“Aproposofmusic，“saidPepeRey，withoutobservingthedeplorableeffectwhichhiswordsproducedonbothmotheranddaughter，“imaginehowdisposedmymindwouldbetoreligiouscontemplationonenteringthecathedral，whenjustatthatmoment，andpreciselyattheoffertoryathighmass，theorganistplayedapassagefrom'Traviata。'“
　　“SenordeReyisrightinthat，“saidthelittlelawyeremphatically。
　　“Theorganistplayedtheotherdaythewholeofthedrinkingsongandthewaltzfromthesameopera，andafterwardarondeaufromthe'GrandeDuchesse。'“
　　“ButwhenIfeltmyheartsink，“continuedtheengineerimplacably，“waswhenIsawanimageoftheVirgin，whichseemstobeheldingreatveneration，judgingfromthecrowdbeforeitandthemultitudeoftaperswhichlightedit。Theyhavedressedherinapuffed-outgarmentofvelvet，embroideredwithgold，ofashapesoextraordinarythatitsurpassesthemostextravagantofthefashionsoftheday。Herfaceisalmosthiddenunderavoluminousfrill，madeofinnumerablerowsoflace，crimpedwithacrimping-iron，andhercrown，halfayardinheight，surroundedbygoldenrays，lookslikeahideouscatafalqueerectedoverherhead。Ofthesamematerial，andembroideredinthesamemanner，arethetrousersoftheInfantJesus。Iwillnotgoon，fortodescribetheMotherandtheChildmightperhapsleadmetocommitsomeirreverence。Iwillonlysaythatitwasimpossibleformetokeepfromsmiling，andforashorttimeIcontemplatedtheprofanedimage，sayingtomyself:'MotherandLadymine，whatasighttheyhavemadeofyou！'“
　　AsheendedPepelookedathishearers，andalthough，owingtothegatheringdarkness，hecouldnotseetheircountenancesdistinctly，hefanciedthatinsomeofthemheperceivedsignsofangryconsternation。
　　“Well，SenorDonJose！“exclaimedthecanonquickly，smilingwithatriumphantexpression，“thatimage，whichtoyourphilosophyandpantheismappearssoridiculous，isOurLadyofHelp，patronessandadvocateofOrbajosa，whoseinhabitantsregardherwithsomuchvenerationthattheywouldbequitecapableofdragginganyonethroughthestreetswhoshouldspeakillofher。Thechroniclesandhistory，SenorDonJose，arefullofthemiracleswhichshehaswrought，andevenatthepresentdaywereceiveconstantlyincontrovertibleproofsofherprotection。Youmustknowalsothatyouraunt，DonaPerfecta，ischiefladyinwaitingtotheMostHolyVirginofHelp，andthatthedressthattoyouappearssogrotesque——wentoutfromthishouse，andthatthetrousersoftheInfantaretheworkoftheskilfulneedleandtheardentpietycombinedofyourcousinRosarito，whoisnowlisteningtous。”
　　PepeReywasgreatlydisconcerted。AtthesameinstantDonaPerfectaroseabruptlyfromherseat，and，withoutsayingaword，walkedtowardthehouse，followedbythePenitentiary。Theothersrosealso。
　　Recoveringfromhisstupefaction，theyoungmanwasabouttobeghiscousin'spardonforhisirreverence，whenheobservedthatRosaritowasweeping。Fixingonhercousinalookoffriendlyandgentlereproof，shesaid:
　　“Whatideasyouhave！“
　　ThevoiceofDonaPerfectawasheardcryinginanalteredaccent:
　　“Rosario！Rosario！“
　　Thelatterrantowardthehouse。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEEVIDENCEOFDISCORDISEVIDENT
　　PepeReywasdisturbedandperplexed，enragedwithhimselfandeveryoneelse；hetriedinvaintoimaginewhatcouldbetheconflictthathadarisen，inspiteofhimself，betweenhisideasandtheideasofhisaunt'sfriends。Thoughtfulandsad，foreseeingfuturediscord，heremainedforashorttimesittingonthebenchinthesummer-house，hischinrestingonhisbreast，hisforeheadgatheredinafrown，hishandsclasped。Hethoughthimselfalone。
