TheengineerhadnotyettakenhisclothesoutofthetrunkwhenforthethirdtimetheshrewdeyesandthecraftyfaceofUncleLicurgoappearedinthedoor-way。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，SenorDonJose，“hesaid，displayinghisbrilliantlywhiteteethinanaffectedsmile，“but——Iwantedtosaythatifyouwishtosettlethematterbymeansoffriendlyarbitrations——Although，asthesayingis，'Askotherpeople'sopinionofsomethingthatconcernsonlyyourself，andsomewillsayitiswhiteandothersblack。'“
　　“Willyougetawayfromhere，man?“
　　“Isaythat，becauseIhatethelaw。Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowiththelaw。Well，good-by，again，SenorDonJose。Godgiveyoulonglifetohelpthepoor！“
　　“Good-by，man，good-by。”
　　Pepeturnedthekeyinthelockofthedoor，sayingtohimself:
　　“Thepeopleofthistownappeartobeverylitigious。”
　　CHAPTERV
　　WILLTHEREBEDISSENSION?
　　AlittlelaterPepemadehisappearanceinthedining-room。
　　“Ifyoueataheartybreakfast，“saidDonaPerfectatohim，inaffectionateaccents，“youwillhavenoappetitefordinner。Wedinehereatone。Perhapsyoumaynotlikethecustomsofthecountry。”
　　“Iamenchantedwiththem，aunt。”
　　“Say，then，whichyouprefer——toeataheartybreakfastnow，ortotakesomethinglight，andkeepyourappetitefordinner。”
　　“Iprefertotakesomethinglightnow，inordertohavethepleasureofdiningwithyou。ButnotevenifIhadfoundanythingtoeatinVillahorrenda，wouldIhaveeatenanythingatthisearlyhour。”
　　“Ofcourse，Ineednottellyouthatyouaretotreatuswithperfectfrankness。Youmaygiveyourordershereasifyouwereinyourownhouse。”
　　“Thanks，aunt。”
　　“Buthowlikeyourfatheryouare！“saidthesenora，regardingtheyoungman，asheate，withrealdelight。“IcanfancyIamlookingnowatmydearbrotherJuan。Hesatjustasyouaresittingandateasyouareeating。Inyourexpression，especially，youareaslikeastwodropsofwater。”
　　Pepebeganhisfrugalbreakfast。Thewords，aswellasthemannerandtheexpression，ofhisauntandcousininspiredhimwithsomuchconfidencethathealreadyfeltasifhewereinhisownhouse。
　　“DoyouknowwhatRosariowassayingtomethismorning?“saidDonaPerfecta，lookingathernephew。“Well，shewassayingthat，asamanaccustomedtotheluxuriesandtheetiquetteofthecapitalandtoforeignways，youwouldnotbeabletoputupwiththesomewhatrusticsimplicityandthelackofceremonyofourmanneroflife；forhereeverythingisveryplain。”
　　“Whatamistake！“respondedPepe，lookingathiscousin。“NooneabhorsmorethanIdothefalsenessandthehypocrisyofwhatiscalledhighsociety。Believeme，Ihavelongwishedtogivemyselfacompletebathinnature，assomeonehassaid；tolivefarfromtheturmoilofexistenceinthesolitudeandquietofthecountry。Ilongforthetranquillityofalifewithoutstrife，withoutanxieties；neitherenvyingnorenvied，asthepoethassaid。Foralongtimemystudiesatfirst，andmyworkafterward，preventedmefromtakingtherestwhichI
　　need，andwhichmymindandmybodybothrequire；buteversinceI
　　enteredthishouse，mydearaunt，mydearcousin，IhavefeltmyselfsurroundedbythepeacefulatmospherewhichIhavelongedfor。Youmustnottalktome，then，ofsociety，eitherhighorlow；oroftheworld，eithergreatorsmall，forIwouldwillinglyexchangethemallforthispeacefulretreat。”
　　Whilehewasthusspeaking，theglassdoorwhichledfromthedining-
　　roomintothegardenwasobscuredbytheinterpositionbetweenitandthelightofadarkbody。Theglassesofapairofspectacles，catchingasunbeam，sentforthafugitivegleam；thelatchcreaked，thedooropened，andthePenitentiarygravelyenteredtheroom。Hesalutedthosepresent，takingoffhisbroad-brimmedhatandbowinguntilitsbrimtouchedthefloor。
　　“ItistheSenorPenitentiary，ofourholycathedral，“saidDonaPerfecta:“apersonwhomweallesteemgreatly，andwhosefriendyouwill，Ihope，be。Takeaseat，SenorDonInocencio。”
　　Pepeshookhandswiththevenerablecanon，andbothsatdown。
　　“Ifyouareaccustomedtosmokeaftermeals，praydoso，“saidDonaPerfectaamiably；“andtheSenorPenitentiaryalso。”
　　TheworthyDonInocenciodrewfromunderhiscassockalargeleathercigar-case，whichshowedunmistakablesignsoflonguse，openedit，andtookfromittwolongcigarettes，oneofwhichheofferedtoourfriend。Rosariotookamatchfromalittleleaf-shapedmatchbox，whichtheSpaniardsironicallycallawagon，andtheengineerandthecanonweresoonpuffingtheirsmokeovereachother。
　　“AndwhatdoesSenorDonJosethinkofourdearcityofOrbajosa?“
　　askedthecanon，shuttinghislefteyetightly，accordingtohishabitwhenhesmoked。
　　“Ihavenotyetbeenabletoformanideaofthetown，“saidPepe。
　　“FromthelittleIhaveseenofit，however，Ithinkthathalfadozenlargecapitalistsdisposedtoinvesttheirmoneyhere，apairofintelligentheadstodirecttheworkofrenovatingtheplace，andacoupleofthousandsofactivehandstocarryitout，wouldnotbeabadthingforOrbajosa。Comingfromtheentrancetothetowntothedoorofthishouse，Isawmorethanahundredbeggars。Thegreaterpartofthemarehealthy，andevenrobustmen。Itisapitiablearmy，thesightofwhichoppressestheheart。”
　　“Thatiswhatcharityisfor，“declaredDonInocencio。“Apartfromthat，Orbajosaisnotapoortown。YouarealreadyawarethatthebestgarlicinallSpainisproducedhere。Therearemorethantwentyrichfamilieslivingamongus。”
　　“Itistrue，saidDonaPerfecta，“thatthelastfewyearshavebeenwretched，owingtothedrought；butevenso，thegranariesarenotempty，andseveralthousandsofstringsofgarlicwererecentlycarriedtomarket。”
　　“DuringthemanyyearsthatIhavelivedinOrbajosa，“saidthepriest，withafrown，“Ihaveseeninnumerablepersonscomeherefromthecapital，somebroughtbytheelectoralhurly-burly，otherstovisitsomeabandonedsite，ortoseetheantiquitiesofthecathedral，andtheyalltalktousabouttheEnglishploughsandthreshing-machinesandwater-powerandbanks，andIdon'tknowhowmanyotherabsurdities。
　　Theburdenoftheirsongisthatthisplaceisverybackward，andthatitcouldbeimproved。Letthemkeepawayfromus，inthedevil'sname！
　　Wearewellenoughasweare，withoutthegentlemenfromthecapitalvisitingus；agreatdealbetteroffwithouthearingthatcontinualclamoraboutourpovertyandthegrandeursandthewondersofotherplaces。Thefoolinhisownhouseiswiserthanthewisemaninanother's。Isitnotso，SenorDonJose?Ofcourse，youmustn'timagine，evenremotely，thatIsaythisonyouraccount。Notatall！Ofcoursenot！IknowthatwehavebeforeusoneofthemosteminentyoungmenofmodernSpain，amanwhowouldbeabletotransformintofertilelandsouraridwastes。AndIamnotatallangrybecauseyousingusthesameoldsongabouttheEnglishploughsandarboricultureandsilviculture。
　　Notintheleast。Menofsuchgreat，suchverygreatmerit，maybeexcusedforthecontemptwhichtheymanifestforourlittleness。No，no，myfriend；no，no，SenorDonJose！youareentitledtosayanythingyouplease，eventotellusthatwearenotmuchbetterthanKaffirs。”
　　Thisphilippic，concludedinamarkedtoneofirony，andallofitimpertinentenough，didnotpleasetheyoungman；butherefrainedfrommanifestingtheslightestannoyanceandcontinuedtheconversation，endeavoringtoavoidasfaraspossiblethesubjectsinwhichtheover-
　　sensitivepatriotismofthecanonmightfindcauseofoffence。ThelatterrosewhenDonaPerfectabegantospeaktohernephewaboutfamilymatters，andtookafewturnsabouttheroom。
