniedtothestationbyMartíandSabas.Martímademepromiseanotherandalongervisit."Aftermynext voyage," I told him, "I am thinkingof asking the company's

permissiontostopathomewhentheychangetheorderoftimefortheships,sixweeks hence. Then I will come down from Alicante and spend a week or afortnightwithyou.""Weshallseeifyouareamanofyourword,"hereplied,squeezingmyhand

affectionatelyuntilitwastimeformetotakethetrainandbeoff.

CHAPTERVI.

IDOnotknowwhatrelationexistsbetweensaltwaterandlove,butexperiencehas made me realize that there exists in it some mysterious and stimulatingvirtue.OnlandIamabletocontrolsomewhatmymostvehementsentimentsandconquerthem.OnceonboardIamalostman.Themostinsignificantattractiontakesongiganticproportionsandinalittlewhileknocksmeflat.Soithappenedthat while in Valencia I proposed to myself to make nothing of flatteringinvitations,andneveragain inmy life to return tostandbeforeDoñaCristina,continuinginthiscommendableresolutionuntilIleftBarcelona,nosoonerdidIfindmyselfafloat than itvanished like themist,andseemed tomeaveritableabsurdity.ItwasfromHamburgthatIwrotetotheshippinghouse,askingpermissionto

remainoveronevoyageathome,toarrangecertainfamilyaffairs.Meanwhileithadcomeabout that Iwasnotable to thinkofanythingbut thewifeofMartí.Notevenindreamsdidsheleavemymind;everywordshehadspokensoundedceaselessly in my ears, as if I had in my brain a phonograph charged withconversations,andinmyheartIfelteveryoneofhergesturesandmovements.Onreturning towardsValencia thedelightof thinking thatsoonIwasgoing toenjoy a sight of my idol produced in me a sentiment of mingled shame andremorse. I feared a disdainful reception from her, and I feared also anaffectionateandcordialonefromherhusband.I did not intend to lodge in his house, to hush my noisy conscience. After

spending six days in Alicante, I went to Valencia with a friendwho chancedalong,andmadehimanexcusefornotgoingtothehouseofMartí.Ididnotgodirectly toseehim,preferring togolater. Iwentoutfirst to takeawalk in thestreets. But while walking through one of the principal streets, I saw not fardistantthreeladieslookingatthefashionsinashop-window.AsIdrewnear Iperceived thatoneof themwasCristina,and theother two,

DoñaClaraandDoñaAmparo.Ihasteneduptothem,andsalutedthemstandingbehindthem.(HowcouldIdosuchathing?)Cristinaturnedherhead;and,asifshehadseensomethingalarming,shegave

acry and ran forwardhastily a fewsteps.Myastonishmentwasgreat and thesurpriseoftheseladieswasscarcelyless.Perceivingatoncethestrangenessof

her conduct, and as if ashamed, she turned and came andwelcomedmewithunusualamiability.Sheexplainedhercryandherflightbydeclaringthatafewmoments ago she had given a bit of alms to a poor creaturewho had been acriminal, and all at once,without knowingwhy, it seemed to her as if he hadfollowedthemandwasgoingtoattackher.DoñaAmparoandDoñaClaraweresatisfiedwiththis,andlaidherattackofnervestohercondition;theywishedhertocomeintoashopandtakeaquietingdraught,butCristinasaidno.Iknewbetterthanthis,andwalkedonwiththem,saddenedbecauseIknew.Martíreceivedmewithlivelydelight,professingtobevexedwithmebecause

Ihadnotsoughtthehospitalityofhishouse;butI,fortifiedbymyexcuse,heldfast,andwouldnotgivein.Sabasalsoshowedpleasureatseeingme.Icouldnotdoless thanofferhimmycompassiononseeinginhisface tracesplainer thaneverofhisarduouslaborsbeneaththesun.Theresultofthese,bywhatIcouldgather,was the acquisition of an ambermouthpiecewith his initials engraveduponit,ofwhichhewassoproudthatitseemedasifallthevigilsandanxietiesthatithadcosthimhadbeenwellspent.ItwasnotnecessarytoinquirewhatimpressionmyarrivalmadeuponCastell.

His cold, ceremonious courtesy made unnecessary any inquiries of that sort.Reallyitseemedtomethatthelightlydisdainfulattitudethatheheldtowardsalltheworldwasalittleemphasizedtowardsme.PerhapsIwasill-tempered,butasecretinstinctwarnedmethatthismanhatedme,andIpaidhiminhisowncoin.Cristina was now quite advanced in her maternal expectations. Although

women do not consider themselves beautiful at this time, except to theirhusbands, I found hermore beautiful and interesting than ever, an indubitableproof of the depth of the affection wherewith she had inspired me. Herimaginaryfearsandheragitationsatsightofmeonlyincreasedit,andIcreditedherlackofcourtesytotheseimaginaryfears.Inotedthatafterthemeetingshetook pains not to look atme; but the very haughtiness with which she did itshowed that some agitation ruled her spirit, and that I was not absolutelyindifferenttoher.Suchwasatleastmyillusionatthetime.AlthoughIwasnotlodgedinhishouse,thecordialityofMartíandmysecret

longing forcedme togoeveryday todineandspendsome timewith them. Itwas impossible forme tohidemy love.At the riskofbeingobserved (notbyMartí,whowasinnocencepersonified,butbytheothers),IscarcelyquittedthesightofCristina.Wheneveroccasionpresented,Imadeplainwhatwaspassinginmysoul.Ifshedroppedanythinguponthefloor,Iwastheretohastenandpickit up. If she glanced towards the door, I had already run to close it. If shecomplainedofanyillfeeling,Iproposedalltheremediesimaginable.Inshort,I

showedtoallconcernedalivelyinterestandanxietythatcamefrommyheart.She received these attentions with a serious face, sometimes with a certaindiffidence; but I understood that she would not permit herself to take theslightestnotice,andthissufficedme.One day I grewmore daring. Showing no such intention, Iwent nearer and

nearer to her untilmy arm touched her dress. Then she got up brusquely andplacedherselfelsewhere.Thesesilentrebuffsproducedamelancholyimpressionuponme.ButIwascompensatedbyotherenjoyments,fanciful,perhaps,butthatdidnothindertheirbeingdelicious.Whenweweresittingattable,althoughasIhavesaidshetookgreatpainsnottolookatmefacetoface,shecouldnothelpglancing about, and her eyes would meet and thrill my own. When thishappened,IbelievedIcouldseethatherfacecoloredslightly.Lovedidnotwhollystiflemypowersofobservation.ImeantosaythatIloved

the wife of Martí and studied her at the same time. I soon came to see andunderstand thatbeneathher rareandgraciousminglingof timidityandeaseofmanner,ofinsistenthappinessandsuperciliousseriousness,thereexistedinheradepth of exquisite sensibility, carefully and even ferociously guarded. Themodestyofsentimentwassostronginherthatanymanifestationoftendernesscaused it to retreat. She preferred to pass for hard and cold rather than thatanyoneshouldreadhersoul.Unlikehermamma,whowasdelightedtoreceiveendearments,andwhokissed

everybody, shenevergavea caress toanymemberofher family, andavoidedreceivingonewheneverpossible.Herhusbandhimself,whenhefoundhimselfalittlerebuffed,tookitwithhisjollyshout,acceptingeverythingwithalaugh.Inspiteofthistheyalllovedherdearly,andlookeduponhercoldnessasagracefuloddity,withwhichitpleasedherattimestosnubthemalittle.Becauseofhercharacter,theleastexpressionofaffectionfromherlipshadan

inestimablevalue.Butitwasnecessarytoturnitoffandpretendthatitwasnotnoticed.Ifitwasobservedandsheknewit,allwaslost.Shereturnedatoncetoher brusqueness, cutting off gratitudewith some ironical or disdainful speech.Shealsohad the spiritof contradictionwelldeveloped; that is to say, shewaswont to antagonize other people, not from pride or ill-humor, as I was soonconvinced,but ratherbecauseofhergreat reserve,whichmadeit repugnant tohertoshowtherealstrengthofherfeelings.Andwithallthis—anextraordinarything!—therewasneveracreaturewhose

featuresexpressedmorefullythemovementsandemotionsofherspirit,eventothe faintest shades of thought. Whatever dominated her for the moment,whatever stirred her, in spite of barred fortress that she sought to guard, was

revealedinhereyes,inthechangefullightsonherface,inallhergesturesandmovement.Martíshowedhimselfeverydayfrankerandmorecordialtowardsme.This,it

maybedivined,madeitpossiblefornonebutavillaintobreatheinanenterpriseagainst him. And I, who did not hold myself that, was embarrassed andsaddened.Wewereinseparablefromthefirst.Notonlydidwedineandtakeourcoffeetogether,butheofteninsistedthatIshouldaccompanyhimwhilehewasattendingtohisbusiness;hesoonmademehisconfidantandevenaskedmetogive him advice. At last, after I had been five or six days in Valencia, hejoyouslyproposedthatweshouldthee-and-thoueachother,andwithoutwaitingformyresponsebegantodosowithacordialitythattouchedme.Iexperiencedamingledprideandhumiliation,pleasureandpain;thinkinghowtheconfidenceofthismanbroughtmenearerhiswife,yetheldmeallthemoreremovedfromhermorally.Ihadoccasiontoprovethisonlyafewhoursafterwards.Whenwewereagainatthehouse,I,outofshyness,dideverythingpossibletoconcealthatwehadsosoonadoptedanewmethodofaddressingeachother.Martímadeitplaindirectly.Cristinaliftedherheadsurprised,lookedatusbothaninstant,anddroppedher eyes again, but not before I had, I believed, surprised in themanexpressionofannoyance.Iguessedwhatpassedinhersoul.Martí invited me the next day to visit his estate at Cabañal, where he had

certain orders to give about the house and garden. The family was usuallyinstalledtherebyMay,thepresentmonth;butthisyear,onaccountofthehappyeventthatwasexpected,themovingouthadbeenpostponed.Wemadethetriponfoot,bytheroadandacrossthefields,inordertoseethe

farmsandgardens that liebetweenthecityandthesea.Iconsentedwithgoodwill, andat thehour for thepromenadewe startedoutuponourway,walkingslowlyuntilwereachedtheplace.My companion never closed hismouth afterwe cameout of the house.The

discussionofhisaffairsengrossedhimtosuchanextentthathepaidnoattentionto the delicious country, carpeted with flowers, whose white cottages seemedlikedovesalightednearus.Roundabouteveryoneofthelittlehouseswiththeirsharp-pointedroofsgrewagroveoforange-trees,pomegranates,andalgarrobos.Beyondwerecultivatedfieldswithflowersandvegetables,somesetwithroses,lilies, carnations, gillyflowers; and others with strawberries, alfalfa, andartichokes.Runningaboutamongthemonthewell-beatenpathswerebeautifulbrunette children, who stopped to gaze at us with their deep, dark eyes. Thefatherofthefamily,bendingtohistask,wouldalwayslifthisheadaswepassedandsaluteusgravelyandsilently,liftinghishandtohishatofcoarsestraw.

Martídidnotseethis,andscarcelytheroadwewerewalkingon."Oneoftwothings!Eitherthisbusinessoftheartesianwellswillturnoutwell,

inwhichcaseInotonlyhopesoontogetareturnonthecapitalemployed,butIshallalsomakeagoodincomeformyselfandmyheirs;oritwillturnoutbadly,and then it will look as if the capital were lost, but it will not really be so,because ofmy disposition and personal knowledge, trained and skilful in thisclassofwork,whichIthinkIshouldimmediatelyuseinmakingcanalsfromariverintheprovinceofAlmeria,wheretherearegreattractsoflandthatmightproveveryproductive ifwatered, andwhichneedonly irrigation andwaysofcommunication. It is a project that I have been turning over in my head forseveralyears.YouknowwellhowmuchtimeandmoneyittakesinSpaintogetpeopletogetherforthissortofbusiness.Notonlyaredirectors,capitalists,andsuperintendentslacking,butevenworkmenwhoknowhowtocarryoutacertainclassofworksthatIundertake.Well,whethertheartesianwellsturnoutwellorill,Istillhavethisknowledgereadyatmycommand.""Thatseemstomeexactlytheidea,"Isaid,absorbedinthecontemplationof

thebeautiful,variegatedfloralcarpetthatwasspreadbeforeus."Yes,Ithinkthat'sit!"exclaimedMartí,withemphasis."Buttheseideas,friend

Ribot," hewent on, gayly flinging out his arms as if to embrace allmankind,"theseideasonlycomeaftersomeyearsofexperience,andnoteventhenunlessonehaspracticalsenseandavocationforbusiness.""Yes,aptitudescanbedeveloped,buttheycannotbeacquired.""Thereismybrother-in-law,Sabas.Imakesuperhumaneffortstodiscoverin

himsomeability,somethinghecando,andIonlysucceedinputtingmyselfout.Whatevermatter I confide to his care, even if I give himprecise and definiteinstructions,hemanagestoknockalltopieces.IthasgotsotiresomethatIleavehiminpeaceandemployhiminnothingwhatever."Icouldnothelpthinkingthatthispunishmentwasnotfoundverycruelbythe

brother-in-law,andyetitcameintomyimaginationthathemighthavepurposelyprovokeditascertainnaughtychildrenprovokeitfromtheirteachers,butIkepttheseandmyotherobservationstomyself."ItisverydifferentwithmyfriendCastell.Ofwideandpenetratingtalent,with

aremarkablemind,immenselearning,aprofoundknowledgeofthesciencesandarts, and even of mechanics—but from the first moment of application he isdiscouragedbytheleastscrapofanobstacleinhisway.Heisallobstaclesanddoubtsandscruples.Helosesheartbeforehebeginsanythingandhehasgivenupbusiness.Tocarryoutan industrial enterpriseaknowledgeof thematter is

not enough; itmust be studied; it is necessary that the onewho undertakes itshouldpossessanessentiallypositivemind—aboveall,thatheshouldhave,likeme,anironwill."LittlebylittlewedrewnearertoCabañal.Ihavealreadydescribedtheseshores

oftheseawhosegreatplainliesbluebeneaththesun.Wewalkedonenvelopedinitslightandbreathingthefragrantair.Thejoyfulnessofsuchascene,sereneandluminousasapicturebyTitian,theidyllicbitsthatwecameuponhereandthere,enteredintothesoulandoverfloweditwithagentlefelicity.Inallthisjoy,thissoft tranquillity,Martíwithhisbeautiful,wavinglocks,hisgreat, innocenteyes,didnotseemtomesoforcibleamanashewishedtoappear,notaltogetherofiron.Beforecomingtothefirsthousesofthevillageweturnedofftotheleft.There

atadistancewasawhitevillathatMartítoldmewashisproperty.OnthewayIsawacuriousplotofgroundwhosewallsweremadeofperfectlysymmetricaland equal-sized stones. These walls seemed to be in ruins, and through greatopeningsIcoulddiscerncertainstructures,greatironpipes,rustedandfalleninpiecestotheground,wheelsandotherportionsofmachinery."Whatisthis?"Iasked,surprised.Martícoughedbeforereplying,pulledabitathisshirtcuffs,anddeclared,with

agesturebetweenpeevishnessandshamefacedness:"Nothing—afactoryofartificialstones.""Butitdoesnotseemtoberunning.""No.""Whomdoesitbelongto?""Tome."Ishutup,becauseIunderstoodhowmuchthesubjectmortifiedhim.Wewent

on several steps without deigning to cast another look upon the abandonedfactory,when,turning,hesuddenlyexclaimed:"Don't imagine that Ididn'tknowhow tomanufacture stone—all thesewalls

arebuiltoftheproductsofthefactory.Takeupapieceofthestoneandexamineit."I took up a piece, examined it, and saw that in fact it had, in appearance at

least, all the necessary qualities of resistance. It gave me pleasure to say so.Martí explained that the failure of the factory was due to the scarcity ofworkmen.Valenciawasaprovincethatforcenturieshadneglectedindustrialforagriculturalpursuits; it lackedhands.Thenthemanagerhadnotproperlyfilledhisplace;theincreaseontariffsandfreights,etc.,etc.

Thesubjectwasundoubtedlyvexatioustomyfriend.Hespokeof it ina lowvoice, with a frown on his forehead, and he avoided looking at the unluckyfactory.Soinordertomortifyhimnomore,Ishowedtheleastpossibleinterestinalltherustingmachinery,andwentonwardwithoutbestowinganotherparticleofattentionuponit.Wecameatlasttothewallsofhisgrounds.Weenteredthembyawrought-iron

gateway,andcrossedahandsomelylaid-outgardentoapproachthehouse.Thiswas a modest structure, but sufficiently spacious, and furnished within inconsiderable luxury.Thefurniture,suitable for thesummerseason,wassimpleandelegant.But thatwhich rousedmyenthusiasmwas theextensivepark thatstretchedbeyond,whosewallsreachedtotheseashore,uponwhichitopenedbya wrought-iron gateway. Formerly this had been a productive field. But firstMartí's father and then himself had transformed it into a vast garden. Shady,gravelledpathwayswereborderedbyorange-trees, lemons,pomegranates, andmany other sorts of fruit-trees. Here was a little grove of laurels, and in themiddleofitwasastonetablesurroundedbychairs.Therewasagrottotapestriedwithjasmineandhoneysuckle;yonderwasathicketofcannas,orcypresses,andinthecentreastatueofwhitemarble.Andlikeabasefordecoration,therewastheazurelineofthesea,intowhosewavesseemedreadytofalltheorangesthathungfromtheboughs.Thesun,thatwasalreadysinking,envelopedthegardenand theseawithasuddenblazeof illumination; itsgoldenrayswerescatteredoverthewhitepathsoftheenclosure,madethewhitewashedhouseresplendent,penetratedthethicketsofcypressandlaurel,lightingupthemarblefacesofthestatues,andhungdroopingfromthebranchesofthetreeslikethreadsofthegoldof waving tresses. At the right were visible over the walls themasts of littlefishingboatswiththeirsimplerigging,andyonderextendedthetownofCabañalinarareandpicturesqueblendingoffishermen'scotsandaristocraticmansionswherein thegrandeesof thecity came to spend the summer.Moredistant stillwastheportandthetallmastsofsteamboats.Martí showedme all the grounds, althoughwithoutmuch pleasure or pride.

Business,pastandfuture,burdenedhim;hedidnotknowhowtothrowitoff.Itwasonlywhenwecametoacornernextthebeachthathewasenoughdistractedfora fewmoments topointout tomea summer-house in theGreek style thatwasadmirablyintroducedintothissmilinglandscape.Itwasadornedwithinbycarved furniture brought from Italy, statues and vases. It had a little lookoutbalconytowardsthesea,andoverthedoorwasinscribedanamethatcausedmeaslighttremor."Thebuildingof this summer-housewasa thingofmywife's.That iswhy I

hadhernameputoverthedoor."From thence we returned to the house by new and evermore beautiful and

embowered pathways.Before reaching it,we came upon a little artificial hill,and,toppingit,abitofacastle.Aboutitwasalittlepondofwater,imitatingamoat. We crossed it by means of a drawbridge, and ascended by a narrowfootpathbetweenhedgesofboxandorange,arrivingatthetopinthetimethatittakestotellofit.Thepath,becauseofitsartfulwindings,producedtheeffectofbeingmeasuredbyrods, insteadofbyinches.Overthedoorof thelittlecastlewas engraved another name that also made me tremble, although in a verydifferentway."The ideaof the little artificial hillwasmy friendCastell's, and,naturally, it

bears his name—which is all the better that it exactly suits it," he added,laughing.Forme the pun hadmuch less charm. Perhaps the antipathywithwhich the

subject inspired me had part in this. We entered the diminutive castle andascended to its roof. From there were admirably revealed not only the park,whichdidnotseemsovast,butalsoagoodpartofthecultivatedgrounds,alltheharbor, and the Puerto Nuevo and the grand expanse of the sea. Above itsinnumerablewavelets,abovethefreshnessanddarkdepthsofthewaterhungthecrystalvaultofthesky,dappledwithdelicatetintsofrose.Thesunflungariverof gold across the waves. Among the flowery fields and the fields of maizeshone the little white cottages nestled among their oranges and cypresses.BeyondValenciawasMiguelete, and in thedistance the encirclingmountains,thatatthishourseemedallofvioletandmauveandlilac."What is this hut?" I asked, disagreeably impressed by the sight of an ugly

brickstructurewhichreareditselfupontheconfinesofthepark."Nothing—thatwasanattemptatabeermanufactory,"repliedMartídryly.Andagainhisbrowwasfurrowedbythefrown."Anddiditnotgettothemakingofit?""Yes,therewassomemade.Itturnedoutbadlyonaccountofthequalityofthe

water.Themaker,whomIgotherefromEngland,didnotexplainthistomeintime,andIwasobligedtowastemoneyenoughuselessly."Coughingperfunctorily,hepulledathisshirt-cuffs,ranhisfingersthroughhis

hair, andhastilydescended the stairof the little castle, followedbyme.Therewasineverymovementofthismanwhenheexpressedpleasureorannoyancesomuch heartiness, such childlike innocence, that I felt myself constantly moreattractedtohim.ItseemedtomethatIhadlovedhimforagreatwhile.

Whenwe came away fromhis estate the sunwas already setting behind thedistantmountains.Wemadeourwayaroundthehouse,andcrossedthegroundsagainandthroughthefieldsofmaize,thegardensandorchards.Itwasthehourof stoppingwork, and the laborers in the fields,with theirValenciankerchiefsabout their heads, were resting at the doors of their cottages under the sweetfresh tendrils of vine-covered arbors. Their childrenwere climbing upon theirkneesanddancingaboutthemwhilethemotherspreparedthericeforsupper.

CHAPTERVII.

WHEN we arrived at the house, night had already fallen. The family wasassembled in thedining-roomand the table set. Isabelitadinedathercousin's,and Retamoso and Doña Clara were getting ready to leave without theirdaughter.SabasandCastelldinedtherealso.Wewerejoyouslywelcomed,andall, except perhaps Cristina, attacked me with questions concerning theimpression that the country-place had made upon me. I showed myselfenthusiastic, not merely for courtesy, but because I really was so. I enlargedheartilyupon theenchanting situation, the taste andcarewithwhich theplacewas laidout, theeleganceof theCristinapavilion (Ibelieve that I insisted toomuchonthispoint),andIfinishedbysayingthatIshouldnotfinditunpleasanttospendallmylifethere."IntheCristinapavilion?"askedCastell,withhisironicalsmile."Why not?" I responded boldly, casting a quick look at Martí's wife. She

seemedtobethinkingofsomethingelseatthismoment,butIdivined,nonetheless,thatshedidnotloseawordofwhatIsaid."Thenit'syourtastetolivecagedlikeacanary.Ialsoshouldlikeverywellto

liveinthatway,butonconditionthatIshouldbetakencareofbyahandchosenbymyself."Saying this,healso lookedoutof thecornerofhiseyeatCristina,whokept

herfaceturnedtheotherway,andlookedterriblydignified."But I, who am not a sybarite, make no condition whatever," I returned,

laughing.Martíslappedhisfriendseveraltimesupontheshoulderaffectionately."Asifwedidnotallknowyou,youoldrascal!Youwouldliveinthewayyou

are talkingabouta fortnightperhaps.At theendof that timeyouwouldbesoboredwithyourcage,withlovelyhands,andcanaryseedthatyouwouldthrowitallover."Castell protested against this judgment, declaring that fickleness in love

dependsnotsomuchuponthetemperamentanditschangesasuponthevaguebutpressingnecessitythatweallfeeltoseekforthebeingwhocanrespondtoourinmostsentiments,ourmostintimateaspirations,oursecretlongings;or,to

speak in more prosaic words, although less clear also, those that adaptthemselvesexactlytoourphysicalandmoralindividuality."Ihavenotfound—likeyou,"heconcludeddaringly,"amongsomanywomen,

theonewhomeets all thenecessitiesofmybeing,manyof themunimportantperhaps,butnonethelessexistent.If,likeyou,orbeforeyou"(heutteredthesewordsinapeculiarmanner),"Ihadchanceduponher,thencertainlymycareerofgallantryhadended,andyouwouldhavehadnocausetocallme,asnow,anoldrascal."Hisattitude,hisaccents,and thefurtiveglances that therichship-ownercast

from time to time upon Cristina while he was talking, confirmed me in thesuspicionthatIhadconceived,whereofIhavenotbeforehadoccasiontospeak,that this gentleman was paying court to the wife of his intimate friend andassociate.Theeffectofthisdawningsuspicionuponmewasdeplorable.Ialreadyhated

myrival;nowtomyselfIcalledhimfalsefriend,traitor,double-faced!Butatthesametimeavoicecriedout inmyconsciencethatI, thoughanewfriend,wasnotperceptiblybetter.Thisvoicedistressedmeindescribably.Thetalkwenton,andCastellfoundoccasiontosayallhechosetoCristina,as

if nobody but herself could hear. His well-chosen words admirably fitted thegestures, quick and speaking, wherewith he emphasized them. Cristina talkedwithhermother,butbyherevidentagitationandbythecloudofvexationwhichdarkenedherfaceIguessedthatshewaslisteningtowhatCastellsaid,andthatitwasnottoherliking.Inthatmoment,withafrownuponherforeheadandaproudexpressioninhereyes,sheseemedtomemoreadorablethanever.Retamoso,withhishatalreadyonhishead,cameuptoCastell,andbendingas

iftospeakinhisear,butinrealitytalkingloudenoughtobeheardbyhiswife,saidinhisattractiveGalicianaccent:"SeñorCastell,youareintheright—likeasaint!Thequestionhits themark,

hits themark. If I hadnot had suchgood judgment in choosing a companion,what would have become of me, poor fellow!What a darling!—eh?What atreasure!Ssh! silence,keep the secret for thepresent, but Iwouldn't havehadtwopesetas.Silence,ssh!"Andarchinghiseyebrowsandmakingupfacesexpressiveofadmirationand

restrainedbliss,hemovedaway,shufflinghisfeet.Hisbelovedbetterhalf,whohadheardperfectlywell,gavehimasidewiselookwhichwasnotshiningwithgratitude, and turning up her hawk's nose, she said good-night to us withimposingseverity.