　　Suddenlyheheardagayvoicehummingtherefrainofasongfromazarzuela。HelookedupandsawDonJacintosittingintheoppositecornerofthesummer-house。
　　“Ah，SenordeRey！“saidtheyouthabruptly，“onedoesnotoffendwithimpunitythereligioussentimentsofthegreatmajorityofanation。Ifyoudoubtit，considerwhathappenedinthefirstFrenchrevolution。”
　　WhenPepeheardthebuzzingofthisinsecthisirritationincreased。
　　Neverthelesstherewasnoangerinhissoultowardtheyouthfuldoctoroflaws。Thelatterannoyedhim，asaflymightannoyhim，butnothingmore。Reyfelttheirritationwhicheveryimportunatebeinginspires，andwiththeairofonewhobrushesawayabuzzingdrone，heanswered:
　　“WhathastheFrenchrevolutiontodowiththerobeoftheVirgin?“
　　Hegotupandwalkedtowardthehouse，buthehadnottakenhalfadozenstepsbeforeheheardagainbesidehimthebuzzingofthemosquito，saying:
　　“SenorDonJose，Iwishtospeaktoyouaboutanaffairinwhichyouaregreatlyinterestedandwhichmaycauseyousometrouble。”
　　“Anaffair?“saidtheyoungman，drawingback。“Letushearwhataffairisthat。”
　　“Yoususpectwhatitis，perhaps，“saidJacinto，approachingPepe，andsmilingwiththeairofamanofbusinesswhohassomeunusuallyimportantmatteronhand；“Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutthelawsuit。”
　　“Thelawsuit！Myfriend，Ihavenolawsuits。You，asagoodlawyer，dreamoflawsuitsandseestampedpapereverywhere。”
　　“What！Youhavenotheardofyourlawsuit?“exclaimedtheyouth，withamazement。
　　“Ofmylawsuit！ButIhavenolawsuits，norhaveIeverhadany。”
　　“Well，ifyouhavenotheardofit，Iamallthebetterpleasedtohavespokentoyouaboutit，sothatyoumaybeonyourguard。Yes，senor，youaregoingtohaveasuitatlaw。”
　　“Andwithwhom?“
　　“WithUncleLicurgoandotherland-ownerswhosepropertybordersontheestatecalledThePoplars。”
　　PepeReywasastounded。
　　“Yes，senor，“continuedthelittlelawyer。“To-dayUncleLicurgoandI
　　hadalongconference。AsIamsuchafriendofthefamily，Iwantedtoletyouknowaboutit，sothat，ifyouthinkwellofit，youmayhastentoarrangethematter。”
　　“ButwhathaveItoarrange?Whatdothoserascalsclaimfromme?“
　　“Itseemsthatastreamofwaterwhichrisesinyourpropertyhaschangeditscourseandflowsoversometile-worksoftheaforesaidUncleLicurgoandthemillofanotherperson，occasioningconsiderabledamage。Myclient——forheisdeterminedthatIshallgethimoutofthisdifficulty——myclient，asIsaid，demandsthatyoushallrestorethewatertoitsformerchannel，soastoavoidfreshinjuries，andthatyoushallindemnifyhimforthedamagewhichhisworkshavealreadysustainedthroughtheneglectofthesuperiorproprietor。”
　　“AndIamthesuperiorproprietor！IfIengageinalawsuit，thatwillbethefirstfruitthatthosefamousPoplars，whichweremineandwhichnow，asIunderstand，belongtoeverybody，willhaveeverproducedme，forLicurgo，aswellassomeoftheotherfarmersofthedistrict，havebeenfilchingfromme，littlebylittle，yearafteryear，piecesofland，anditwillbeverydifficulttore-establishtheboundariesofmyproperty。”
　　“Thatisadifferentquestion。”