　　Thiswasaspaciousandwell-lightedapartment，thewallsofwhichwerecoveredwithanold-fashionedpaperwhoseflowersandbranches，althoughfaded，preservedtheiroriginalpattern，thankstothecleanlinesswhichreignedineachandeverypartofthedwelling。Theclock，fromthecaseofwhichhung，uncovered，theapparentlymotionlessweightsandthevolublependulum，perpetuallyrepeatingNo，no，occupied，withitsvariegateddial，themostprominentplaceamongthesolidpiecesoffurnitureofthedining-room，theadornmentofthewallsbeingcompletedbyaseriesofFrenchengravingsrepresentingtheexploitsoftheconquerorofMexico，withprolixexplanationsatthefootofeachconcerningaFerdinandCortez，andaDonnaMarine，aslittletruetonatureaswerethefiguresdelineatedbytheignorantartist。Inthespacebetweenthetwoglassdoorswhichcommunicatedwiththegardenwasanapparatusofbrass，whichitisnotnecessarytodescribefurtherthantosaythatitservedtosupportaparrot，whichmaintaineditselfonitwiththeairofgravityandcircumspectionpeculiartothoseanimals，takingnoteofeverythingthatwenton。Thehardandironicalexpressionoftheparrottribe，theirgreencoats，theirredcaps，theiryellowboots，andfinally，thehoarse，mockingwordswhichtheygenerallyutter，givethemastrangeandrepulsiveaspect，halfserious，half-comic。Thereisintheirairanindescribablesomethingofthestiffnessofdiplomats。Attimestheyremindoneofbuffoons，andtheyalwaysresemblethoseabsurdlyconceitedpeoplewho，intheirdesiretoappearverysuperior，looklikecaricatures。
　　ThePenitentiarywasveryfondoftheparrot。WhenheleftDonaPerfectaandRosarioconversingwiththetraveller，hewentovertothebird，and，allowingittobitehisforefingerwiththegreatestgoodhumor，saidtoit:
　　“Rascal，knave，whydon'tyoutalk?Youwouldbeoflittleaccountifyouweren'taprater。Theworldofbirds，aswellasmen，isfullofpraters。”
　　Then，withhisownvenerablehand，hetooksomepeasfromthedishbesidehim，andgavethemtothebirdtoeat。Theparrotbegantocalltothemaid，askingherforsomechocolate，anditswordsdivertedthetwoladiesandtheyoungmanfromaconversationwhichcouldnothavebeenveryengrossing。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　INWHICHITISSEENTHATDISAGREEMENTMAYARISEWHENLEASTEXPECTED
　　SuddenlyDonCayetanoPolentinos，DonaPerfecta'sbrother-in-law，appearedatthedoor，andenteringtheroomwithoutstretchedarms，cried:
　　“Letmeembraceyou，mydearDonJose。”
　　Theyembracedeachothercordially。DonCayetanoandPepewerealreadyacquaintedwitheachother，fortheeminentscholarandbibliophilewasinthehabitofmakingatriptoMadridwheneveranexecutor'ssaleofthestockofsomedealerinoldbookswasadvertised。DonCayetanowastallandthin，ofmiddleage，althoughconstantstudyorill-healthhadgivenhimawornappearance；heexpressedhimselfwitharefinedcorrectnesswhichbecamehimadmirably，andhewasaffectionateandamiableinhismanners，attimestoexcess。Withrespecttohisvastlearning，whatcanbesaidbutthathewasarealprodigy?InMadridhisnamewasalwaysmentionedwithrespect，andifDonCayetanohadlivedinthecapital，hecouldnothaveescapedbecomingamember，inspiteofhismodesty，ofeveryacademyinit，past，present，andtocome。Buthewasfondofquietandretirement，andtheplacewhichvanityoccupiesinthesoulsofothers，apurepassionforbooks，aloveofsolitaryandsecludedstudy，withoutanyotheraimorincentivethanthebooksandthestudythemselves，occupiedinhis。
　　HehadformedinOrbajosaoneofthefinestlibrariesthatistobefoundinallSpain，andamonghisbookshepassedlonghoursofthedayandofthenight，compiling，classifying，takingnotes，andselectingvarioussortsofpreciousinformation，orcomposing，perhaps，somehithertounheard-ofandundreamed-ofwork，worthyofsogreatamind。
　　Hishabitswerepatriarchal；heatelittle，drankless，andhisonlydissipationsconsistedofaluncheonintheAlamillosonverygreatoccasions，anddailywalkstoaplacecalledMundogrande，wherewereoftendisinterredfromtheaccumulateddustoftwentycenturies，medals，bitsofarchitecture，andoccasionallyanamphoraorcubiculariaofinestimablevalue。
　　DonCayetanoandDonaPerfectalivedinsuchperfectharmonythatthepeaceofParadisewasnottobecomparedtoit。Theyneverdisagreed。
　　ItistruethatDonCayetanoneverinterferedintheaffairsofthehousenorDonaPerfectainthoseofthelibrary，excepttohaveitsweptanddustedeverySaturday，regardingwithreligiousrespectthebooksandpapersthatwereinuseonthetableoranywhereelseintheroom。
　　AfterthequestionsandanswerspropertotheoccasionhadbeeninterchangedDonCayetanosaid:
　　“Ihavealreadylookedatthebooks。Iamverysorrythatyoudidnotbringmetheeditionof1527。IshallhavetomakeajourneytoMadridmyself。Areyougoingtoremainwithuslong?Thelongerthebetter，mydearPepe。HowgladIamtohaveyouhere！BetweenusbothwewillarrangeapartofmylibraryandmakeanindexofthewritersontheArtofHorsemanship。Itisnotalwaysonehasathandamanofyourtalents。Youshallseemylibrary。Youcantakeyourfillofreadingthere——asoftenasyoulike。Youwillseemarvels，realmarvels，inestimabletreasures，rareworksthatnoonebutmyselfhasacopyof。
　　ButIthinkitmustbetimefordinner，isitnot，Jose?Isitnot，Perfecta?Isitnot，Rosarito?Isitnot，SenorDonInocencio?To-dayyouaredoublyaPenitentiary——Imeanbecauseyouwillaccompanyusindoingpenance。”
　　Thecanonbowedandsmiled，manifestinghispleasedacquiescence。Thedinnerwassubstantial，andinallthedishestherewasnoticeabletheexcessiveabundanceofcountrybanquets，realizedattheexpenseofvariety。Therewasenoughtosurfeittwiceasmanypersonsassatdowntotable。Theconversationturnedonvarioussubjects。
　　“Youmustvisitourcathedralassoonaspossible，“saidthecanon。
　　“Therearefewcathedralslikeours，SenorDonJose！Butofcourseyou，whohaveseensomanywondersinforeigncountries，willfindnothingremarkableinouroldchurch。WepoorprovincialsofOrbajosa，however，thinkitdivine。MasterLopezofBerganza，oneoftheprebendariesofthecathedral，calleditinthesixteenthcentury/pulchraaugustissima/。Butperhapsforamanofyourlearningitwouldpossessnomerit，andsomemarketconstructedofironwouldseemmorebeautiful。”
　　TheironicalremarksofthewilycanonannoyedPepeReymoreandmoreeverymoment，but，determinedtocontrolhimselfandtoconcealhisanger，heansweredonlywithvaguewords。DonaPerfectathentookupthethemeandsaidplayfully:
　　“Takecare，Pepito；Iwarnyouthatifyouspeakillofourholychurchweshallceasetobefriends。Youknowagreatdeal，youareamaneminentforyourknowledgeoneverysubject，butifyouaregoingtodiscoverthatthatgrandedificeisnottheeighthwonderoftheworldyouwilldowelltokeepyourknowledgetoyourselfandleaveusinourignorance。”
　　“Farfromthinkingthatthebuildingisnothandsome，“respondedPepe，“thelittleIhaveseenofitsexteriorhasseemedtomeofimposingbeauty。Sothereisnoneedforyoutobealarmed，aunt。AndIamveryfarfrombeingasavant。”
　　“Softly；softly，“saidthecanon，extendinghishandandgivinghismouthatrucefromeatinginordertotalk。“Stopthere——don'tcomenowpretendingmodesty，SenorDonJose；wearetoowellawareofyourgreatmerit，ofthehighreputationyouenjoyandtheimportantpartyouplaywhereveryouare，forthat。Menlikeyouarenottobemetwitheveryday。ButnowthatIhaveextolledyourmeritsinthisway——“
　　Hestoppedtoeatamouthful，andwhenhistonguewasoncemoreatlibertyhecontinuedthus:
　　“NowthatIhaveextolledyourmeritsinthisway，permitmetoexpressadifferentopinionwiththefranknesswhichbelongstomycharacter。
　　Yes，SenorDonJose，yes，SenorDonCayetano；yes，senoraandsenorita，science，asthemodernsstudyandpropagateit，isthedeathofsentimentandofeverysweetillusion。Underitsinfluencethelifeofthespiritdeclines，everythingisreducedtofixedrules，andeventhesublimecharmsofnaturedisappear。Sciencedestroysthemarvellousinthearts，aswellasfaithinthesoul。Sciencesaysthateverythingisalie，andwouldreduceeverythingtofiguresandlines，notonly/mariaacterras/，whereweare，but/coelumqueprofundum/，whereGodis。Thewonderfulvisionsofthesoul，itsmysticraptures，eventheinspirationofthepoets，areallalie。Theheartisasponge；thebrain，aplaceforbreedingmaggots。”
　　Everyonelaughed，whilethecanontookadraughtofwine。
　　“Come，now，willSenorDonJosedeny，“continuedtheecclesiastic，“thatscience，asitistaughtandpropagatedto-day，isfastmakingoftheworldandofthehumanraceagreatmachine?“
　　“Thatdepends，“saidDonCayetano。“Everythinghasits/pro/andits/contra/。”
　　“Takesomemoresalad，SenorPenitentiary，“saidDonaPerfecta；“itisjustasyoulikeit——withagooddealofmustard。”
　　PepeReywasnotfondofengaginginuselessdiscussions；hewasnotapedant，nordidhedesiretomakeadisplayofhislearning，andstilllessdidhewishtodosointhepresenceofwomen，andinaprivatere-union；buttheimportunateandaggressiveverbosityofthecanonrequired，inhisopinion，acorrective。Toflatterhisvanitybyagreeingwithhisviewswould，hethought，beabadwaytogiveittohim，andhedeterminedthereforetoexpressonlysuchopinionsasshouldbemostdirectlyopposedtothoseofthesarcasticPenitentiaryandmostoffensivetohim。
　　“Soyouwishtoamuseyourselfatmyexpense，“hesaidtohimself。
　　“Wait，andyouwillseewhatafinedanceIwillleadyou。”
　　Thenhesaidaloud:
　　“AllthattheSenorPenitentiaryhassaidironicallyisthetruth。Butitisnotourfaultifscienceoverturnsdayafterdaythevainidolsofthepast:itssuperstitions，itssophisms，itsinnumerablefables——beautiful，someofthem，ridiculousothers——forinthevineyardoftheLordgrowbothgoodfruitandbad。Theworldofillusions，whichis，aswemightsay，asecondworld，istumblingaboutusinruins。
　　Mysticisminreligion，routineinscience，mannerisminart，arefalling，asthePagangodsfell，amidjests。Farewell，foolishdreams！
　　thehumanraceisawakeninganditseyesbeholdthelight。Itsvainsentimentalism，itsmysticism，itsfevers，itshallucination，itsdeliriumarepassingaway，andhewhowasbeforesickisnowwellandtakesanineffabledelightinthejustappreciationofthings。
　　Imagination，theterriblemadwoman，whowasthemistressofthehouse，hasbecometheservant。Lookaroundyou，SenorPenitentiary，andyouwillseetheadmirableaggregationoftruthswhichhastakentheplaceoffable。Theskyisnotavault；thestarsarenotlittlelamps；themoonisnotasportivehuntress，butanopaquemassofstone；thesunisnotagaylyadornedandvagabondcharioteerbutafixedfire；ScyllaandCharybdisarenotnymphsbutsunkenrocks；thesirensareseals；
　　andintheorderofpersonages，MercuryisManzanedo；Marsisaclean-
　　shavenoldman，theCountvonMoltke；Nestormaybeagentlemaninanovercoat，whoiscalledM。Thiers；OrpheusisVerdi；VulcanisKrupp；
　　Apolloisanypoet。Doyouwishmore?Well，then，Jupiter，agodwho，ifhewerelivingnow，woulddeservetobeputinjail，doesnotlaunchthethunderbolt，butthethunderboltfallswhenelectricitywillsit。
　　ThereisnoParnassus；thereisnoOlympus；thereisnoStygianlake；
　　norarethereanyotherElysianFieldsthanthoseofParis。ThereisnootherdescenttohellthanthedescentsofGeology，andthistraveller，everytimehereturnsfromit，declaresthattherearenodamnedsoulsinthecentreoftheearth。TherearenootherascentstoheaventhanthoseofAstronomy，andshe，onherreturn，declaresthatshehasnotseenthesixorsevencirclesofwhichDanteandthemysticaldreamersoftheMiddleAgesspeak。Shefindsonlystarsanddistances，lines，vastspaces，andnothingmore。Therearenownofalsecomputationsoftheageoftheearth，forpaleontologyandprehistoricresearchhavecountedtheteethofthisskullinwhichweliveanddiscoveredthetrueage。Fable，whetheritbecalledpaganismorChristianidealism，existsnolonger，andimaginationplaysonlyasecondarypart。AllthemiraclespossiblearesuchasIwork，wheneverIdesiretodoso，inmylaboratory，withmyBunsenpile，aconductingwire，andamagnetizedneedle。TherearenownoothermultiplicationsofloavesandfishesthanthosewhichIndustrymakes，withhermouldsandhermachines，andthoseoftheprintingpress，whichimitatesNature，takingfromasingletypemillionsofcopies。Inshort，mydearcanon，ordershavebeengiventoputontheretiredlistalltheabsurdities，lies，illusions，dreams，sentimentalities，andprejudiceswhichdarkentheunderstandingofman。Letusrejoiceatthefact。”
　　WhenPepefinishedspeaking，afurtivesmileplayeduponthecanon'slipsandhiseyeswereextraordinarilyanimated。DonCayetanobusiedhimselfingivingvariousforms——nowrhomboidal，nowprismatic——toalittleballofbread。ButDonaPerfectawaspaleandkepthereyesfixedonthecanonwithobservantinsistence。Rosaritolookedwithamazementathercousin。Thelatter，bendingtowardher，whisperedunderhisbreath:
　　“Don'tmindme，littlecousin；Iamtalkingallthisnonsenseonlytoenragethecanon。”
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEDISAGREEMENTINCREASES
　　“Perhapsyouthink，“saidDonaPerfecta，withatingeofconceitinhertones，“thatSenorDonInocencioisgoingtoremainsilentandnotgiveyouananswertoeachandeveryoneofthosepoints。”
　　“Oh，no！“exclaimedthecanon，archinghiseyebrows。“Iwillnotattempttomeasuremypoorabilitieswithachampionsovaliantandatthesametimesowellarmed。SenorDonJoseknowseverything；thatistosay，hehasathiscommandthewholearsenaloftheexactsciences。
　　OfcourseIknowthatthedoctrinesheupholdsarefalse；butIhaveneitherthetalentnortheeloquencetocombatthem。Iwouldemploytheologicalarguments，drawnfromrevelation，fromfaith，fromtheDivineWord；butalas！SenorDonJose，whoisaneminentsavant，wouldlaughattheology，atfaith，atrevelation，attheholyprophets，atthegospel。Apoorignorantpriest，anunhappymanwhoknowsneithermathematics，norGermanphilosophywithits/ego/andits/nonego/，apoordominie，whoknowsonlythescienceofGodandsomethingoftheLatinpoets，cannotenterintocombatwithsovaliantachampion。”
　　PepeReyburstintoafranklaugh。
　　“IseethatSenorDonInocencio，“hesaid，“hastakenseriouslyallthenonsenseIhavebeentalking。Come，SenorCanon，regardthewholematterasajest，andletitendthere。Iamquitesurethatmyopinionsdonotinrealitydiffergreatlyfromyours。Youareapiousandlearnedman；itisIwhoamignorant。IfIhaveallowedmyselftospeakinjest，pardonme，allofyou——thatismyway。”
　　“Thanks！“respondedthepresbyter，visiblyannoyed。“Isthatthewayyouwanttogetoutofitnow?Iamwellaware，weareallwellaware，thattheviewsyouhavesustainedareyourown。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。Youarethemanoftheage。Itcannotbedeniedthatyouhaveawonderful，atrulywonderfulintellect。Whileyouweretalking，atthesametimethatIinwardlydeplorederrorssogreat，Icouldnotbutadmire，Iwillconfessitfrankly，theloftinessofexpression，theprodigiousfluency，thesurprisingmethodofyourreasoning，theforceofyourarguments。Whatahead，SenoraDonaPerfecta，whataheadyouryoungnephewhas！WhenIwasinMadridandtheytookmetotheAtheneum，IconfessthatIwasamazedtoseethewonderfultalentwhichGodhasbestowedontheatheistsandtheProtestants。”
