The Life and Adventures of Guzman D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, vol. 3/3

by Mateo Alemán

One of the gentlemen who had brought me to the palace, perceiving my penchant for this Brunette, approached me; “Signor Don Guzman,” said he with a smile, “how many lovers will you distract with jealousy this night, if you continue your attentions to that lady, who is a rich widow, and has a great number of admirers.” My vanity was flattered by this information, which inspired me with the design of attempting the conquest of a heart which was disputed by so many rivals. I hazarded some soft speeches which were not ill-received, but while my favorable progress inclined me to push my success, the Grand Duchess, who had not danced since her confinement, took a fancy to do me the honour of choosing me for her partner. In fact, foreseeing the consequences, I did all in my power to avoid it: but she would take no denial. The Grand Duke, though he approved of the great respect I paid the Princess by my diffidence, gave me to understand by a nod, that he wished I would comply with the desires of her Highness: so that there were no means of escaping. I danced and performed even better than before: which pleased the Duchess so much that she would not leave off dancing with me, until the Prince was obliged to beg her to desist, lest so much exertion should injure her health.

Their Highnesses then retired, and I accompanied them to their apartment, together with the Lords of the Court, and returned with an air of impatience to the ball-room, when I found the pretty Brunette was also about to retire. I made love to her with so much ardour, that I had the pleasure to see that she quitted me with regret. As soon as she was gone I returned to the Hotel, with the before-mentioned gentlemen who had rejoined me. I was so taken up with the honour that had been conferred on me that evening, that I said but little in answer to the compliments they paid me on my talents for dancing. On our arrival at the Hotel, we took leave of each other with great politeness, and retired to our chambers.

When I was alone with Sayavedra: “My friend,” said I, “my joy overpowers me, I must ease my heart.” At the same time I recounted to him all that had happened at the ball, where I had been so much distinguished, the infinite praise bestowed on me by the Duchess, and my flattering reception from the Duke. My confident cared for nothing but what was solidly advantageous. Praises he looked on as smoke; but the account of the widow charmed him. His eyes sparkled with joy when I mentioned her to him, “Think nothing of the rest,” said he; “this may turn out to your advantage, if you know how to profit by the favourable impression you have made on that lady.” Sayavedra and I employed half the night in building castles in the air on this subject, and in deliberating what course we ought to take to bring the affair to a happy issue. It was resolved in council that on the ensuing day we should procure the large trunk we had spoken of before, and that I should purchase as splendid a suit as my purse would afford, to enable me to sustain at Court the character I had already assumed.

This resolution was followed by my giving strict orders to Sayavedra to be in the field early the next morning to put our plans in practice: after which I went to bed. Not that I could close my eyes during the whole night, for it was already day, when, by rocking myself so incessantly with chimeras, I fell asleep for a short time. Sayavedra, who had returned from executing his commissions, came into my room and awoke me. He was followed by a Tailor, at whose shop he had found a suit ready made, which had never been worn. The Tailor told me, that it had been ordered by a young Nobleman, who had suddenly disappeared from Court, after having lost a large sum of money by gaming, and that he desired nothing better than to get rid of it at a fair price. I got up directly and tried it on, and most fortunately it fitted me as well as if it had been made for me. Nothing was wanting but to fix the price: which we agreed on, after a dispute which would have lasted longer, if the Tailor had not wanted money, and if I had not had an earnest longing for the suit; to which he added some gold lace to correspond: which completed it in the fashion of dress at Rome.

I had no sooner paid and sent away the Tailor, than my host came up and informed me that the Grand Duke had sent me, while I slept, a present of wine, fruits, and sweetmeats. This was a compliment that this Prince was in the habit of making to the illustrious foreigners who visited his court. The landlord added that he would not disturb my repose to acquaint me with it. I was not sorry that I had not seen the gentleman whom the Duke had sent with this present, as I must have paid pretty roundly for the carriage; and I could not be too frugal, considering how much I should need money to enable me to make any appearance at Court. I thought then that I should escape this expense, in which I was a little mistaken. Scarcely had my host ordered the Prince’s fruit and wine to be brought into my chamber, when his Highness’s gentleman was announced to me. I was obliged to endure a common place harangue, which ended in informing me that the Duchess hoped to see me in the afternoon. I made upon that an abundance of compliments to this gentleman, and Sayavedra, like a well-bred valet, attended him to the door to slip a few crowns into his hand. I amused myself then by trying on the rest of our purchases: such as silk stockings, a superfine hat, ribbons, gay shoes, linen, gloves, and every other necessary article of dress. Seeing that nothing was wanting, I began by shaving, combing, cleaning, and powdering myself; then being dressed, and looking at myself continually in a glass, I turned towards my confidant, to ask him if he thought there was any thing wanting. He answered, that I looked so well, that he was much mistaken if I did not that day distract all the men with jealousy and all the women with love. I did not fail then to put on my elegant gold chain, and fasten below it with a ribbon a miniature portrait of my dear master which he had given me the day before my departure.