　　“Thatisnotadifferentquestion。Therealsuit，“exclaimedtheengineer，unabletocontrolhisanger，“willbetheonethatIwillbringagainstthatrabblewhonodoubtproposetothemselvestotiremeoutanddrivemetodesperation——sothatImayabandoneverythingandletthemcontinueinpossessionofwhattheyhavestolen。Weshallseeiftherearelawyersandjudgeswhowillupholdtheinfamousconductofthosevillagelegists，whoareforeveratlaw，andwhowasteandconsumethepropertyofothers。Iamobligedtoyou，younggentleman，forhavinginformedmeofthevillanousintentionsofthoseboors，whoaremoreperversethanSatanhimself。WhenItellyouthatthatverytile-yardandthatverymillonwhichLicurgobaseshisclaimaremine——“
　　“Thetitle-deedsofthepropertyoughttobeexamined，toseeifpossessionmaynotconstituteatitleinthiscase。”
　　“Possession！Thosescoundrelsarenotgoingtohavethepleasureoflaughingatmeinthatway。IsupposethatjusticeishonestlyandfaithfullyadministeredinthecityofOrbajosa。”
　　“Oh，astothat！“exclaimedthelittlelawyer，withanapprovinglook，“thejudgeisanexcellentperson！Hecomeshereeveryevening。ButitisstrangethatyoushouldhavereceivednonoticeofSenorLicurgo'sclaims。Haveyounotyetbeensummonedtoappearbeforethetribunalofarbitration?“
　　“No。”
　　“Itwillbeto-morrow，then。Well，IamverysorrythatSenorLicurgo'sprecipitationhasdeprivedmeofthepleasureandhonorofdefendingyou，butwhatistobedone?LicurgowasdeterminedthatIshouldtakehimoutofhistroubles。Iwillstudythematterwiththegreatestcare。Thisvileslaveryisthegreatdrawbackofjurisprudence。”
　　Pepeenteredthedining-roominadeplorablestateofmind。DonaPerfectawastalkingwiththePenitentiary，asheentered，andRosaritowassittingalone，withhereyesfixedonthedoor。Shewasnodoubtwaitingforhercousin。
　　“Comehere，yourascal，“saidhisaunt，smilingwithverylittlespontaneity。“Youhaveinsultedus，yougreatatheist！butweforgiveyou。Iamwellawarethatmydaughterandmyselfaretworusticswhoareincapableofsoaringtotheregionsofmathematicswhereyoudwell，butforallthatitispossiblethatyoumayonedaygetdownonyourkneestousandbegustoteachyoutheChristiandoctrine。”
　　Pepeansweredwithvaguephrasesandformulasofpolitenessandrepentance。
　　“Formypart，“saidDonInocencio，withanaffectedairofmeeknessandamiability，“ifinthecourseoftheseidledisputesIhavesaidanythingthatcouldoffendSenorDonJose，Ibeghispardonforit。Weareallfriendshere。”
　　“Thanks。Itisofnoconsequence。”
　　“Inspiteofeverything，“saidDonaPerfecta，smilingwithmorenaturalnessthanbefore，“Ishallalwaysbethesameformydearnephew；inspiteofhisextravagantandanti-religiousideas。InwhatwaydoyousupposeIamgoingtospendthisevening?Well，intryingtomakeUncleLicurgogiveupthoseobstinatenotionswhichwouldotherwisecauseyouannoyance。Isentforhim，andheiswaitingformenowinthehall。Makeyourselfeasy，Iwillarrangethematter；foralthoughIknowthatheisnotaltogetherwithoutrightonhisside——“
　　“Thanks，dearaunt，“respondedtheyoungman，hiswholebeinginvadedbyawaveofthegenerousemotionwhichwassoeasilyarousedinhissoul。
　　PepeReylookedinthedirectionofhiscousin，intendingtojoinher，butsomewilyquestionsofthecanonretainedhimatDonaPerfecta'sside。Rosariolookeddejected，andwaslisteningwithanairofmelancholyindifferencetothewordsofthelittlelawyer，who，havinginstalledhimselfatherside，keptupacontinuousstreamoffulsomeflatteries，seasonedwithill-timedjestsandfatuousremarksintheworstpossibletaste。