Wewerenowallstandingupandpreparingtoseatourselvesatthetable.Martí,observingthathispieceofbreadwasalittlebroken,exclaimedjestingly:"Aha,IthinkIfindherethefootprintsofmylittlemouse,don'tI,Cristina?"Shesmiledassent."IsupposeI'llbebanishedforpickingatyourbread,someday."Then,asMartíturnedtotalkwithCastell,Iwentuptothetablecarelesslyand,

pretending somethingelse, contrived toget amorselof thebread thatCristinahadpickedat,andateitwithinexplicablepleasure.Thisdidnotescapeher,andInoticedthatherfacetookonaslightlyannoyedexpression."Come, come to dinner, and everyone to his place!" she cried,with a pretty

grimaceofvexation.Iobeyedhumbly,andseatedmyselfinmyaccustomedplace.Thedinnerwasa

gayone.Martíwastalkativeandfulloffun.Asifhehadnotuntilthenmadeenoughof

thebeautiesofhisestateatCabañal,heenlargeduponthemwithanenthusiasmthat I had communicated to himonourwalk.He endedbyproposing thatweshouldgothereafternoonsforpicnics,sincecircumstanceshinderedthemovingout altogether. It is needless to saywithwhat delight I heard this proposition.Cristina welcomed it with pleasure, and also the others at the table. Sabasremarked, with his habitual gravity, that perhaps he should not be able to goeveryday."No; we know already that we need not count upon you. It would not do,

would it—to throwoverallbusiness in thePlazade laReinaand theCafédelSiglo?"saidhissister,laughing."Itisn'tthat,mygirl!"exclaimedtheelegantcreature,piqued."YouknowthatI

amnotparticularlyfondofruralamusements.""Yes,yes,Iknowthatyouareoneofthecitified,andcannotbreatheexceptin

anatmosphereoftobaccosmoke."DoñaAmparohastened,asalways,totherescueofherson."ItwillpleasemeverymuchifSabasdoesnotgo,forpicnicsalwaysdisagree

withhisstomach.""WhatwoulditmattertoCristinaifIhadtostayshutup?"exclaimedthecritic

withanaffectationofbitterness."Poorlittlething!Yougetonadmirablyonlatesuppersattheclub,witholives

andchampagne."Martí intervened and cut off the dispute between them, seeing that Doña

Amparo was already making ready to faint away. Everyone has his ownpreferences in thematter of amusements and itwas folly to try to imposeourownuponothers. "Everybodyhasa right tobehappy inhisownway,"and ifSabas foundhimself happier under a roof thanunder the open sky, he had nowishtodisturbhim."All that Ibeg,"heendedbysaying,"is, thatalthoughhe isnot tobeof the

party,thathewillletMatildeandthechildrencomewithus."Sabasgenerouslygrantedthispetition,andallfrictionseemedtobeended;but

Cristina,whostillwishedtoteasehimalittle,saidwithamischievoussmile:"Of course we understand that this means the afternoons when she has no

buttonstosewon.""Cristina,Cristina!"criedMartí,halfvexed,halflaughing.Wealldidallwecouldtorestrainourlaughter.Sabasshruggedhisshoulders

withapparentdisdain,butremainedsurlytherestoftheevening.Thenextdayandthedaysthereafter,withouthishonorablecompanybutwith

that of Matilde and the eldest of his children, we made our excursions toCabañal.Martí and Castell's carriages took us thither directly after breakfast, and

brought us to the city at sunset. This time was spent chatting on the upperbalconyofthesummer-housewhiletheladiesembroideredorsewed,orwewentoutintothepark,whereweplayedlikechildrenwithballsorhoops.Sometimeswe left the place and ran about the village orwent down on the

beach,whereweweregreatlyentertainedbywatchingthefishingboatscomingin;atothertimeswedirectedourfootstepsintothecountry,visitedsomeofthecottages,usually thatofacertainTonet, anold servantofMartí's,whoownedthelittlefarmwherehelived.Thereweoftenrested,andhiswifewelcomeduswithchocolatesorpeanutsorservedussomeotherrefreshment.But the important business of the afternoon was the picnic, or rather its

preparation.Foritinterestedusthatthepicnicwasspreadandeatenintheopenair.Wecarried thealcoholstoveand therestof the things tosomedistantandshadyplaceinthepark.Theladiesputontheiraprons;thegentlemen,inshirt-sleeves,madechocolateorcoffee,or fried fish thatwehad justboughton thebeach,andpassedahappytime.HowhappyIwaswhenthepartygavemethetaskofstewingupsomesailor'sdish,andIwentaboutamongmyscullionsandscullionesses with the stewpan in my hands, despotically giving them exactordersandsometimes—whowouldbelieveit?—goingsofarastoforget thatIwasinlove!

Yet Iwasmore andmore in love all the time; there is no doubt about that.NeitherwhenIsaid toCristina inan imperious tone,"Bringme thesalt!"nor,whenIreprovedhersharplyforcuttingthefishupintotoosmallpieces,diditevenentermyimaginationthatamoreperfectcreaturecouldeverhaveexistedunderthesun.InthecountrythesuperciliousseveritythatIhadoftenremarkedin her disappeared. Her mood was gay, changeful, lively, and she invented athousand tricks to make us laugh, while from her lips witticisms flowedcontinuously.Shewasthesoulofourexcursions,thesaltthatseasonedthem.Icouldnotkeepmyeyesawayfromher.Ilistenedtoherandstaredatherlike

an idiot. Sometimes, though not often, she mademe feel that I was carryingwaterinasieve.Forexample,oneafternoon,standinginthesummer-house,sheshowed us a thimble that she had bought. Everybody examined it, and I alsoaftertheothers,thenIcontrivedtokeepitwithoutbeingnoticed.Agoodwhilepassed;nothingmorewassaidaboutthethimble.Butwhenweleftthemiradortogotoourpicnicshecrossedinfrontofmeandsaidwithoutlookingatme:"Putthethimbleinthislittlebasket."Itwasof nouse tobe cunning and craftywithher.She saweverything; she

observedeverything.Another afternoon,when her sister-in-lawMatildewas playing on the piano

andshestandingturningtheleavesofhermusic,Istoleupsilentlyfrombehind.Pretending to find myself enraptured by the music and looking closely at itssheets,Idevouredwithmyeyesheralabasterneckandthefine,softhair,therewheretheblacklocksofherheadseemedtodieawayandbelostlikeexquisitemusicthatmeltsinpianissimo.Well,thenasifshehadeyesforseeingwhatwasbehindher,sheraisedherhandtotheneckofherdressandpulleditupwithagestureofimpatience.Itwasanadmonitionandareprimand.Butinspiteofherdumb rebuffs and reproofs and although sheused seldom to look atme, I feltmyself happy beside her. And this was because in these rebuffs and in thesternnessofhercountenanceIfoundnodistasteformyself,nordesiretomortifyme. Everything emanated from a noble, if exaggerated, sentiment of dignity,without counting the intense affection that she professed for her husband, ofwhichsheconstantlygaveclearproof.Norinthiseitherwassheunworthytheexquisite delicacy of her sentiments. Instead of showing herself tender andsubmissive towardshimas somanywomenwouldhavedone inher case, sheshunnedshowingany fondness inmypresenceand,whenever itwaspossible,avoided the caresses that he would have given her. Sometimes he laughinglyaskedherthereasonforsuchseverity,butsheremainedinflexible.Ofhersenseof justiceandtheinstinct that inspireditshegavewitnessmore

thanonce, although itwas always tacit. I hadgone to thehouseonemorning.Therewasnooneinthedining-roombutherselfandhermother.Shehappenedtoaskforaglassofwater.Itookituponmyselftoanticipatetheservant,wenttothesideboard,tookagobletandalittletray,andwasabouttopouroutthewaterandserveherwhensheinterruptedmedryly:"No,letitbe.Iamnotthirstynow;itwasawhim."Iwas verymuch crestfallen, and evenmore saddened than humiliated. I cut

shortmyvisitandretired.ThatafternoonIstayedatthefondaanddidnotgotoCabañalasusual.AtnightIwent tothehousewhentheywerefinishingsupper,enteredwitha

stern countenance, anddid not try to glance at her.But I sawplainly that shelookedatme,andIwishedhertokeeponuntilIsawahumbleexpressiononherface.Inafewmomentssheaddressedmewithunusualamiability,seekingtomake

amends. I stoodmyground rigidly.Then she said in a clear voice andwith agracioussmilethatIcanneverforget:"CaptainRibot,willyoudomethefavortopouralittlewaterintooneofthose

gobletsandbringittome?"I served her, smiling. She smiled a little too before drinking it, and my

resentmentwasmeltedlikeiceinthewarmthofthatsmile.CastellwasalwaysoneofthepartyonourexcursionstoCabañal.Sometimes,

thoughrarely,hedroveoutaloneinoneofhistraps.I no longer doubted that hepaid court toCristina andhad alsoobserved the

lovethatIfeltforher.Butheowedittohisimmeasurablepridenottoseemtonoticearivalsolittleformidable;Icouldnotseetheslightestchangeinhim.Hecontinued to treat me with the same refined courtesy, not exempt frompatronage, and—why should I not say it?—with also a sort of benevolentcompassion.ItistruethatCastellextendedthiscompassiontowardsallcreatedbeings,andI thinkIshouldnotbewronginaffirming that itwentbeyondourplanet and diffused itself among other and distant stars.As a general rule, helistenedtonobodybuthimself;butattimes,ifhewereinthehumor,hewouldinviteustoexpressouropinions,makingustalkwiththecomplacencyshowntochildren; listening, smiling sweetly at our nonsensical chatter and our littlemistakes. Itwas a regular secondary-school examination.When he deigned topry into my limited field of knowledge I could not help fancying myself amicroscopicinsectthathadbychancefallenintohishands,thathetwirledandtorturedbetweenhisencirclingfingers.

Theyalllistenedtohimwithgreatdeference.Martíevershowedhimselfproudofhavingsuchafriend,andbelievedingoodfaith thatneither inSpainnor inforeign lands existed aman to comparewith him—in theworld of theory, ofcourse,becauseinpracticalmatters,Martíwasallthere,asIknew.ButIsabelita,Cristina'scousin,listenedtohimwithevenmoreabsorption.Itis

impossible to imagine amore complete attention, an attitudemore submissiveanddevotedthanthatofthisgirlwithaprofilelikeanangel,whenCastellheldforth.Herpureandpearl-likefacewasturnedtowardshim;shesatperfectlystillasifinecstasy;thelashesofherinnocenteyesdidnotmove.Theonewhotooktheleastpleasureinthedissertationsoftherichship-owner

was,asfarasIcouldsee,Cristina.Althoughsheforcedherselftohideit,Iwasnotlongindiviningthatthescienceofherhusband'sfriendandassociatedidnotinterest her. She often grew absent-minded and, whenever she could find aplausiblepretext,shewouldleavetheroom.Canitbesupposedthatthislackofreverenceforarepresentativeofscienceloweredherinmyeyes?Ithinknot!I noted further that, although Cristina joined apparently the projects of her

husband, and never contradicted him when he discussed them with his usualfranknessbeforeus,sheshowedlivelyvexationwhenCastellencouragedthem.When the millionaire, therefore, would begin a pompous eulogy of Martí,praisinginaffectedlanguagehisclearsight,hisdecisionandactivity,Cristina'sfacewould change; her cheeks would lose their delicate rose-color; her browwouldbeknitted,andherbeautifuleyeswouldtakeonastrangefixity.Usuallyshecouldnotstandittotheend.Shewouldgetupandleavetheroomabruptly.ThegoodEmilio,intoxicatedwithgratitudeandpleasure,tooknonoticeofthis.What a soulwas that of thisman, hownoble, how sensitive, howgenerous!

Chance brought tomy knowledge amagnanimous action that raised him stillmoreinmyeyes.Withthefreedomthathehadgivenmefromthefirst,Ienteredhis private office one day unannounced at a rather inopportune moment. Hismother-in-lawsatsobbing(forachange)inanarm-chair,andhewithhisbacktowards the doorwas opening his safe.On hearingme he turned and quicklyshut thedoorof the safe.He seemeda littlemore serious and thoughtful thanusual,but thegenerousexpressionofhis facehadnotdisappeared.Hegreetedme,makinganeffort toappearcheerful; then turning tohismother-in-lawandputtingonehanduponhershoulder,hesaidaffectionately:"Come,mamma,thereisnothingtogrieveabout.Everythingwillbearranged

thisafternoon,withoutfail.Comenow,gotoCristinaandrestalittle.Youmustnotmakeyourselfill.""Thankyou,thankyou!"murmuredthesufferinglady,withoutceasingtoweep

andblowhernose.Recoveringfinallyatleastapartofherenergies,shelefttheplace,notwithout

givingmeastrong,convulsivegraspofthehandanddrawingherson-in-lawtothedoorforthreeorfourkisses.Heshookhisheadandsaid,smiling:"Poorwoman!"Igavehimaglanceofinterrogation,notventuringtoputthequestioninwords.

Martíshruggedhisshouldersandmurmured:"Tss!It's thesameasalways.Hersonabuses thebountyof thispoorwoman

anditgivesheragreatdealoftrouble."AsIperceivedthathedidnotwishtogointofurtherexplanations,Irefrained

frominquiries,andwetalkedofotherthings.ButamomentlaterCristinacameintotheoffice,notinagoodtemper,andaskedhim:"Mammahasbeenbeggingmoneyofyou,hasn'tshe?""No,mygirl,"repliedMartí,coloringalittle."Don'tdenyittome,Emilio.Ihaveknownallsincethismorning.""Verywell,whatof it?The thing isnotworthwrinkling this littlebrow,"he

answered,touchingittenderly.Cristinaremainedsilentandthoughtfulafewmoments."You know," she said at last firmly, "that I have never opposed your

expenditures for Sabas. I have enjoyed your generosity towards all, but yourtreatment of my brother has especially pleased me. Yet I have asked myselfsometimes,'WillthisgenerosityofEmiliohavereallygoodconsequences?Willitnotencouragemybrothertocontinueinhisidleanddissipatedhabits?'Ifhewerealoneintheworld,hemightindulgeinsuchluxuriouswayswithoutmuchdanger.Whenhecametowant,youcould,byreducinghimtostrictnecessities,keephimonhisfeet.Buthehasawife,hehaschildren,andIfearthattheywillhavetobeartheconsequencesofyourgenerosityandofthehabitswhich,thanksto your kindness, their father does not abandon. And, too," she added in lowtonesthattrembledalittle,"atpresentwehavenogreatresponsibilities,butweshallhavethem——""Ibelieveyou;weshallhavethem!"exclaimedMartí."Itlookstomeasifthe

firstofthemwouldnotbemanydaysinarriving!"Cristina'scheekscoloredswiftly.Emilio,changinghistone,wentovertoher,

puthisarmabouthershouldersaffectionately,andsaidtoher:"Youarerightinthis,asyouareineverythingthatyousay.Youareahundred

timesmore sensible than I am.Perhaps I shouldhave refusedSabas if hehad

comebeggingofme,becauseIamalreadyalittle tiredofhisaffairs;butyourmothercomes—whenIseehercrying—youdon'tknowhowthatmovesme."Cristina lifted to him her eyes shining with immense gratitude, her face

quivering with feeling; fearing that she could not control her emotion, shesuddenlylefttheroom."Poorlittlething!"saidMartí,smilingoncemore."Sheisveryright.Sabasisa

bore.""Hegambles,doesn'the?"Iventured,becauseoftheconfidencethathadbeen

shownme."Itwouldbebettertosayheisskinnedbysharpers.Whatafellow!Hehaslost,

andpromisedtopay,fivethousandpesetas.""Hepromisesit,andyouhavetopayit.""Possibly.Butwhatistobedone?Itisnotallhisfault.Hehasamotherwhois

toosoft.""Andabrother-in-lawwhoistookind,"Ithought.Martíputhisarmacrossmyshoulders,andwewentthustothesewing-roomto

findCristina andDoñaAmparo.Theywere both there, the first frowning andmeditative, the other completely overcome by her emotions.Matilde came inpresentlytobreakfastwiththem.Iperceivedthatshewassadandseemedasifashamed.Soonaftertwoladiesdroppedinforanintimatecall,andconversationcleareduptheheavyatmosphereoftheroom.Cristinawentoutforamomenttoattendtosomeofherdomesticmatters,andI

noted that she left her handkerchief forgotten upon her chair. Then, with thedissimulationandabilityofanaccomplishedthief,Iwentovertoit,satdownasifabsent-mindedly,andwhennobodynoticed,Itookthepreciousobjectandhiditinmypocket.Cristinaappearedagain,andInoticedthatsheglancedaboutatallthechairsinsearchofherhandkerchief;thensheshotaglanceatme,and,Ifirmlybelieve,guessedfrommymannerthatIhadit.Thennotdaringtoaskmefor it aloud and at the same timeunwilling to give up and let it pass that sheallowedmetohaveit,shewentaboutsearchinginallthecornersoftheroom,asking:"Wherecanmyhandkerchiefbe?"Nobodybutmeobservedit,becausealltherestwereabsorbedinconversation.

At last I sawhersitdown inherchair, takeupherwork,andgoonwith it insilence.I went away to luncheon at the fonda, without accepting their invitation to

remain.Ihadavehementdesiretoenjoymypreciousconquestbymyself;forI

considered it such inmymad presumption after she gave over looking for it.Once inmy quarters and assured that the doorwas fastened, and that nobodycouldseemethroughthekey-hole,Isnatchedthekerchieffrommypocketandgavemyselfup toa sortofmadnesswhichevennowmakesmeblushwhen Irememberit.Ibreatheditsperfumewithintoxication,kisseditnumberlesstimes,pressed it tomy heart, swearing to be eternally faithful, put it awaywith thepicturesofmyfather,tookitouttokissit,andputitawayagain.AtlastIcameto theendof all imaginableextravagances,better suited toayoung studentofrhetoricthantothecaptainofasteamboatofthreethousandtons.

CHAPTERVIII.

IN the afternoon I was with the family at Cabañal as usual. Martí did notaccompanyus,havingtoattendtoacertainbusinessmatter.(Didithavetodowiththefivethousandpesetasthathisbrother-in-lawhadlost?)Atallevents,Iwasselfishenough to rejoiceathisabsence.During the tripoutand thehoursthat we stayed at the place, I observed something in Cristina's manner andgestures thatmademyheart tremblewith joyandhope. Icannotexplainhow,withoutherlookingatmenoroncespeakingdirectlytome,Ifeltoverwhelmedby a celestial happiness, but so it was. We passed all the afternoon in thesummer-house.Theladiesworkedattheirsewingorembroidery.Ireadormadebelieve to read.Cristina, affectedbyanunusual languor,didnot rise fromherchair until themoment of leaving.While the others laughed and jested, I sawthat shekept silence andwasgrave althoughwithout any apparent cause.Herfacewasslightlyflushed.Myimaginationsuggestedtometheideathat itwasbecause of the thoughts drifting through her soul and the timidity that theyinspired.Onthedarkandgloomyhorizonofmylifelightbegantodawn;somyheart said to me. During that unforgettable afternoon, I was as happy as theangelsmustbe inParadise,or theauthorofadramawhenhegoesouton thestagetoreceiveapplausebetweentheleadingoldmanandyounglady.AfterdiningatmyhotelIwenttotakecoffeeattheSiglo,withtheintentionof

going thence toMartí'shouse. IencounteredSabasonentering,hispipe inhismouth,seatedamongseveralofhisfriends,whomhewasharanguinginhisownsolemnandjudicialmanner.Hesalutedmefromadistancewithawaveofthehand, andpresently seeing that Iwas alone, separated himself from the groupandcametojoinme.Hewasinajovialmoodanddidnotseemintheleastcastdownbyhisfollyof

thedaybefore,norashamedofit.WetalkedofourdailyexcursionstoCabañal,andIdescribedthemasverylivelyanddelightful.Hedidnotcaretocontradictme openly, but I understood by his gestures more than by his words that helooked upon all that as childishness unworthy a serious andmatureman likehimself. For one who could appreciate them, Valencia held pleasures morehighly flavored, other fascinations; and he was sorry that I was out of themwithout tasting them.Hedidnot saywhat theywere,but fromwhat I already

knew,itwasreadilytobesupposedthattheyhadsomerelationdirectorindirectwithroulette."Have you seen the famous stone factory?" he asked me in serious tones,

althoughhiseyesgleamedwithamalicioussmile."Yes,Ihaveseenit.""Afinebusiness!Andalsothecelebratedbeerdistillery?""Also.""Betterbusinessyet!isn'tit?"Then sounded in thedepths of his throat a chuckle that couldnot beuttered

becauseatthatmomenthewasearnestlysuckinghispipe.Iwasconfused,asifhe had said something offensive about one of my family, and I respondedvaguely that certain enterprises turn out well, and others ill, and that theirfortunesdependuponfortuitouscircumstancesmore thanuponthe intelligenceandindustryofwhosoeverundertakesthem."Tellthatofothers,butnotofmybrother-in-law,"heansweredwithsarcastic

gravity. "Emilio's enterprises are always brilliant, because his is a practicalgenius,essentiallypractical.""Heseemstomeaverycleverman,"Iremarkedwithsomeembarrassment."Not at all; not at all; Iwill not admit a bit of it.His is a practical, and his

friendCastell'satheoreticalgenius.""Wehavealreadytalkedalittleaboutthat,"Irepliedsmiling,toturnhisscalpel

awayfromtheunpleasantsubject."Theyarebothgeniuses,eachone inhisownfashion, theonlygeniuses that

wehaveinValencia."Ididnotknowwhattosay.Thatsarcastictoneannoyedmeextremely.Sabas

musthaveobservedthis,becauseexchangingitatlastforanothermoreserious,hesethimselftomake,asusual,acarefulandreasonableanalysisofhisbrother-in-law'sconduct.Itwassomethingtoseeandtoadmire,thegravity,theaplomb,the air of immense superiority with which that man talked over others, thepenetrationwithwhich he uncovered the hiddenmotives of all their acts, theincontrovertibleforceofhisarguments,thesorrowfuldivinationwithwhichheformulatedthem.ItwassuchthatIcouldnotdolessthanacknowledgetomyselfthateveryoneofhisobservationshitthemark;butalthoughIknewthis,IwasbothastoundedandindignantwhileIlistened.Itriedtoholdtheoppositeside,but I could see that this only served to make clearer the perspicacity andconclusivenessofhisjudgments,andwhenIhadtakenmycoffeeandsmokedacigar,Igotawayfromhim.

"Forallthat,"Isaid,shakinghishand,"IhavenoroomfordoubtthatEmilioisaverygoodfellow,andfulloftalent.""Agreed!"heresponded,returningthehand-shaking,"butconfess thata little

commonsensewouldbeusefultohim!"Ileftthecaféangryandmiserable.Iwasverygladtogetawayfromthesight

ofthedoltwhohadspoiledmymorning.IdirectedmystepsslowlytowardsthehouseofMartí,butonthewaymythoughtstookasadlyaudaciousdirection.Iwas filled with a moral suffering, that had since morning afflicted me; this,minglingwithmyflatteringhopes,mademesothatIhadnotstrengthtomountthesteps,andinfrontofthedoorIturnedabout,wenttomyhotel,andwenttobed.That was for me a memorable night! As soon as I had put out the light I

understoodthatitwasgoingtobelongindeedbeforeIcouldwoosleeptocometo me. A whirl of wild thoughts filled my brain, disordering, agonizing. ThelovelyvisionofCristinacameinthecentreofall,butdidnotsucceedincalmingtheir ardor, nor controlling them. In vain fancy called up the scene of thehandkerchiefandthatadorableface,softenedandmoved,thesightwhereofhadmademehappyalldaylong.InvainIinvokedthecelestialfelicitythatsoonerorlatermustdescenduponme.Whetheritwasillusionorreality,Ithoughtthatthefruitwasripening,andalreadyrespondedwithdelicatetremorstothecontinuedshaking thatmyhandgave thebough.Perhaps itwouldbe long in falling intomylap.ButIoughttoconfessthatthisalluringfuturepossibilitydidnotleavemepeacefulandjoyousasIhadhoped.Itriedtobecomesobyclosingmyeyes,but thisdidnotdo it.Myeyeswereonly themorewidelyopen.My foreheadburnedmyhandwhenIpasseditacrossit.Iexperiencedastrangerestlessnessthatobligedmetochangemypositionconstantly.Thecurioussufferingwhosefirst slight stings I had felt during the day, now pierced me fiercely andintolerably.Thissufferingwasnothingelsebutremorse.Tobereallyhappyitisanecessity

that a man should be contented with himself, and I was not. Another image,melancholy and grief-stricken, followed always after that of Cristina in theinterminableprocessionofmythoughts,disturbingthehappinessofwhichIhadhad a glimpse. It was that of Martí. Poor Emilio! so good, so generous, soinnocent!Hismother-in-lawwrungmoney out of him andwould have ruinedhim to support her son in his idleness; his friend,whomhe looked upon as abrother, deceived him; his brother-in-law, upon whom he heaped kindnesses,ridiculed him publicly.He had no heart near him thatwas loving and faithfulexcept that of hiswife.And I, an outsider, towhom he had offered somuch

frank and affectionate hospitality, I would snatch it away! The idea weigheddown my heart, made me feel myself disgraced. In vain I forced myself topictureinlovelycolorswhatitwouldbetobetheloverofCristina, totasteoftheintensepleasureofpassion,andthejoyofconquest.InvainItriedtomakemyfaultseemlessbyrecallingtomindtheshortcomingsofothers.Inmyearssoundedeveravoiceassuringmethattogoonwouldbetobeunhappy.Andmyquivering nerves keptme tossing between the sheetswithmy eyes evermoreandmorewideopen.Thehourswentby,soundingslowly,sonorously,andsadlyfromthecathedral

clock. I tried earnestly to shut my eyes and go to sleep, but fiery, invisiblefingers pressed openmy eyelids.At last I bounced out of bed, struck a light,dressedmyself, andbeganwalking the floor.Andwhen Ihadpacedbackandforth for awhile, searching themost secret corners ofmy heart, I understoodwhatmustofnecessitybedone. Ihad recourse tochloral,morechloral than Ihadevertakeninnightslikethisofsleeplessnessandstruggle.Irenouncedmydesiresonceforall,myhopes,theenjoymentsofloveandtheflatteriesofself-love. I entered intomyspiritwitha lashanddrove from it theperfidyofwillwhich,forthefewpleasuresthatitgivesus,causesussomanyburningwounds.Thiscostmelabor, for ithid itselfawayinallsortsofcorners,obligingmetopursue it closely, leaving it no point to stop upon. But at last I succeeded indrivingitoutinsoberearnest,andIstoppedinthemiddleoftheroom,tiredout,perspiring like one who has performed some heavy task, but at peace. Iundressed again, lay down on the bed, and thewinged god, son of sleep andnight,boremeawayinhisarmstothemysteriouspalaceofhisfather.WhenIawoke,thesun,alreadyhighintheheavens,wassheddingitsgolden

raysuponthecity.AssoonasIhaddressedmyselfIwentdirectlytothehouseofEmilio.The husband andwifewere together in the sewing-room, andwiththemwereDoñaAmparo,Isabelita,DoñaClara,adressmaker,andadomestic.Thefirstquestion thatwasaskedmewaswhere Ihadbeen thenightbefore. Iexcused myself with a headache. Cristina, who was embroidering near thebalcony, did not lift her eyes, but I noted on her face the same expression ofgentle compassion that she had worn during the episode of the handkerchief.And, too,while Iwas talkingwith the others I saw that she stole a swift andtimidglanceatme.I improvedamomentwhenallwereoccupied,andapproachedher.Drawing

thehandkerchieffrommypocket,andinavoicesolowthatthecompanycouldnothearme,yetnotlowenoughtomakeanysecretssuspected,Isaid:"Ihavecarelesslykeptahandkerchiefofyours, thinkingthat itwasmyown.

UntilIgothomeIdidnotperceivemymistake.Here'tis;takeit."Sheliftedherheadandgavemealookofintensesurprise;herfaceflusheda

vividcarmine;shetookwithatremblinghandthehandkerchiefthatIheldouttoher,andagainbentherbrowoverherembroideryframe.Afterthat,tellmefranklyifIhavenottherighttolaughatCæsar,Alexander,

Epaminondas,andatalltheheroesofpaganantiquityingeneral!AtleastIliveintheintimateconviction(andthisthoughtmakesmevastlygreaterinmyowneyes) that if Epaminondas had found himself inmy shoes hewould not havereturnedthehandkerchief.I turned anew to the group and joined the chat with animation, although,

perhaps, itwasanexcessiveanimation.Mysoulwasprofoundlymovedand itshouldbedeclaredamongthesefrankconfessionsthat,althoughIfeltnoprideinmyheroism,neitherdidIexperiencethatsweetcontentthatthemoralistssayalwaysaccompaniesgoodactions.IlunchedwiththemandwewentafterwardstoCabañal,wheretheafternoon

passed as merrily as ever. But my gayety was only feigned; although I woremyselfoutpretendingit,andtodivertmyself,IamsureIcutasorryfigure.Cristina did not care to hide her preoccupation. All the afternoon she was

thoughtfulandserious,eventothepointofmakingherselfremarked.Whennightcame,praiseGod! Iwouldhaveopportunity to turn thekey that

lockedupmythoughtsandweigheddownmysoul,andeasemypainalittle.ItchancedthatMartíhadbroughtfromhislibrarytheworksofLarra,andhe

read to us, to pass the time, one of his most delicious pieces, entitled "ElCastellanoViejo."Weall laughedandapplaudedthegiftsandingenuityof thegreatsatiricalwriter.Fromthiswewentontotalkofhislifeandhistragicendinthe flowerofhisyouth, forhewasnotyet twenty-eightyearsof agewhenhevoluntarilyquittedthisworld."Andwhydidhekillhimself?"askedMatilde."Forthatwhichmenusuallykillthemselves,for—awoman!"answeredMartí,

laughing."I believe you! When they don't kill themselves on account of money,"

exclaimedtheyoungwife,showingherselfatrifleannoyed."Thatkindhavenotwholly lost their senses,but therearemanymoreof the

firstsort,"hereturned,laughing."Thanks,verymuch.Andwasshemarriedorsingle—thisonewhointerested

him?"