　　“SenorDonInocencio，“saidDonaPerfecta，lookingalternatelyathernephewandherfriend，“Ithinkthatinjudgingthisboyyouaremorethanbenevolent。Don'tgetangry，Pepe，ormindwhatIsay，forIamneitherasavante，noraphilosopher，noratheologian；butitseemstomethatSenorDonInocenciohasjustgivenaproofofhisgreatmodestyandChristiancharityinnotcrushingyouashecouldhavedoneifhehadwished。”
　　“Oh，senora！“saidtheecclesiastic。
　　“Thatisthewaywithhim，“continuedDonaPerfecta，“alwayspretendingtoknownothing。Andheknowsmorethanthesevendoctorsputtogether。
　　Ah，SenorDonInocencio，howwellthenameyouhavesuitsyou！Butdon'taffectanunseasonablehumilitynow。Why，mynephewhasnopretensions。Allheknowsiswhathehasbeentaught。Ifhehasbeentaughterror，whatmorecanhedesirethanthatyoushouldenlightenhimandtakehimoutofthelimboofhisfalsedoctrines?“
　　“Justso；IdesirenothingmorethanthattheSenorPenitentiaryshouldtakemeout，“——murmuredPepe，comprehendingthatwithoutintendingit，hehadgothimselfintoalabyrinth。
　　“Iamapoorpriest，whoseonlylearningissomeknowledgeoftheancients，“respondedDonInocencio。“Irecognizetheimmensevalue，fromaworldlypointofview，ofSenorDonJose'sscientificknowledge，andbeforesobrilliantanoracleIprostratemyselfandamsilent。”
　　Sosaying，thecanonfoldedhishandsacrosshisbreastandbenthishead。PepeReywassomewhatdisturbedbecauseoftheturnwhichhismindhadchosentogivetoanidlediscussionjestinglyfollowedup，andinwhichhehadengagedonlytoenliventheconversationalittle。
　　Hethoughtthatthemostprudentcoursetopursuewouldbetoendatoncesodangerousadebate，andforthispurposeheaddressedaquestiontoSenorDonCayetanowhenthelatter，shakingoffthedrowsinesswhichhadovercomehimafterthedessert，offeredthegueststheindispensabletoothpicksstuckinachinapeacockwithoutspreadtail。
　　“YesterdayIdiscoveredahandgraspingthehandleofanamphora，onwhichthereareanumberofhieraticcharacters。Iwillshowittoyou，“saidDonCayetano，delightedtointroduceafavoritetheme。
　　“IsupposethatSenordeReyisveryexpertinarchaeologicalmattersalso，“saidthecanon，who，stillimplacable，pursuedhisvictimtohislastretreat。
　　“Ofcourse，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Whatistherethatthesecleverchildrenofourdaydonotunderstand?Theyhaveallthesciencesattheirfingers'ends。Theuniversitiesandtheacademicsteachthemeverythinginatwinkling，givingthemapatentoflearning。”
　　“Oh，thatisunjust！“respondedthecanon，observingthepainedexpressionoftheengineer'scountenance。
　　“Myauntisright，“declaredPepe。“Atthepresentdaywelearnalittleofeverything，andleaveschoolwiththerudimentsofvariousstudies。”
　　“Iwassaying，“continuedthecanon，“thatyouarenodoubtagreatarchaeologist。”
　　“Iknowabsolutelynothingofthatscience，“respondedtheyoungman。
　　“Ruinsareruins，andIhavenevercaredtocovermyselfwithdustgoingamongthem。”
　　DonCayetanomadeanexpressivegrimace。
　　“ThatisnottosaythatIcondemnarchaeology，“saidDonaPerfecta'snephewquickly，observingwithpainthathecouldnotutterawordwithoutwoundingsomeone。“Iknowthatfromthatdustissueshistory。
　　Thosestudiesaredelightfulandveryuseful。”
　　“You，“saidthePenitentiary，puttinghistoothpickintothelastofhisbackteeth，“arenodoubtmoreinclinedtocontroversialstudies。
　　Anexcellentideahasjustoccurredtome，SenorDonJose；yououghttobealawyer。”
　　“LawisaprofessionwhichIabhor，“repliedPepeRey。“Iknowmanyestimablelawyers，amongthemmyfather，whoisthebestofmen；but，inspiteofsofavorableaspecimen，Icouldneverhadbroughtmyselftopractiseaprofessionwhichconsistsindefendingwithequalreadinessthe/pro/andthe/contra/ofaquestion。Iknowofnogreatermisjudgment，nogreaterprejudice，nogreaterblindness，thanparentsshowintheireagernesstodedicatetheirsonstothelaw。ThechiefandthemostterribleplagueofSpainisthecrowdofouryounglawyers，forwhoseexistenceafabulousnumberoflawsuitsarenecessary。Lawsuitsmultiplyinproportiontothedemand。Andeventhus，numbersareleftwithoutemployment，and，asajurisconsultcannotputhishandtotheploughorseathimselfattheloom，theresultisthatbrilliantsquadronofidlersfullofpretensions，whoclamorforplaces，embarrasstheadministration，agitatepublicopinion，andbreedrevolutions。Insomewaytheymustmakealiving。Itwouldbeagreatermisfortuneiftherewerelawsuitsenoughforallofthem。”
　　“Pepe，forHeaven'ssake，takecarewhatyousay，“saidDonaPerfecta，inatoneofmarkedseverity。“Butexcusehim，SenorDonInocencio，forheisnotawarethatyouhaveanephewwho，althoughhehasonlylatelylefttheuniversity，isaprodigyinthelaw。”
　　“Ispeakingeneralterms，“saidPepe，withfirmness。“Being，asIam，thesonofadistinguishedlawyer，Icannotbeignorantofthefactthattherearemanymenwhopractisethatnobleprofessionwithhonortothemselves。”
　　“No；mynephewisonlyaboyyet，“saidthecanon，withaffectedhumility。“Farbeitfrommetoassertthatheisaprodigyoflearning，likeSenordeRey。Intime，whocantell?Histalentsareneitherbrilliantnorseductive。Ofcourse，Jacinto'sideasaresolidandhisjudgmentissound。Whatheknowsheknowsthoroughly。Heisunacquaintedwithsophistriesandhollowphrases。”
　　PepeReyappearedeverymomentmoreandmoredisturbed。Theideathat，withoutdesiringit，hisopinionsshouldbeinoppositiontothoseofthefriendsofhisaunt，vexedhim，andheresolvedtoremainsilentlestheandDonInocencioshouldendbythrowingtheplatesateachother'sheads。Fortunatelythecathedralbell，callingthecanontotheimportantdutiesofthechoir，extricatedhimfromhispainfulposition。Thevenerableecclesiasticroseandtookleaveofeveryone，treatingReywithasmuchamiabilityandkindnessasiftheyhadbeenoldanddearfriends。Thecanon，afterofferinghisservicestoPepeforallthathemightrequire，promisedtopresenthisnephewtohiminorderthattheyoungmanmightaccompanyhimtoseethetown，speakinginthemostaffectionatetermsanddeigning，onleavingtheroom，topathimontheshoulder。PepeRey，acceptingwithpleasuretheseformulasofconcord，neverthelessfeltindescribablyrelievedwhenthepriesthadleftthedining-roomandthehouse。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　INALLHASTE
　　Alittlelaterthescenehadchanged。DonCayetano，findingrestfromhissublimelaborsinagentleslumberthathadovercomehimafterdinner，reclinedcomfortablyinanarm-chairinthedining-room。
　　Rosarito，seatedatoneofthewindowsthatopenedintothegarden，glancedathercousin，sayingtohimwiththemuteeloquenceofhereyes:
　　“Cousin，sitdownherebesidemeandtellmeeverythingyouhavetosaytome。”
　　Hercousin，mathematicianthoughhewas，understood。
　　“Mydearcousin，“saidPepe，“howyoumusthavebeenboredthisafternoonbyourdisputes！HeavenknowsthatformyownpleasureI
　　wouldnothaveplayedthepedantasIdid；thecanonwastoblameforit。Doyouknowthatthatpriestappearstometobeasingularcharacter?“