　　“Theworstofitis，“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew——surprisingtheglancewhichhecastinthedirectionoftheill-assortedpair——“theworstofitis，thatyouhaveoffendedpoorRosario。Youmustdoallinyourpowertomakeyourpeacewithher。Thepoorchildissogood！“
　　“Oh，yes！sogood，“addedthecanon，“thatIhavenodoubtthatshewillforgivehercousin。”
　　“IthinkthatRosariohasalreadyforgivenme，“affirmedRey。
　　“Andifnot，angelicbreastsdonotharborresentmentlong，“saidDonInocenciomellifluously。“Ihaveagreatdealofinfluencewiththechild，andIwillendeavortodissipateinhergeneroussoulwhateverprejudicemayexistthereagainstyou。AssoonasIsayawordortwotoher——“
　　PepeReyfeltaclouddarkenhissoulandhesaidwithmeaning:
　　“Perhapsitmaynotbenecessary。”
　　“Iwillnotspeaktohernow，“addedthecapitular，“becausesheislisteningentrancedtoJacinto'snonsense。Ah，thosechildren！Whentheyoncebeginthereisnostoppingthem。”
　　Thejudgeofthelowercourt，thealcalde'slady，andthedeanofthecathedralnowmadetheirappearance。Theyallsalutedtheengineer，manifestingintheirwordsandmanner，onseeinghim，thesatisfactionofgratifiedcuriosity。Thejudgewasoneofthosecleverandintelligentyoungmenwhoeverydayspringintonoticeinofficialcircles；aspiring，almostbeforetheyareoutoftheshell，tothehighestpoliticalandadministrativepositions。Hegavehimselfairsofgreatimportance，andinspeakingofhimselfandofhisjuveniletoga，heseemedindirectlytomanifestgreatoffencebecausehehadnotbeenallatoncemadepresidentofthesupremecourt。Insuchinexperthands，inabrainthusswollenwithvanity，inthisincarnationofconceit，hadthestateplacedthemostdelicateandthemostdifficultfunctionsofhumanjustice。Hismannerswerethoseofaperfectcourtier，andrevealedascrupulousandminuteattentiontoallthatconcernedhisownperson。Hehadtheinsufferablehabitoftakingoffandputtingoneverymomenthisgoldeye-glasses，andinhisconversationhemanifestedwithfrequencythestrongdesirewhichhehadtobetransferredtoMadrid，inorderthathemightgivehisinvaluableservicestotheDepartmentofGraceandJustice。
　　Thealcalde'sladywasagood-naturedwoman，whoseonlyweaknesswastofancythatshehadagreatmanyacquaintancesatthecourt。SheaskedPepeReyvariousquestionsaboutthefashions，mentioningestablishmentsinwhichshehadhadamantleoraskirtmadeonherlastjourneytothecapital，contemporaneouswiththevisitofMuley-
　　Abbas，andshealsomentionedthenamesofadozenduchessesandmarchionesses；speakingofthemwithasmuchfamiliarityasiftheyhadbeenfriendsofherschool-days。ShesaidalsothattheCountessofM。
　　famousforherpartieswasafriendofhersandthatin'60shehadpaidheravisit，whenthecountesshadinvitedhertoherboxattheTeatroReal，whereshesawMuley-AbbasinMoorishdressandaccompaniedbyhisretinueofMoors。Thealcalde'swifetalkedincessantlyandwasnotwantinginhumor。