"Married.Itissaidthathemaintainedrelationswithherduringtheabsenceofherhusband,thathisreturnwasannounced,andthatthenshe,repentantortimid,madeknowntohimherresolutiontobreakoffwithhim.ThegriefofLarrawassoseverethathewasnotabletobearit,soheshothimself.""Butshedidright,andhewasverystupidtoleavelifewhenhewassoyoung

andwhentherearesomanywomentochoosefromandmarry.""Hewasalreadymarried,"saidMartí."Hewasmarried!"exclaimedthewomenindignantlyandalltogether."Andhadseveralchildren.""Thenheshouldbequartered!Heoughttobehung!Thescoundrelshouldbe

castoutwiththeotherrefuse!Itwouldservehimright!"Thewrathof the ladiesmadeus laugh.Someoneobserved that shealsowas

married,andthatthisfacthadnotseemedtoirritatethemsomuch."Becausewomen areweak creatures.Becausewomen do not run aftermen.

Because they are deceived by honeyed words. Because men rouse theircompassion,pretendingtobemadanddesperate!""Youareright,"Isaid,tocalmthem."Theonewhoresistsoughtnottohave

thesameresponsibility, if failingat last,as theonewhomakes theattack.Butcoming to the concrete exampleofwhichwewere talking,myopinion is thatLarragavemoreproofsofsuicidalegotismthanofhighanddelicatelove.Ifhehadreallylovedthiswoman,hewouldhaverespectedherpenitence,wouldhaveconsideredher all themoreworthyof adoration, andwouldhave found inhisownheartandinthenoblenessoftheadoredbeingresourcestomakelifeworthliving.Buttoleavelife,todeprivehischildrenofafatherandhiscountryofatrueSpaniard,makesme,atleast,thinkthathedidnotlovehisbelovedforthelovablequalitiesheavenhadbestoweduponher,butforhisownsake."Theladiesjoyfullyagreedwithme.ThisrousedCastell'sprideofwisdom;or

perhaps he only gave way to his ever-present desire to instruct his fellows,believing himself infallible. He leaned back in his chair, and holding myattentionbyhislittlefingerglitteringwithrings,deliveredacompletecourseinphilosophy.Hiswasawell-linkedchainofreasoning,elegantsentences,agreatabundanceofpsychological,biological,andsociologicalfacts—alltoshowthat"manisirrevocablyfetteredtohisownsensations;"that"noothersinceremotiveexists except that of pleasing them;" "the world is a battle without a truce;""struggle is the inevitable condition for the preservation and upholding of thegreatmachineoftheuniverse,"andsoon."Without struggle, friend Ribot," he concluded, "we should return to the

condition of inert matter. Combat trains us and strengthens us; it is the soleguaranteeof progress.Hewho, led awayby amadnotion, strives to suppressantagonism towards other creatures attacks the very root of existence andattemptstoviolatethemostsacredofitslaws.""Oh,yes!"Iexclaimedwithemotion."Hewouldbemad,butIaffirmthathe

would experience immensepleasure in attacking this sacred law. I should likenothingbetterthantogetupsomemorningandsmashitintobits.Ihavepassedthe greater part ofmy life upon an elementwhere this sacred law demands aferventworship.Inthedepthsoftheseathecreaturesdevouroneanotherwithindefatigabledevotion;thegreaterreligiouslyswallowuptheless.Youmayrestassured,SeñorCastell,thatthegreatmachineoftheuniversewillnotsufferanydamage from their sins. But I confess frankly that I have never becomeaccustomed to these proceedings,whereinmarine animals have the advantageover terrestrialones.Somenights insummer,onthebridgeofmyboat, Ihaveaskedmyself:'Isitpossiblethatmanisobligedtoimitatethisferociousstruggleeverlastingly,andbeforeverimplacabletoallwhoarebelowhim?Willtherenotcomeadaywhenwewillgladlyrenounceit,whencompassionwillriseaboveinterest, and the pain thatwe cause not only to our fellow-beings, but to anylivingcreature,becomeunendurabletous?'""Dreams,nothingmore!Norareyouthefirstwhohasfollowedthischimera.""Well,then,letusdream!"Icried,withmorepassionthanIsuspectedmyself

capableof,"letusdreamthat thissadreality isnomorethananappearance,ahorriblenightmare fromwhichperhaps thehumanspiritwillonedayawaken.And meanwhile so much!—let every man manufacture his magic world andtravel through it, companioned by love and friendship and virtue, by all thosebeautifulvisionsthatmakelifejoyful.Forlife,SeñorCastell,howeverbalancedandphysiologicalitmaybe,isasadandinsipidthingwhentheimaginationisnotmovedtoadornit.Ifcapriciousfortuneshouldeverdragme,likeLarra,intobeingenamoredofawomanwhobelongedtoanother"(heremyvoicedidnotchangeintheleast),"Ishouldnotperfidiouslyattempttogainheraffectionawayfromherhusband,towinpleasureorjoy.Atleast,Ishouldnothesitatetostrikedown my own joy pitilessly. I should rather try to make use of my poorimagination,asgreatPetrarchmadeuseofhisdivineone, to loveher, tokeepherimagesacredinthedepthsofmyheart,togiveherunselfishadoration;andmylife,bycontactwiththispurelove,wouldgainelevationandnobility."FromthebeginningofourtalkIhadfelttheeyesofCristinarestinguponme.

Now I saw her rise hastily and go to the piano to conceal her emotion.DoñaClara,Matilde,andIsabelitaapplauded.Emilio,laughing,threwhisarmsabout

myneck."Whatwarmth,whatenthusiasm,Captain!Iamamanessentiallypractical,and

notintheleastabletoarguewithEnrique;butyouhaveansweredhim,andsaidthingsvery agreeable, andvery fine, and,what is rarer, youknowhow to saythemverywell."Thiswasthetruth,inspiteofmymodesty.Itwasthefirstandonlytimeinmy

life that I felt myself an orator. And if in that moment the directors of theAthenæum atMadrid had invitedme there, I think I should not havemindedgivinginthecapitalalectureon"TheFutureoftheLatinRaces,"oranyothertopichowevergrand!

CHAPTERIX.

FROM that day her attitude towards me changed materially. She showedherself less diffident and distrustful; she did not seek so carefully to avoidlookingmeintheface.WhenIenteredshedidnotsuddenlyturnseriousassheused.Littleby littleher freedomofmanner increased,makinghercordial,andaffectionate too,within the bounds of her reserved temperament.Her delicacyhindered her from recompensing me in words for what I had uttered in herpresence;butsheusedheringenuitytofindawaytomakemeunderstandthatsheapprovedofme.One afternoon therewas talk of certain things that hadbeenbought and left

forgotten in a shop. Martí wished to send a servant for them. She said withapparentindifference:"CaptainRibot,doyounotgothroughtheCalledeSanVicento?Thendome

thefavortogetthisparcelandbringittometo-night."I was overwhelmed with delight. At night when I delivered it to her she

receiveditwithmoreindifferencethanever."Thanks!"shesaiddryly,withoutlookingatme.It did not matter. I was sure she had given me a reward. I felt happy and

peaceful.But next day, after this small bounty and grateful success, adverse fate had

preparedformeagraveralarmthanIhadeverexperienced inmylifeofperilandhazard.NeitherwhenIranagroundintheRiodelaPlata,norwhentheseaknockedawaythebridgeandhalfourmasts in theEnglishChannel,didI feelmyheartsoconstrictedbyanysuddenencounter.Theagenttofurnishmewiththis most cruel trial was Doña Amparo. We had been chatting in this lady'ssewing-room, Cristina and I. While they worked I had been turning over analbumofportraitsofallofthefamilyandmanyoftheirfriends.Iinquired,andDoñaAmparotoldme,whotheoriginalswere.Cristinaremainedsilent."Whoisthischarmingchild?"Iasked,gazingatthelikenessofalittlegirlof

tenortwelveyears."Whatbeautifuleyes!""Don'tyourecognizeher?ItisCristina.""Ah!" I exclaimed, surprised. And, looking at her, I observed that she was

crimson."Shewastheninschool.Wasn'tsheverylovely?""Yes,Ithinkso,"Istammered."Mamma, don't say such absurd things. She looks like a picked chicken!"

exclaimedtheoneunderdiscussion,laughing."Like a picked chicken!" cried themother indignantly; "youwere plump as

possible.Fromthat timeyouhavedonenothingbut loseground. Iwouldgivesomethingtoseeyounowasyouwerethen.AndRibotwillsaythesame.""Señora,"Imurmured,althoughinconfusion,"nodoubtshewasverybeautiful

atthattime,butIthinkthatthepresentisbetterworthwhile."Cristina blushed more yet, and bent over her work serious and silent. Her

mother did not choose to drop the subject. I did not venture to contradict heropenly;Ionlyutteredmonosyllablesorphrasesofdoubtfulinterpretation.Atlastwe gave up this conversation, so dangerous to me. We were told that thehairdresserhadcome,andCristinawenttoherroom.Icontinued turningover thealbum,andDoñaAmparowentonmovingback

andforth theivoryneedleofher lace-work.Wepreservedsilence;but threeorfour times, on lifting my eyes, I observed that she was looking at me withirritatingpersistence.FinallyIcouldseethatshelaiddownherwork,doubtlesstolookatmemoretoherliking."Ribot,"sheutteredinalowvoice.Ithoughtitwelltoseemdeaf."Tss!Ribot.""What did you say, señora?" I asked, pretending to come out of my great

abstraction."Lookmeintheface.""How?Idonotunderstand.""Willyoulookmeintheface?"As I had not been doing anything else, this petition would have been

tremendouslyabsurdifithadnotbeenevenmoredisquieting."Now,moveyourchairalittlenearer."Thisnewdemandappearedtomemuchmoredisquieting.Idrewup,nonethe

less, according to orders, dragging the chair with an ill-omened squeak.Adopting a tranquil and unembarrassed air, distinctly contrary to what wouldhave suitedme at that instant, Iwaited forwhat itwas she had to say tome.DoñaAmparogazedatmesmiling,andthen,withadeeplook,shesaid:

"Ribot,youareinlovewithmydaughterCristina!"Igrewpale,thencrimson;afterwardsothershadesofyellow,green,andblue.

Indeed,Ithinkmyfacewasarainbowforthespaceofseveralseconds."Señora! I! How can you suppose it? On my life, what a notion!What an

idea!"Doña Amparo, on seeing me in such a terrible state of agitation, became

frightened,andturnedpalealso.Shereachedoutimmediatelyforhersmelling-bottle;withonehandsheheldupmyhead,andwiththeotherputitundermynostrils.Iwasgivensaltstosmellinsuchamomentasthat!I tookmybittercupasbest Icould, thankedher,and,withsmotheredwords

andfalteringtongue,ascribedmyemotiontomynaturalsurprise.Theaccusationwassogravethatreally——Doña Amparo smiled benevolently, doubtless to calm me, and would not

consentthatweshouldsayanotherwordbeforeItookadropofethertofortifyme.Iswalloweditnotwithoutdifficulty,formythroatwasconstrictedsothatIwasscarcelyabletobreathe.Then,tomollifythejustindignationofthislady,Ireturned to my discomfited and incoherent protestations against such amonstroussupposition.I in love! How could it be possible that I should have the hardihood, the

audacity?Herdaughterwasamodelofallthevirtues.Nobodywouldhavetherashnesstooffendherwithothersentimentsthanthoseofrespectandadmiration—Ileastofall,afriendofMartí,whowassuchagentleman,soloyal,whohadgivenmesomanyproofsofunmeritedesteem,etc.,etc."Allthisisverywell,Ribot,"declaredDoñaAmparo,emotionallysniffingher

smelling-salts, "but thisdoesnothinderyou frombeingon fire,mad, lost, formydaughter.""Youdeceiveyourself,señora.Iassureyouthatyou——""Come, confess yourself," she said, putting one hand on my shoulder, and

lookingatmewithasmilinglymischievousface:"nobodycanhear.""Señora,forGod'ssake!""Confess, sinner! Confess yourself!" and she gave a gentle and affectionate

littlepullatmybeard.Iwasterrified,dreadingsomethingdecidedlyunpleasant."Let us keep the secret between us two. You are in love with Cristina, as

Castellhasbeenforsometime.""Enoughofthis!"Isaid,tryingtofindawaytoescape.

"Heisamuchworserake,and,betweenthetwo,franklyIpreferyou."Iwasstupefied.Whatwasitthatthisseñorapreferred?Whywasshetalkingto

meinthismanner?Wherewasshegoingtostop?"Isn'tittruethatCristinaisverylovely?"shewentonwiththesameflippancy.

"She is such an interesting type, of such delicacy! It is not strange that youshouldbecomeenamoredofher.Ofcourse,Iwillnothavehertalkedabout.""Señora!""No! I know what you would say! She is the best of creatures, virtuous,

incapable of failing her husband. Further, Emilio has no equal, so muchaffection,somuchloyalty,sosplendid!Headoreshiswife.Iamasproudofhimasifheweremyownson.Iwouldnotconsent,foranythingintheworld,thatheshouldhavetheleasttrouble.""Hewillnothaveanyonmyaccount,makeyourselfeasy,"Iventuredtosay."Thatishonorableinyou,Ribot,"shereplied,pressingmyhand."Youarevery

good, enoughbetter than that rascal of aCastell," she added, smiling sweetly."And, truly, you could not do less than be fond of Emilio. He is so good. Ialwaysfindhimsoaffectionatetowardsme.Butwhocanblameanypoorfellowfor falling in love! The wrong is in murmuring soft nothings in the ear ofCristina when Emilio is not looking. We will suppose that they are foolishthings,thatshehaseyeslikethisandaskinlikethat.Butthatisnotright.Emiliois his best friend, and if he suspected, hewould be disturbed.You,Ribot, aremuchmore respectful.Youwouldnot letyourselfgaze, exceptby stealth.Butwhateyeshemakesather!Come,now,letussee,sinner,didyoufallinloveatGijonorhere?""Ibegofyou,señora—I—Ifeelsomuchupset,Imustaskyoutoallowmeto

retire.""How reservedyouare,Ribot!Well, thispleasesme.Menof fewwords are

thosewhobestknowhowtocare.Butwithmeyououghtnottobesotimid.Iknowtheaffectionyouhavevowedher.Openyourhearttome,sothatIcandoeverything possible to console it. To whom better thanme can you unbosomyourself?""Athousandthanks,señora.Permitmetogo.AtpresentIfeelthatIshouldnot

beabletosayanythinginreason.""I understand you! I understand you, dear Ribot!" declared Doña Amparo,

pressingoneofmyhandswithemotionbetweenbothherown."Youarelikeme,exceedingly sensitive, exceedingly emotional.Don't youwant another drop ofether?NeitheryounorIisfitforthisworld.Icannotbeartoseeanyonesuffer.

Nowhereyouseeme,mewho,inspiteofmyadorationformyson-in-law,forwhom I would willingly give my life, am dissolved in tears at seeing yousufferingonaccountofmydaughter.Iamweepinglikemad."AndtrulyDoñaAmparodidnotinthismomentmalignherself."Frankly,Ribot,"shewentonrackingly,"ifitwerepossibleforCristinatocare

foryouwithouttroublingEmilio,Iwouldmyselfgoandintercedeforyou.""Thank you, thank you," I murmured, pressing her hand before I got mine

away."Believeme,you are asdear tomeas a son, and Iwouldgive something if

——"Herehervoicestrangledinherthroat,andIimprovedthepreciousopportunity

tostridewithtragicfootstepfrommysceneoftrial.Iwentoutinindescribableconfusion.Ifeltangry,wrathfulatsuchawoman,

whowithsomuchfrivolityandfollyliftedtheveilofthemostdelicatesecrets,thedeepestintimaciesofherfamilylife.BetweenmyteethIcalledhercoarse,imbecile, a bad mother. My anger carried me so far as to accuse her of aninclinationtotradeuponherchild'sattractions,ofhavingbeenbornforthepartofaCelestina.YetlittlebylittleIcalmedmyself,andwithcalmnessarrivedatlastatjustice.DoñaAmparowasabsolutelyidiotic,ofthistherewasnodoubt;butshewasnotabadwoman.Herswasaheartthatspreaditselflikebutteroverthefirstcomer.Itwasnecessarytohertobelookedafterandpettedlikeachildoradog,andlikethemsheknewnodifferencebetweenthehandsthatbestowedcaresses.Reflectingthus,myspiritwaslittlebylittleinspiredwithlesswrathfulsentiments; but I could not help thinking, all the same, that if the foregoingconversationshouldbecomeknowntoCristina,shewouldfalldeadofshame.IencounteredherintheofficewithherhusbandandCastell.Emilio,whowas

beginning toorganizeandgetunderwayhis famousproject forputtingcanalsthrough the province of Almeria, was in an excellent humor. I suspected thatCastellhadfinally facilitated thematterwith theneedful.Emiliowasbabblingaway,chaffinghisfriendaffectionatelyabouthisscepticismandtheories,andhisapathy towards business. If he had Castell's means at his disposal, he wouldundertake to become the richestman in Spain, at the same time giving breadawaytomanyfamiliesandfurtheringtheprogressofthenation.WhenIentered,thetorrentofhischaffingwasdivertedtome,andhethreatenedtomarrymeoffwithinaperiodofnotmorethantwomonths.Thenhebegantalkingtomeabouthisproject.Assoonasthegreatfamilyeventwewereallhopingforhadcomeoff, hewould go toAlmeria to hasten the preparation for the canal.He drew

from the desk a lot of portfolios and showedme the plans, explainingdetails,andtryingtostirupinmethesameenthusiasmthatanimatedhim.Igavehimareligious attention, but only in appearance. I really lost not onemovement ofCastell'swhileIlookedoverthepapers,forIsuspectedhim.IsawhimmanageskilfullytogetnearCristina,whowithonefootonthebalconysillwasturningover a book.When he got near her, under pretext of examining the book sheheld,Iobservedthathebroughthischeeknearhersuntilitalmosttouched;andalthoughhisbackwastowardsmeandI,ofcourse,couldnotseehislipsmove,Iknew that he was whispering something to her. The lady moved her headabruptly away and tried to withdraw; but—oh, what a surprise!—Castelldetainedher,takingholdofherwrist.Atthesametimewithhisotherhandhetriedtoputaletterbetweenherfingers.Cristinarefusedtotakeit.Therewasastruggle in silence.Myheart beat inmybreast. Iwas afraid thatMartíwouldturnhisheadandseewhatwasgoingon.Notforsakeof thevillainCastell, itmaybe readily understood, but to savemy friends from the scandal and fromcruel trouble, I did everything possible to keep him occupied. Cristina'sfrightened eyes were several times turned towards us; then not getting freeotherwise, and fearing thatwhichwas surely going to happen, if this strugglewere prolonged a few secondsmore, she decided to take the letter,which shecrumpledandhidinherhand.Then,pale,yetsmiling,shecameovertousandbusiedherselfalsoinlookingovertheplans,forcingherselftoseematease.Butherfacedidnotloseitsintensepallorandherwholebodywastrembling.AsforCastell,Ineversawanybodycooler,serener,orshowinglessemotionof

anysort.Heremainedalittlewhilequiet,hishandsinhispockets,lookingoutoverthebalconyintothestreet.Thenhewalkedabouttheroom.Nowandthenhe would give Cristina a quick, scrutinizing glance. In spite of the profoundaversion with which he inspired me, I could not help admiring the man'sincredible audacity and at the same time his perfect self-control andunquenchableconfidenceinhimself.Ihaveneverknownanyonetowhomothercreatedbeingsrepresentedless.I did not lose sight of the hand in which Cristina had crumpled the letter.

Emilio went on through the portfolios without ceasing his long prolixexplanations.ThenrisingfromhischairandtakingCastell'sarm,hehaltedhiminhiswalk."Doyou—don'tyouwanttogointosuchabusiness?"hesaidinthechaffing

tone."Youknowalready,Emilio,thatIcan'tserveyou,"repliedtheother,withhis

placidandpatronizingsmile.

"Inwork,no—Iknowthat.Butasafigure-headyoucandomeagreatservice.Asyouarerichandareknownasascientificman(youknowthat,althoughyoudon'tcaremuchaboutit),itisnecessarythatyoushouldtakethemostimportantposition, and be president of the council of administration. No work will bedemanded of you. You shall be given a comfortable arm-chair, and you can,fromtimetotime,dropofftosleep,scatteringbenedictions."Cristinahadremainednearthetable.Standingup,she,withaloftyexpression,

castonefullglanceatCastell.Thenunfoldingthatwhichsheheld,shetranquillytoreitupandflungthetinybitsintothewaste-paperbasket.

CHAPTERX.

OUR way that afternoon lay towards the cottage of Tonet, where somerefreshmentwas prepared for us. This Tonet, a regularMoor according to hiseyes, his complexion, and his teeth, was a wonder at preparing paellas andplayingontheflute.Wheneveritoccurredtoustogoandvisithim,hereceiveduswiththegravityandcourtesyofafeudalseñor.Scarcelyopeninghislips,hemadehimselfunderstood tohiswifeandchildrenbysigns,hadchairsbroughtfor us under the arbor, and soon afterwards he used to serve us figs, dates,chufas,andfreshcinnamoncakes,withwhichhispantrywasalwaysprovided.Whenwe had let him knowwewere coming, as on the present occasion, heoffered us ice cream, richwith vanilla and filberts.Hewas ameek, sadman,seemingcarelessofallthings.Hewasneverjoyful,butlikedtoseejoyousnessinothers.OnSundaysandonmanyafternoonswhenhisworkwasdoneearly,hewouldcomeoutandsitdownaloneinfrontofthecottageandplaysoftlyforawhileonhisflute.Hedidnotdoitforhisownpleasure;itwasalure,nothingmore.Littlebylittlehedrewtohisowncottagetheyoungpeoplefromall thecottages round about, and a dance was improvised. His eldest son, a boy offourteenyears,playedonthetaboretandwasalmostasgraveandsilentashe.Both passed hours, one blowing and the other beating his instrument, serious,melancholy,with eyes fixed on space, and heeding neithermuchnor little thenoisydancethattheirmusicevoked.Sabas,whowas of the party this afternoon,marched abreastwithme aswe

weremakingourwayacrossthefieldsofhighIndiancorn,alreadyburstingintoears.The first subject that heproposed formyconsideration, suckinghispipeandspittingatregularintervals,wasofanatureessentiallycritical.Whydidhisbrother-in-law persist in keeping up this estate with so little of it undercultivation, and at somuch expense,whenby so little effort it couldbemadeproductive? Every one of the constituent elements of this proposition wasseparatelyexaminedbyarigidlymathematicalmethod.Todosoheformulatedin the first place certain definitions, clear, distinct, and luminous.What is anestateforrecreation?Whatisaproductiveestate?Whatisanestateofcombinedpleasureandutility?Afterthishelaiddowncertainaxiomsasprofoundastheywereindisputable.Allthatisproductiveoughttoproduce.Toattainanendone

oughttoemploymeans.Manisnotaloneintheworld,andoughttoconsiderhisfamily. Vanity should not influence human actions. One-sided propositionsimmediatelyfollowedwiththeirpremisesandcorollaries;thenhewouldgoonto the end gently, butwith invincible logic to prove the proposition onwhichhungthefollowingcorollary:Emilioisanactiveandenterprisingman,butatthesametimeacarelessfellow.Satisfied, with good reason, by the method and intuition and the logic

wherewith the Supreme Being had so highly favored him, Sabas continuedsuckingandspittingwithdizzyingrapidity.Thesecondsubjectwhichthislucidsoulattackedthisafternoondirectlyconcernedme."Come, tell us,Ribot, haveyounever thoughtofgettingmarried?"he asked

meafter a longpause, takingout hispipe and fixing a scrutinizinggazeuponme.IconfessIfeltdisturbed.Iunderstoodthatthedepthsofmysoulwerenextto

besounded,andtrembled,perceivingthat this transcendentcriticwasdisposedtoexercisehisscalpelonme."Tss!Sailorsthinklittleofthat.Ourlifeisincompatiblewithfamilypleasures.""Sailors,whentheyarriveatacertaincomfortableconditionandhavereached

anindependentpositionlikeyou,havetherighttoretirepeacefullyandenjoyacomfortablelife,"herepliedwiththegravityandfirmnesswhichmarkedeveryutterancethatcameoutofhismouth.Howdidheknow that I had reached an independent position?Solelybyhis

marvellous intuition, for I had given nobody an account of the state of myaffairs.Iadmiredsuchtremendouspenetrationfromthebottomofmyheart,andwashumblydisposedtofindouthowmuchmoreheknewaboutme.Sabasmeditatedseveralminutes.Andwhilehemeditated,suckinghispipe,his

cheeks sunk in a supernaturalmanner.The energy that he expendedupon thattobaccosmokewassuchthatIwaspersuadedhemustbeswallowingit.Atthesametimetheintensityofhisreflectionsinfluencedinlikemannerthe

secretionofhissalivaryglands."WhyshouldyounotmarrymycousinIsabelita?"hesaidtomesuddenly,with

thatbrusqueandperemptoryaccentwhichcharacterizesmenwhoruletheirkindbytheirpowerofthought.IsabelitawaswalkingonwithMatildeinfrontofus.Igrewpale,fearingshe

mighthaveheard theseseriouswords,andfrightenedandconfused,murmuredsomeincoherentwords."Yes," proceeded the critic, "mycousin is a verynicegirl, verymodest, and

more,sheadmiresyouextremely.""Admiresme!" I exclaimed, amazed. "And forwhatdoes she admireme?" I

askedcandidly.Sabaslaughednoisily,coughed,andgotridofhisnicotine."Shewilltellyouthatwhenyouarealonewithher,handinhand.""Youdonotunderstandme,"Ireturned,nettled."WhatIwishtosayisthatI

donotseeanythinginmyselftobeadmiredbyanybody.AndasforIsabelita,IhavealwaysbelievedthatshehaddedicatedallofheradmirationtoCastell.""That is nothing special. A man with eight million pesetas is an admirable

being.Buttheadmiration,inthiscase,willnotbringanypracticalresult.AlltheworldknowsthatCastellkeepsthemotherofhischildren,andnoyoungladyofgoodfamilythinksofhim.Withyouthecaseisdifferent; itwouldbepossibleforittobequicklycarriedtoasatisfactorysolution;andmyopinionisthatyououghttoleaveyoursteamboatandtryatonceforthiselegantcraft.Isabelitaissensible, modest, well-educated, diligent; she is accustomed to the stricteconomyofahousewheretheyturnadollaroverahundredtimesbeforepartingwith it; an only child, and heiress of all her father's money. And my UncleRetamosoownsmorethanpeopleimagine.WhoevercantellexactlyhowmuchmoneyaGalicianhas?Probablywhilehe livesyouwouldnothavea rightoffivecentimes;butwhatdoes thatmatter toyou? In the firstyearsofmarriageyoucankeepyourselfwellenoughonyourcapital,andwhennecessitiesgrowgreater,andcertainadditionalthingsbecomenecessary,youcanmakearaiseonyourprospectsashisson-in-law,enoughtocarryyouoveruntilacertainjoyfulevent——"Otherwisereflectionspouredlikebusyandknowingbeesfromthemouthof

thatextraordinaryman.Inmylifeseemedgatheredtogetherallthelooseendsofexistence, all its aims fulfilled, and the quintessence of human relationsextracted.While my future was thus being discussed, although I found myself

embarrassed by the new perspective offered tomy view, I had, none the less,enough largeness of mind to admire the logic of his discourse, his surprisingwealth of figures, richness of diction, turns of expression, subtle and logicaldistinctions,andtheperfectlinksofhischainofreasoning.Thebreathingworld,I believe, held no secrets from thisman, and themechanism of his reasoningworkedwiththeexactnessofachronometer.Whenwe reached the cottage andwere seated to partake of the refreshment

that had been prepared for us, Emilio, who was near me, asked me in an

undertone:"Thenitisdecidedthatyouaregoingtoleaveusto-morrow?""Thereisnohelpforit.Theboatisdueanymomentnow.""What a pity!" he exclaimed in a melancholy tone; and placing one hand