　　“Heisanexcellentperson！“respondedRosarito，showingthedelightshefeltatbeingabletogivehercousinallthedataandtheinformationthathemightrequire。
　　“Oh，yes！Anexcellentperson。Thatisveryevident！“
　　“Whenyouknowhimalittlebetter，youwillseethat。”
　　“Thatheisbeyondallprice！Butitisenoughforhimtobeyourfriendandyourmamma'stobemyfriendalso，“declaredtheyoungman。
　　“Anddoeshecomehereoften?“
　　“Everyday。Hespendsagreatdealofhistimewithus，“respondedRosaritoingenuously。“Howgoodandkindheis！Andhowfondheisofme！“
　　“Come！Ibegintolikethisgentleman。”
　　“Hecomesintheevening，besides，toplaytresillo，“continuedtheyounggirl；“foreverynightsomefriendsmeethere——thejudgeofthelowercourt，theattorney-general，thedean，thebishop'ssecretary，thealcalde，thecollectoroftaxes，DonInocencio'snephew——“
　　“Ah！Jacintito，thelawyer。”
　　“Yes；heisasimple-heartedboy，asgoodasgold。Hisuncleadoreshim。Sincehereturnedfromtheuniversitywithhisdoctor'stassel——
　　forheisadoctorintwosciences，andhetookhonorsbesides——whatdoyouthinkofthat?——well，asIwassaying，sincehisreturn，hehascomehereveryoftenwithhisuncle。Mammatooisveryfondofhim。Heisaverysensibleboy。Hegoeshomeearlywithhisuncle；henevergoesatnighttotheCasino，norplaysnorsquandersmoney，andheisemployedintheofficeofDonLorenzoRuiz，whoisthebestlawyerinOrbajosa。TheysayJacintowillbeagreatlawyer，too。”
　　“Hisuncledidnotexaggeratewhenhepraisedhim，then，“saidPepe。“I
　　amverysorrythatItalkedallthatnonsenseIdidaboutlawyers。I
　　wasveryperverse，wasInot，mydearcousin?“
　　“Notatall；formypart，Ithinkyouwerequiteright。”
　　“But，really，wasInotalittle——“
　　“Notintheleast，notintheleast！“
　　“Whataweightyouhavetakenoffmymind！ThetruthisthatIfoundmyselfconstantly，andwithoutknowingwhy，indistressingoppositiontothatvenerablepriest。Iamverysorryforit。”
　　“WhatIthink，“saidRosarito，lookingathimwitheyesfullofaffection，“isthatyouwillnotfindyourselfathomeamongus。”
　　“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?“
　　“Idon'tknowwhetherIcanmakemyselfquiteclear，cousin。ImeanthatitwillnotbeeasyforyoutoaccustomyourselftothesocietyandtheideasofthepeopleofOrbajosa。Iimagineso——itisasupposition。”
　　“Oh，no！Ithinkyouaremistaken。”
　　“Youcomefromadifferentplace，fromanotherworld，wherethepeopleareveryclever，andverylearned，andhaverefinedmanners，andawittywayoftalking，andanair——perhapsIamnotmakingmyselfclear。
　　Imeanthatyouareaccustomedtoliveamongpeopleofrefinement；youknowagreatdeal。Herethereisnotwhatyouneed；herethepeoplearenotlearnedorverypolished。Everythingisplain，Pepe。Iimagineyouwillbebored，terriblybored，andthatintheendyouwillhavetogoaway。”
　　TheexpressionofsadnesswhichwasnaturalinRosarito'scountenanceherebecamesoprofoundthatPepeReywasdeeplymoved。
　　“Youaremistaken，mydearcousin。Ididnotcomeherewiththeideasyoufancy，noristherebetweenmycharacterandmyopinionsandthecharacterandopinionsofthepeopleherethewantofharmonyyouimagine。Butletussupposeforamomentthattherewere。”
　　“Letussupposeit。”
　　“InthatcaseIhavethefirmconvictionthatbetweenyouandme，betweenustwo，dearRosarito，perfectharmonywouldstillexist。OnthispointIcannotbemistaken。MyhearttellsmethatIamnotmistaken。”
　　Rosaritoblusheddeeply，butmakinganefforttoconcealherembarrassmentundersmilesandfugitiveglances，shesaid:
　　“Come，now，nopretences。ButifyoumeanthatIshallalwaysapproveofwhatyousay，youareright。”
　　“Rosario，“exclaimedtheyoungman，“themomentIsawyoumysoulwasfilledwithgladness；IfeltatthesametimearegretthatIhadnotcomebeforetoOrbajosa。”
　　“Now，thatIamnotgoingtobelieve，“shesaid，affectinggayetytoconcealheremotion。“Sosoon?Don'tbegintomakeprotestationsalready。See，Pepe，Iamonlyacountrygirl，Icantalkonlyaboutcommonthings；Idon'tknowFrench；Idon'tdresswithelegance；allI
　　knowishowtoplaythepiano；I——“
　　“Oh，Rosario！“criedtheyoungman，withardor；“Ibelievedyoutobeperfectbefore；nowIamsureyouareso。”
　　Hermotheratthismomententeredtheroom。Rosarito，whodidnotknowwhattosayinanswertohercousin'slastwords，wasconscious，however，ofthenecessityofsayingsomething，and，lookingathermother，shecried:
　　“Ah！Iforgottogivetheparrothisdinner。”
　　“Don'tmindthatnow。Butwhydoyoustayinhere?Takeyourcousinforawalkinthegarden。”
　　DonaPerfectasmiledwithmaternalkindnessathernephew，asshepointedtowardtheleafyavenuewhichwasvisiblethroughtheglassdoor。
　　“Letusgothere，“saidPepe，rising。
　　Rosaritodarted，likeabirdreleasedfromitscage，towardtheglassdoor。
　　“Pepe，whoknowssomuchandwhomustunderstandallabouttrees，“saidDonaPerfecta，“willteachyouhowtograft。Letusseewhathethinksofthoseyoungpear-treesthattheyaregoingtotransplant。”
　　“Come，come！“calledRosaritotohercousinimpatientlyfromthegarden。
　　Bothdisappearedamongthefoliage。DonaPerfectawatchedthemuntiltheywereoutofsightandthenbusiedherselfwiththeparrot。Asshechangeditsfoodshesaidtoherselfwithacontemplativeair:
　　“Howdifferentheis！Hehasnotevengivenacaresstothepoorbird。”
　　Then，thinkingitpossiblethatshehadbeenoverheardbyherbrother-
　　in-law，shesaidaloud:
　　“Cayetano，whatdoyouthinkofmynephew?Cayetano！“
　　Alowgruntgaveevidencethattheantiquarywasreturningtotheconsciousnessofthismiserableworld。
　　“Cayetano！“
　　“Justso，justso！“murmuredthescientistinasleepyvoice。“Thatyounggentlemanwillmaintain，aseveryonedoes，thatthestatuesofMundograndebelongtothefirstPhoenicianimmigration。ButIwillconvincehim?“
　　“But，Cayetano！“
　　“But，Perfecta！There！NowyouwillinsistuponitagainthatIhavebeenasleep。”
　　“No，indeed；howcouldIinsistuponanythingsoabsurd！Butyouhaven'ttoldmewhatyouthinkaboutthatyoungman。”
　　DonCayetanoplacedthepalmofhishandbeforehismouthtoconcealayawn；thenheandDonaPerfectaentereduponalongconversation。Thosewhohavetransmittedtousthenecessarydataforacompilationofthishistoryomitthisdialogue，nodoubtbecauseitwasentirelyconfidential。AsforwhattheengineerandRosaritosaidinthegardenthatafternoon，itisevidentthatitwasnotworthyofmention。
　　Ontheafternoonofthefollowingday，however，eventstookplacewhich，beingofthegravestimportance，oughtnottobepassedoverinsilence。Lateintheafternoonthetwocousinsfoundthemselvesalone，afterramblingthroughdifferentpartsofthegardeninfriendlycompanionshipandhavingeyesandearsonlyforeachother。
　　“Pepe，“Rosariowassaying，“allthatyouhavebeentellingmeispurefancy，oneofthosestoriesthatyouclevermenknowsowellhowtoputtogether。YouthinkthatbecauseIamacountrygirlIbelieveeverythingIamtold。”
　　“IfyouunderstoodmeaswellasIthinkIunderstandyou，youwouldknowthatIneversayanythingIdonotmean。Butletushavedonewithfoolishsubtletiesandlovers'sophistries，thatleadonlytomisunderstandings。Iwillspeaktoyouonlyinthelanguageoftruth。
　　AreyoubychanceayoungladywhoseacquaintanceIhavemadeonthepromenadeorataparty，andwithwhomIproposetospendapleasanthourortwo?No，youaremycousin。Youaresomethingmore。Rosario，letusatonceputthingsontheirproperfooting。Letusdropcircumlocutions。Ihavecomeheretomarryyou。”
　　Rosariofeltherfaceburning，andherheartwasbeatingviolently。