I was like another Narcissus, enchanted with myself; I wished myself already at the palace, so desirous was I of showing myself off. I think I should have gone without any refreshment, if Sayavedra had not represented to me that it was necessary to take care of the inside, on which the outside depended; and that starvation was not very likely to improve my complexion. Though I had but little appetite, for I was puffed out with my dress, and my stomach might be said to be as full of wind as my head was; I suffered myself to be prevailed upon to eat a little of what my confidant ordered into my chamber. I was so fearful of soiling myself in eating, that I was quite uneasy until dinner was finished. I tasted the Duke’s fruit, and drank a few glasses of verdee which had accompanied the fruits. I found this wine most excellent, and I did not doubt but it would enliven my conversation, if taken in moderation. After this slight repast, I walked up and down my room strutting about; I did nothing but question my squire as to my appearance, and he assured me that I was a very mirror of cavaliers. Satisfied with this testimony, to which my self-love very readily assented, I repaired to the palace, attended by Sayavedra, who, to do me credit, had also made a few purchases for himself at the expense of my purse, which began now to look rather foolish after such copious bleeding.

I was received at the Duke’s palace with as many honours as could possibly have been conferred on the Ambassador himself. The Prince first complimented me on my good looks; he then began to speak of the Ambassador, and communicated something to me in the hope that on my return to Rome I should repeat it to his Excellence. He was completely a man of the world, and never spoke but with some motive. I soon observed that he was anxious to engage me to speak of the Ambassador’s private affairs, but I was so completely on my guard against him, that though I staid two hours, not a single indiscreet word escaped my lips. Finding his hints and flattery of no avail, he at length desisted, for fear of exciting suspicion in my mind, and proposed that I should pay my respects to the Duchess.

I was exceedingly glad to be dismissed from a conversation which began to grow tiresome, and I went immediately to wait upon the Duchess, who, after receiving me with great politeness, told me that she had been much delighted with my dancing the preceding evening, and especially with the two last dances, which she should very much like to learn. I replied that my humble ability was entirely at her service, and undertook that she should be perfect in both dances before the next ball-night. She seemed to anticipate much pleasure in the general surprise she should cause in dancing these new figures, and desired that I would not speak of it to any one.

A fine concert was to form the amusement of the court that evening, and I did not fail to appear there in all my charms, after having taken a slight repast at my inn. I need not tell you that my first care was to see if my charming widow was among the crowd. It was not long before I perceived her; her rich and superb dress, and superior charms to all around, could not long be concealed. I advanced towards her with an eagerness which seemed by no means to displease her, and we continued to converse together and admire each other, reciprocally exchanging the most tender looks for some time. All this was exceedingly pleasant, but still I was uncertain of my fate; and thinking that I had no time to lose, I determined to explain myself more clearly, now that I had an opportunity of speaking to her without being overheard. “Madam,” said I, in a voice timid but empassioned, “to what punishment would you condemn an insolent who could dare to tell you that he loves you?” The lady blushed a little at this question, but answered, “that it depended upon who it might be, whether she could have resolution sufficient to wish him to be punished at all.” “In what a pitiable situation then am I,” replied I, “in being prevented by the respect I owe to their Highnesses, from this moment throwing myself at your feet!” My charming widow answered only with her eyes, and I was myself so transported with joy, that being no longer able to speak, I remained silent for some moments, leaving my sighs to do the office of my tongue.

I had scarcely regained the power of speech, which my joy had deprived me of, when the lady touching my elbow, said with a confused air: “We are observed, the Duchess is watching us with an attention that embarrasses me; I request that you will withdraw a little distance from me.” I retired immediately, not without complaining of the Princess’s cruelty in disturbing the sweetest moments of my life. I then glided behind the Duchess’s chair, whence, as though I had been very attentive to the concert, I cried out: “It must certainly be confessed, that nothing can be better performed.” This was really true, for the Duke had some of the best players and singers in Italy; but I had not heard sufficient to be able to decide on their merits, and the Duchess, who well knew it, said it satirically, “You have certainly been so extremely attentive to the concert, that you may boldly decide. But there is some excuse for you,” added she smiling, “the lady’s charms are much more attractive to you than those of music.” Her Highness, observing that this embarrassed me, changed her tone, and asked me what I seriously thought of the voices and performers. I then took the liberty of stating my real opinion; and if I did not answer like a master of the art, I at least made it apparent that I was not altogether ignorant of music.