affectionatelyonmyshoulderheadded:"Doyouknow,yourascal,thatwearegettingusedtoyou!"Iwasmovedbyhiswords,andmoreyetbythecloudofsadnessthatdarkened

hischeerful,sympatheticface.Ikeptsilence.Hedidthesame.Throwinghimselfbackinhischair,heremainedunlikehimself,thoughtfulandmelancholy.Atlastheturnedtomeandsaid,almostinmyear:"Ifyouwouldtakemyadviceyouwouldgiveupyoursea-faringlife,which,

saywhatyouwill, isa little risky,andmarryandsettledown.Whybealwaysalone?Doyouneverthinkofoldage,andhowsaditwouldbetopassthelastyearsofyourlifeinthepowerofself-seekers,withoutchildrentomakebrightyourhome,withoutawifewhoofherselfbringsorderandcomfort?""ButIamanoldfellowalready,"Iansweredsmiling,butsadinthedepthsof

mysoul,"Iamthirty-sixyearsold.""That is a good age for a man. And then, by your looks and strength and

suppleness,youareonlyaboy.Iknow,"headded,castingamischievousglancetowards the place where Isabelita was, "a girl of eighteen Aprils who wouldmarryyouinpreferencetoalltheyoungbucksofthecity.""Bah! this girl would laugh if you should propose to her aman double her

age.""Don't you believe it! Because you know it already, I will tell you in

confidencethatIsabelitaadmiresyou.""But,man——""No,no.Iknowparticularlythatsheadmiresyou."The thing was serious. This unexpected admiration made me anxious and

timid.Icouldnotseemyfaceinamirror,becausetherewasnonethere;butaglanceatmyshaggy,brownhandsandatmyfeet,neithersmallnorespeciallywell-shod,mademeunabletodivinethenatureorextentofmycharms.Well,well,theleastthatamancandowhen,withreasonorwithout,hefinds

himself admiredby agirl, is topassher theplateofolives andaskher if shelikes them.This is exactlywhat I did a little after I hadhad it brought tomynoticethatIhadfascinatedRetamoso'sdaughter.Sheprickedonewithherfork,andatonceherlovelyfacewascoveredwithblushes,asifshehadprickedmy

heart.Iwasnotsure,butIfiguredthatthenextthingafterthiswastoserveherabitofsausage.Thesameblushesdyedherbrowforthishashasfortheolives.The consecutive repetition of this physiological phenomenon filled my spiritwithalarm.MygallantsentimentsgrewsoanimatedthatIdidnotstopofferingher entertainment at very short intervals for some time. I think that if shehadtaken all I offered her that afternoon,medicinewould have beenpowerless tocounteract the effects of my attention, and that angelical being would havespreadherwingsforheaven,thevictimofanindigestion.Once startedon thedownwardpathof soft nothings, I didnot hesitate to sit

downbesideher and let herknow that shehadwonderful eyes, indescribable;cheeks thatwere smooth, rose-colored, indescribable; hands little and shapelyandcharmingand—alsoindescribable.Theknowledgeofthesefactscausedherprofound surprise, to judge by the look of incredulity that appeared upon hercountenance.ShetoldmethattrulyIknewverywellhowtogoon,andthatonlyarascalofasailor,accustomedtoflatterwomenallalongthecoast,couldfindsuchaproceedingpossible.Sayingthis,shegrewredderthanacherry.Theconversationwentonforsometimeinthissweetandpleasantfashion,as

ifwewereplayingatfencinginacomedy,andwhileit lastedthebloodebbedandflowedconstantlyinthefaceofIsabelita.Ioutdidmyself,asthecriticssayof bad actors in the journals; that is, I was jolly, smart, full of chaff, andabsolutelystupid.Ourchatattractedtheattentionoftherest,andIcouldseethattheylookedatuswithcuriosityandglancedmischievouslyatoneanother.Idon'tknownowwhatfatuitymademedoit,butIbeggedTonettoplayonhis

flute,andIproposedthat,whenthecompanycame,weshoulddance together.She accepted readily, and laughed a good deal (was it atme?)whenwewerethusmatched.IinvitedIsabelita,that'ssure,andIbeganjumpingaboutwithherlikearattle-patedstudent,andIwasnotlongindiscoveringthatinalittlewhileeverybodywaswatching us attentively.My agitationwas not calmed by this.However,Iwentonhoppingaboutatagreatrate,whileeverybodyapplauded,cryingvivas,andlookingatuswithlaughingeyes.OnlythesilentTonetandhisimmobilesonfixedtheirsuponusasgraveandmelancholyasiftheywishedtoremindusofthenothingnessofallthingshuman,andthebrevityofexistence.Cristina,who until then had been quiet, and onwhose brow I could see the

linesmarkedbythesceneofthemorning,nowbeganquicklytowakeupabit.Herfacewassolivelythateverybodyadmiredit.Theyhadnotseenherlikethatin years. Doña Amparo declared that since she was a little girl, when herplayfulnessand trickshadcausedhermothermore thanonestart,Cristinahadnot frolicked in such fashion. We encouraged her, applauded her, threw her

chufasandalmondsuntilshebegantoshowawishtodancealso.Emilioandhermother would not let her, on account of her condition. But nonsense andwitticisms kept on issuing from her mouth, splitting everybody's sides withlaughter. She had a lively wit, and she got her words off with a brusquenaturalnessthatgavethemagreateffect.Somethingsthatshesaidseemedtomea little dashing, but I admired her so much that I did not mind them.Whenanyone talks a great deal of nonsense, it is almost impossible to keep withinstrictlyprudentlimits."Thisisallright,"saidSabasinmyear,seatinghimselfbesideme."Nowyou

haveachancetostrikewhiletheironishot.Getinwithmyuncle.Talktohimaboutthesubjectthatwillbutteryourbread."Ilaughed,buttooknofurthernotice.IwentonpayingcourttoIsabelitawith

everybody'sgoodwill. Imistake—DoñaClara lookedatusnowandthenwitheyeswhoseexpressionwasa triflemoresevere thanusual,andshesniffedherRomannosewhenwechancedtotakealittleluncheonofchufas.Idonotknowbut I may be wrong, but two or three times I had a notion that I heard hermurmur theEnglishword,"Shocking!"Thiswouldhavebeennothingstrange,forindifficultplacesthisillustriousmatronpreferredtheAnglo-Saxonlanguageto her native idiom. That which I can fearlessly affirm, and nobody willcontradict, is that I saw her eat more than a kilo of chocolates, and that thisoperation, however vulgar in itself, did not make her lose one atom of hermajesty.Thehourarrivedforustogobacktothehouseforourcarriages,toreturnto

thecity.Butatthemomentofstartingtowalk,Cristinafeltverybadly.Isawthatshe grew pale and put her hand several times to her head and heart. The sal-volatileofDoñaAmparowasofnoavail;neitherwas theorange-flowerwaternortheMelisawater,norotherremediesthat,likefaithfulfriends,accompaniedthisnervous ladyeverywhere.Cristinabeggedus to leaveheraloneamomentwithTonet'swife,whowouldbringheracupoftila.Aquarterofanhourlatershecameoutofthecottage,serene,butwithreddenedeyes.Thenervouscrisishadendedintears.The sun had already disappeared when we started on our walk through the

fieldsofIndiancornandthelittlefruitorchards.Calmingmydashinggallantryandstiflingthegushofvanitythathadburstforthinmyspiritat thesupposedadmiration of Isabelita, I remained silent and sad. As I was walking apart incompanywithherandMatilde, Ididmyutmost tohide it;butseeing that thiswasimpossible,andfearingthattheywouldnoticemymood,Imadeafeintforthe purpose of falling back towalk alone. I was displeasedwithmyself. The

gallantryofthatafternoonseemedtomeatreasontomytruesentiment, tothesweetanddelicatelovethatIguardedlikeatreasureinthedepthofmyheart.Icould not but think with disgust that I had descended to the most trivialcheapness. I was afraid, with good reason, that Cristina, whose regard andesteemformehadseemedincreasing,woulddespisemefromthathour,andthisthoughthurtmedeeply.Since her indisposition she had not turned towardsme or looked atme, nor

spokenawordtome.Luckmadeitsothatshecouldnothelpspeaking.Shehadforgotten her watch and left it in the cottage and wished to go back for it. Iquicklyanticipatedher.WhenIreturnedwithit,shewaitedforme,alittleapartfromtheothers."Thankyou,"shesaid,withahard,coldface,andtriedtorejointherest.Whoever has experienced the pangs of lovewill believemewhen I say that

thatgloomycountenancegavemeinexpressiblejoy."Listen tome amoment, Cristina; I have something to say." I spokewith a

voicenotquiteundercontrol."Youmaysay it,"shereplied, lookingovermyheadat thehorizon,and ina

glacialtonethat,foralikereason,warmedinsteadofchillingme."I wish to beg advice of you and I scarcely dare. Did you notice that this

afternoon I paid a little more attention to your Cousin Isabelita, as if I werecourtingher?""No.Ihavenoticednothing,"sheanswered,moresharplystill."Because this is the truth—and I venture to say it, it is only because of the

greatdifferenceinagebetweenus—IonlydiditbecauseIsabelitaadmiresme."Shegazedatmestupefied,asifshesuspectedthatIhadgonemad."AtleastthisiswhatIhavebeeninformedinturnbySabasandEmilio.""What idiots!" she exclaimed, her lips smiling, understanding my meaning.

"Theyarecapableofmakingsportofeverything.Fortunatelyyouareamanofsense,andtakenostockinsuchnonsense;andifnot,youwouldstopatmypoorcousin.""In this case, I have, after all, taken certain steps towardswinning her good

will,andbeforegoingfartherIwishtoobtainyourapproval.""Myapproval!"sheexclaimed,agitated,andwithachokingvoice."Butwhat

need have you of my approval? I have no part in the matter. Beg it of herparents.""BeforebeggingitofherparentsIdesireitfromyou.Iknowthatyouhaveno

direct interest in the matter, but it has to do with your cousin, of whom youappeartothinkagooddeal,whohasdistinguishedmewithheresteem,howeverlittlemerited.Nobodycangivemetruecounselinthiscasebetterthanyou;soIbeg it of you, in the name of our good friendship, as a favor which I shallappreciateallthedaysofmylife."Sheremainedsilentforsometime.We walked on together through the high-growing corn which made even

dimmerthefadingtwilight.Iwatchedheroutof thecornerofmyeye, and it seemed tome that I could

detectslight,almostimperceptible,changessweepoverherface.Soonherbrowcontractedandherlipsmovedseveraltimesbeforeasoundescapedthem.Atlastshesaidinatremblingvoice:"Itmakesmeveryhappythatyouhavemadeyourchoiceat last.Menought

not to live alone, and especially those who, like you, have an affectionate,indulgent temperament, and know how to appreciate the delicate heart of awoman.Isabelitaisalmostachild;Icantellyoulittleabouthercharacter.Youwilltakeituponyourselftoformher.ButIcanassureyouthatsheknowshowto fulfil thedutiesofahousewife.She is industrious,careful,economical;andunderthesequalitiesarehidothersthatwillshowthemselves.Sheisverypretty,too.""You have forgotten the onewhichmakes her dearest andmost attractive to

me.""What?""Thatofbeingyourcousin."Herbeautifulfacedarkened;shefrownedandrepliedinasharptone:"Ifyoudonotcareformycousinforherself,ifyouwouldtakeherasatoyto

distract you from other illusions, or, which would be worse, to follow andnourishtheminsecret,youwouldcommitagreatsin;andIshouldinsuchcaseadviseyounottothinkofher,buttoleaveherinpeace."Utteringthesewords,shehastenedonandjoinedtheothers,leavingmealone.Whenwe got into the carriages to return to the city, I wasmelancholy, too

wrappedupinseriousmeditationstogoonplayingtheboywithIsabelita.Underpretext of a headache I found a place alone at the back, and to support mypretextIdidnotgouptoMartí'shouse,butretiredtomyhotel.Ateighto'clockinthemorningIheardthecheerfulvoiceofEmilio,whocame

intomyquarterslikeahurricane,threwopenthewindows,andsatdownonmybed.

"Youcan'tgoto-morrow,Captain!"hecried,laughing,andpullingmybeardtofinishwakingme."Why?"Iaskedsleepily."Because to-morrow you are going to be god-father to a little girl more

beautifulthanthemorningstar.""What!Cristina——?""Yes;Cristinawastakenillafteryouleftus.Wethoughtthatitwastobelike

herafternoonindisposition;butshe,whooughttoknow,beggedustosendforthewomanshehadengagedforthecase.Iwasafraidshemightnotsucceed,andsentforthedoctor;butCristinawouldnotconsentthatheshouldcomeintoherroom.Whenthewomantookchargeofher,thepoor—Oh,whatcourage,whatsuffering,Captain!Notagroan,notamoan.Iwalkedaboutdead,torntopieces,praying God that she would scream. I don't understand suffering without asound. I am appalled by temperaments like Cristina's, that not one complaintescapes in the worst of pains. At two o'clock in the morning my brave littlewomancamethroughher trouble,makingmefatherof theprettiest,healthiest,cleverestlittleonethesunofValenciaevershoneon.I'msureofit,althoughIhavenotyetseenit."He got up from the bed, took several turns in the room, came back and sat

down, got up again, andwent through a series of evolutions that showed thedelightfulagitationofhisspirit.Ifeltdeeplymovedtoo,andcongratulatedhimwithheartywords.Whenhestoppedatlast,Iaskedhim:"Soyoudomethehonorofbeinggod-father?""Itwillgivemegreatpleasure ifyouwill accept.To tell the truth, I thought

first of Castell. You don't mind, do you? Enrique is more than a friend andbrothertome.Itwouldbethenaturalthing.ButIwilltellyouprivately,Cristinaopposed it. Religious scruples, do you see? Enrique professes such upsettingideasanddeclaresthemwithsuchexcessivefrankness,theladiescannotforgivehim.Itisallbecauseheisnotapracticalman.Hemightholdallthenotionshelikedifhewouldkeepthemalittlemoretohimselfwhenheisamongwomen.Asforme,Ilaughathismaterialisticideas.Enriqueamaterialist,whenthereisnotamoregenerousmanintheworld!Because,inspiteofhisgreattalentsandhiswonderfulpowersofillustration,doyouknow,Enriqueisachild,aheartofgold!"As he uttered thesewordswith an accent of conviction, he shook his black,

curlyheadinawaythatmademewanttolaughandtoweepatthesametime."AndwhatdoesCristinasaytothesubstitute?"

"WhenIproposedyourname,shewasdelighted."Iwasdelightedtoo,hearingthis.Idressedhastilyandmarchedofftomakethe

acquaintanceofthenewstar.Thenextdaywewenttochurch,andIperformedmy duty with emotion, yes, bursting with pride. Later I took the train forBarcelona,promisingmyfriends to returnsoon tovisit them,and tomake thevisitpermanentbysettlingmycampinValencia.

CHAPTERXI.

ITHOUGHTthismatterover,andmypurposebecamefixedduringmyvoyage.Ifoundthat,althoughnotrich,Ihadenoughtolivecomfortablyon;andwhenIreturnedtoBarcelonaIofferedmyresignationtotheshippinghouse.I cannot clearly explain the sentiments whose tumult at that time filled my

soul.Confusionreignedtherein.IntenseloveforCristina,theangelicbeautyandinnocence ofRetamoso's girl, the desire for repose and for a comfortable andtranquil life that all men feel on arriving at a certain state, and the sharpprickings of conscience that questioned my right to obtain it under suchconditions, struggled togetherwithinme. But therewas one sentimentwhich,however silenced, was stronger than the others—the ardent desire to be nearCristina, to live inher intimatecircle, andnever to lose sightofher charmingface. I held no thoughts against the peace of her heart or the honor of herhusband,butonlytobehappyenjoyingherpresenceallofmylife.In thismind,neithersaint-likenorcriminal, I took the train forValencia two

monthsafterIhad left it. Ina train thatpassedmine inastationon theway, Icaughtaglimpse,throughawindow,ofthesilhouetteofSabas,andnearit theredheadofawomanwhowasnotMatilde."Sabas,Sabas!"Icalled.Whenhe sawme, he salutedmeaffectionatelywithhis hand.The ladywho

wasbesidehimalsosmiledcordially;Ididnotseewhy,forIdidnotknowher.Iremained puzzled. I was doubtful if I had not been mistaken. Was it reallyMatilde?Iwasnotlonginfindingout.I reachedValencia before dark.After leavingmy things at the inn, I hired a

conveyance to take me out to Cabañal, where I knew that Martí was nowinstalled.Iwasanxioustoconsultwithhimaboutmyplans.AsIdrewnearthecountryhouseIfeltmyheartbeatingviolently.Thisrousedanewmysentimentof honor. "Are we like this?" I said to myself scornfully. "While thinking ofbinding yourself by a sacred fetter, of offering yourself to an innocent younggirl, you cannot control your impulses! You are going to press the hand of afriend, tomakehimyourconfidant,yourkinsman,whilestillyourspirit isnotcleansedoftraitorousthoughts!"The family was assembled in the dining-room. I observed at once a certain

sadnessandunusualgravityontheirfaces.Theyallworelongfaces,filledwithaconsternationthatalarmedmeexcessively.Martíembracedme,however,withhisaccustomedcordiality,showingsinceredelightatmyarrival.Igavemyhandtotheothersand,comingtoMatilde,Isaidtoher,withoutstoppingtothink:"Soyouareawidow?Isawyourhusbandinastation.Wehadnochance to

speak,butwegreetedeachother."IhadnotfinishedutteringthesewordsbeforeIwasstupefiedbyherbeginning

toweepbitterly.Shepressedmyhandconvulsivelyand,betweenthesobs thatrentherbreast,said:"Thanks,Ribot!Manythanks!Myhusbandwasrunningawaywiththeyoung

lady.""I saw a red-headed lady beside him, but I did not think—" I stammered,

abashed."Yes,yes,theyounglady,"shesobbed."Forgive me, but what has been said can't be unsaid; but, yes, she seemed

youngtome.""Shewouldliketoseemyoung!Sheismorethanthirtyyearsold!"shecried

angrily; "morepaintedandbedizzened thanadoll inabazaar.Youshould seehermorningsonherbalcony!"Martícametomyaid,sayinginlowtones:"Shewastheyoungladyinthecompanyactingatthetheatre.""Ah!"Everybodykeptstillandlookedatthefloorasonedoeswhenpayingavisitof

condolence.Nothingcouldbeheard in the roombut the increasinglypoignantsobs of the outraged wife. The situation was trying, agonizing in the highestdegree.FortunatelyDoñaAmparohadthehappyinspiration tofaintaway,andthis accident introduced an element of variety into the scene which weimmediately improved. We ran to her aid. We opened flasks with shiningstoppers. The dining-room was filled with the penetrating fragrances of theapothecary's shop. Tears, embraces, sighs, kisses. At last her equilibriumwasrestored,andshecametoherself.I thought I would lose my head in the odor of ether; but before this could

happenMartídrewmefromtheroom,andcarriedmeofftohisoffice."Did you ever see such a wretched affair?" he cried, shaking his head in

immenseannoyance."Butwhatisitall?"

"Nothing;theothernighthewonthreeorfourthousandpesetasatplay,andhehasgonegaylyofftospendthemwithanactress.""Whatmadness!Buthewillcomeback!""Ibelieveyou;he'llcomebackwhenhehasrunthroughwitheverydollar,as

hedidtheothertime.""Theothertime?""Yes;threeorfouryearsagoheelopedwithacircus-rider.Butthenhecarried

offmoremoneythanthistime."Ihadnowishtoseekformoredetails,forIsawthatMartíwasgoingtobreak

down.Thereisnothingsadderthanthesadnessofahappyman.Todistracthim,Iturnedtheconversation,andtalkedofmyselfandtheprojectsIhadunderway.Hisfacechangedatonce,andacheerfulsmileplayedabouthismouth."Bravo,Captain!At lastyouaregoingtobeourown,"hecried,huggingme

untilhechokedme.We talked thematterover carefully.At lastwedecided that, consideringmy

age and character, I must not conduct myself like a youth, but with all dueformality.After gaining the consent of Isabelita,whichMartí seemed to thinkalreadyassured,Imust,beforeenteringuponourrelations,visitherpeopleandtalkseriouslywiththem.Thisplancapturedhisimaginationandhedrovealongassuredly.He cheeredme, embracedme several times, callingme cousin, andpromising me to help me all that he could, and promised, too, that Cristinawoulddothesame.We returned to the dining-room. Our cheerful countenances were in great

contrasttothesolemnanddejectedonesthere.DoñaAmparo'seyesstillshowedthewater-marksoftheirrecentflood.Matilde—thereisnosayinghowshewas.Isabelita,whowasstayingwithhercousins,receivedmewiththesameblushes,but without any great signs of rejoicing, which I attributed to the trouble herfamilywas in.Castellwas, as always, cold and disdainful.Cristina—I cannotexpresshowIfoundCristina.Hereyeshadastrangesadness,whichimpressedme painfully. I at once imagined that she found herself bowed beneath theburdenofsomegreatwrong,andthatthiscouldbenothingelsebuttheinfamousgallantry ofCastell. Perhaps he had narrowed the circle. Perhaps—oh,what athought!All at once I sawher eyesbrightenwithdelight at the entranceof thenurse

withmy god-daughter in her arms. Shewas a beautiful rosebud, fresh, sweet,delicate,andprobably,asthatistherule,doweredwithmarvellousintelligence.Martíwouldhavetestifiedtothatwithhisblood.

Tocarryconviction toourminds,he foundnomoreadequatemeans than toenteruponaseriesofmimicrepresentations,certainofwhichhadasurprisingsuccess.FirstheintonedahymnoftheChurchwiththevoiceofaprecentor.Thelittle girl at once began to put up her lips and burst out crying.Then he sangsomesequidillas, and the youngster at once cheered up and began to bounce,tryingtogetdownonthefloor,doubtlesstorunawayonallfours.Hebarked,hemewed,hecrowedlikeacock,andweunderstoodatoncethatthelittleonehadnolackofzoölogicalnotions,buthadanideaoftheclassificationsintroducedintheanimalkingdom.Martídemonstratedthethesisinawaywhichleftnoroomfordoubt,andproud

of the impressionon theassemblage thathisnotableexperimentssucceeded inmaking,heconsidereditpropernexttotakethechildfromhernurse'sarmsandtossherupanddowninhisownlikeabottleofink.Maybeheimaginedthatbythismethodofconcentrationhewouldinvigoratestillmoreherpsychicfaculties.Buthedidnotgoonwiththislongenoughtomakeherblack.Thelittlecreature,notfamiliarizedwithhisnovelmethod,objectedtoitwithloudscreamsandalltheindignationofhersoul.Cristinatookher,didallthatshecouldtohushher,andgaveheragaintothenurse,whowastheonewhoreallybroughtcalmintoheroutragedheart.Beforewewentintosupper,theyobligedmetodismissmycab.Castellwould

takemebackinhisown.Itriedtogetoutofthis,becausethecompanyofthisgentleman grew constantly more distasteful to me; but it was not possible.Emilio,withhis characteristic impetuosity and slight knowledgeofmen, gavetheordertothecoachmantodepart.TheyplacedmebesideIsabelita.Everybodywouldsaythatthatwasperfectly

natural,andthatIoughttohavebeenwhisperingtoheralltheevening.OfthisIhavenothingtosay.Perchance,iftheyhadbeenaskedifIshouldtouchherfootgentlywithmy own and fondle her hand underneath the table, some of themwouldhaveheldacontraryopinionandwouldhavediscusseditmoreorlessatlength.ButI,decidingthatthemajoritywouldfinallydecideinfavorofit,didnothesitateinanticipatingthedecisionsofsuchatribunal.At twenty minutes after ten I settled down in a corner of the dining-room

whereRetamoso'sgirlwas,andwhereIcouldchatfreelywithher.Itoldherfirstthatshewastheonlywomanintheworldwhocouldmakemehappy;second,thatbymyfrankandsympatheticcharacter,andbymyhonorable intentions—andbecauseofthevoiceIsaiditin—Ideservedwhatwouldmakemehappy.Inaccordancewith these thingsIwasresolved thaton thefollowingdayIwouldgive an account of this matter to Señor and Señora Retamoso. It was then

twenty-fiveminutesafterten.Ourdeliberationscontinuedalittlelonger.Castellwasaccustomedtodepartat

eleven, andhe askedmepolitely if Iwished todo the same. I agreed, aswasproper, since the familywouldwish to retire, andwe betook ourselves to thecity.During the ride Ihadoccasion to thinkoncemore that itwasanerrorofnaturethatIhadhaironmyface,andthatinsteadofahatIshouldhavecoveredmy childish thoughts with a thick hood. That gentleman, penetrating into thesecretlaboratoryoflife,arrangedthefactsofbeinginhismind,takingpainstopit his ideas against my inexperienced reasonings; sometimes yawning, againsmilinglypardoningmypuerilities.Take itall together,hehandledmesowellthat,inconsequence,Icouldfeelarealhoodonmyhead.Butthatwhichstirredme up most was his gracious manner of considering me a man; and therecognitionofthisattitudetowardsmeirritatedmemorethanever,andIsworebetweenmyteeththatIwouldneverrideagaininhiscab,butwould,instead,goonmyownfeet.Nextday, solemnlyattired ina coatwhichhadmade thevoyage toAmerica

eleven timesand toHamburg thirty-seven, Ipresentedmyselfat theRetamosohouse.ItwassituatedonthePlazadelMercado,notfarfromtheLorija,andwasmoresubstantialthanbeautiful,ofmodernconstruction,onlyonefloorabovethebusiness rooms,with aplain frontdestituteofornamental carvings,with threelargedoorsandthreelittlestonebalconies.Butitwasmuchmorespaciousthanitsexteriorpromised.Itswarerooms,occupyingthecornerpart,werelargeandhigh as the salons of a palace. Great piles of codfish, barrels of flour and ofalcohol, cases of sugar and cocoa filled it, forming narrow and intricatepassages.ThroughtheseIwent,half-suffocatedbythedistastefulodorsoftheseproductsofoverseas,andprecededbyaclerkwithapenbehindhisear,untilIreachedthebackoftheroom,wheretherewerethreeglassdoors,givinguponapatio.Nearoneofthesewasalowrailingofpine,paintedgreen;inthemiddle,asingletableandabigdesk;andbehindthetableandthedesk,alittlemanwithanembroideredvelvetskull-cap.Itwashimself,SeñorRetamoso."SeñordeRibot!Whatgoodfortuneisthis?"heexclaimed,risingtocomeout

of theenclosure,makingnumberlessbows,and liftinghishandasmany timesmoretohisskull-cap."Towhatdoweowethehonor?""Iwishtospeakafewwordstoyou,"Ianswered,castingasignificantglance

attheclerk,who,understanding,disappearedinthezigzagpassages.ThefaceofSeñorRetamosounderwentanenormouschange.Thedelightthat

hadoverspreaditwasswiftlysucceededbyadeepsadness.Itwasasifacloudhadinterceptedinanunexpectedfashiontheraysoflifeandwarmth,withering

anddryingupthatwhichamomentbeforehadbeenjoyouswelcome."Verywell. I will be with you in amoment," hemurmured, re-entering the

enclosure,carefullylockingthesafeandputtingthekeyinhistrouserspocket.Thisdone,hecameoutand,facingme,saidinaglacialway:"Iamatyourservice.""ThisgoodmanthinksIhavecometobegmoney,"Isaidtomyself,surprised

atthischange."The occasion of this visit," I said with hesitation, "is a little delicate. It is

possiblethatyouknow.""Iknownothing,"hedeclared,resolutelycuttingmeshort."Imeanttosayitispossiblethatyouhavesuspected——""Ihavesuspectednothing,"hesaidinturn,moredrylystill.Alittleirritatedbytheseinterruptions,Isaidwithspirit:"It is all the same. You are going to know now. It has to dowith a certain

sympatheticunderstandingestablishedbetweenyourdaughterIsabelitaandme.Asthissympathymightintimebetransformedintoaffection,andbecarriedtothe point of loving relations, I thought that I ought to consult thewill of herparents. My age forbids flirtations or a clandestine courtship. Further, thefriendship that bindsme toMartí, inwhosehouse I had thehonor ofmeetingyourdaughter,andthekindness,howeverunmerited,withwhichyourwifeandyouhavehonoredme,obligemetoconductmyselffranklyandloyally."The round face ofUncleDiego resumed its first expression. The cloud that

interceptedtheraysofdelighthadbeenchasedaway."Oh,SeñordeRibot!WhatdoIhear?Iknewnothing.Ihadheardnothing.I

amapoorman.Whynotgo tomywife,whounderstands itmuchbetter, andwillknowwhatIoughttoanswer?"heexclaimedsmiling,allhoney,liftinghishand tohis embroidered skull-cap, and throwingbackhis leg so as tomake adeeperbow."Ithoughtofseeingbothofyou.""Oh,SeñordeRibot!Butwhy?Come,comewithme. Iwill takeyou to the

placewhereyoucanadjustthisaccount.Iknownothingabouttheseexperiences,butthereisoneinthehousewhoknowsmorethanMerlin.Takecare,SeñordeRibot, take good care. Keep your stirrups. Whoever has to come to anunderstandingwithmyladyneedstheuseofhishead."Goingonlikethis,heconductedmetoastaircase,andbyitweascendedtothe

principalstory.Oncearrived,hesqueezedmyhandhardbetweenhisown,and,

inafalsettovoice,recommendedmetolookoutformyselfwhentalkingbeforehiswife, and not be disconcerted in her presence.He promised that hewouldhelpme all that hewas able, but that Imust not expectmuch, as he also feltconstraintbeforeDoñaClara."Sheisadeepwoman,SeñordeRibot.WhenIsaythis,Isayall."Without freeingme,he ledme to thedoorof aparlor, andgave twoknocks

uponitwithhisknuckles;thevoiceofDoñaClarawasheard,saying:"Enter."Retamoso again squeezed my hand to encourage me, and we entered the

apartment.DoñaClarawas discovered dressed in black, as correct and elegant as ever,

seated ina leatherchair,withabook inherhands.She tookfromheraquilinenose her gold-bowed glasses and let them hang suspended over her breast bytheirgoldenchain.Shegavemeherhand,at thesametimecastinguponmealookso imposing that, in spiteof thevalorwherewithher spousehad inspiredme,Icoulddonolessthantremble.Thenshetookhertragicfigureupoutofherchairandwentandsatdowninthemiddleofasofaofgreenvelvet,invitingusby a gesture to place ourselves in the arm-chairs thatwere on either side.Weobeyed orders, and Retamoso, finding no more excellent resource as apreparation for the session than to rub his kneeswith the palms of his hands,lookedatmemeanwhilesadlyandanxiously."SeñordeRibot,"hesaidatlast,"Ibegyoutotellmywifewhatyouhavejust

hadthekindnesstotellme.""Ithastodo,señora,"Isaidinatremblingvoice,"withadelicatematterthatI

desiretosubmittotheapprovalofyouboth.SoifItakethelibertyofspeakingof it toyou, it is solely that,nomatterwhat, it cannotbesaid that I lacked inshowing the respect andesteemwithwhichyou inspireme.Between Isabelitaandmeanespecialfriendship,isbeginningtotakeshape——""Iknowit,"interruptedDoñaClarasolemnly.Therefollowedamomentofsuspense,thenIwenton:"Isabelita, because of the gifts of character, innocence, and modesty which

adornher,deservesnotonlyaffection,butheartyadmiration.Icannot,naturally,explain all the charm that she has for me since I have felt myself attractedtowardsher.Ifoundcouragetogivehertounderstandthis,andIflattermyselfto think thatshedidnot take it ill.Untilnownobondhasexistedbetweenus,exceptasensitiveattraction——""Iknowit,"saidDoñaClaraoncemore,withthesamesolemnity.

