“From church!” he repeated. “What folly!”
CHAPTER XIX.
A DINNER AT THE COUNSELLOR’S.
AT about this time a paragraph appeared one Saturday in the “Diario do Governo,” announcing that the order of Santiago had been conferred upon the Counsellor Accacio in recognition of his great literary abilities, and the works of acknowledged merit which he had produced.
When he entered Jorge’s parlor on the following evening, he was made the subject of a general ovation. After embracing the company one by one, he sank on the sofa, overcome by his emotion, saying,—
“I did not expect so much as this from the royal favor,—I did not expect so much as this.” And laying his hand upon his heart he added, “I may say, in the words of the philosopher, ‘The day on which I received this honor was the happiest day of my life.’” He then proceeded to invite Jorge, Sebastião, and Julião to partake with him, on Thursday next, of a modest bachelor’s dinner in his humble abode, in honor of the royal favor.
On Thursday the three invited guests met accordingly at the counsellor’s, and were shown into the parlor by a slatternly-looking little girl. Another guest was already there,—Senhor Alves Coutinho. Shortly afterwards the well-known figure of Savedra, the editor of the “Seculo,” entered the room.
“We are all here now!” exclaimed the counsellor, who received his guests in the habit of Santiago, which he wore over his black coat. “Welcome, my friends!” he continued, bowing. “Perhaps we should be more at ease in my study; this way,—there is a step; take care. This is my sancta sanctorum.”
The counsellor’s study was a small apartment, very neatly arranged, with heavy curtains draping the windows.
Julião began at once to examine the bookcase.
“I take pride in possessing the most illustrious authors, friend Zuzarte,” said the counsellor, with a self-complacent air.