　　“See，mydearcousin，“continuedtheyoungman。“IsweartoyouthatifyouhadnotpleasedmeIshouldbealreadyfarawayfromthisplace。
　　Althoughpolitenessanddelicacywouldhaveobligedmetomakeanefforttoconcealmydisappointment，Ishouldhavefoundithardtodoso。Thatismycharacter。”
　　“Cousin，youhaveonlyjustarrived，“saidRosaritolaconically，tryingtolaugh。
　　“Ihaveonlyjustarrived，andIalreadyknowallthatIwantedtoknow；IknowthatIloveyou；thatyouarethewomanwhommyhearthaslongbeenannouncingtome，sayingtomenightandday，'Nowsheiscoming，nowsheisnear；nowyouareburning。'“
　　ThesewordsservedRosarioasanexcuseforbreakingintothelaughthathadbeendimplingherlips。Hersoulswelledwithhappiness；shebreathedanatmosphereofjoy。
　　“Youpersistindepreciatingyourself，“continuedPepe，“butformeyoupossesseveryperfection。Youhavetheadmirablequalityofradiatingonallaroundyouthedivinelightofyoursoul。Themomentoneseesyouonefeelsinstinctivelythenobilityofyourmindandthepurityofyourheart。Toseeyouistoseeacelestialbeingwho，throughtheforgetfulnessofHeaven，remainsupontheearth；youareanangel，andIadoreyou。”
　　Whenhehadsaidthisitseemedasifhehadfulfilledanimportantmission。Rosarito，overcomebytheviolenceofheremotion，feltherscantstrengthsuddenlyfailher；and，half-fainting，shesankonastonethatinthosepleasantsolitudesservedasaseat。Pepebentoverher。Hereyeswereclosed，herforeheadrestedonthepalmofherhand。
　　AfewmomentslaterthedaughterofDonaPerfectaPolentinosgavehercousin，amidhappytears，atenderglancefollowedbythesewords:
　　“IlovedyoubeforeIhadeverseenyou。”
　　Placingherhandsinthoseoftheyoungmansherosetoherfeet，andtheirformsdisappearedamongtheleafybranchesofanoleanderwalk。
　　Nightwasfallingandsoftshadowsenvelopedthelowerendofthegarden，whilethelastraysofthesettingsuncrownedthetree-topswithfleetingsplendors。Thenoisyrepublicofthebirdskeptupadeafeningclamorintheupperbranches。Itwasthehourinwhich，afterflittingaboutinthejoyousregionsofthesky，theywereallgoingtorest，andtheyweredisputingwithoneanotherthebranchestheyhadselectedforsleeping-places。Theirchatterattimeshadasoundofrecriminationandcontroversy，attimesofmockeryandmerriment。Intheirvolubletwitterthelittlerascalssaidthemostinsultingthingstoeachother，peckingateachotherandflappingtheirwings，asoratorswavetheirarmswhentheywanttomaketheirhearersbelievetheliestheyaretellingthem。Butwordsofloveweretobeheardtheretoo，forthepeaceofthehourandthebeautyofthespotinvitedtoit。Asharpearmighthavedistinguishedthefollowing:
　　“IlovedyoubeforeIhadevenseenyou，andifyouhadnotcomeI
　　shouldhavediedofgrief。Mammausedtogivemeyourfather'sletterstoread，andhepraisedyousomuchinthemthatIusedtosay，'Thatisthemanwhooughttobemyhusband。'Foralongtimeyourfathersaidnothingaboutourmarrying，whichseemedtomegreatnegligence。
　　UncleCayetano，wheneverhespokeofyou，wouldsay，'Therearenotmanymenlikehimintheworld。Thewomanwhogetshimforahusbandmaythinkherselffortunate。'Atlastyourfathersaidwhathecouldnotavoidsaying。Yes，hecouldnotavoidsayingit——Iwasexpectingiteveryday。”
　　Shortlyafterthesewordsthesamevoiceaddeduneasily:“Someoneisfollowingus。”
　　Emergingfromamongtheoleanders，Pepe，turninground，sawtwomenapproachingthem，andtouchingtheleavesofayoungtreenearby，hesaidaloudtohiscompanion:
　　“Itisnotpropertopruneyoungtreeslikethisforthefirsttimeuntiltheyhavetakenfirmroot。Treesrecentlyplantedhavenotsufficientstrengthtobeartheoperation。Youknowthattherootscangrowonlybymeansoftheleaves，sothatifyoutaketheleavesfromatree——“
　　“Ah，SenorDonJose，“criedthePenitentiary，withafranklaugh，approachingthetwoyoungpeopleandbowingtothem，“areyougivinglessonsinhorticulture?/InserenuncMeliboeepiros；poneordinevites/，asthegreatsingerofthelaborsofthefieldsaid。'Graftthepear-tree，dearMeliboeus，trimthevines。'Andhowarewenow，SenorDonJose?“
　　Theengineerandthecanonshookhands。Thenthelatterturnedround，andindicatingbyagestureayoungmanwhowasbehindhim，said，smiling:
　　“IhavethepleasureofpresentingtoyoumydearJacintillo——agreatrogue，afeather-head，SenorDonJose。”
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEDISAGREEMENTCONTINUESTOINCREASE，ANDTHEREAFTERTOBECOMEDISCORD
　　Closebesidetheblackcassockwasafreshandrosyface，thatseemedfresherandrosierfromthecontrast。Jacintosalutedourhero，notwithoutsomeembarrassment。
　　Hewasoneofthoseprecociousyouthswhomtheindulgentuniversitysendsprematurelyforthintothearenaoflife，makingthemfancythattheyaremenbecausetheyhavereceivedtheirdoctor'sdegree。Jacintohadaround，handsomefacewithrosycheeks，likeagirl's，andwithoutanybeardsavethedownwhichannounceditscoming。Inpersonhewasplumpandbelowthemediumheight。Hisagewasalittleovertwenty。Hehadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodunderthedirectionofhisexcellentandlearneduncle，whichisthesameassayingthatthetwighadnotbecomecrookedinthegrowing。Aseveremoraltraininghadkepthimalwaysstraight，andinthefulfilmentofhisscholasticdutieshehadbeenalmostabovereproach。Havingconcludedhisstudiesattheuniversitywithastonishingsuccess，fortherewasscarcelyaclassinwhichhedidnottakethehighesthonors，heenteredonthepracticeofhisprofession，promising，byhisapplicationandhisaptitudeforthelaw，tomaintainfreshandgreenintheforumthelaurelsofthelecture-hall。
　　Attimeshewasasmischievousasaboy，attimesassedateasaman。
　　Inverytruth，ifJacintohadnothadalittle，andevenagreatdealoflikingforprettygirls，hisunclewouldhavethoughthimperfect。
　　Theworthymanpreachedtohimunceasinglyonthispoint，hasteningtoclipthewingsofeveryaudaciousfancy。Butnoteventhismundaneinclinationoftheyoungmancouldcoolthegreataffectionwhichourworthycanonborethecharmingoffspringofhisdearniece，MariaRemedios。Wheretheyounglawyerwasconcerned，everythingelsemustgiveway。Eventhegraveandmethodicalhabitsoftheworthyecclesiasticwerealteredwhentheyinterferedwiththeaffairsofhisprecociouspupil。Thatorderandregularity，apparentlyasfixedasthelawsofaplanetarysystem，wereinterruptedwheneverJacintowasillorhadtotakeajourney。Uselesscelibacyoftheclergy！TheCouncilofTrentprohibitsthemfromhavingchildrenoftheirown，butGod——andnottheDevil，astheproverbsays——givesthemnephewsandniecesinorderthattheymayknowthetenderanxietiesofpaternity。
　　Examiningimpartiallythequalitiesofthiscleverboy，itwasimpossiblenottorecognizethathewasnotwantinginmerit。Hischaracterwasinthemaininclinedtouprightness，andnobleactionsawakenedafrankadmirationinhissoul。Withrespecttohisintellectualendowmentsandhissocialknowledge，theyweresufficienttoenablehimtobecomeintimeoneofthosenotabilitiesofwhomtherearesomanyinSpain；hemightbewhatwetakedelightincallinghyperbolicallyadistinguishedpatrician，oraneminentpublicman；
　　specieswhich，owingtotheirgreatabundance，arehardlyappreciatedattheirjustvalue。Inthetenderageinwhichtheuniversitydegreeservesasasortofsolderbetweenboyhoodandmanhood，fewyoungmen——