　　Thedeanwasaveryoldman，corpulentandred-faced，plethoricandapoplecticlooking，amansoobesethatheseemedburstingoutofhisskin。Hehadbelongedtooneofthesuppressedreligiousorders；hetalkedonlyofreligiousmatters；andfromtheveryfirstmanifestedthemostprofoundcontemptforPepeRey。Thelatterappearedeverymomentmoreunabletoaccommodatehimselftoasocietysolittletohistaste。Hisdisposition——notatallmalleable，hard，andverylittleflexible——rejectedtheduplicitiesandthecompromisesoflanguagetosimulateconcordwhenitdidnotexist。Heremained，then，verygraveduringthewholeofthetiresomeevening，obligedashewastoenduretheoratoricalvehemenceofthealcalde'swife，who，withoutbeingFame，hadtheprivilegeoffatiguingwithahundredtonguestheearsofmen。If，insomebriefrespitewhichthisladygaveherhearers，PepeReymadeanattempttoapproachhiscousin，thePenitentiaryattachedhimselftohiminstantly，likethemollusktotherock；takinghimapartwithamysteriousairtoproposetohimanexcursionwithSenorDonCayetanotoMundogrande，orafishingpartyontheclearwatersoftheNahara。
　　Atlasttheeveningcametoanend，aseverythingdoesinthisworld。
　　Thedeanretired，leavingthehouse，asitseemed，empty，andverysoonthereremainedofthealcalde'swifeonlyanecho，likethebuzzwhichremainsintheairafterastormhaspassedaway。Thejudgealsodeprivedthecompanyofhispresence，andatlastDonInocenciogavehisnephewthesignalfordeparture。
　　“Come，boy，come；foritislate，“hesaid，smiling。“HowyouhavetormentedpoorRosarito，hashenot，child?Home，yourogue，home，withoutdelay。”
　　“Itistimetogotobed，“saidDonaPerfecta。
　　“Timetogotowork，“respondedthelittlelawyer。
　　“Iamalwaystellinghimthatheoughttogetthroughwithhisbusinessintheday-time，buthewillnotmindme。”
　　“Thereissomuch，soverymuchbusinesstobegotthrough。”
　　“No，sayrather，thatconfoundedworkwhichyouhaveundertaken。Hedoesnotwishtosayit，SenorDonJose，butthetruthisthatheiswritingabookon'TheInfluenceofWomaninChristianSociety，'and，inadditiontothat，'AGlanceattheCatholicMovementin'——somewhereorother。Whatdoyouknowaboutglancesorinfluences?Buttheseyouthsofthepresentdayhaveaudacityenoughforanything。Oh，whatboys！Well，letusgohome。Good-night，SenoraDonaPerfecta——good-
　　night，SenorDonJose——Rosarito。”
　　“IwillwaitforSenorDonCayetano，“saidJacinto，“toaskhimtogivemetheAugustoNicolas。”
　　“Alwayscarryingbooks。Why，sometimesyoucomeintothehouseladenlikeadonkey。Verywell，then，letuswait。”
　　“SenorDonJacintodoesnotwritehastily，“saidPepeRey；“heprepareshimselfwellforhiswork，sothathisbooksmaybetreasuresoflearning。”
　　“Butthatboywillinjurehisbrain，“objectedDonaPerfecta。“ForHeaven'ssakebecareful！Iwouldsetalimittohisreading。”
　　“Sincewearegoingtowait，“saidthelittledoctor，inatoneofinsufferableconceit，“IwilltakewithmealsothethirdvolumeofConcilios。Whatdoyouthink，uncle?“
　　“Takethat，ofcourse。Itwouldneverdotoleavethatbehindyou。”
　　FortunatelySenorDonCayetanowhogenerallyspenthiseveningsatthehouseofDonLorenzoRuizsoonarrived，andthebooksbeingreceived，uncleandnephewleftthehouse。
　　Reyreadinhiscousin'ssadcountenanceakeendesiretospeaktohim。
　　HeapproachedherwhileDonaPerfectaandDonCayetanowerediscussingsomedomesticmatterapart。
　　“Youhaveoffendedmamma，“saidRosarito。
　　Herfeaturesexpressedsomethingliketerror。
　　“Itistrue，“respondedtheyoungman；“Ihaveoffendedyourmamma——I
　　haveoffendedyou。”
　　“No，notme。IalreadyimaginedthattheInfantJesusoughtnottoweartrousers。”
　　“ButIhopethatyouwillbothforgiveme。Yourmammawassokindtomealittlewhileago。”
　　DonaPerfecta'svoicesuddenlyvibratedthroughthedining-room，withsodiscordantatonethathernephewstartedasifhehadheardacryofalarm。Thevoicesaidimperiously:
　　“Rosario，gotobed！“
　　Startled，hermindfilledwithanxiousfears，thegirllingeredintheroom，goinghereandthereasifshewaslookingforsomething。Asshepassedhercousinshewhisperedsoftlyandcautiouslythesewords:
　　“Mammaisangry。”
　　“But——“
　　“Sheisangry——beonyourguard，beonyourguard。”
　　Thenshelefttheroom。Hermother，forwhomUncleLicurgowaswaiting，followedher，andforsometimethevoicesofDonaPerfectaandthecountrymanwereheardmingledtogetherinfamiliarconference。PepewasleftwithDonCayetano，who，takingalight，said；
　　“Good-night，Pepe。Butdon'tsupposethatIamgoingtosleep，Iamgoingtowork。Butwhyareyousothoughtful?Whatisthematterwithyou?——JustasIsay，towork。Iammakingnotesfora'MemorialDiscourseontheGenealogiesofOrbajosa。'Ihavealreadyfounddataandinformationoftheutmostvalue。Therecanbenodisputeaboutit。
　　IneveryperiodofourhistorytheOrbajosanshavebeendistinguishedfortheirdelicatesenseofhonor，theirchivalry，theirvalor，theirintellectuality。TheconquestofMexico，thewarsoftheEmperor，thewarsofPhilipagainsttheheretics，testifytothis。Butareyouill?
　　Whatisthematterwithyou?AsIsay，eminenttheologians，valiantwarriors，conquerors，saints，bishops，statesmen——allsortsofillustriousmen——haveflourishedinthishumblelandofthegarlic。No，thereisnotinChristendomamoreillustriouscitythanours。Itsvirtuesanditsgloriesareinthemselvesenoughandmorethanenoughtofillallthepagesofourcountry'shistory。Well，Iseethatitissleepyyouare——good-night。AsIsay，Iwouldnotexchangethegloryofbeingasonofthisnoblecityforallthegoldintheworld。Augusta，theancientscalledit；Augustissima，Icallitnow；fornow，asthen，high-mindedness，generosity，valor，magnanimity，arethepatrimonyofall。Well，good-night，dearPepe。ButIfancyyouarenotwell。Hasthesupperdisagreedwithyou?——AlonzoGonzalezdeBustamantewasrightwhenhesaidinhis'FlorestaAmena'thatthepeopleofOrbajosasufficeinthemselvestoconfergreatnessandhonoronakingdom。Don'tyouthinkso?“
　　“Oh，yes，senor；undoubtedly，“respondedPepeRey，goingabruptlytowardhisroom。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　THEDISCORDGROWS
　　DuringthefollowingdaysPepeReymadetheacquaintanceofseveralofthepeopleoftheplace；hevisitedtheCasino，andformedfriendshipswithsomeoftheindividualswhospendtheirlivesintheroomsofthatcorporation。
　　ButtheyouthofOrbajosadidnotspendalltheirtimeintheCasino，asevil-mindedpeoplemightimagine。Intheafternoonsthereweretobeseenatthecornerofthecathedral，andinthelittleplazaformedbytheintersectionoftheCalledelCondestableandtheCalledelaTriperia，severalgentlemenwho，gracefullyenvelopedintheircloaks，stoodtherelikesentinels，watchingthepeopleastheypassedby。Iftheweatherwasfine，thoseshininglightsoftheUrbsAugustanculturebenttheirsteps，stillenvelopedintheindispensablecloak，towardthepromenadecalledthePaseodelasDescalzas，whichwasformedbyadoublerowofconsumptive-lookingelmsandsomewitheredbushesofbroom。TherethebrilliantPleiadwatchedthedaughtersofthisfellow-
　　townsmanorthat，whohadalsocomethereforawalk，andtheafternoonpassedtolerably。Intheevening，theCasinofilledupagain；andwhilesomeofthemembersgavetheirloftymindstothedelightsofmonte，othersreadthenewspapers，whilethemajoritydiscussedinthecoffee-