Ifeltevenmoreconstrained.Retamosogavemeseveralencouraginggrins,andtakingbreath,Iwasabletogoon:"FromthenuntilnowIcanaffirmthattherehasbeennothingseriousbetween

us. I could not do otherwise, as I would never think of aspiring without thepermissionofherparents.Buthowever this inclinationmay seemunexpected,whenIembarkedforHamburgtwomonthsago,Icarriedthethoughtwithme,andtheresolutiontostrengthenthisdawningfriendship——""Iknowit,"oncemoresaidDoñaClarawithevenmoresolemnity,ifthatwere

possible.I remained mute and confused, giving up my disclosures, which the

supernaturalpenetrationofthisladyleftuseless.ButIcouldnothelpadmiringthe singular contrast between these consorts—he knew nothing, she kneweverything.Retamosogavemeseveralmischievouswinks,makingmeunderstandthatthis

wastobeexpectedandhadnothingsurprisinginit.DoñaClara,attheendofashortsilence,heldherselfupstillmoreerect,andblowinghernoseinamannertoinspireamonkeywithawe,said:"Beforegoingfarther,IbegyoutoletuscontinuetheconversationinEnglish.

Thesubjectissoseriousanddelicatethatitdemandsit."I profess andhave alwaysprofessed agreat admiration for the language and

literatureofGreatBritain.Onthelittlebook-shelfofmycabinvoyagedalwaysthe "Tom Jones" of Fielding, the "Don Juan" of Byron, and certain books ofShakespeare.But, in spiteof thisadmiration, Ihadnever supposed that itwastheonly idiominwhichgraveanddelicatesubjectscouldbe treated. Ididnotseek, however, to oppose this fine philological stroke, nor to discuss thepreferencethatthesternmammaofIsabelitashowedforonebranchoftheIndo-Europeanlanguagesoveritssistertongues,andhastenedtoyieldtoherrequest.Withthisthesurprise,delight,andgrinsofRetamosoreachedaclimax.Heputhis finger tohis forehead, archedhis eyebrows,openedhis eyesabsurdly, andseveraltimeswhenDoñaClaracouldnotsee,beingturnedtowardsme,heliftedhishandstoheaven,murmuringunheard:"Whatawoman!Whatawoman!"DoñaClara,withoutbeingatallsetupbythisidolatrousworship,letmeknow

ingutturalandemphaticEnglishthatnothingofallIhadsaid,done,orthoughthadbeenhid fromher,and thatsheknewalsoall thathadbeensaid,done,orthoughtbyherdaughterIsabelita.Thisdeclarationfilledmymindwithafeelingoflittlenessandlimitationthatendedbyhumblingme.Intheimpossibility,then,

ofsupplyinganyfactsshedidnotknow,orofutteringonethoughtworthyoftheintellectual height of this lady, I took uponmyself the role of calming down,submittingmyfeeblereasonsbeforehandtoherown.After sniffing several times like a ship displaying its banner on weighing

anchor in a port, and after fixing upon her nose her gold-bowed glasses tocontemplatemeforawhileinsilence,DoñaClarafounditwelltogivemesomeaccountofherintentions.Isabelitawasachild,Iwasaman.Layingdownthesetwopropositions, at first sight undeniable.DoñaClara logically deduced fromthemthatitwasnecessarytobecareful.Achilddoesnotgenerallyknowwhatshewants; aman is in duty bound to know. Further, itwas impossible to putasidewhatIwishedfor."SeñordeRibot,"Retamosoatthispointinterrupted,"willyoubesokindasto

putwhatmywifesaystoyouintoCastilianforme?"Thiswas done, andwhenhe foundoutwhatwasmeant, he expressednoisy

enthusiasm,exclaimingenergetically:"Justso!That'sit!Exactly!That'sit,that'sit!Justso!That'sit!"DoñaClaradidnotpaytheslightestattentiontothesewords,andkeepingher

nose pointed the sameway, submittedme to a long and careful examination.AlthoughIwassufficientlyupset,Iansweredherquestionsclearly,andhadthesatisfactionofnotingcertainslightsignsofacquiescencethattouchedmypride.Sheexaminedmypretensions,and(asaresultoftheconscientiousinvestigationconcerningmyconduct,whichwascarriedtotheextreme)DoñaClaradeclaredatlast,turningherheadslowlytowardsherhusbandlikeagloberevolvingonitsaxis,thatIwas"adecentperson,"athingthatIhadneverdoubtedinmymostextravagantmoments.Everyphaseoftheinvestigationwassuccessivelyandfaithfullyinterpretedby

me into Castilian, so that Señor Retamoso could understand. Everything wonfromhimthesamewarmapproval,andwasgreetedwithasalvoof"That'sit's!"and"Justso's!"DoñaClaraterminatedtheinterviewbyrisingfromthesofa,andwiththesame

firmness,thesameimpassivecalmandsang-froid,letmeknowthatherewouldbemyhome,andthatshewouldhavemuchpleasureinreceivingmewheneverIwishedtocome.Sayingthis,sheletherglassesdropbymeansofacleverandsurprisingjerkofhernose,andpresentedmeherhand.Itookitwiththegreatestveneration."Permitme,SeñordeRibot!Onemoment,onemoment,nomore!"exclaimed

Retamoso, who, following our example, had also risen. "I have not the

knowledgethatmywifehas,nordoIunderstandforeigntongues.SoIamnotsurethatIunderstandallthatyoudesire.ItseemedtomethatIunderstoodthatthereissomethingbetweenyouandIsabelita.""Arewestillthere?"Isaidbetweenmyteeth,lookingathimwithsurpriseand

anxiety.As forDoñaClara, she cast a lookuponhim thatmight have groundhimtopowder."Yes,señor,"Irepliedshortlyatlast."Bear with me, Señor de Ribot. I am a little slow of understanding, and

especiallyinmatterssofineasthese.YetIbelieveIunderstood(pardonmeifImistake) that you desire our permission to pay court to her. Pardon me, forheaven'ssake,ifIdonotexpressmyselflikeyoutwo.""Yes,señor,IdesireyourauthorizationtoconfirmmyrelationswithIsabelita.""Precisely! That's it! I see that I am not mistaken. Well, then, sir, I am

agreeabletoallthatDoñaClarahassaid,andifshehadsaidmore,Ishouldbestill more agreeable. You already know my opinion of you, Señor de Ribot.Whenthereisaheadinthehousecapableofgivingusefuladviceinallaffairs,why bother one's head discussing them? Only I desire that in this nothing ispromisedonourside.Forthepresent,nothingissettled.Iflater,SeñordeRibot,weareofthesameopinion,andallcometoanunderstanding,weshallbeabletotalkinanotherfashion.Mywifehasalreadytalkedinanotherfashion,andIhavenotcuthershort;butyouunderstandme,señor?"IunderstoodperfectlythatthiscraftyGalician,beforegivinghisword,wished

tofindoutexactlyhowmuchIwasworth.Iletmyselfbeimposeduponbytheruse.Iacceptedwhatheproposed,sayingthatmyvisitwasnotanofficialone,butmerely a simple call of courtesy and respect, and that I desired that theyshouldretaintheirliberty,asIretainedmyown."That'sit!Justso!Nothingissettled."DoñaClarahadmaintainedher rigidand immovablepositionwhilewewere

talking,gazing intospaceoverourheads inanattitudesolemnanddisdainful;nothingwouldgiveanideahowgrandioseitwas,excepttheMinervaofPhidiasontopoftheAcropolis,ifbychancethisworkoftheantiquepaganmasterhadbeenpreservedintactuntilourtime.SheremainedthusuntilI,takingmyselftothestairway,disappearedfromherhorizon.Retamosowentdownstairswithme,tookmeasfarasthedoor,pulledoffhisskull-cap,andutteringathousandoh'sand ah's, pressed bothmy handswith inexplicable tenderness, and said inmyear,ashedismissedme,"Itisunderstood,SeñordeRibot,thatnothingissettled,isn'tit?Myopinionisthatnothingshouldbesettled."

MygoodMartí laughed not a littlewhen I related to him the details of thisinterview. He congratulated me warmly, and, carried away by his fancifuloptimism,hesketchedout twentyplans,eachmoreagreeable than the last, formyfuture.Iwastobecomeveryrich,andbeassociatedwithhimandCastellinasteamboatlinewhosedirectionshouldbemycharge.Ishouldalsohaveapartinthebusinessoftheartesianwellswhentheybegantostrikewater.Inregardtothe canals from the river, he expressed sincere regret that itwas impossible atpresent to giveme anything to do. I replied that that did notweigh onme; Iwouldtrytolivewithoutit.Myresignationmovedhimsomuchthathefinishedbysaying,runningbothhandsthroughhistresses:"Ishallbeverymuchannoyedif,afterall,wedon'tfindawayforyoutogeta

show in this business, for it is going to be the best thing ever done in Spainbeforeto-day."WhenwhathadtakenplacewasmadeknowntoCristina,sheshowedherself

moreaffectionateandkind tome thanusual. Iobserved,none the less,onherface a melancholy expression that she tried in vain to conceal. She made avisibleefforttoappeargay,butatthebestsheseemedabitabsent,andhergreatblackeyeswereoftenfixeduponspace,revealingdeepabsorption.Istayedtosupperwiththem.Wewereattable,besidesthemarriedcoupleand

their mamma, Isabelita, Castell, and Matilde, with all her children, whoentertainedusverymuch.Thedesertedwife,whoseeyeswerenowalwaysred,smiled sadly, seeing the tenderness and enthusiasm with which these littlecreatures inspired me. There was not lacking someone—I think it was DoñaAmparo—tohintthatIwasgoingtobeamostaffectionatefather,whichcausedIsabelitaaveritablesuffocationofblushes.Thiscolorcamebackseveral timesduring supper, because Martí thought well to season it with more or lesstransparentallusionstoourfuturekinship.Aboveall,whenheopenedabottleofchampagne,and,liftingthegoblet,dranktothewish"thatCaptainRibotwouldcastanchorinValenciaforlife,"thecheeksofhiscousindidnotsetfiretothehouse, because, fortunately, there was no combustible material stowed nearthem.Whenwe rose from table to take a turn in the garden, I offeredmy arm to

Cristina.Ihadalivelydesiretotalkwithher,tosoundhersoul,whichseemedtome to be disturbed.Before seeking refuge in another port,where the fate thatwascontrollingmewasdrawingme,IoughttoknowthatitwasthewillofGod;butnever,nevercouldIforgetthatdreamoflove.Thiswasthetruth.AlthoughIhadmade heroic efforts to drive it away, thinking of other scenes, other joys,other duties, it returned persistently to charm my nights and to disturb my

conscience.IhadalreadytakenherhanduponmyarmwhenCastell,cominguptousand

makingalittlebow,said:"HavewenotarrangedthatthiseveningIwastobeyourescort?"Atthesame

timehecastuponheraparticularlook;itwasthreatening,anddidnotsoftenthecoldsmilethatplayedabouthislips.Cristina respondedwitha timidglanceandhastened to releasemyarm from

herown,sayinginanalteredvoice:"Thankyou,CaptainRibot.Enriquehadinvitedmebefore——"And they departed down the stairway. From above, when the light of the

vestibulefellupontheirfaces,IcouldseethatCastellwastalkingtoherwithanangrygesture, as ifheweremaking recriminations, and that shewasexcusingherselfwiththegreatesthumility.Oh,God!theveilthathadhidthetruthfrommewasswiftlytornaway.That

manmustevennowbeherlover.Allthebloodinmyveinsrushedtomyheart.Ifeltgiddyandwasobligedtograsptherailingsoasnottofall.

CHAPTERXII.

I CAN swear that no anger entered into the agitation that I experienced.Mypride did not resent her preference. I only felt amortal sadness as if the lastillusionlefttomeinlifehadflownawayandescaped.Andmore,thedeeplovewherewith she inspired me was not quenched or lessened. The respect andidolatryofmysentimentwereweakened,itistrue,butitstendernesswasatthesame time increased. The goddess had fallen from her pedestal and wastransformedintoawoman.Losinginmajesty,shehadgainedincharm.Duringthedaysfollowing,Iobservedthat thehumbleexpressionofherface

thathadsomuchsurprisedmegrewmoremarked.FromthisI judgedthatsheacknowledged her fault and begged my pardon. Instead of showing myselftroubled, I did everything possible to appearmore respectful and cordial thanbefore.She recognized this, andconstantlygavemeproofsofher affectionatefriendship.Herheartwasnoble;ifshehadfalleninherownsight,itwasowingto fatal circumstance, and not to her vicious inclination. Such were then mysentiments.And Martí? Poor Emilio! Every time that I saw him I felt more and more

attractedbyhisgenerosityandinnocence.Ithoughtthathewasalittlethinner,butalwayscheerfulandalwaysconfiding.Wespentoneafternoonaloneat theseaside. As neither he nor I was out of humor our conversation ran playfullyfromone subject to another, andwe laughed at the anecdoteswehappened toremember. One of those that I told had better fortune than it deserved. Helaughedsomuchthatattheendhegrewpale,puthishandtohischest,and,tothe great terror of us both, threw up blood. I helped him as well as I could,carriedhimtoafountainnearby,wherehedrankwaterandwashedhimself. Iwasmuchstartledby this. I couldscarcelyspeak. Iencouragedhim,however,tellinghimthatthiswasnotimportant,andcitingnumerouscasesoffriendswhohad had this sort of thing without any serious consequences. When he hadcomposedhimself,hesmiled."You are right. It is nothing. I am sure that my lungs are perfectly sound,

becauseuntilnowIhaveneverevencoughed.Iwill takea littlebettercareofmyself, and when summer comes, I will go as a precautionary measure toPanticosa. But it is necessary to keep all this from Cristina. You know how

womenare.Don'tsayanythingtoCastelleither.Heisverypessimistic,andhisaffectionformewouldmakehimalarmed.Hewouldbecapable,inhisanxiety,ofrevealingittoCristina."My eyes, in spite of myself, filled with tears. Seeing this, he appeared

surprised; therewasamomentofsuspense; then, laughingaloud,heembracedme,exclaiming:"Youareveryoriginal,Captain!Thereissomestrengthtobedesiredheretoo!

But I confess that if I had not such a practical temperament, and were notaccustomedtoexamineeverysubjectcoolly,thiswouldmakemeapprehensive.Fortunately,Iknowwhattocountoninthestrengthofmyconstitution.""My emotion was caused by surprise," I hastened to say, to mend matters.

"And then I amnotverywell thesedays;mynerves areupset.But, as I havesaid,thismeansnothing,especiallyforyou,whoseemtobesucharobustman.""Themostrobustofmen!Ihavenothingmorethanaratherweakstomach,and

sometimesalittlekidneytrouble.Exceptforthis,Iamanoak.Ifthiswerenotso, how could I endure all the work loaded on my shoulders, the frequentjourneys,andallthatIhavetocarry?""Exactly.Ihavenodoubtofit.Andyouhaveneverbeforefeltanypaininyour

lungs?"Martí took a few steps, looked atme closely, and in a voicemade to seem

strongbyaspecialeffort,answered:"Mylungsarethoseofanathlete!""Indeed?""Those of a gladiator," he insisted, shaking his head with an air of

unquenchableconviction.Uponthishelaunchedintoapanegyricofhisrespiratoryapparatuswithmuch

enthusiasmandwarmth.Hecouldnothavebeenmoreeloquentifhehadbeenacommercial traveller and was offering it as a sample to a great commercialhouse. I congratulatedhimwith equal enthusiasmon thepossessionof such aperfectexample.Inspiredbyhisowneulogies,hestruckhischest, takingdeepbreaths,thensangthelastariaof"Lucia."Afterthat,whocouldhaveanydoubtsofhisorgans?Wereturnedtothehouse,heinanexcellenthumor,butnotI;forinspiteofhis

weightoftestimony,Iwasnotabletodismisscertainapprehensions.Indeed,asour pathway narrowed, and hewalked ahead ofme, his narrow shoulders, hislong neck and drooping ears, did not remind me of the figure of Milon ofCrotonanoranyotherwinnerintheOlympiangames.Itseemedtomethatsuch

magnificentlungsashesaidhehadwouldnothavechosensuchapoorlodging.It was the hour of twilight. The park began to be filled with darkness and

mystery.AlthoughwewereinthelastdaysofSeptember,thefreshblossomingflowersof that fortunate region filled theairwith fragrance.The treeswereasgreen and leafy as in early spring; the turf shone in eternal freshness. Butmingledwiththeluxurious,romanticscentofheliotrope,roses,andvioletscamefromsurroundingorchardsotherheavierbreathsofripefruits.Thefruitfulearthfilledtheairofheavenwiththeperfumeofgrapesandmelons,pearsandapples,dryinghayandIndiancorn.In front of the house, seated in rocking-chairs, we found Cristina and her

mother, Isabelita, Castell, and Matilde. Her children were running about thegarden,cacklingandgabblinglikeparrots,whiletheirunhappymotherwatchedthemwithamelancholysmile.WhenweappearedinfrontofaclosethicketofIndian cannas,Castellwas seated besideCristina, talking to her in low tones.Shecast oneglance at herhusband, thenatme, andat once loweredher eyeswith a serious, pondering expression on her face; but raising them again, shescrutinized Emilio carefully, while he sat down, chatting and laughing withexaggeratedvolubility.Cristinagotup,wentovertohim,andsaid:"Emilio,youarepale.Doyoufeelill?""I?Whatanidea!Ineverfeltbetter.ItisbecauseIhavebeenlaughingallthe

afternoon.Thecaptainhasastockofdeliciousanecdotes.Atsupperwemusttellsomeofthem;notall,though,fortheyareallcolors."She was not satisfied; but although she went and sat down, her eyes never

quittedhim.Castellmadeeffortstoattractherattention,talkingintoherear.Theconductofthatmanseemedtometheheightofcynicism.Soonitwasquitedark,andwewentintothedining-room,whereitwaslight

andthetableready.Justasweweregoingtositdownatit,aservantentered,andcallingMartí apart, gave him a letter,with an air ofmystery.He opened it atonce andwas not able to repress amovement of annoyance. Pocketing it andexcusinghimselfforafewmoments,hetookhishatandwentout.Ourcuriositywas excited, but nobody said anything. At last Cristina, whose anxiety wasevident,askedtheman:"Whogaveyoutheletter?""Agentleman.""Didhewaitforananswer?""No, señora.Hewanted to speakwith the señor, and hewent across by the

maindoortowaitforhim."

The unusualness of the incident, and the mysterious manner of the servant,increased our curiosity extraordinarily. We had not long to wait for itssatisfaction. Martí presented himself in a few moments, and, putting his hatdownonachair,askedjocularly:"Don'tyouallknowwhomIshallhavethehonortopresenttoyou?"Wealllookedeagerlyathim."AgentlemanwhosenamebeginswithanS.""Sabas!"exclaimedMatilde.Her next act was, with quivering face and violent gestures, to hurry her

childrenoutoftheirchairs,and,pushingthemwildlybeforeher,getthemoutoftheroom,herselffollowingafter.We all stood up in our agitation. The nose of the deserting husband was

promptly stuck in at the garden door, and behind it entered its interestingproprietor. A groan from Doña Amparo. A convulsive embrace next, tears inabundance.Sabas, although in the arms of his mother, cast a wandering and afflicted

glanceaboutthedining-room."Matilde!Mychildren!"hecriedinadramaticmanner."All have abandoned thee except thy mother!" responded Doña Amparo in

mostpatheticaccents.Sabasleanedhishead,aresignedvictim,against thematernalbosom.Atthis

DoñaAmparohuggedhimyetmore fervently, ready togiveher life-blood forherabandonedson.Hefreedhimselfatlast,arrangedhiscravat,andheldouthishand to us solemnly, in the dignified attitude of a general who concludes acapitulationafteraheroicresistance.HewentuptogreetCristina,butsheturnedherbackuponhim,andwentout

of theroom.Heshookhishead inasentimentalmanner,andgaveusasweet,expressive glance. Then he raised his eyes to heaven, as if petitioning for thejusticethatearthdeniedhim.Iwas trulyalarmed to see thathis facewasblackand the skinpeeledoff in

someplaces,especiallythenose.Helookedasifhehadreturnedfromascientificandcivilizingexpeditioninto

CentralAfrica,ratherthanfromaromanticexpeditionwithayoungladytothecapitalofCatalonia.DoñaAmparomade him drink a glass of orange-flowerwater to calm him.

Therewasnoneedof it.Hisattitudeon thatcriticaloccasion,atonce tranquil

andresigned,impressedusprofoundly.However,whenhehaddrunktheorange-flowerwater,hesaidwithastonishingfirmness:"ImustseeMatilde."And,joiningtheactiontotheword,heproceeded,fullofmajesty,towardsthe

door.Hewenton into the inner rooms.Andweall followedhim,wewere sofascinatedbyhisnobleandseveremanner.Wewere filledwithanxietyconcerning thedramaticscene thatwasgoing to

takeplace.Sabasopenedtwoorthreedoorsconsecutively,withoutbeingabletofindhiswife.Buthisintrepidheartwasnotcastdown.Withoututteringawordhemountedtotheupperstory.Wefollowedhimanxiously.Matildewas inher room,andCristinawaswithher.Atsightofherhusband

she groaned wrathfully, and started towards another door to try to get awayagain.Cristinatriedtodetainher."Letmego!"shecriedmadly;"Idon'twishtoseehim.""Matilde,forheaven'ssake!"criedCristina,embracingher."Letmego,letmego!Everythingisoverbetweenustwo!"Thenthefugitive,standinginthemiddleoftheroom,showedthathisstrength

wasleavinghim.Heputhishandfeeblytohisforehead,hislegsdoubledunderhim,and,takingjustenoughstepstowardsasofatoreachit,hefellacrossitinaswoon.We all ran to his aid, and his offended wife was not the last one. On the

contrary,itwasshewho,grievingandtrembling,bathedhistempleswithwater,andunfastenedhiswaistcoatandshirttohelphimbreathe,exclaimingwildly:"Sabas,mySabas!Forgiveme!"Meanwhile,DoñaAmparoappliedtohisnostrilsvariouschemicalproductsof

astimulatingnature.Therestofushelpedontherestorativeworkmoreorlessmodestly, bringing a carafe of water, uncorking bottles, or giving air to thefaintingmanbymeansofafan.Theonlyonewhoremainedinactive,seemingindisposedtoofferanyhygienic

aid to her brother, was Cristina. Standing erect near us, she looked strangelysevere.Doubtlessherbehaviormightseemtosomepersonscruelandunnatural;butnottome,formydeep,unreasoningloveforthiswomanmadeallthatshedidseemrightandproper,hereverymovementadorable.AtlastSabasreturnedtotheworldofconsciousness,andaskedofhismother,

whowasinfrontofhim,thatwhichhasbeenaskedsomanytimes:"WhereamI?"

