CHAP. XV.
Guzman arrives at Toledo, and acts the man of fortune there. Some account of his gallantries.
It was past nine o’clock when I entered the famous city of Toledo. I combed my hair and put myself in order, taking particular pains to rub the dust off my shoes, that I might with the greater assurance be able to assert that I came in a coach. I requested to be directed to the best inn, whither I repaired, requiring my supper and lodging like a young man of fortune, who troubled himself but little about expence. As these are the sort of customers who are sure to be well treated at inns, I was immediately shewn into an excellent chamber with a good bed in it, and waited upon like any prince. I supped perfectly to my satisfaction, and slept better than I supped.
The next morning after having taken my chocolate, which I called for in order to impress them with an opinion of my quality, I desired them to send for a hatter, a shoemaker and a sword-maker, for it was indispensable for me to have a new hat, sword, and shoes, to correspond with the rest of my equipage. But the most essential thing of all, was to procure a tailor to disguise the suit I had bought as much as possible, lest when I went abroad I might happen to meet some of the relations of the young man of whom I had purchased it, which might have raised suspicions dangerous to me in my present situation. I might very reasonably have supposed that they would know it again, and perhaps accuse me of having stolen it, and assassinated the young man. Justice would then have interfered, and this I had more reasons than one to dread. I sent, therefore, for a tailor, who in a few hours so completely disguised the suit, by covering the sleeves with taffeta, changing the buttons, and putting a velvet collar on the cloak, that the devil himself could scarcely have known it again.
I paid my tailor handsomely; and well pleased that I could now venture out without the dread of getting into difficulty on account of my dress, I took a walk towards the evening in the Zocodover, where the fashionables usually promenade. Metamorphosed as I was, I was not altogether free from apprehension of meeting some one who might recognize me. This fear, however, did not prevent my feeling gratified in observing that I was particularly noticed by the prettiest women of slender virtue, who, looking upon me as a handsome well-shaped young fellow who had never yet been to Cythera, appeared most anxious to have the honour of setting me in the right road; but I had resolution enough to resist all their seducing glances.
What most surprised me was the extreme neatness of all the gentlemen. My dress, notwithstanding all the tailor’s endeavours to adjust and beautify it, appeared so shabby in comparison with those around me, that I resolved on having another. Just at this moment a gentleman mounted on a beautiful mule crossed the Zocodover, in so handsome and stylish a dress, that I determined to get one, exactly similar, made for myself. I could scarcely refrain from sending for my tailor that very night. I managed, however, to wait till morning, though I never closed my eyes the whole of the night, so completely was I amused and delighted in considering how handsome I should look in these new trappings. But when I reflected on the probable expence of them, I began to hesitate, notwithstanding the eager desire I felt to appear in them.
“Well, Signor Guzman,” said I to myself, “you presume then to dress magnificently, and to supplant all the gallants at Toledo! well done, courage, my friend. Spend your reals without reflecting on the deep game you have played to possess yourself of them. That is not worthy of your consideration; all you seem to wish is to get rid of your money, and you will find it go quick enough. Let a suit be made agreeable to your fancy, and begin courting the ladies; and you will soon come to your basket again. Rely upon this; but do not think that you can every day meet with apothecaries who will allow themselves to be purged like your friend at Madrid.”
All these wise reflections presented themselves, but without effect; for, no sooner was it day-light than I sent for my tailor, to whom I gave the order, after having given him an exact description of the dress I had seen. He promised to make me one exactly similar, undertaking to go himself and purchase the materials, and assuring me that I should have it as soon as possible; for I required him to be as expeditious and punctual, as though I were going to be married, and only waited for my wedding clothes. He, accordingly, sent it home two days after, and I had never seen any thing more stylish and elegant; the gold glittered all over it. When I put it on, I was in raptures at my handsome appearance, and the beauty of my figure, which was already perfectly well formed though scarcely fifteen years of age. I thought that I was the very image of my father when he was young, having a delicate white and red complexion like him, with light-brown hair. I should never have been tired of looking in the glass, though I felt most anxious to go abroad again to be admired in the city. No one who was not so eminently pleased with his own figure as I was, could have been fool enough to have satisfied my tailor without disputing his bill, which I might most conscientiously have reduced two thirds; but I did not then think that I could possibly pay too much for so tasteful an equipage. Mine hostess seeing me superbly dressed, told me I ought at least to have a lackey. I immediately engaged one, therefore, that looked like a page, for whom I was obliged to find new clothes, to be worthy of a master of my importance.
The first Sunday, I failed not to attend the great church, followed by my lackey, to whom I had given proper instructions that he might do me honour. The congregation was of the first quality in the city; I thrust myself in the midst of them with a vast deal of assurance, and visited all the chapels one after another, which caused many to think that I had some design in my head; it was, however, only to shew myself off.
I placed myself between the two choirs, having observed that the principal ladies were always in this part of the church. It was here that I displayed all the fine airs I had seen practised by other young fools at Madrid, and which I had performed at least twenty times over in the morning at my glass. The first thing I did, was to choose a spot where I could be seen from head to foot. Then I thrust out my breast, and stood firm upon one leg, while I extended the other in so stiff a position, that it scarcely touched the ground; shewing by this means my fine stockings, and that I wore garters of the German fashion which were then in vogue. As this posture cramped me extremely, I was obliged to vary it every minute, making divers grimaces at the ladies who looked at me. I smiled upon one, looked coolly upon another, with languishing eyes upon a third, and with sparkling eyes upon a fourth. In short, I so far overacted my part that all the ladies and gentlemen who observed my manœuvres began to titter at my expence. This I took no kind of notice of, for I had too good an opinion of myself to imagine that they could find any thing ridiculous in my behaviour.