　　roomsubjectsofthevariouskinds，suchasthepolitics，horses，bulls，orthegossipoftheplace。TheresultofeverydiscussionwastherenewedconvictionofthesupremacyofOrbajosaanditsinhabitantsoveralltheothertownsandpeoplesonthefaceoftheearth。
　　Thesedistinguishedmenwerethecreamoftheillustriouscity；somerichlandowners，othersverypoor，butallalikefreefromloftyaspirations。Theyhadtheimperturbabletranquillityofthebeggarwhodesiresnothingmoresolongashehasacrustofbreadwithwhichtocheathunger，andthesuntowarmhim。WhatchieflydistinguishedtheOrbajosansoftheCasinowasasentimentofbitterhostilitytowardallstrangers，andwheneveranystrangerofnoteappearedinitsaugusthalls，theybelievedthathehadcometheretocallinquestionthesuperiorityofthelandofthegarlic，ortodisputewithit，throughenvy，theincontestableadvantageswhichnaturehadbestoweduponit。
　　WhenPepeReypresentedhimselfintheCasino，theyreceivedhimwithsomethingofsuspicion，andasfacetiouspersonsaboundedinit，beforethenewmemberhadbeenthereaquarterofanhour，allsortsofjokeshadbeenmadeabouthim。WheninanswertothereiteratedquestionsofthemembershesaidthathehadcometoOrbajosawithacommissiontoexplorethebasinoftheNaharaforcoal，andtosurveyaroad，theyallagreedthatSenorDonJosewasaconceitedfellowwhowishedtogivehimselfairs，discoveringcoalbedsandplanningrailroads。Someoneadded:
　　“Hehascometoabadplaceforthat，then。Thosegentlemenimaginethathereweareallfools，andthattheycandeceiveuswithfinewords。HehascometomarryDonaPerfecta'sdaughter，andallthathesaysaboutcoalbedsisonlyforthesakeofappearances。”
　　“Well，thismorning，“saidanother，amerchantwhohadfailed，“theytoldmeattheDominguez'thatthegentlemanhasnotapeseta，andthathehascomehereinordertobesupportedbyhisauntandtoseeifhecancatchRosarito。”
　　“Itseemsthatheisnoengineeratall，“addedanolive-planter，whoseplantationsweremortgagedfordoubletheirvalue。“Butitisasyousay:thosestarvelingsfromMadridthinktheyarejustifiedindeceivingpoorprovincials，andastheybelievethathereweallweartails——“
　　“Itisplaintobeseenthatheispenniless——“
　　“Well，half-jestandthewholeearnest，hetolduslastnightthatwewerelazybarbarians。”
　　“Thatwespentourtimesunningourselves，liketheBedouins。”
　　“Thatwelivedwiththeimagination。”
　　“That'sit；thatwelivedwiththeimagination。”
　　“AndthatthiscitywaspreciselylikeacityinMorocco。”
　　“Well！onehasnopatiencetolistentothosethings。WhereelsecouldheseeunlessitmightbeinParisastreetliketheCalledelCondestable，thatcanshowsevenhousesinarow，allofthemmagnificent，fromDonaPerfecta'shousetothatofNicolasitaHernandez?Doesthatfellowsupposethatonehasneverseenanything，orhasneverbeeninParis?“
　　“Healsosaid，withagreatdealofdelicacy，thatOrbajosawasacityofbeggars；andhegaveustounderstandthatinhisopinionweliveinthemeanestwayherewithoutbeingourselvesawareofit。”
　　“Whatinsolence！Ifheeversaysthattome，therewillbeasceneintheCasino，“exclaimedthecollectoroftaxes。“Whydidn'ttheytellhimhowmanyarrobasofoilOrbajosaproducedlastyear?Doesn'tthefoolknowthatingoodyearsOrbajosaproduceswheatenoughtosupplyallSpain，andevenallEurope，withbread?Itistruethatthecropshavebeenbadforseveralyearspast，butthatisnottherule。Andthecropofgarlic！Iwagerthegentlemandoesn'tknowthatthegarlicofOrbajosamadethegentlemanofthejuryintheExpositionofLondonstare！“