　　especiallyiftheyhavebeenspoiledbytheirmasters——arefreefromanoffensivepedantry，which，ifitgivesthemgreatimportancebesidetheirmamma'sarm-chair，makesthemveryridiculouswhentheyareamonggraveandexperiencedmen。Jacintohadthisdefect，whichwasexcusableinhim，notonlybecauseofhisyouth，butalsobecausehisworthyunclestimulatedhispuerilevanitybyinjudiciouspraise。
　　Whentheintroductionwasovertheyresumedtheirwalk。Jacintowassilent。Thecanon，returningtotheinterruptedthemeofthe/pyros/
　　whichweretobegraftedandthe/vites/whichweretobetrimmed，said:
　　“IamalreadyawarethatSenorDonJoseisagreatagriculturist。”
　　“Notatall；Iknownothingwhateveraboutthesubject，“respondedtheyoungman，observingwithnolittleannoyancethecanon'smaniaofsupposinghimtobelearnedinallthesciences。
　　“Oh，yes！agreatagriculturist，“continuedthePenitentiary；'butonagriculturalsubjects，don'tquotethelatesttreatisestome。Formethewholeofthatscience，SenordeRey，iscondensedinwhatIcalltheBibleoftheField，inthe'Georgics'oftheimmortalRoman。Itisalladmirable，fromthatgrandsentence，/Necveroterroeferreomnesomniapossunt/——thatistosay，thatnoteverysoilissuitedtoeverytree，SenorDonJose——totheexhaustivetreatiseonbees，inwhichthepoetdescribesthehabitsofthosewiselittleanimals，definingthedroneinthesewords:
　　“'IllehorridusalterDesidia，latamquetrahensingloriusalvum。'
　　'Ofahorribleandslothfulfigure，draggingalongtheignobleweightofthebelly，'SenorDonJose。”
　　“Youdowelltotranslateitforme，“saidPepe，“forIknowverylittleLatin。”
　　“Oh，whyshouldthemenofthepresentdayspendtheirtimeinstudyingthingsthatareoutofdate?“saidthecanonironically。“Besides，onlypoorcreatureslikeVirgilandCiceroandLivywroteinLatin。I，however，amofadifferentwayofthinking；aswitnessmynephew，towhomIhavetaughtthatsublimelanguage。TherascalknowsitbetterthanIdo。Theworstofitis，thatwithhismodernreadingheisforgettingit；andsomefineday，withouteverhavingsuspectedit，hewillfindoutthatheisanignoramus。For，SenorDonJose，mynephewhastakentostudyingthenewestbooksandthemostextravaganttheories，anditisFlammarionhereandFlammarionthere，andnothingwilldohimbutthatthestarsarefullofpeople。Come，Ifancythatyoutwoaregoingtobeverygoodfriends。Jacinto，begthisgentlemantoteachyouthehighermathematics，toinstructyouconcerningtheGermanphilosophers，andthenyouwillbeaman。”
　　Theworthyecclesiasticlaughedathisownwit，whileJacinto，delightedtoseetheconversationturnonathemesogreatlytohistaste，afterexcusinghimselftoPepeRey，suddenlyhurledthisquestionathim:
　　“Tellme，SenorDonJose，whatdoyouthinkofDarwinism?“
　　Ourherosmiledatthisinopportunepedantry，andhefeltalmosttemptedtoencouragetheyoungmantocontinueinthispathofchildishvanity；but，judgingitmoreprudenttoavoidintimacy，eitherwiththenephewortheuncle，heansweredsimply:
　　“IcanthinknothingatallaboutthedoctrinesofDarwin，forIknowscarcelyanythingabouthim。Myprofessionallaborshavenotpermittedmetodevotemuchofmytimetothosestudies。”
　　“Well，“saidthecanon，laughing，“itallreducesitselftothis，thatwearedescendedfrommonkeys。IfhehadsaidthatonlyinthecaseofcertainpeopleIknow，hewouldhavebeenright。”
　　“Thetheoryofnaturalselection，“saidJacintoemphatically，“has，theysay，agreatmanypartisansinGermany。”
　　“Idonotdoubtit，“saidtheecclesiastic。“InGermanytheywouldhavenoreasontobesorryifthattheoryweretrue，asfarasBismarckisconcerned。”
　　DonaPerfectaandSenorDonCayetanoatthismomentmadetheirappearance。
　　“Whatabeautifulevening！“saidtheformer。“Well，nephew，areyougettingterriblybored?“
　　“Iamnotboredintheleast，“respondedtheyoungman。
　　“Don'ttrytodenyit。CayetanoandIwerespeakingofthataswecamealong。Youarebored，andyouaretryingtohideit。Itisnoteveryyoungmanofthepresentdaywhowouldhavetheself-denialtospendhisyouth，likeJacinto，inatownwherethereareneithertheatres，noroperabouffe，nordancers，norphilosophers，norathenaeums，normagazines，norcongresses，noranyotherkindofdiversionsorentertainments。”
　　“Iamquitecontentedhere，“respondedPepe。“IwasjustnowsayingtoRosariothatIfindthiscityandthishousesopleasantthatIwouldliketoliveanddiehere。”
　　Rosarioturnedveryredandtheothersweresilent。Theyallsatdowninasummer-house，Jacintohasteningtotaketheseatontheleftoftheyounggirl。
　　“Seehere，nephew，Ihaveapieceofadvicetogiveyou，“saidDonaPerfecta，smilingwiththatexpressionofkindnessthatseemedtoemanatefromhersoul，likethearomafromtheflower。“Butdon'timaginethatIameitherreprovingyouorgivingyoualesson——youarenotachild，andyouwilleasilyunderstandwhatImean。”
　　“Scoldme，dearaunt，fornodoubtIdeserveit，“repliedPepe，whowasbeginningtoaccustomhimselftothekindnessesofhisfather'ssister。
　　“No，itisonlyapieceofadvice。Thesegentlemen，Iamsure，willagreethatIamintheright。”
　　Rosariowaslisteningwithherwholesoul。
　　“Itisonlythis，“continuedDonaPerfecta，“thatwhenyouvisitourbeautifulcathedralagain，youwillendeavortobehavewithalittlemoredecorumwhileyouareinit。”
　　“Why，whathaveIdone?“
　　“Itdoesnotsurprisemethatyouarenotyourselfawareofyourfault，“saidhisaunt，withapparentgoodhumor。“Itisonlynatural；
　　accustomedasyouaretoenterathenaeumsandclubs，andacademiesandcongresseswithoutanyceremony，youthinkthatyoucanenteratempleinwhichtheDivineMajestyisinthesamemanner。”
　　“Butexcuseme，senora，“saidPepegravely，“Ienteredthecathedralwiththegreatestdecorum。”
　　“ButIamnotscoldingyou，man；Iamnotscoldingyou。IfyoutakeitinthatwayIshallhavetoremainsilent。Excusemynephew，gentlemen。
　　Alittlecarelessness，alittleheedlessnessonhispartisnottobewonderedat。Howmanyyearsisitsinceyousetfootinasacredplacebefore?“
　　“Senora，Iassureyou——But，inshort，letmyreligiousideasbewhattheymay，Iaminthehabitofobservingtheutmostdecoruminchurch。”
　　“WhatIassureyouis——There，ifyouaregoingtobeoffendedI
　　won'tgoon。WhatIassureyouisthatagreatmanypeoplenoticeditthismorning。TheSenoresdeGonzalez，DonaRobustiana，Serafinita——inshort，whenItellyouthatyouattractedtheattentionofthebishop——HislordshipcomplainedtomeaboutitthisafternoonwhenIwasatmycousin's。Hetoldmethathedidnotorderyoutobeputoutofthechurchonlybecauseyouweremynephew。”
　　Rosariolookedanxiouslyathercousin，tryingtoreadinhiscountenance，beforeheutteredit，theanswerhewouldmaketothesecharges。
　　“Nodoubttheymistookmeforsomeoneelse。”
　　“No，no！itwasyou。Butthere，don'tgetangry！Wearetalkinghereamongfriendsandinconfidence。Itwasyou。Isawyoumyself。”
　　“Yousawme！“
　　“Justso。Willyoudenythatyouwenttolookatthepictures，passingamongagroupofworshipperswhowerehearingmass?Iassureyouthatmyattentionwassodistractedbyyourcomingsandgoingsthat——well，youmustnotdoitagain。ThenyouwentintothechapelofSanGregorio。AttheelevationoftheHostatthehighaltaryoudidnoteventurnaroundtomakeagestureofreverence。Afterwardyoutraversedthewholelengthofthechurch，youwentuptothetomboftheAdelantado，youtouchedthealtarwithyourhands，thenyoupassedasecondtimeamongagroupofworshippers，attractingthenoticeofeveryone。Allthegirlslookedatyou，andyouseemedpleasedatdisturbingsofinelythedevotionsofthosegoodpeople。”