"Withyourwife!""Withyourmamma!""Whoadoresyou!""Whoidolizesyou!"Four feminine arms embraced him, and four lipswere pressed almost at the

sametimeabovehisskinnednose.Hiseyeswanderedabout the roomatallofusas ifhedidnotknowus,and

werefixedatlastuponhiswife;thenhegroanedfrightfully:"Matilde!Matilde!Matilde!"Thenhehuggedherandfellbackinanattackofconvulsivelaughing.Hisloud

laughterjoinedtothesobbingofhiswifeandthewailsofDoñaAmparomadeaterrifyingmixturethatwouldhavemeltedthehardestheart.More,byvirtueofthe contagion that all the world knows lies in this sort of an attack, I felt ashockingdesiretolaughalso.ByhardworkImanagedtostifleit.Ilefttheroomandwentdownagaintothedining-room.Theotherswerenotlonginfollowingme, leaving Sabas restored and at peace with his wife and his mother. Tenminuteslatertheycamedownalso.Cristinagavetheordertoservethesoup,andIobservedwithsomeastonishmentthatSabasdinedwithanexcellentappetite,andduringdinnershowedhimselfasgayanddisputatiousandsmartasever.Hiswifedevouredhimwitheyesofpure affection, anddevotedherself towaitinguponhim.Whenwefinished,herosebeforetakinghiscoffee,lightedagoodcigar,and

askedhisbrother-in-lawifhewouldlethimtakehiscab."Butareyougoingout?"hiswifeaskedhimwithsurpriseandannoyance."Yes;IamgoingtotakemycoffeeattheSiglo.Ihaven'tseenasingleoneof

myfriendsyet.Ishallbebacksoon."Matildetriedtokeephim,beggingthathewouldnotgothatnight,caressing

hishands,withnoresultexcepttomakehimcross.Observing,however,thebadeffect this had upon us, he changed his tone and embraced her, saying inendearingaccents:"Goosie!Aren'tyougoingtoletmegoandcelebrateourreconciliation?"Withthistheinfatuatedwifewassatisfiedandcontent,brushedthedustfrom

hisshoes,andwentwithhimtothecabdoor.Weremainedinthedining-roomsometime.Emiliowasthefirsttostarttobed,

sayingthathefeltsleepy.Ithoughtthathishemorrhagehadaffectedhimmorethan he had acknowledged. Matilde went up to put her children to bed. We

remainedchatting,IsabelitaandIinonecorner,CristinaandCastellinanother,whileDoñaAmparoembroideredbythelightofalampbetween.This state of things impressedme uncomfortably.We seemed like two pairs

engaged in courtship,watched over by themamma; and this idea, so far as itconcerned Cristina and Castell, could not but fill me with great repugnance.Such wasmy faith in that woman that I scarcely believed what I saw. I wasabsent andmelancholy, and with difficulty kept up the conversation with myintended.My intended!Thewindswere drivingmeupon a coastwhere I didn't know

whether I was going to be shipwrecked or find a snug harbor. I confessed tomyselfwithalarm that sincemydreadful convictionsaboutCristina,myheartwaslessinclinedthanevertoadmitanotherwoman.WhenMatildecamedownaftergettingherchildrentobed,inordertogetout

ofthisscarcelydecentsituation,andalsotoridmyselfalittleofthesadnessthatoverpoweredme,Iproposedthatwetakeaturninthepark.Thepropositionmetwithfavor,andCristinawasthefirsttoacceptit,risingfromthesofawhereshehadbeensitting.ButCastellsaid,withhisusualdecision:"Idon'tfeelequaltoit.Itismuchtoodampintheparkatthishour."Cristinaturnedandsatdownagainbesidehim."Wearenotsomuchinfearofdying,arewe,Matilde?"Isaidsmiling.Sheand

Isabelitafollowedme.DoñaAmparostayedwithherdaughterandCastell.Wewent to the end of the garden, and from there entered the open spaces of thepark,where thebalmyairdidmeagreatdealofgood, formybrowhadbeenburningandmyheartfilledwithmournfulpresentiments.

CHAPTERXIII.

THEpark,wrapped in theshadesofnight, seemed likea forest; itwasmoregrand and mysterious. The magnolias, cypresses, and araucarias that halfcoveredthegroundmightbeimaginedcavalierswrappedintheircloaks,silentand threatening. The foliage did not stir; the gravelled roads scarcely showedtheirwhiteness;thefootpathsweresubmissivetothedarkness.Wefollowedthefirst of these in a sort of vague disquiet, exchanging few words. The sameemotionseemedtosealourlipsandoppressourhearts.WhenIrecallthosefirstmomentsof thatnight and theoverwhelmingmelancholy thatoppressedme, Icannothelpbeingabitsuperstitious.But if thedarkness inspiredsadnessandavaguedread, the fragrances, some

sweet,somekeen,thatfilteredthroughthesilentleaves,invitedustogofarther.We inhaled, as we went on our way, a thousand delicious odors, from thescarcelyperceptiblebreathof violets to the strong, dominatingperfumeof themagnolia.On arriving at a certain place, a sort of little openingwhere the languorous,

sensuousperfumeofheliotropedominatedallothers,Matildemadeagestureofpleasure.Itwasherfavoritefragrance.Shewouldnotletusgoanyfarther,andmadeussitdownonarusticbenchsothatshecouldgetherfillofit,asshesaid.But,unluckily, thatperfume,subtlewithOriental love, immediatelyrecalledtoher memory the poetical image of her spouse. And, fascinated by thisrecollection, she entertained us for some time by relating themost interestingparticularsofhisdomesticlife—atwhathourthisextraordinarybeinggotupinthe morning, how soon afterwards a glass of water with lemon in it wasintroducedintohispreciousorganism,howmanyslicesoftoasthetookwithhiscoffee,howmanypipeshesmoked,howhewalkedabout thehouse,andevenhow,everyThursday,hetookmagnesiatocleanseandpurifythissplendidworkofnature.As if insympathywithherenthusiasm,anddesiring togive testimony to the

admirationthatsucharareandbeautifulsubjectinspired,agentlelightsuddenlyshone over the place.We turned our eyes towards the sea, and saw themooncoming up above its quiet waves. The waters smiled; in the park the silver,smoothleavesofthemagnolias,thesilky-whitenessoftheroses,thetopsofthe

cannasandlaurelsglitteredinluminouspointsoflight.Thedarknessfledawayinto the depths of the thickets, forming dense, impenetrablemasses. Soon themoonlight began penetrating these also, as themoon rose higher in the azurevault,scatteringgoldenrays.Matilde, who was reminded by everything in heaven or on earth of Sabas,

thoughtthatitwasnowtimetogethisbedreadyforhim,andaskedustocomeintothehouse.Isabelitadidnotwishtogososoon.Thenightwasdelicious;shewouldstayalonewithme.Ididnotwishtosayanythingabouttheunusualnessofthis,todisturbherangelicinnocence.Wesatforsomemomentsonthesamebench,chattingaboutindifferentmatters.I was not long, however, in bringing the conversation to our projected

marriage.Itinterestedherimmensely.Shemusthavesixdozenofchemises,andfourofpetticoats,andthreeofthis,andeightofthat.Icouldnothelphermuchinallthat.Iwasabsent-mindedorcritical,and,withoutknowingwhy,respondedbutpoorlyandwithlittletactwhensheconsultedme.Butmyattentionwasheldwhen the child began to talk about our house, and the expenses it wouldoccasion,andtheexpenditureswemustcountupontofurnishit.Iwassurprisedat the ease and capacity wherewith she discussed economic subjects. She notonly understood what concerned her father's business, but also exchange,discountingbills, stocks, and soon.For some time I listenedwith amazementwhileshediscussedtheprobableriseofcertainpublicstocksthatherfatherhadrecentlybought,of thetransferringofothers thatheheld,of thesuddenfallofthestockofthetobaccocompany,oftreasurybonds,andathousandotherthingsofwhoseexistenceIscarcelyknew.Thisfinancialeruditiondidnotimpressmeagreeably. Iunderstood thenecessityofawoman'shavingsomeknowledgeofaffairs in order to rule over her house properly; but so much mercantileknowledgeshockedmytemperament,whichwasnotatallpractical,and,moreyet, the idea itgavemeof thisyoungcreature. It seemed impossible that sucholdwordscouldissuefromsuchyouthfullips.But this was not the only thing. Going on from one thing to another with

strange smartness, the child reached the point of inquiring the amount ofmycapital.Ididnottrytohideitfromher.AtthefirsthintItoldher,withcompleteclearness,onehouse,alittleland,afewbondsofthecompanyinwhoseserviceIhadbeen—aboutsixtythousanddollarsallreckoned.Isabelitakeptsilenceamoment."Itisn'tmuch,"shesaidatlast,withacertainantagonisticinflectionIdidnot

knowinher.And,afteranotherpause,sheadded,withaforcedsmile:

"Myfatherthoughtthatyouweremuchricher.""Butyouperceivehowmistakenhewas,"Isaid,withasmilestillmoreforced.

"Weare almost alwaysdeceivedaboutothers, sometimes thinking them richerthantheyare,sometimesmorenoble."ThiswasallthatIsaid.Ifeltanenormous,overwhelmingrepugnance,almosta

nausea. In one instant I had made upmymind. I would not marry this self-hawker,withherangelicprofile,forallthetreasuresofearth.And, curiously, as soon as Imade this resolution, I felt at peace and almost

happy.IfeltasifIhadthrownoffagreatload.So,tothesurpriseofRetamoso'sdaughter,whohadremainedthoughtful,andalittleputoutbymywords,Ibegantoshowmyselfgayandnevermoremerry.But the eveningwas advancing, and as Iwas not interested in conversation,

andwishedtobealoneandthinkoverthepropermethodforbreakingoffwithher, I proposed thatwe should return to the house.Aswe got upwe heard amurmurasofpeoplecoming;wedidnotknowanyotherwayexcepttositdownagain.CastellandCristinasailedintothelittleopenspace.Fromthedarknessoftheplacewherewewere sitting,wecould see themplainly, for themoonlightcompletely enveloped them. I perceived at once that the conversation was aseriousone.Hecamealongsmiling,bendinghisheadinsinuatinglytowardsher,totalkclosetoherear.Cristinawaspale,withfrowningbrow,hergazehard,andfixed on space. I wished to get up at once, but Isabelita heldme back. Theypassedbeforeuswithoutseeingus.Asforhim,wecouldnothearhim,becausehespokeverylow;butsomeofherwordsreachedourearsdistinctly."Thereisnothingmoretobesaidaboutthat."This sentence, uttered with unusual energy, impressed us forcibly. Isabelita

graspedmywristwithanervoushandandstooduptofollowthem.And,truly,ifcuriosityexcitedher,myownwasnoless;butasIknewwherethatwouldleadme,andasitseemedtomeindecoroustosurprisesuchasecret,I triedtostopher. It was useless. The girl pulled away fromme, and was off after them. Ifollowed also, determining to do something to attract their attention in someway. But by this time I could no longer see Isabelita. I went forward in thedarkness,whichwasthereverydense,guidedonlybythesoundoftheirvoices.In a few moments I realized that Castell and Cristina had stopped. I stilladvanced and saw that theywere in a glorieta, or arbor, formedby four greatlaurels,planteda littledistanceapart,whosebranches interlaced. I approachedwith a cautious step. Isabelitawas outside the arborwith her ear glued to thebranches.WhenIcameuptoher,sheflashedonehandovermymouthandtheother arm about my neck so hard that she hurt me. I was stupefied by such

violence,whose reason I could not imagine.Weakly, and because I thought itwouldsaveCristina'smodesty,Iremainedpassiveandquiet."Perhaps you consider," said Castell, "my patience of several years, my

sufferings,thesilent,constantserviceIhavegivenyou,amerecaprice.Perhapsyousupposethatmyself-loveisconcernedinthisratherthanadeep,irresistiblepassion.Have I not an equal right to suppose that thedisdainwithwhichyouhavesomanytimeshumiliatedmeis theworkofprideandofobstinacymorethanofvirtue?""Youmaysupposewhateveryoulike.Thewayyoujudgeme—""I knowyou," interruptedCastell. "Nobody could bemore charming. I have

neverfoundawomanwhosebeautyandwhosecharacterappearedtomemoreinterestingandworthyofadmiration."Iheardaslightsniffofdisdainandthenthesewords:"Iwouldpreferyoutoadmiremeless,andletmelivemoreatpeace.Butitis

notabout this that Iwish to talkatpresent. Iconsented tocomeoutwithyou,and findmyselfhereat this improperhour, at the riskofmyhusband'shonor,whichisdearertomethanlife,becauseIseeawaytosolvetheproblemofmylife.Richorpoor,happyordisgraced,Iamresolvedtoliveinhonorandpeace."Nobody can imagine exactly what went on within me at that moment. The

horriblesuspicions,almostcertainties,whichhadsmearedtheimageofmyidol,fledlikeblackspectres.Isawheragaininallherpurity,withanaureoleofvirtuethatwashergloryandcharm.Acelestialhappinessdescendedintomyheart.Allmybodytrembled,seizedwithanirresistibleemotion."Youmight searcheverywhere,youmight look thewideworldover, forone

whosehappinessconcernsmemorethanyourown,andyoucouldnotfindone,"saidCastell."Thatisverylittletosay,"repliedCristinawithasarcasticaccent."Becauseyouthinkthatnothingonearthmovesmeorinterestsme,don'tyou?

Thereyouarewrong.BeforeIgavereintothisdisgracefulpassion,Ilivedinastate of perpetual interest in all things. Cities, mountains, rivers, the ocean,society,art,passingaffections,everythingmovedmeandattractedme.To-dayall these thingsareobjectsof loathing inmyeyes.Barrenboredom,awearingcontempt, and a causelessweariness dogme everywhere, surroundingme likepoisonousvapors.Allthenervesofmylifeareparched—exceptone.Whenthisis stirred, my being trembles, my faculties are roused, the horrible spell thatbindsmeisbroken,anddaylightbreaksuponmyspirit——""Bettersaynight.Abadconsciencehasneedofnight."

"Conscience always stops on the steps of the temple of love. Did you everknowanyonewho,trulyinlovewithawoman,devouredbydesireforher,hasbeenhinderedbyconscience?Iknownobody.Ifanyhumanbeingcametomewith a tale like that, I should tell him frankly that he lied. No mouse everhesitatedbeforecheese;nomanbeforeawoman,infearofhisconscience.""Alltheworseformenifthatisso.ButIrepeatitisnotaboutthisthatIwish

tospeakatthismoment.Attheriskofyourcarryingoutyourhalf-veiledthreats,Iamresolvedtoputanendtothispersecution,anditshallbeended.Indeed,itshallbeended!""Doyouknowonething,Cristina?Ihavecometothinkthatyouenjoybeing

obstinateratherthanvirtuous.""Doyouknowanother thing,Castell? Ihavealways thought that there isno

lovewhateverinyourmake-up,but,instead,amonstrousvanitythathasneedofsatisfyingitselfatthecostofthehonorandhappinessofyourbestfriend.""Iftherewasnothinginmebutvanity,howlongwouldithavetakenittobe

revengeduponthisscorn,theseinsults?Idoubtifthereisawomanintheworldwhoknowshowbettertocuttheheartwithagesture,envenomthesoul,andfillitwithmad angerby aglance. I ampersuaded that you cannot love, but onlyscorn, aman. If you condescend to your husband, it is because he is a poor,miserablethingwhodoesn'tdareholduphisheadinyourpresence.""Spareyour insults!This iswell! Ifyouhadalways talked like this, Ishould

havebeensavedmuchpain.Nowletuscometotheothermatter.Itisabsolutelynecessary that fromthisnighthenceforthyoumustcease tomortifyme,eitherwithwords, looks, or hints of any kind. It is absolutely necessary that, if youcannottreatmewithrespectasthewifeofyourfriend,Ishouldbetoyouasanyindifferentperson.And,further,Iamresolved,thinkingeverythingover,togiveanaccountofwhathaspassedtomyhusband.""Thisisdecreed?"heaskedinamockingtone."Thisisdecreed!"shesaidangrily.Therewasapause."Andareyounotafraid,"heaskedatlast,speakingslowly,"iffollowingupon

the thousand tortures and humiliations that you havemademe suffer, andmydespair of ever being successfulwith you, if no compassion follows, thatmylove might be turned into hate, and that I take means that the event whichoverthrowsmeshouldengulfyouandyoursinyetmorefrightfulruin?""No,Iamnotafraid,"sherepliedwithfierypride."Youdowell.Ishallnottakeanyrevengewhatever."

"Youmaydoit ifyouchoose,"sheinterruptedhimimpetuously."Emilioisamanwholikesluxuriesandcomforts,Iknow,buthecaresverymuchmoreforhiswife and his honor. If the alternativewere offered him, hewould give hisfortunegladly,ifnotalsohislife.Soyoumayruinhimassoonasyouplease.Ifnothing is left us, we two can go to work. But when he finds himself insomebody'sofficeasahumbleclerk,nobodycancomeuptohimandcallhimacomplaisanthusband;andwhenIgothroughthestreets,thepeopleinValenciamayleanoutoftheirbalconywindowsandsay: 'Thispoorwomanthatweseetherewithabasketonherarmusedtohavehercarriageandgodressedinhersilks;'buttheyshallnotsay,Iswearit,'Shewhogoesyonderisaprostitute.'"Hervoicesankassheutteredtheword.Ifeltmythroatconstrict."Oh,oh!thisistoomuch!"exclaimedCastell."Yes."Sherepeatedthewordfirmly."Anditisallthesamewhetheronesells

oneselfforfearortogetmoney.""Pardonme,Cristina,butitseemstomethatyouaregivingtheconversation

rather a romantic turn. 'A basket on her arm.' This is folly! I call your goodjudgment in against suchnonsense.Here is amanwho lovesyouwith all thestrength of his soul, who to win your love would be capable of making anysacrifice, even of his life. You have already taken away allmy hope, and, inabandoning thecontest,at leastdon'tmakemeouta seducer inanovelof thekindthatstirsupthewrathofdressmakers.""Letusstoptalking.Icannotstayhereanylonger,"shesaid.Icouldseethat

shestoodup."Yes, let us put an end to it. I give up trying for you, but not loving you. I

renounce the idea of vengeance, as I have told you.But understand, however,that this isonlya truce.Myhopes thatyouwill lovemesomedaywillnotbebanished. Separated from you, I shallwaitwith patience for a timewhen ourpathsshallcrossagainandIshallofferyouthepoorheartthatyouhavecoldlytrampledupon.""Verywell.Good-by."Castell also stood up. More by Cristina's next words than by what I could

reallysee,Iunderstoodthathewasholdingher."Letmego!""Beforeyougo,Iwanttherewardthatmysacrificemerits.Letmekissthese

gloriouseyes.""Letmego!"sherepeatedforciblyandfiercely."Ihaverenouncedall,"hesaidasenergetically,butloweringhisvoice;"butI

sweartoyouIwillnotrenouncethiskiss,ifitcostsmemylife.""Letmego,orIshallscream.""Screamasmuchasyoulike.Ifyouwanttomakeascandalandperhapskill

yourhusband—hisdeathforonekiss—Iamwilling."AtthatmomentIenteredtheglorietaandputmyhandonhisshoulder."Whoisit?Whogoesthere?"heexclaimed,givingajumpthatseparatedhim

widelyfromCristina."Thereisnoneedofbeingalarmed.It'sme.""Andwhoareyou?"hereplied,drawingarevolverandpointingitatme."Keep your gun for thieves, or hold it in readiness for some traitor who,

abusingtheconfidencereposedinhim,triestoseizeuponhonorandhappiness.Therearenothievesortraitorshere.""Iftherearenothieves,thereareatleastpersonsaboutdevotingthemselvesto

overhearingprivateconversations.Butforsuchpersonsawhipwouldbemoresuitablethanarevolver,"hereturnedinsarcastictones."Keepyoursarcasmslikewiseforamoreopportuneoccasion.Nobodyherehas

tried tooverhear conversations.Theyareheardwhen they come toone's ears,andIamsincerelysorrythatIwashereatthistimetohearthem.IfIhadbeenasleepinmybed,Ishouldhaveavoidedthesorrowofenteringintothefoulandhiddencornersofthehumanconscience.""Youlie!"hecried,comingwrathfullytowardsme."Youwerespyinguponus.

How can you talk of foulnesswhen you are sunk in filth yourself?You havebeenspyinguponus,Irepeatit.Ihaveseenyoudoingthatforsometimepast.Bywhatrightdoyoufollowourstepsandpretendtointerfereintheaffairsofthisfamily,youwhoareanoutsider?""An outsider interferes when he sees anyone is in need of help," I replied

calmly."Moreover, Ihavenot thehabitof followinganypath,except thoseoftheoceancurrents.Ihavenotinsultedyou,andyouhavenorighttoinsultmeasyouhavebeendoing."Then he, perhaps takingmy calmness for cowardice, or possiblywishing to

provokeaviolent scene, soas toextricatehimself fromhisdifficulty,grabbedmebythelapelsofmycoat,shookme,andbringinghisthreateningfaceuptomine,yelled:"Yes,señor,youhavefollowedus,andIwillnotendureit.Doyouhear?Yes,I

have insultedyou, andwhy?Areyounot satisfiedwithone insult?Thenheregoesforanother."

Icaughthisarminair.Icaughtholdoftheotheronealso,andholdinghimlikea vise, because here my greater muscular strength was of service, gave himseveralshakingsandforcedhimbackwardsintothefoliageofthearbor.Avoicesoundedinmyears:"Giveup,Enrique,giveup!Don'triskyourlifeforanybody!"I paused, stupefied.My fingers relaxed their hold and released their captive.

Turningmyhead, I sawbeforeme thevirginal figureof Isabelita.Yes, itwasshe."Thankyouverymuch,"Isaidsmiling.But I was of no consequence. She did not even glance my way. With an

agitatedcountenance,hereyesfixeduponCastell,shetookhishandandledhimoutoftheglorieta.

CHAPTERXIV.

CRISTINAwassittingdown,herfacehiddeninherhands.Iwentuptoher.

"Forgivemeforcominginhere.Iwasnotmasterofmyself.""You did exactly right; thank you," she murmured, without changing her

position.Weremainedsilent.Presently,risingabruptly,sheexclaimed:"Come,letusgoin!letusgoin!"Andemergingfromtheglorieta,shewenthastilytowardsthehouse.Ifollowed

her,andcatchingupwithher,suggestedtheproprietyofnotpresentingherselfinsuchadisturbedstatetoEmilio.Shedidnot reply tome,but she changedherdirection, and turnedher steps

towards a narrow acacia path, where the light of the moon could scarcelypenetrate.Isoonlostsightofher.Ipausedamoment,debatingwhethertogoonto the house or follow her. I decided upon the last, because I was afraid shemightstumbleanewuponCastell.Ifollowedthepath,andsawherasshecameoutinfrontofthelittlepavilion

thatborehername.Ijoinedherandadvisedhertorestthereamoment.The salon, profusely adorned with statues and vases, offered at this hour a

mysteriousenchantment.Themoonshonethroughthecrystallinewindows.Thepolishedfurniture,theporcelains,thepictureshangingonthewall,reflectedthemoonlightmournfully. Themarble statues threw huge dark shadows upon thewalls,tragicandthreatening.Cristinadroppeduponasofa,andIsatdownbesideher.Weremainedsilentforsometime."When,forthefirsttime,"Isaidatlast,"Ihadthepleasuretoenteryourhouse,

IfeltasifIsawalittlebitofheavenbelow—joy,cordiality,sereneandinnocenthappiness,thetenderloveofawifewhoinspiresrespect,therestfulfelicityofahusbandfreefromanyofthesuspicionsthatembitterexistence—ayokeofloveandpeace;andaboutyouplenty,riches,allthegoodgiftsoflife.ShallIsurpriseyouifIsaythatamongtheleafageofsomanyjoysIhaveseenupliftedtheheadoftheserpent?"

"Idonotdoubt it," she repliedpensively, lookingoutat theheavens throughthecrystal-clearwindows."If I could not see your face, I should still be able to divine what you are

feeling.Youreyesarenotabletoconcealwhatpassesinyoursoul.Howhappyyouwouldhavemademebyconfidingtomeyourtroubles!Iamanewfriend,Iknow, but the affection that you and Emilio inspire inme could not bemoresincere.""Thankyou,thankyou,CaptainRibot,"shemurmured,"butitisnotpossible.""Itisnotpossible,truly.HowcoulditbewhenIlackskilltopersuadeyouof

thesincerityofmysentiments?Iconfessthattherehavebeenreasonswhyyoushouldnotgivemeyourconfidence.Ihaverepentedwithallmysoul,andIbegyourforgiveness."Asifthesewordsagitatedher,sherose,pushedasideahangingcurtain,went

to thepiano that stoodopen, ranher fingers over thekeys, then cameand satdownagain."IunderstandbywhatIoverheard,"Isaid,afterapause,"thatCastellhassome

holdoveryou—thatyouareinhisdebt.""Ourentirefortuneisinhishands.""What!""Emiliohasbeentohimformoneytouseinhisbusiness,whichwasruined.""Andthiswasgiveninthehopeofobligingyoutoaccepthisdevotion?""Itispossible.Castellismoreofabusinessmanthanalover.Nomatterwhat

hepretends,buyingand selling ishisbusiness.Hehasalwayshad the ideaofgettingabsolutecontrolofthesteamboatline.""Isupposethatafterwhathasbeenoverheard,hewilldesistforalittleintrying

togetpossessionofit.""Idon'tknow."Shesatthoughtfulforafewmoments.Then,asifsheweretalkingtoherself,

shesaidinadullvoice:"ThedaythatEmilioandIweremarriedhewasatmyhousefromthehourof

the ceremony until I went to change my dress.We were going toMadrid tospendafewdays.WhenIcamedown,Istumbleduponhimwaitingformeonthestairs.Hemadesomegallantspeechestomeatthattime,andbeggedasprayofmyorangeflowers,whichheputnexthisheart.Igaveit tohimagainstmywill, from bashfulness, from timidity. He was repulsive to me from the firstmoment.Later,whenwewereatthestation,andhecametogivemehishandfor

good-by,hesaid,almostinmyear,'Ifsomedayitchancesthatyougettiredofhim, remember that he has friendswho admire you asmuch ormore than hedoes.'""Whatinsolence!""Ididnotliketosayanythingtomyhusbandthen;Ihavenotwishedtosince.

The friendship that united them was strong, and I hesitated to break it. HowmanytimessincethenIhaveaskedmyselfifIdidrightorwrong!""Andbeforethathehadnotaddressedyouespecially?""Yes,andno.OncewewereatDenia.Castellwasthere,andIdancedwithhim

at a ball at the house of some friends; it was several months before I knewEmilio.Thateveninghemadealittlelovetomeandalmostdeclaredhimself.Itookthatforwhatitwas,thediversionofatravellerwhodoeseverythinghecanthinkof tokeep frombeingbored.And, indeed,he leftDenia,andSpain,andspent nearly two years in travelling.When he came back, I was going to bemarriedtoEmilio.Itwasonlyafortnightbeforethewedding.""Providence has been cruel placing such aman in your pathway, and giving

himpowertocauseyousomuchtrouble."Shedidnotanswer.Sheremainedthoughtfulforawhile;atlast,lookingatme

withhergreateyesfullofinterest,said:"Butyouaresovery,verygood,Ribot.Don't letus talkanymoreaboutmy

troubles,butthinkofthosethatyouhavetobear.""Bah! 'tisquitethecontrarywithme.IshouldgivethankstoGodthatIhave

beenundeceivedintime.SomehowIhavealwayssuspectedthatthegirlwasinlovewithCastell,althoughEmilioandSabasweresocertainofsomethingelse.And,tobefrank,Ialsolovesomeoneelsebetter.""Thenwhydon'tyoumarryher?""Because,because—Idon'tknowwhy;thatistosay,ifIknewandifyoualso

knew—buttherearethingsthatIdonotcaretoconfesstomyself."Thesewordsmadeherlooktroubled.Iwasrepentantatonce,astheraysofthe

moonletmeseeonherforeheadthatfrowndreadedofyore."No,Cristina,no!"Ihastenedtosayvehemently,"Ibegyounottothinkthat

which I read in your eyes. I have been through bitter struggles, despairingconflictswithmyself.Ihavestumbled,andfallentoo,butIhaverisen;and—Icansayitwithoutpride—nevershalltreacheryfindshelterinmybreast.Ihavenot Castell's brilliant qualities. I am far from possessing the advantages thatmake thatmanadmiredandsoughtafter;but if Ipossessed themall, IswearIwouldnotusethemtostabafriendintheback.Farmorethanthesatisfactions

oflove,morethanalltheenjoymentsofearth—andeventhoseofheaveniftheywereofferedme—Iholdthepeaceofmyownconscience."ThewarmthofmytonesandthesincerityofexpressionwithwhichIuttered

thesewordsmadeherliftherheadandlookatmeinaslightamaze.Herbrowgrewcalm,andasweetsmilelingereduponherlips."Yes, Ihavealreadycome tosee thatyouaremoreoriginal in thatway than

couldatfirsthavebeenimagined.Ithinkitmuchbetterthisway."Andsayingso,shegraciouslyheldoutherhandtome,andIpresseditwithas

much respect as emotion. At this moment a shadow fell across us, then oneappearedbeforeus,saying:"Good-evening."BothCristinaandIwerepainfullystartled."You here, Emilio? I thought you had gone to bed," she said, instantly

controllingherself."No,no;Ididn'tgotobed.Ifelttheheat,liketherestofyou,andcameoutfor

aturninthegarden.Iheardthesoundofconversation,soIcamein."Inspiteofthenaturalvoicehemadeapointofusing,therewassomethingin

hismannerandastrangenessinhistonesthatdisquietedusimmensely."Itisaverybeautifulnight,"hewenton,beginningtowalkupanddownthe

place with his hands in his pockets. "Themonth of September has not fallenbehindAugust.Even in themornings it is scarcely cool yet. I found I hadnodesiretogotobed."Irepliedtohiminwordsasunimportantashisown.Hegavenosignofhaving

heardme.Hewentonwalkingupanddowninanabsorbedmanner,andatlasthewentovertothebalconyandstoodmotionlesslookingoutthroughtheglass.Thenheopenedoneofthewindowsandsteppedoutsidetogetmoreofthecoolnightair.Cristinagazedathimwithoutmovinganeyelash.Inhereyesagreatanguish

was visible. She seemed alarmed. Thus several minutes passed in silence. Atlast,asifunablelongertoendurethistension,sheroseimpetuously,wenttoherhusbandandputherhandonhisshoulder,saying:"Come,letusgotothehouse.""Asyoulike,"hereplieddryly.Wewentoutof thepavilionandalong the avenueof acacias that led to it. I

tried towalkwithMartí and to talkwith him. I saw that he shrank frommycompany,andansweredwithfewwords.Beforereachingthehousehetookhis

wife's armandwent on ahead, leavingmebehind.Thismute rebuffmademyheart ache. I followed with a sadness that presently gave way to decidedimpatience,thinkingwithwhatinjusticeIwastreated.Aswewentalonginthisfashion,therecameintomymindthestrongresolutiontoenterintoaclearanddefiniteexplanationwithhim,anddisclosetohimallthathadpassed.We arrived at the door of the house and paused under the glass portico.

