Nobody yet appeared stirring in the house; but about ten o’clock our workman observed some of the Moorish women at the windows of Daraxa’s apartment, and shortly after, Daraxa herself with Donna Elvira. He now began to felicitate himself upon his contrivance; and felt delighted with the anticipation of the surprise the ladies would be in, when they should be walking in the garden, and recognize him in this laughable disguise. He even flattered himself, that in this habit, he might occasionally speak to them without danger. He knew not what sort of man Don Lewis was.
Independent of Daraxa’s having been recommended to his care by the Queen, in so particular a manner, that he would have considered himself unworthy of such confidence, did he not watch night and day over her actions, he well knew that she had many lovers; and did not believe Daraxa to be more insensible than others, the Moorish women of those days not being considered enemies to love. But was more afraid of enterprises from without, than of inward insensibility; of amorous cavaliers, than of the object beloved. He feared Don Alonso more than any, whom he regarded as a favoured lover. And his fear had by no means subsided, although well informed that this young lord was not yet sufficiently recovered to leave his house, and, consequently, unable to contrive any means of intercourse with the beautiful Moor. A commerce by billet-doux seemed to him to be no less dangerous than the nearest conversation. To relieve his mind entirely from such apprehensions, he pressed the master-mason incessantly to make an end of his work, fearing that some one of the workmen might be bold enough to undertake some amorous commission: this idea kept him constantly uneasy, and obliged him to observe all the labourers.
Seeing them at work at the close of this day, he took particular notice of Ambrosio, whom he had not before observed, and who appeared to him a very steady looking young fellow. This examination did not much please the young Moor, who turned pale from fear of being discovered. He had, however, nothing to apprehend; for suspicious and mistrustful as the old man was, he could distinguish nothing but the labourer in Ambrosio; and this false mason left his work at the regular time with the others, having had no other gratification during the whole of the day, than that of seeing his mistress pass him with Don Rodrigo, who was his rival. How much patience is necessary in love, although the most violent of all passions! Ozmin knew this already but too well. He was not, therefore, dispirited, but thought himself amply rewarded for his trouble, in having seen his beloved. If this can satisfy a Spaniard, why should it not suffice to make a Moor feel happy?
Fortune was much more favourable towards him the following day. He returned to his labour with fresh courage. The wheelbarrow was in perpetual motion; and as in carrying the stones along he was obliged to pass frequently under the windows of Daraxa’s apartment, he began to sing a pastoral song in the Moorish language. The masons considered him a lively fellow, who had been a long time prisoner among the Infidels, and were not surprised at hearing him sing one of their songs. But Laida heard him from her chamber; and curious to know what man it could be who was singing one of the songs of her country so well, went down into the garden, and recognized Ozmin.
She pretended to be gathering flowers for her mistress, which she did almost every day; and the Moor perceiving that she leered upon him, as he passed by her next time with his wheelbarrow, let fall a letter just before her eyes, which he had brought with him concealed in his bosom, without stopping or even looking at Laida, who instantly snatched it up, and carried it to her mistress.
You will easily conceive the joy and surprise of Daraxa. She was still in bed. She rose immediately, and dressed herself quickly, to enjoy from her window the pleasure of again beholding a lover so dear to her. She was much affected to see that he felt no shame in subjecting himself to so wretched a condition to show his extreme love for her; and yet there was something in this fantastical equipage which delighted her extremely. She wrote an answer to his letter, which she entrusted to Laida, who took the first opportunity to deliver it, unperceived by any one. From so propitious a commencement to his adventure, Signor Ambrosio began to relish his trade of a mason. Daraxa was almost all day at the window to see him pass and repass; so that they had full opportunity to converse by signs, which had a thousand charms for two lovers of so refined a character.
Thus they went on for several days. Don Lewis never failed to be among the workmen every evening, that his presence might excite them to despatch their work, and he always remarked that Ambrosio was the most indefatigable among them. He took a particular fancy for him on this account; and thinking that he would make a good servant, he inquired of the master-mason where he had procured so good a labourer. “One of the artisans of the city brought him to me,” answered he, “and I have every reason to be well satisfied with him.” With so good a recommendation the Marquis took Ambrosio aside, to whom he had never yet spoken, and asked him of what country he was. Our labourer made answer, in the most clownish manner he could possibly affect, that he was born at Arragon; and went on, fully confirming what Orviedo had before related to the master-mason. Don Lewis found his story very plausible, and it even seemed to him that he had the accent of that country. “Who was your master at Granada,” continued he, “and in what were you particularly employed?” “My Lord,” said Ambrosio, “I was servant to a great merchant, who had a very fine garden, and I had the care of his flowers.” “You know then how to cultivate a flower-garden!” cried the Marquis. “I am delighted; for I am just in want of a man to pay attention to mine, which I take great pride in. I have been wishing for one for these three months past, as my present gardener will not undertake the entire care of it; if, therefore, you are willing to serve me, I will pay you good wages, and shall not be disregardful of your future fortune, provided you continue faithful, and perform your duty punctually.”
At these words, our pretended labourer expressed more by his outward behaviour than by words, that he was most grateful for Don Lewis’s kindness, which he would endeavour to deserve by his future exertions. The agreement was soon made; Don Lewis desired him to lay by his apron, take leave of his present master, and to wait upon him the next day, when he should be provided with every thing necessary for the cultivation of his flower garden.
Ozmin was now no longer, therefore, a mason, but a gardener to the Marquis de Padilla, who, on his arrival next day, began by prescribing to him the line of conduct which he was to observe, if he hoped to be retained for any length of time in his family. He desired him to entertain the greatest respect for the ladies, and to avoid any sort of intercourse with the female servants. He dwelt particularly on this point, because, in spite of his affected clownish looks, he thought him of a handsome person.
After this lecture, his patron, who had sufficiently discovered to Ambrosio that he was a true Spaniard in his opinion of the fair sex, set his new gardener to work in his own presence, to judge of his ability, for he knew enough of the art to judge of his performance. Fortunately for Ozmin, he had a taste for flowers, and was as skilful in their culture as many a florist by profession. Don Lewis was soon convinced that he had gained an acquisition, upon which he prided himself, and he was so full of it, that he could not refrain from mentioning it at dinner. He said that he had been lucky enough to meet with a gardener to cultivate his flowers, and he hoped that for the future his flower-garden would be well attended to. “Among my workmen,” added he, “I remarked a young fellow who was employed at the wheelbarrow, whom I asked a few questions, and have discovered that he is a complete adept in the culture of flowers.”