　　“GoodHeavens！HowmanythingsIhavedone！“exclaimedPepe，halfangry，halfamused。“Iamamonster，itseems，withouteverhavingsuspectedit。”
　　“No，Iamverywellawarethatyouareagoodboy，“saidDonaPerfecta，observingthecanon'sexpressionofunalterablegravity，whichgavehisfacetheappearanceofapasteboardmask。“But，mydearboy，betweenthinkingthingsandshowingtheminthatirreverentmanner，thereisadistancewhichamanofgoodsenseandgoodbreedingshouldnevercross。Iamwellawarethatyourideasare——Now，don'tgetangry！Ifyougetangry，Iwillbesilent。Isaythatitisonethingtohavecertainideasaboutreligionandanotherthingtoexpressthem。IwilltakegoodcarenottoreproachyoubecauseyoubelievethatGoddidnotcreateusinhisimageandlikeness，butthatwearedescendedfromthemonkeys；norbecauseyoudenytheexistenceofthesoul，assertingthatitisadrug，likethelittlepapersofrhubarbandmagnesiathataresoldattheapothecary's——“
　　“Senora，forHeaven'ssake！“exclaimedPepe，withannoyance。“IseethatIhaveaverybadreputationinOrbajosa。”
　　Theothersremainedsilent。
　　“AsIsaid，Iwillnotreproachyouforentertainingthoseideas。And，besides，Ihavenottherighttodoso。IfIshouldundertaketoarguewithyou，you，withyourwonderfultalents，wouldconfutemeathousandtimesover。No，Iwillnotattemptanythingofthatkind。WhatIsayisthatthesepoorandhumbleinhabitantsofOrbajosaarepiousandgoodChristians，althoughtheyknownothingaboutGermanphilosophy，andthat，therefore，yououghtnotpubliclytomanifestyourcontemptfortheirbeliefs。”
　　“Mydearaunt，“saidtheengineergravely，“Ihaveshownnocontemptforanyone，nordoIentertaintheideaswhichyouattributetome。
　　PerhapsImayhavebeenalittlewantinginreverenceinthechurch。I
　　amsomewhatabsent-minded。Mythoughtsandmyattentionwereengagedwiththearchitectureofthebuildingand，franklyspeaking，Ididnotobserve——Butthiswasnoreasonforthebishoptothinkofputtingmeoutofthechurch，norforyoutosupposemecapableofattributingtoapaperfromtheapothecary'sthefunctionsofthesoul。Imaytoleratethatasajest，butonlyasajest。”
　　TheagitationofPepeRey'smindwassogreatthat，notwithstandinghisnaturalprudenceandmoderation，hewasunabletoconcealit。
　　“There！Iseethatyouareangry，“saidDonaPerfecta，castingdownhereyesandclaspingherhands。“Iamverysorry。IfIhadknownthatyouwouldhavetakenitinthatway，Ishouldnothavespokentoyou。Pepe，Iaskyourpardon。”
　　Hearingthesewordsandseeinghiskindaunt'sdeprecatingattitude，Pepefeltashamedofthesternnessofhislastwords，andhemadeanefforttorecoverhisserenity。ThevenerablePenitentiaryextricatedhimfromhisembarrassingposition，sayingwithhisaccustomedbenevolentsmile:
　　“SenoraDonaPerfecta，wemustbetolerantwithartists。Oh，Ihaveknownagreatmanyofthem！Thosegentlemen，whentheyhavebeforethemastatue，apieceofrustyarmor，amouldypainting，oranoldwall，forgeteverythingelse。SenorDonJoseisanartist，andhehasvisitedourcathedralastheEnglishvisitit，whowouldwillinglycarryitawaywiththemtotheirmuseums，toitslasttile，iftheycould。Thattheworshipperswerepraying，thatthepriestwaselevatingtheSacredHost，thatthemomentofsupremepietyanddevotionhadcome——whatofthat?Whatdoesallthatmattertoanartist?ItistruethatIdonotknowwhatartisworth，apartfromthesentimentswhichitexpresses，but，infine，atthepresentday，itisthecustomtoadoretheform，nottheidea。GodpreservemefromundertakingtodiscussthisquestionwithSenorDonJose，whoknowssomuch，andwho，reasoningwiththeadmirablesubtletyofthemoderns，wouldinstantlyconfoundmymind，inwhichthereisonlyfaith。”
　　“Thedeterminationwhichyouallhavetoregardmeasthemostlearnedmanonearthannoysmeexceedingly，“saidPepe，speakinginhisformerhardtone。“Holdmeforafool；forIwouldratherberegardedasafoolthanasthepossessorofthatSatanicknowledgewhichishereattributedtome。”
　　Rosaritolaughed，andJacintothoughtthatahighlyopportunemomenthadnowarrivedtomakeadisplayofhisownerudition。
　　“Pantheismorpanentheism，“hesaid，“iscondemnedbytheChurch，aswellasbytheteachingsofSchopenhauerandofthemodernHartmann。”
　　“Ladiesandgentlemen，“saidthecanongravely，“menwhopaysoferventaworshiptoart，thoughitbeonlytoitsform，deservethegreatestrespect。Itisbettertobeanartist，anddelightinthecontemplationofbeauty，thoughthisbeonlyrepresentedbynudenymphs，thantobeindifferentandincredulousineverything。Themindthatconsecratesitselftothecontemplationofbeauty，evilwillnottakecompletepossessionof。/EstDeusinnobis/。/Deus/，beitwellunderstood。LetSenorDonJose，then，continuetoadmirethemarvelsofourchurch；I，forone，willwillinglyforgivehimhisactsofirreverence，withallduerespectfortheopinionsofthebishop。”
　　“Thanks，SenorDonInocencio，“saidPepe，feelingabitterandrebellioussentimentofhostilityspringingupwithinhimtowardthecanon，andunabletoconquerhisdesiretomortifyhim。“Butletnoneofyouimagine，either，thatitwasthebeautiesofart，ofwhichyousupposethetempletobefull，thatengagedmyattention。Thosebeauties，withtheexceptionoftheimposingarchitectureofaportionoftheedificeandofthethreetombsthatareinthechapeloftheapse，Idonotsee。Whatoccupiedmymindwastheconsiderationofthedeplorabledecadenceofthereligiousarts；andtheinnumerablemonstrosities，ofwhichthecathedralisfull，causedmenotastonishment，butdisgust。”
　　Theamazementofallpresentwasprofound。
　　“Icannotendure，“continuedPepe，“thoseglazedandpaintedimagesthatresemblesomuch——Godforgivemeforthecomparison——thedollsthatlittlegirlspaywith。AndwhatamItosayofthetheatricalrobesthatcoverthem?IsawaSt。JosephwithamantlewhoseappearanceIwillnotdescribe，outofrespectfortheholypatriarchandforthechurchofwhichheisthepatron。Onthealtararecrowdedtogetherimagesintheworstpossibletaste；andtheinnumerablecrowns，branches，stars，moons，andotherornamentsofmetalorgiltpaperhaveanairofanironmongerythatoffendsthereligioussentimentanddepressesthesoul。Farfromliftingitselfuptoreligiouscontemplation，thesoulsinks，andtheideaoftheludicrousdistractsit。Thegreatworksofartwhichgivesensibleformtoideas，todogmas，toreligiousfaith，tomysticexaltation，fulfilanoblemission。Thecaricatures，theaberrationsoftaste，thegrotesqueworkswithwhichamistakenpietyfillsthechurch，alsofulfiltheirobject；
　　butthisisasadoneenough:Theyencouragesuperstition，coolenthusiasm，obligetheeyesofthebelievertoturnawayfromthealtar，and，withtheeyes，thesoulsthathavenotaveryprofoundandaveryfirmfaithturnawayalso。”
　　“Thedoctrineoftheiconoclasts，too，“saidJacinto，“has，itseems，spreadwidelyinGermany。”
　　“Iamnotaniconoclast，althoughIwouldpreferthedestructionofalltheimagestotheexhibitionofbuffooneriesofwhichIspeak，“
　　continuedtheyoungman。“Seeingit，onemayjustlyadvocateareturnofreligiousworshiptotheaugustsimplicityofoldentimes。Butno；
　　letusnotrenouncetheadmirableaidwhichallthearts，beginningwithpoetryandendingwithmusic，lendtotherelationsbetweenmanandGod。Lettheartslive；lettheutmostpompbedisplayedinreligiousceremonies。Iamapartisanofpomp。”
　　“Anartist，anartist，andnothingmorethananartist！“exclaimedthecanon，shakinghisheadwithasorrowfulair。“Finepictures，finestatues，beautifulmusic；pleasureforthesenses，andletthedeviltakethesoul！“