Through the openedwindowof the dining-room I could see Isabelita,Castell,andDoñaAmparo."Come,"Isaid,withaffectedindifference,"youtwoaregoingtobedandIinto

thecity.""Won'tyouwaituntilwecanorderthecarriage?"askedCristinatimidly."No; I have an appetite for a stroll in the light of themoon.Hastamañana.

Good-night."IofferedEmiliomyhand."No," he said, with an unusual gravity. "I am going with you as far as the

farthestgateway.I,too,feellikeastroll."I gavemy hand toCristina. For the first time in her life she pressed itwith

singular force, at the same time givingme an anxious look of supplication. I,movedtothedepthsofthesoul,answeredhereyeswithmyown,promisingherinthatwaythatshemightdependuponme.Wewalked away slowly, taking the path that led to the entrance gate.Martí

walkedwithhishatinhishand,andpreservedanobstinatesilence.Iwaitedforhim to break it beforeweparted, promisingmyself to be faithful to the silentpromise that I hadmade toCristina. So itwas hewho, aswe approached theboundarywall,pausedand,withoutlookingatme,spoke:"Married men, Ribot, often have an exaggerated susceptibility. Not only do

theirownaffectionstorment them,but thefearofbecomingobjectsofridiculesometimes obliges them to be suspicious even when they are by natureconfiding. The friends of such men do well to avoid awakening thissusceptibility,conductingthemselvesonalloccasionswithcareanddelicacy.Bythismeansfriendshipisyokedtogratitude.""You are right," I replied. "So far in my life I have managed to fulfil this

obligation towards all menwith whom I have had to do, notmerely towardsfriends,asyousay,buttowardsmenofmygeneralacquaintance.Anunfortunateaccident placedme in a situation thatwounds youramorproprio, if not yourhonor.Understand,however,thatCristina——""We will not talk of Cristina," he interrupted, gazing firmly into my eyes.

"Everynightof theyearbeforegoingtosleepIgive thankstoGodforhavingunitedmetoher.To-nightwillbethesameastheothers.""Wewilltalkaboutme,then.Anunfortunateaccident,Irepeat,placedmeina

situationtohurtthesusceptibilitythathasbeenmentioned.Ideplorethiswithallmysoul,althoughIdonotfindmyselftoblame.Inanycase,itwouldhavebeenan indiscretion. However, these matters are of such peculiar delicacy that arecentfriendshipcannotrisktheconsequencesoftheslightestannoyance.Ifyoufeel any such annoyance, I am resolved to take myself away from here, andneveragainsetfootinyourhouse."Therewas no response.Wepursued in silence the remaining distance to the

gate. When we reached it, he paused and, without looking at me, said in atremblingvoice:"Although I feel it verymuch, I cannot do less than accept your resolution.

PerhapsIammakingmyselfridiculousinyoureyesandinthoseofanyonewhomightknowofwhathaspassed;butwhatwouldyou?IprefertobeconsideredabsurdratherthanseedisturbedintheslightestdegreethetranquillitythatuntilnowIhaveenjoyed.""You are right," I said. "In your place I should do the same. To-morrow

morning early I shall leaveValencia, and it may be that we shall nevermeetagain. I desire you to know, none the less, that this is one of the profoundestgriefsofmywholelife.Iappreciateyourfriendshipmorethanyourealize.Iamgrateful for your affectionate hospitality, and I shall never consolemyself forhavingunintentionallycausedyoutheleasttrouble.Ifsomedayyouhaveneedofme,allthatIhaveisyours.""Thankyou,thankyou,Ribot,"hemurmured,moved.Heputonehandonthelatchofthegate,andwiththeotherliftedhishat.Idid

not care to let him see that I knew he did this to avoid taking my hand, so,withoutextendingmyown,Iwentoutintotheroad."Adios,Martí,"Isaid,turningmyhead,"Godkeepyoualwaysashappyasyou

havebeenuntilnow.""Adios,Ribot.Muchasgracias."

CHAPTERXV.

THEgate closed.Through its bars I could see himgoing farther and fartheraway,hisuncoveredheadbowed,until hewas lost to sight among the trees. Istoodaloneinthemiddleoftheroad.Aprofounddepressionfilledme;itwasasifIhadlostsomethingthathadbeenthechiefinterestofmyexistence.WithslowstepIbeganmydeparturefromthatpleasantplace,believingthatI

should never return to tread this path again. Indeed, these latest events hadfollowed one another so hastily and precipitately that I could scarcely realizethem. One moment I had been in that house as the accepted friend about tobecome amember of the family. The next, I left it as a strangerwhose namewouldsoonbeforgotten.Yet in themidstofmysorrow, in themournfulnightthathadfallenuponmyheart,shoneoneconsolingstar;itwasCristina'slookofsupplication. In thathouse,perhaps,mynamewouldnownomorebespoken,butshewouldneverforgetit.Thisthoughtgavemeinexpressibleconsolation.Iwentonmywaywitha firmerstep,andwhenIcame to the lastcornerof thewallssurroundingtheestate,Istoppedbesideit.Ilookedatitsorrowfullyforalittle,then,goinguptothestone,Ikisseditmanytimes.ThenIwentonagain,blushingasifsomeonehadseenme.Themoononhighbathedthecountryinluminouspurity,transformingitintoa

sleepinglake.Theplainstretchedbeforeme,borderedbythemountainswhosecrestsseemedfloating in thedistance inawhitemist.Hereand there the littlegroves of orange-trees and laurel stood out in the fleecy whiteness, or greatcypresses rosesolitaryandstill,casting theirshadowsacross theroad.Beyondsmiledthesea,reflectingthelightofthemoon.Thesweetnessofthatnightpenetratedmyheart,refreshingit.Thefields,still

abounding in flowers and fragrant with the odors of ripe fruits, soothed mysenses and calmed the fever of my thoughts. I went on with a lighter step.Valenciaalreadyslumberedlightlyuponhercouchofflowers.Herstreet lightsshoneafarlikestarsofearth.Thoseoftheheavensformedarichcanopyabove,protectingthatfortunatecity.Whenatsomedistancefromthecountryhouse,Ifelttheneedofrestingalittle

while.Ididnotcareyettobeamongpeople.Itwasnecessarytogetmythoughtstogetherandcontrivesomeplanoflifeinplaceofthatthathad,inonemoment,

beenupset.Isatdownonastone,drewoutacigar,lightedit,andcalmlybegansmoking. I had not been sitting there long when I heard the sound of anapproaching carriage. At first I did not know whether it was coming fromValencia or Cabañal. When I was convinced it was from the latter, I feltstrangelyuneasy,and thoughtofconcealingmyself;but instantlychangingmymind,IdeterminedtoremainwhereIwas.SoonIdescriedthehorses;theydrewnear.ItwasCastell'scab,asIfeared.WhenhewasquitecloseIplantedmyselfinthemiddleoftheroadandcalled

tothecoachmaninanimperativevoice:"Stop!"Hemade a gesture of surprise, but stopped the horses almost as they came

uponme.Ashewaspullingtheminwiththereins,obligingthemtostopintime,themanrecognizedmeandsaid:"Goodevening,DonJulian."Castellhadbeen leaninghalfoutof thewindow.When Iapproachedhimhe

lookedatmeinsurprise,thenspringingupwithafierygesturehereachedforhispocket,crying:"Ifthisisanattack,takecare!""No, it is not an attack," I said, liftingmyhand in signof peace; "Iwish to

speakwithyou.""SendmeyoursecondsandIwillspeakwiththem,"hesaidhaughtily."Beforedoingthat,itisnecessarytospeakwithyouamoment,"Ireplied.Hestaredatmealittlewhileasiftryingtodiscernmyintentions.Convinced,

doubtless,thattheywerenotbellicose,heopenedthecabdoorandsaidcoolly:"Getin!"Isatdownfacinghim.Thecarriagewentonward."Idesiretoknow,"Isaid,attheendofamoment,"ifitwasyouwholetMartí

knowthathewouldfindCristinaandmealoneinthepavilion?"Heopenedhiseyeswideinnofeignedsurprise,andansweredinanungracious

manner:"Idon'tunderstandwhatyouaresayingtome."Iperceivedthatthiswastrue,andIwenton,modifyingmytone."AfteryouandIseparated,sheandIwentalongtheacaciapathtothepavilion,

for the purpose of giving Cristina time to recover herself before going to thehouse.Shefoundherselfverymuchupsetanddidnotcaretopresentherselftoher husband in that state. After we had been there a little while,Martí came

unexpectedly.Hewas angry, naturally; sought an explanationwithme, and inconsequenceIhavelefthishousenevertoreturn.""Iknewnothingofit.AlthoughIfeelnoobligationtogiveyouanysatisfaction

whatever,sincethereisaquestionbetweenustobesettledonothergrounds,IwillyettellyouthatIdidnotspeakonewordtoMartíabouttheaffair.Itrestswithyoutobelieveme,ornot.Butitcertainlysurprisesmethatafterhavinghadanexplanationwithhim,youshouldleavehishouseandnowbetalkingwithmeascordiallyasever.""Itisverysimple.IdidnotspeakonewordaboutwhatIhadjustheard.""Youhaveallowedhimtosuspectyouoftreachery?"heaskedinthegreatest

surprise."Yes,señor.""Andwhyhaveyoudoneso?""Formypleasure."He cast a hostile, suspicious glance at me, shrugged his shoulders, and

remainedsilent.Ibrokethesilenceafteramoment."Thepleasuresofmen,Castell,areasvariedastheirphysiognomies.However

muchyoumayhavethoughtyourselfinlovewithCristina,IbelieveIwasmore.Iadoredherwithallmysoul,withallthepowersofmyheart.Buttowinherbytreacherousmeanswould,farfromcausingmejoy,betheworstmisfortunethatcouldbefallmeuponearth. I shouldnever sleepquietly again. I havemade acruelsacrifice,butIhavemadeitforloveofher,forthepeaceofmyconscience.Thetearsthatyouseeinmyeyesnowrefreshmysoul;theydonotscorchit.Iamgoingaway,goingawayforgood.Youwill remain,andperhaps timemaybring it about that you can gainwhat I have somuch desired; butwanderinguponthesea,aloneonthedeckofmyship,Ishallbehappierthanyou.Thestarsofheavenshiningabovemewillsay: 'Bejoyful, foryouhavedoneright.'Thewindwhistling through the rigging, thewaves breaking against the sideswillsay:'Joyful,joyful!'"Thelightofthemoonilluminatedhisface.Isawasmilegraduallyspreadover

it."These same waves that will say such agreeable things to you will think

nothingofswallowingyoulikeaflysomeday.Thewindswillhelpthemfinishthe task,and thestarsofheavenwillbepresentwithallpossibleserenity.Youare living in a profound error, Ribot. There is no other happiness upon earthexceptinpossessingwhatonedesires.""Althoughtogetityoustabafriendtodeathfrombehind?"

Therewasamomentofsuspense,buthepresentlysaidfirmly:"Althoughtogetit'twerenecessarytowalkovermen.""Thereisneithergoodnorevil,then?""Inlife thegoodofsomeis theevilofothers,anditwillbesoto theendof

time.Youmay have seen some time a nest of swallows? The little oneswaitanxiously for the arrival of themother; she comes gently, opens her bill and,with loving care, feeds them one by one. How interesting! How full oftendernesssuchasight!Buttheinsectsthathavebeendestroyedandfallintothebeak of the swallow to serve her in feeding her children—does the spectacleseemso tender and interesting to them?On theotherhand,you seeamangostealthilyuptoanother,knockhimdownwithablow,takethemoneyoutofhispurseandcarryitawaytohishousetobuybreadforhischildren.Howhorrible!Youshudderandhurryquicklyawayfromsuchascene.Butwhy?Ifyouwereaninsectyouwouldgoalongtherebuzzingjoyously.""Butwearegivenaconscience.""Consciencedoesnotpreventusfrombeingfatallyfettered.Youfindyourself

inlovewithCristina,thesameasIam;bothofusdesireher.Youareheldbackbyfearofremorse,butIpursuemyundertakingwithnofearswhatever.Webothfollowan instinct.Mine ismoresane,because it tends toaugmentmyvitality,whileyourstendstodiminishyourstrength.Youneednotlaughnorbesomuchsurprised.Remorse in aworldwherenecessity rules is absurd.Thinkyou thatthe heroes ofHomer andAeschylus hesitated at fratricide or incest?Yet theywere,nevertheless,themostnobleexamplesofhumankind.""Iamfarfromopposingyouinaugmentingyourvitality,"Ireplied,ironically;

"but would it not be better that you seek a wife of your own, rather thananother's.""Another's,another's!"herepeatedunderhisbreath."Thatisconventional,like

alltherest."He remained thoughtful for several minutes, looking out at the landscape

throughthewindow.Iwatchedhimwithamixtureofcuriosityandrepugnance.Thoseblueeyesofhiswiththeirsteelyreflectionsinspiredmeforthefirsttimewithasuddendread."The virtuous? Draûpadî," he began saying slowly, without taking his eyes

from the scene, "one of the most interesting heroines of antiquity had fivehusbands, all brothers. Those heroes enjoyed her love in common, withoutdishonororremorse.Ifwelivedinlikesimplicity,toaspiretoCristinawouldbemoralandplausible;weshouldbeofferingawomantwonewprotectors.Why

does it causeyou somuchhorror to share awomanwith a friend?Theworldbeganinthatwayandwillendinthatway.""Itmayendas itchooses!"Iexclaimed."Nowandevermore, itwillbeasin

voluntarilytocausepain.""Don'tbeachild,Ribot,"herepliedwithhisirritatingself-sufficiency."There

isonlyoneundeniable truth in thisworld, and that is the common impulseofplants and animals, insects and man. In the serene region where life abides,everlastinglife,sorrowanddeath,signifynothing.Theonesupremeendoftheuniverseistoaugmenttheintensityofthislife."Ididnotrespond.Iremainedthoughtfulandsilent inmyturnforsometime,

gazingoutoftheotherwindowattheroad.AtlastIsawthefirsthousesofthesuburbs."Willyouhavethekindnesstoaskthemantostop?"Isaid;"Iwishtogetout

here;andto-morrowIleaveValenciawithoutfightingwithyou.Attributethistocowardiceifyoulike.Itwillbeanewsacrificeformetomakeonthealtarofmylove,andtothefriendshipthatIoweMartí.IdonotaspiretobeaHomerichero like you, nor dream of leaping triumphantly upon the bodies of myenemies.Willyoustop?"Hegavemeabig,contemptuousstare,andpulledthecord,sayingcoldly:"Idon'tknowwhetherornotyouareacoward;butIcantellyouonthespot

that you are one of those peoplewho are self-deceived, and live in delusionsconcerningthemselvesandtheworldaboutthem."Thecabstopped.Iopenedthedoorandsteppedoutupontheground."Adios, Castell," I said, without giving him my hand. "You may seek that

happy regionwhich Idonotdesire toknow. Iwill remain in thisother that ismoresorrowfulyetmorehonorable."Heshruggedhisshoulderswithoutanswering,andturnedhiseyesawayfrom

medisdainfully,asheagainpulledthecord.Thenheleanedbackcomfortably.Thecarriagedeparted,andIbeganwalkingslowlytowardsmyhotel.Ifollowedthewhitehighroadwhereonscatteringhousesnowcastshadows,untilIreachedthecity'sstreets,andlostmyselfintheirlabyrinth.In theCalledelMarI foundmyself infrontof thehouseofCristina.Onher

bedroombalconygrewarose-mallow.Imadesurethatnobodysawme,thenIclimbeduptoitandpickedsomeofitsleaves.Iwenttothehotel,anduptomyroom,andwassoonsleepingsweetlywiththoseleavesheldfastinmyhand.

CHAPTERXVI.

ONCE more the sea! Port traffic, the noise of loading and unloading,troublesomebusinessintheconsignees'office—afterwardslonely,tranquilhourslulledbythesongsofthesailorsandthemurmurofwatersagainstthekeel!Ididnotletmydreamofloveweighdownmysoul.Attheendofseveralmonths,itremainedatenderandpoeticimpressionwhichgaverealitytomyexistence.YetwhenonenightwepassedValencia,andIsawthelightsofCabañalshininginthedistance,Iwassurprisedtofindmyselfsingingonthebridgeinalowvoicethefarewellfrom"Grumete"—

"SienlanochecalladaSienteselviento!"

And,withoutbeingabletohelpit,myeyesfilledwithtearslikeasentimentalfemale. But that soon passed, and I soon recovered the joyous mood whichseldom,thankheaven,forsookme.IheardfromafriendinBarcelonathatCastellhadmarriedIsabelitaRetamoso.

Muchgoodmayitdo!Ilearnedfromthesamemanthatthesteamshipcompany,CastellandMartí,hadgonetopieces,andthatbothpartnerswereinvolvedinaruinous lawsuit. On hearing that, I could not refrain from exclaiming withexquisitedelight:"Ruined,itmaybe!butdishonored,no!"My friend stared at me surprised, and it cost me not a little to evade an

explanation.Didnotsomeself-satisfactionenterintomypleasure?Iamalmostsureitdid.Idonotgivemyselfoutforasaint,andnoteventhesaintsareabletogetridofself-loveentirely.Atlast,onmyreturnfromHamburg,afteroneofmyvoyages,IfoundinBarcelonaaletterthathadbeenwaitingformeseveraldays.ItwasfromMartí,althoughwritteninanotherhand.Hetoldmethathewasveryill,and in trouble,and invitedme inextremelyaffectionate terms tocomeandmakehimavisitifitwerepossible.Hedidnotexplainwhathistroubleswere,noralludeintheleasttothemisunderstandingthathadbeenbetweenus,perhapsnot to let his amanuensis intoour secrets; but thewhole letter breathedof hisheartydesiretobeallrightwithmeagain,andtomakemeforgetmyunhappy

departurefromhishouse.I took the train immediately forValencia. I entered the city at nightfall, one

year and three months after leaving it. I went to the hotel where I had thenstayed.Thehotel-keeper receivedmewithcordialdemonstration,and toldme,withoutmyasking,manydetailsofthelawsuitbetweenCastellandMartí.Martíwas ruined.Hehad losthisdirectingshare in the steamboat line, inwhichhispartner still remained. Following that, to reimburse himself for capital loaned,Castell transferredMartí'scredit.Thecreditorssoldallhispropertyatauction,includingthatatCabañalandthehouseintheCalledelMar."If, in spite of all this," saidmy host, "DonEmilio enjoyed good health, he

couldeasilygetupagain,forheisyoungandhehasagreatheadforbusiness.Butthepoormanisveryill,veryill.Ihavenotseenhimforsometime,butbyallthatIhearitishislastsickness."Thesewordsmademeverysad.Itwasdinnertime;but,althoughIwentandsat

down at table, I could scarcely take amorsel of food. I went out afterwards,intendingtogotothehouseofMartí—hewaslivingnowinanapartmentintheCalledeCaballeros.BeforearrivingIturnedabout,fearingtodisturbhimatthathour, or cause him any emotion that might hinder him from resting well. Idirectedmy steps to the residence of his brother-in-law, Sabas, that hemightprepareMartí,orat leastadvisemewhenitwouldbebestformetogotoseehim.Sabas'splumpwife,aslively,busy,andsweetasever,receivedmewithherusualaffability.Heridolizedhusbandhadgoneout."HeisatEmilio'shouse?"Isaid,asthenaturalthing."No,Ibelieve—"shehesitated."Youhadbettergotothetheatre.Maybeheis

there.As the doctor foundEmilio better to-day, he said that hewould go andcelebrate."Sheblushedassheutteredthesewords.Ishowednosurprise, inordernot to

increaseherconfusion.Afterkissingmyoldfriends,herchildren,Iwentofftothetheatrethatshenamedinsearchoftheirelegantpapa.WhenIentered, theplayhadalreadybegun. I tookupaposition inacorner

behindthestallsandscrutinizedthetheatre.Iwasnotlonginseeinghiminhisplace inaprosceniumbox.Theseboxes in theprovinces,as in thecapital,arethe sacred spots, whence the superior beings of each locality radiate theirsplendors.Accustomedtolaydownthelawforthemultitude,thegildedyouthswhomeet there,converse,argue,smoke,andyawn,firmlyconvincedthat theyhavenoduties to fulfil towards themasses, thosewho listenplacidly fromthestalls.TheydwellseparatelikethegodsofOlympus,inconsciousenjoymentof

theirperfectionsandtheirpower,grinningattheactors,tossingcomplimentstotheactresses,andfromtimetotimetalkinginloudvoiceswiththeirkindintheoppositeboxes,overtheheadsoftherabbleoftheunfashionable.Sabasbelongedtotherulingcaste,althoughhisfaceshowednoneofthemarks

thatcharacterizeit,neithertheflabbyflesh,thepallidskin,northeloosemouth,signsofthelifeofself-indulgence.His dark, sunburned face, peeled in places, offered rather an extremely

industrious aspect. Itwouldnot havebeen strange if hehad arrived that samenight from Madagascar or Java, after enriching himself in a caoutchoucexpedition. This was doubtless the opinion of the contralto of the company(muchricherinavoirdupoisthaninvoice),tojudgebythetimidadmirationandtheblusheswherewithshereceivedhisardentcomplimentsevery timethat theexigenciesofthepieceobligedhertogonearhisbox.Isatdowninoneofthebutacasandwaitedforthefallofthecurtain.IconfessthatIwaslessinterestedinwhatwasgoingononthestagethanintheplaythatwasrevealedbetweentheboxandthefootlights.Sabas,leaninghischininhishandwithapurelyOrientallanguor, fixed his gaze of serpent-like fascination upon the contralto. She,overcomewith an irresistible terror,made efforts to flee from that glance andescape.Invain.Inspiteofherself,eveninthemostimportantscenesandagainstallthedemandsoftheplay,shewouldbreakabruptlyawayfromthetenorinalove duet and turn towards that tropical and fascinatingman of the quiveringnostrils. She listened with eagerness to his voice vibrating like a cry in thedesert,hopingeverthathewouldendbyofferingherfiftyelephants,anecklaceofpearls,andtheheadsofthreerajahs,hisenemies.When theactwasendedIwentwithoutdelay to thebox.Sabas receivedme

withthegraveindifferencewhich,inallperfectlycultivatedcountries,expresseselegance.Iexplainedmywishesatonce.Heacceptedthembenignly;disdaininghisconquest,securelikeallheroesofarrivingalwaysintimetoconquer,hetookhishat andwe left the theatre.Wewalked for some time in silence. I feltmyheart oppressed with sadness wherein I perceived with alarm a certainanticipation of something pleasant.This something could be nothing else thanthepresenceofCristina.Yes,Irecognizeditwithshame;yetinthatsadhouritabsorbedmemorethananythingelseintheworld.Sabasstoppedaftera time, tookhispipefromhismouth,and, lookingatme

attentivelysomemoments,remarkedsolemnly:"Youseehowitis,friendRibot.Themadnessofmybrother-in-lawhascarried

himtotheextremethatIhaveprophesiedsomanytimes.""PoorEmilio!"Iexclaimed.

"Yes, poor indeed.At present he hasn't a peseta, nor anybodywhowill lendhimone.""Theworst of all is, according towhat has been toldme, his illness is very

serious."He foundnothing toanswer to this.Afterawhileheagain tookouthispipe

andpaused."Doesitseemtoyou,friendRibot,"heexclaimedinindignantaccents,"asifa

manwithafamilyhastherighttothrowawayhiscapitalaccordingtohisowncapricesandreducethatfamilytodestitution?"I shrugged my shoulders, without knowing what to answer, suspecting that

Sabas included himself among the most important members of that sufferingfamily.Heputhispipebackbetweenhisteeth,andhaving,doubtless,thusgothimself

inconnectionwithhiselectriccurrent, contrived tomoveonward.Hewasnotlong in interrupting it, by taking out the pipe again, spitting, and going ontalking."Iunderstandperfectlyhowabachelorcandisposeofhismeansashepleases;

how,gettingupsomemorningoutofhumor,hecouldgooutonthebalconyandtossovereverythingthatheowns.Atmost thereisonlyhimself topayfor theconsequencesofhiswhims.Butwhenamanwhoisnotaloneintheworld,whohas assumed sacred obligations to fulfil, throws himself into senselessspeculations and wastes an important property, his conduct seems to me notmerelyimprudent,butalsoimmoral."I did not doubt that Sabas included among these sacred obligations that of

providinghimwithmeanstosubmittohisownfascinationsallthesopranosandcontraltoswho presented themselves on theValencian horizon; and not to sayanythingimpertinent,Ideterminedtoholdmypeace.In thismanner,usinghispipelikeamanipulatorofanelectricmachinetoretardorhastenhisfancy,andsloppingoverinatorrentofcriticalwisdom,wereachedatlastthehousewherehisbrother-in-lawlived.ItwasnotsosumptuousasthatintheCalledelMar,butnewandelegant.Wemountedtotheapartmentonthesecondfloor,whichwasthe one thatMartí occupied, and rang. Regina, the old doncella, came out toopenforus,andonseeingmecouldnotrefrainfromacryofsurprise."Oh,DonJulian!""Silence!"Iexclaimed,puttingmyfingeronmylips.Next, I seized upon my god-daughter, taking her in my arms and silently

coveringthechildwithwarmandtenderkisses.Butshedidnotreceivethemin

thesilencethatwastobedesired.Frightenedbymybeard,andperhapsprickedbyit,shebeganatoncecryingtoheaven.IheardthevoiceofCristina."Whoisthere?"Andsheappearedfromtheendofthecorridor.Onseeingme,shepausedfor

an instant, then immediately came on tome, holding out both hands with anaffectionategesture."Oh,Captain!MypoorEmilioisdying!"Isawhereyescloudwithtears.IpressedthosebeautifulhandsthatIheld,and

murmuredsomewordsofhope.Perhapsherfearswereexaggerated.Emiliohadalwaysenjoyedgoodhealth;butthissortoftemperamentborediseaseformanyyears. I asked if it were possible to see him at that hour, and, having beenanswered affirmatively, made ready to go in. Cristina would not let me enteruntil she had first prepared him.Hewas very nervous, and a sudden emotionmight injure him. While she was gone to perform this gentle duty, Sabasimprovedtheopportunity togivemehishand,darkasanAsiaticcolonial's, ingood-byanddepartedwithhisenergeticcharacteristicimportance.Throughthedoor that still stood open I sawhimgo down the stairs carrying in his ardentglancedesolationandtearsforthecontralto."Comein,comeinthisminute!"ItwasthevoiceofEmilio,alittlehoarse,but

asvigorousasever. Ihastened towards theplacewhencecame thesound,andentered a room where the luxury of the furniture was in contrast with themodestyofthethingsintherestoftheplace.Hewasreclininginanarm-chairwithtwocushionsathisback,wearinganelegantdressing-gown.Thelightofacandle fell on his face, where I could see very clearly the fatal signs oftuberculosis. But that face was beautiful, more beautiful andmore interestingthananyIhadeverseen.Thehairofheadandbeardwaslonger; thiswiththewhitenessoftheskinandthegreat,black,melancholyeyesmadehimlooklikethe Nazarene. Those eyes shone at sight of me with a frank and cordialexpression.He tookmy hand and, pressing it affectionately between his own,saidseveraltimesinalowvoice:"Captain!Captain!Captain!Howgoodyouare!"Ifoundmyselftoomuchmovedtospeak."Howdoyoufindme?Inaverybadway,don'tyou?"heaskedatlast,aftera

longsilence."I hope I shall seeyoubetter soon," I answered,making an effort to control

myselfandhidetheemotionthatmasteredme.

AtthesametimeItookthecandle,andbringingitnearerhisface,pretendedtoexamineitwithcloseattention."Doyouknowwhatailsyou?"Iasked."It'smorriña!""Whatisthat?"heasked,openinghiseyeswide."ItisanillnessthatattackstheGalicianswhentheyloseanamountexceeding

fiftycentimos."Isawasmilestealoverhislipsand,glancinggaylyathiswife,heexclaimed:"Thesameasever!Hedoesn'tseemtomeabitchanged—no!"I understood that the kindest thing I could do at thatmomentwas to go on

joking. I plucked up my courage and unlocked my stock of buffooneries,althoughtheycan'tbecalledverywitty.SoonIhadthepleasureofhearinghimlaughheartily.His face brightened, his eyes shone; in a fewminuteswewerechattingtogetherwiththesamegayetyasifhewereperfectlywellandhadnotlostacentimoofhiscapital.Cristina watched us with a melancholy smile. She was happy in seeing her

husbandsocheerful,althoughsheknewthatthiscouldnotlastlong.And, indeed, a violent attackof coughing soon came to interruptmost sadly

ourchat.Hebecamelividandhalf-stifled,holdinghisheadbetweenhishands."Thechillofthenightairisbadforyou.Itisthechillofnightthatbroughtit

on,Emilio,"saidCristina."Itistimeforyoutogotorest."He lifted his hand,making lively signs of negationwith it.When the attack

subsided,andhecouldspeak,heexclaimed:"No, don't take him away from me! I feel much better. The captain is a

mouthfulofoxygen.Hebringsmethegoodseaair."Istayedhalfanhourlonger,topleasehim.AtlastIwent,notbeforepromising

toreturnearlythenextday.IdidnotwishtogointhatnighttopaymyrespectstoDoñaAmparo. Ihadalreadyhadnotice fromSabas thatshehad takenupafashion lately of fainting away at sight of any friendwhatsoever.As the hourseemedtomeunseasonableforsuchanorganicphenomenon,Ideferredituntilanothermoresuitable.Cristinacamewithmetothedoor."Howdoyoufindhim?"sheasked,fixingananxiouslookuponme."Idon'tfindhimwell.Butwhilethereislife,whoknows?whoknows?"Nobody could help knowing. She also knew; but the unhappy lady sought

somewaytohidethetruthfromherself.Iwentawaywithmyheadinawhirl,andmyhearttornandrent.TheforceI

hadusedtoappearcheerfulupsetmynerves,andIcouldnotsleep.PoorMartí!Never had he seemed to me more hearty, more innocent, more worthy to bebeloved. Not one word, not the most insignificant allusion to the treacherousactions of his friendCastell, nor the inhumanmanner inwhich he had ruinedhim.Andinthedaysfollowingitwasthesame.Hissoulnotonlyknewhowtoavoidfilthlikethefeetofladies,butdidnotbelieveinit.Iwrotetoourshippinghousetosaythat,forreasonsofhealth,Iwishedtostay

onlandduringthenextvoyage,andconstitutedmyselfcompanionandnursetomyunfortunate friend. Iwasseldomaway fromhim.When I lefthimI sawasadnessinhiseyessosincerethatIwishedtostay.Everydayheloststrength;Isaw that he grew constantly weaker. He began to have cruel stiflings thatthreatened his life. While they lasted I fanned him, and Cristina bathed histemples.Butwhenhecameoutoftheseattackslikeamanwhohassucceededinescapingan imminentperil andunexpectedly findshimself safeandsound,hewouldbetalkativeandgay,assuringusthatverysoonhewouldbeabletogooutintothestreetsandtakeuphisbusinessagain.Hisbusiness!Neither illnessnorruinhadbeenable touproothispassionfor

projectsandhislikingforgreatindustrialenterprises."Ifyoucouldguess,Captain,theideawhichIhavehadfordaysinmyhead!"

hesaidtomeonce,lookingatmewithhiscandideyesandpushingbackhishair."Agrandproject,andsensible,too,atthesametime.AtfifteenkilometresfromValencia there isariver thatcanbemadetoproduceawaterfallofa thousandhorse-power.Supposethattwohundredarelostinharnessingit,therewouldstillbeeighthundred,which,welldistributed,wouldmovealmostalltheindustriesof the city and give light to it all.Manufacturers and the city would save anenormousamount,andtobecometheownerofthatwaterfallwouldbeabrilliantstrokeofbusiness.Because,asyoucansee——"Here he took a paper, drew out a pencil, and set himself to scheming with

figureswithasmuchenthusiasmasiftheoperativeswerealreadyinstallingthegreat electric machine that was to distribute power to all the factories ofValencia,withsomanyhorse-powerandsuchandsuchqualitiesasifhehadthemagazineinthehouse.CristinaandIexchangedalookoverhishead,andweknewnotwhattosay.

Formerlythispassionhadbeenhisperil.Nowitseemedtoconsolehim.So,notto go against him,we followedhis fancy, andpraisedhis project to the skies.Thismadehimsohappythathischeeksburnedandhisglassyeyesshonewithpleasure.Cristinacouldnotcontrolheremotion,andhastilylefttheroom.Iwentonadmiringtheprojectwarmly,sothathewouldnotnoticehergoing,andwent

so far as topromise to investmy small capital in the enterprise.With this hisgayetycame toanend.Quicklychanginghisexpression,hepressedmyhand,and,lookingatmesorrowfully,exclaimed:"No,Ribot,no!Although theaffair is allplainenough, theremightbe some

badluck.Iwillnotriskyourcapital!""Therewouldnotbeanyrisk,"Ireplied;"Iwouldgladlyputit in,becauseit

seemstomethatthisisasurething.""Absolutelysure!"hesaid,withtheaccentofunquenchableconviction,which

atanothertimewouldhavemademesmile."ButIwon'tgiveyouanysharesinituntilitisunderwayandhasbeguntopaydividends."PoorMartí!Hewasgoing fast.His cheeks fell in, the circlesunderhis eyes

grewdeeper;hepassedhisnightsincoughingandhisdaysintormentbetweenpainandchoking.The fainting fits of Doña Amparo grew constantly more frequent and

prolonged.Hersensibilitybecamesoover-excitedbythis,thattheflutteringofabutterflywasenoughtothrowherintoaconvulsion,fromwhichshecouldonlyrecoverbycoveringeverybody'sface,asofold,withtearsandkisses.Asforme,being the friend most often at hand, I received the greater part of theseinundations.Sabascameeverydayateleveno'clock,beforegoingforhisusualpromenade

to thecaféwherehe tookhisvermouth. If thedoctorhadsaid that the invalidhad less fever (andheoften said it to encouragehim), thisgaveourdandy somuchsatisfactionthathecouldnotdolessthancelebratebygoingtobreakfastatthecafé,andthengooffonanexcursionwithfriendsofbothsexes.We saw the end approaching. As the fatal hour drew near, Emilio showed

himself less and less apprehensive, occupying himself constantlywithmakingcalculationsandplanningoutnewschemes.Eveninthemiddleofthenighthewouldbegforpaper,andscratchdownfigures."Next week I think I shall be able to be out," he said to me one morning.

"Thereisnothingailingmenow.Thepaininthekidneysisallgone;mytongueisalmostclean.Ifthiscoughthatkeepsmeawakewouldonlyleaveme,Ishouldbequitewell.To-dayIfeeljustlikewalking,liketakingagoodlongwalk."Andheprovedhiswordsbygettingupfromhischairandtakingseveralsteps."I am going to the dining-room," he said, opening the door; "see what a

surpriseIamgoingtogiveCristina."Andhewalkeddownthepassage.Istoodlookingathimfromthethresholdof

hisroom.Whenhehadgotabouthalf-way,thepoorfellowtoppled,andbeforeI

couldgettohim,fellhislengthuponthefloor.Severalyearshavepassedsincethen, and yet they have not been able to obscure inmy soul the shamed andmelancholysmilehegavemeasIcametohim."That'sbad,Captain!"Iliftedhimandcarriedhiminmyarmsbacktohischair.Heweighednomore

than a child. Cristina, as well as I, reproved his imprudence, but we readilyconvincedhimthathisweaknesscamefromlackofnourishment.Ifhewouldeatmorehis strengthwould increase rapidly, andwe should soon seehimable towalkoutinthegardenasofold.AlthoughCristinaknewtheseriousnessofhiscondition,andmadeherselfno

illusions regarding the outcome, I observed in her a sort of ignorance ordisregardwhich,atsuchatime,couldnotfailtomakemeanxious.Shethoughtcertainlythathisillnesswasuntodeath,butbyeverywordthatcamefromhermouthIperceivedthatshejudgedtheendtobeveryfaroff.Icouldseethatitwasverynear.AndyetitwasnearerthanevenIsupposed.Onthedayfollowinghisfallinthepassage,Iwenttoseehimbetweentenandeleveno'clockinthemorning.Contrarytohiscustom,hehadnotdressed.Hesaidhefoundhimselfalittlefatiguedfromcoughing.Icheeredhimupbycallinghimonlylazy,andsatdown beside him. I found him indeed very feeble, and looking very muchdiscouraged. In spite of this hewas chatty and cheerful as always.At last hedecidedtogetup,butbeforedoingsowedecidedthatheshouldtakealittlecupofbroth togivehim strength.Cristinawentout toprepare it.A fewmomentsafter,thesickmanhadanattackofcoughingandchokingthatnearlyovercamehim.IdidnotcallCristina,notwishingtoalarmher,andbegantofanhim,asusual, to give him air, hoping that he would quickly recover. Yet, withoutknowingwhy, I feltmoredisturbed thanusual.Myheartbeatviolently,seeingthatpallidface,withitsclosedeyesandtheopenedmouthstrugglingforbreath.Asthesecondswentby,myanxietyincreasedinlikemeasure,andIreachedmyhand towards the bell-button. But at that momentMartí opened his eyes andsmiledsweetly.Icalmedmyselfandsaid:"Nowyouarebetter!Ithaspassed.""Open the shutters. I can't seewell," he answeredme. Thesewords brought

backmyalarm.Theshutterswereopen.YetImadeamovementtogo,topleasehim;butasItriedtoleavehim,heseizedoneofmyhands."Ribot,Ribot!"hecried,gazingatmewithsightlesseyes."Donotleaveme!I

amdying,donotleaveme!"Heraisedup,convulsivelygraspingmyhand.Hisexpressionchangedquickly,

hiseyesglazed.Hisheadrolledaboutas if itwouldbedisjointed, thenhefellheavilybackward.Horrorandstupefactionkeptmeamomentstunned,gazingatthefloor.Butrecoveringmyself,Itookhisheadbetweenmyhandsandhelditagainstmybreast,crying:"Martí! my friend, my brother! Canst thou hear? In this world of treachery

therearefewmenleftlikethee!"AndIkissedthatbrowwherehadneverfallentheshadowofasinfulthought.Atthatmomentahandtouchedmyshoulder.Iturnedasifithadstabbedme

and saw her eyes straining wide with terror and her trembling form that fellproneupontheground.

CHAPTERXVII.

IT is impossible to describewhat took place in that house upon the death ofEmilio. Everybody adored him; to all he was like a loving father, ready tosacrificehisownwishesforthoseofothers.ThegriefandwoeofCristinaweresogreatthatwefearedforherlife.Aftera

fewdays,however, itwasnecessary to thinkaboutbusinessmatters.ThoseofMartíweresomuchentangledthathisunfortunatefamilywaslikelytobecomequitedestitute.Theonlyonetocalluponinregardtohisaffairs,asthenearestrelation,wasSabas;butthisprofoundperson,forwhomthehumanhearthadnohiddencorners,despisedtheprosaicdetailsofexistence.Helivedlikeagodinastateofperpetualjoy,removedfromthetoilsandanxietiesthatafflictmankind.ItwasnecessarythatIgraspthereins.Ibeggedpermissiontodothis,andtookhold of theworkwith little knowledge, butwith illimitable interest and goodwill.Attheendofsixmonthsofhardwork,strugglingwithcreditors,lawyers,andclerks,Isucceededindisentanglingthesnarl.Thedebtswereallpaidandasmall income was rescued for Cristina, sufficient to enable her to livecomfortablybutwithoutany luxuries. Ibreathed freelyagain,andenjoyedmysuccess as much as if I had brought through successfully some giganticundertaking.ThegratitudeofCristinawasmysweetestreward.Inagraveandreservedway,

asshedidallthings,shemademeunderstanditconstantly.Thisgratitude,joinedtotheinnocentcaressesofmygod-daughter,whonowbegantoprattle,callingme "Uncle Ribot," as if I were of her own blood, fully repaidme for allmyendeavors.AllthattroubledmewastonotewithwhatscrupulouscareCristinareduced the expenses of her house, and the straits she endured. I told her thiscarewasexaggerated—herincomewouldpermitheralittlemoreleeway,butIdidnotsucceedinmakingherseeit.AfterawhileIcametounderstandthathereconomydidnotcausehertheslightestpain.Ithoughtsheratherenjoyedit,andbythismeanswassavinguptoaddtothesmallinheritanceofherlittledaughter.LaterIfoundout,notwithout indignation, that thesesavingsservedtosupportthehouseholdofherelegantbrother.Hehadgoneonapplyingthescalpeltoallofouractions.Persuadedafterawhilethatneitherthekindnessofhissisternormybusinessabilitywouldhenceforthprovidehimwithmeanssufficienttomake

the conquest of even one single chorus girl, he decided at last to go towork,watchingthebankinagamblingclub.None of her ancient splendors seemed to bemissed by Cristina, as far as I

couldascertain,neitherhandsomelyfurnishedrooms,norcarriages,norservants.ThepropertyatCabañalaloneexcitedinheramelancholyregret.Onlywhenwementioned that did she become sad and pensive. This was very natural. Herpassionforthecountry,forafreeandpeacefullifewasstrengthenednowbythegentlememoriesthatthatestatekeptforherheart.Therehadfleetedthehappiesthoursofherlife.AfterIhadobservedthisonanumberofoccasions,thethoughtwasborninmybraintotrytobuytheplace.Iquicklythoughtoverthestateofmyproperty.AsIwasamanoffewwants, Icouldpartwitha thirdofwhat Ihad, and there would still be enough left me to live upon. As soon as I wasconvincedofthat,everyhindrancegotonmynerves.IcouldnotrestuntilIhadgonetoBarcelona,wherelivedthebankertowhomtheestatehadbeenassigned,andhadhadatalkwithhim.Cabañalhadgoneatauctionforeighteenthousandduros.Isoonsawthatitspresentownerwouldliketogetitoffhishandsforthesamemoney,thenhisprofitswouldnotallbeeatenupintheexpenseofkeepingup the place as it had formerly been. At last, after several conferences andenough bartering, we agreed upon the contract and the deeds were passed, Imakinghimpromisetokeepthetransactionasecret.ThenImadeadeedofgifttomygod-daughteroftheproperty.Withbothdocumentsinmypocketandwithmyheart lightwith joy,IreturnedtoValencia.Before takingpossessionof thecountry house itwas necessary to buy, and instal there, furniture as nearly aspossiblelikethatwhichthehousehadhadbefore.Itcostmesomelabor,butIperformeditwithinexplicableenjoyment.ItisneedlesstosaythatwhereIlaidmyselfouttohaveeverythingperfectwasinCristina'sownroom—hertocador.By means of untiring search I was able to find some of the same pieces offurniturethathadbeentherebefore,andIboughtthem;othersIorderedcopied,andtheyturnedoutverylike.AssoonasallwasreadyItookpossessionoftheplace,cautioningallpersonswhohadservedme,andthegardener,too,nottoletthemattergetnoisedabroadbeforeitwastimetoopenthehouse.The birthday ofmy god-daughter arrived. Several days before, I had all the

furnitureputinplaceinthecountryhouse,andI tookpainstoseethatallwasplaced as nearly as possible as it had been formerly. I knew so well everyarrangementof thathouse that itwasnotdifficult forme tomake it lookveryhomelike.Cristina'sroomtookagooddealoftime,forIaspiredtohaveitlacknotonedetail.Thefurniture,thecurtains,thearticlesonthedressing-table,eventhecoverletonthebed,hadbeenrestoredorcopiedwithutmostexactness.On

thebirthdayIcarriedmygod-daughterafinetoyinthemorning,promisingheranotherfortheafternoon.AndfortheafternoonIinvitedher,withhermammaand Doña Amparo, to take an excursion into the country, to picnic in somesecluded spot, to celebrate that memorable date. The coachman, previouslyinstructedbyme,droveusaboutforatime,thenbroughtupintheneighborhoodofCabañal.ThereImadehimstopandsaid:"Señoras,Idon'tknowwhetherIhavecommittedanindiscretion.IfIhave,I

begyourpardonbeforehand.KnowingCristina'spassionforCabañal,Ihavehadourpicnicpreparedthere.IamafriendofPuig,whoboughtit,andwhenIwasinBarcelonahegavemepermissiontogointo thehouse,andto takeasmanypeoplewithmeasIliked.Irepeat,youmustforgivewhatIhavedone,ifyoudonotapproveofit."DoñaAmparodeclareditverynice,andwasjoyfultothesoulatvisitingonce

moretheplacethathadalwayspleasedher.ButCristina'sfacewassomethingtobehold. She had never let me see it so forbidding. She controlled herself,however, in silence; and I, taking no notice of her annoyance, ordered thecoachmantogoon.Thegardenerandhismenplayedthedramaofreceivingusasguests,andconductedustoaglorietawhereIhadhadthetablespread.Beforeourpicnic,Iinvitedthemtotakealittlewalk,butCristinarefusedemphatically,affirmingthatshehadhurtherfoot.AsDoñaAmparodidnotcaretoleaveheralone I wentwithmy god-daughter; the little one and I amused ourselves byrunning and frolicking about in those shady avenues. When we returned Iobserved thatCristina'seyeswere redand thathermammawasdroopingwithevidentintentionsofpoppingoff.ButIdidnotcaretogointoanyofthat.JoyfulandmerryasIhadneverbeen,I

begantoopenthebasketsanddistributetheircontents,aidedbythelittlegirlandthemanwhohadbroughtthemfromthehotel.Byagreateffort,andtoconcealher suffering, Cristina took a few, but very small, mouthfuls. Doña Amparo,however,ateheartily.ButJulianita,thelittleone,andIknewhowtodoourduty.Tofinishoff,Iopenedabottleofchampagne.Then,standingupandtakingmygod-daughterononearm,Iswungtheglasshighwiththeother,exclaiming:"TothehealthofJulianita!Tothehealthofmylittlegirl!"Idrainedtheglass,thengavethebabythedropsinthebottom."Ipromisedtheeapresentforthisafternoon,andthoushaltseethatIkeepmy

promise.Thypresentisthisestate,ofwhichthouhastbeendespoiled.Iboughtitfor theesomedaysago.Receive it,mydaughter,with this tenderkisswhich Iplaceuponthycheek,andmayheavenblesstheewithmanyandhappydays!"

Cristinaroseupfromthebench,paleandtrembling."CaptainRibot!Itcannotbe!"shecriedinachokingvoice."Here is the deed of the property, and here is the deed of gift," I answered,

presentingthedocuments."Butmydaughtercannotacceptsuchanenormoussacrifice!""I have fewnecessities and no near relations.The lawgivesme the right to

choosemy heir. I have already chosen her," I added, placingmy hand on thecurlylittleheadofmygod-daughter.Sheremainedquietwithhereyesfixedupontheground.Atlastshewentout

of the glorieta, and without opening her lips started towards the house. Ifollowedheratadistance,leavingthefaintingformofDoñaAmparotothecareofthechildandtheservant.Iobservedthatshewalkedfasterandfaster.Whenshereachedthedoorshewasalmostrunning.Shepausedamoment,kissedthewall,andentered.I followed her as she went about the rooms; I heard her exclamations of

delight,andevensawhergointoherownroom.Atsightofthat,acryescapedher,andshefellsobbinguponthewhite-woodbed.Iwentovertoherandsaid:"Thisroomholdsyetwithinitswallstheperfumeofasacredandpeacefullife.

The furniturehadbeen scattered through the city; and thesepieces, that couldclaimnobodyasonemaster,onfindingthemselvestogetheragainwillspeaktoyou,Cristina,inthesweetandmysteriouslanguageoftheirsouvenirs.Iconsidermyselfhappyinhavingrestoredthem,andhappieryetinhavingworkedforsomanydaystoarriveatthismoment."She rose from thebed, and, holdingout her hand, said tome in a trembling

voice:"Thankyou,Ribot,many thanks.Youare indeeda faithful friend tous.God

willrewardyouforallthegoodyouhavedone,forIcanneverrepayyou."Iwasmovedtothedepthsofmysoulbythosesimplewords."Cristina," I replied, "I accept the title that you so nobly bestowuponme. I

havebeenaloyalfriendtoyouandtoEmilio;Ihavewatchedoverhisinterestsandhis honorwith ceaseless care.But I havewatchedovermy thoughtswithevenmorediligence;becausethoughtsarerestlessthings,andmight,againstmywill,gostraightawayandannoyyou.Ihavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith.Ihave always loved you as I love you now,with the respect that divine beingsinspire.Butinspiteofallmyeffortstostifleit,astrongdesireliftsitselfinmysoul,andIfeelthatIshallneverfindpeaceifIdonotsufferittolive,oratleast

neednotkillit.Forgiveme,Cristina,forthequestionIamgoingtoask.ButmayInothopethatsomedayyouwillcallmebyanothernamethanfriend?"Sheremainedgraveandsilent,lookingdownatthefloor.Thenshesatdownin

achairnearthecandle-stand,leanedherelbowonthelittletable,andherheadinherhand,andthereshesatinathoughtfulattitude.Ikneltdownbesideherandletmyselfhope."Getup,Ribot,"shesaid,givingmeasadandaffectionateglance."Itcauses

me pain and almost shame to see atmy feet themanwho sweetened the lasthoursofmyhusband,whohassacrificedhimselfforme,andhisfortuneformydaughter.Myhearttellsmethatthismanshouldnotberefusedmyverylifeifheasks it. But do you not think, Ribot, that there is something between us thatoughttostopus,somethingthatwouldovershadowthehappinessthatyouhavea right to? Remember the circumstances when we first knew each other.Examinethesecretimpulsesthatbroughtyoutothisplace,thosethatyouhavefeltsince,yourstruggles,yourthoughts,yourjoysandpainsduringthesethreeyears and a half. And tell me frankly if you do not imagine that consciencewouldnotwhispertousthatwehadnotactedwithperfectdelicacy.Ibelieveitwould;andIthinkIknowyouwellenoughtoknowthatitwouldbeenoughtodisturb theserenityofyour life.This iswhat Ihearspeakingwithinmysecretheart.Whileitisthere,doyounotthinkthatifwewereunitedtheremightrisein ourworld an infamous suspicion thatwouldwound, even in his grave, ourcherishedone?"Iunderstood the truthof thesewordsandmyheart sank.The tears rushed to

myeyes.Ihidmyfaceinmyhandstoconcealthem."What? Do you weep, Ribot?" she exclaimed, leaning her head uponmine.

"No,inGod'sname!no,donotweep,myfriend!Ihavenorighttocauseyoutheslightestpain.Iwilldoasyouwish."Ishookmyheadandanswered:"Letmeweepforamoment.Itwillpass."My tears fell abundantly.When I lifted my head I saw that they were also

streaming down her cheeks. I stood up and, drawing out my pocket-handkerchief,saidsmiling:"Doyousee!It'sover!SadnessandIwereneververyconstantfriends."Then she took my hands and, pressing them warmly, looked into my eyes,

exclaiming:"Yet,truly,Iwouldnothurtyou!Aftermyhusband,nomanhaseverinspired

mewithsodeepanaffection!"

"Thesenoblewordsnotonlygivemestrengthto live,"Ianswered,"but theymake life lovely tome.Howmany times, leaningon thebridgeofmy ship, Ihave felthappygazingat theshiningstars!Andwhynotnow,whenIcanseethese sweet eyes, so frankand so serene?Letme see themallmydays, and IpromiseyouIwillalwaysliveinjoyandpeace!"

CHAPTERXVIII.

IKEPTmypromise.Sincethenmydaysgoon,happyandfullofpeace.IfixedmyresidenceinAlicante,butforlongspacesoftime,indeedduringalmosthalftheyear,IaminValencia.AndwhenIamthere,IamlookeduponatCristina'shouse notmerely as a friend, but as amember of the family.Nobody fails toshowdelightwhenIamseenarriving,butmostofalldoesmycomingpleasemygod-daughter,anenchantinglittlegirloffiveyears,witheyesasluminousashermother's.Assoonasshehearsmystep,shecomesrunningtomeetme,laughingandjumping,throwsherselfuponmyneck,coversmewithkisses,andpullsmybeardinawaytobringtears—ofpleasure.Icanhearhervoiceonthestairatthismomentcalling:"UncleRibot!UncleRibot!"WhileIstayinValenciashecomestothehotelfor

meeverymorningwithhernurse.Wegoouttogether.WewalkaboutthestreetsandintheGlorieta.Wegointotheconfectioners'shops(Julianitaknowsallthebest ones that are tobe found in theHacienda) andbuy sweets.Wego to theflower-marketandbuy flowers.Andwhen luncheon timecomes,wego to thehouseloadedwithparcelsandspraysofflowers.Themammacomesandopensthe door for us. Her beautiful eyes shine with joy, and always glisten withgratitude.There isnothingmore that I long for.Secure in theaffectionof thesebeings

thatIlove,andinmyownself-respect,Iwatchcalmlythefleetingofthehours.Snow has begun to show slowly aboutmy temples, but it does not touchmyheart.Neither envynor boredomenters it.And if, as I haveheardCastell saymanytimes,lifehasnoflavor,Iampersuadedthathedoesnotknowwhatitcangive.Formeithasadelicate,exquisitesavor.Iamanartistinhappiness.Thisthoughtincreasesmypleasures.AndwheninexorabledeathknocksatmydoorIshallnotwaitforhimtocall

twice.Withfirmstepandtranquilheart,Iwillgotomeethim,andgivinghimmyhandsay:"Ihavedonemyduty,andIhavelivedhappily.Nobodyhassufferedbecause

ofme.WhetherIamledtoasweeteternalsleep,ortoanewincarnationofthisimpalpableforcethatfillsme,Ihavenofear.HereIam!"But,no! it isnotdeath thatwill in thatmomentknockatmydoor. It is life,

radiant,immortal,divine!FrommyopenedwindowIfeelitandseeit.Thesunrisesinthefirmamentandshedsitsraysuponthegarden.Theflowers,shining,exhale their perfume. This light and these odors intoxicate me. Everything isriant,stirring,singing,intheworldthatIbeholdfrommybalcony.Beautifulislife!Herfruitfulbreathmeetsmyownsoftly.Whatjoyinthefreshnessof thisspringtimemorning!Thebirdsamongtheboughssingjoyfullywithmelodiousvoicesinconcertwiththesunbeams.ButIwouldnotexchangealltheirmelodiousvoicesforonethatisnowcalling

meimpatientlyfromthestairway:"UncleRibot,Iamwaitingforyou!""Iamcoming,mygirlie;Iamcoming."

PressofJ.J.Little&Co.AstorPlace,NewYork

Thefollowingtypographicalerrorswerecorrectedbytheetexttranscriber:Hehadalsoovercometheilleffectsofthechill=>Shehadalsoovercometheill

effectsofthechillTheworldbearsitgoalinitownexistence.=>Theworldbearsitgoalinitsown

existence.irresistibleimpluseofhisnature=>irresistibleimpulseofhisnature

Sienlanochacallada=>Sienlanochecallada

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