　　TheseandotherconversationsofasimilarkindweretobeheardintheroomsoftheCasinointhosedays。Notwithstandingthisboastfultalk，socommoninsmalltowns，which，fortheveryreasonthattheyaresmall，aregenerallyarrogant，Reywasnotwithoutfindingsincerefriendsamongthemembersofthelearnedcorporation，fortheywerenotallgossips，norweretherewantingamongthempersonsofgoodsense。
　　Butourherohadthemisfortune——ifmisfortuneitcanbecalled——tobeunusuallyfrankinthemanifestationofhisfeelings，andthisawakenedsomeantipathytowardhim。
　　Dayspassed。Inadditiontothenaturaldisgustwhichthesocialcustomsoftheepiscopalcityproducedinhim，variouscauses，allofthemdisagreeable，begantodevelopinhismindaprofoundsadness，chiefamongthesecausesbeingthecrowdoflitigantsthatswarmedabouthimlikevoraciousants。ManyothersoftheneighboringlandownersbesidesUncleLicurgoclaimeddamagesfromhim，oraskedhimtorenderaccountsforlandsmanagedbyhisgrandfather。Aclaimwasalsobroughtagainsthimbecauseofacertaincontractofpartnershipenteredintobyhismotherandwhich，asitappeared，hadnotbeenfulfilled；andhewasrequiredinthesamewaytoacknowledgeamortgageontheestateofThePoplarsexecutedinanirregularformbyhisuncle。Claimsswarmedaroundhim，multiplyingwithant-likerapidity。Hehadcometothedeterminationtorenouncetheownershipofhislands，butmeanwhilehisdignityrequiredthatheshouldnotyieldtothewilymanoeuvresoftheartfulrustics；andasthetown-councilbroughtaclaimagainsthimalsoonaccountofapretendedconfusionoftheboundarylinesofhisestatewiththoseofanadjoiningwoodbelongingtothetown-lands，theunfortunateyoungmanfoundhimselfateverystepobligedtoprovehisrights，whichwerebeingcontinuallycalledinquestion。Hishonorwasengaged，andhehadnoalternativebuttodefendhisrightstothedeath。
　　DonaPerfectahadpromisedinhermagnanimitytohelphimtofreehimselffromthesedisgracefulplotsbymeansofanamicablearrangement；butthedayspassed，andthegoodofficesoftheexemplaryladyhadproducednoresultwhatever。Theclaimsmultipliedwiththedangerousswiftnessofaviolentdisease。PepeReypassedhourafterhouratcourt，makingdeclarationsandansweringthesamequestionsoverandoveragain，andwhenhereturnedhometiredandangry，thereappearedbeforehimthesharpfeaturesandgrotesquefaceofthenotary，whohadbroughthimathickbundleofstampedpapersfullofhorribleformulas——thathemightbestudyingthequestion。
　　ItwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatPepeReywasnotamantoenduresuchannoyanceswhenhemightescapefromthembyleavingthetown。Hismother'snoblecityappearedtohisimaginationlikeahorriblemonsterwhichhadfasteneditsferociousclawsinhimandwasdrinkinghisblood。Tofreehimselffromthismonsternothingmorewasnecessary，hebelieved，thanflight。Butaweightyinterest——aninterestinwhichhisheartwasconcerned——kepthimwherehewas；bindinghimtotherockofhismartyrdomwithverystrongbonds。Nevertheless，hehadcometofeelsodissatisfiedwithhisposition；hehadcometoregardhimselfassoutterlyastranger，sotosay，inthatgloomycityoflawsuits，ofold-
　　fashionedcustomsandideas，ofenvyandofslander，thatheresolvedtoleaveitwithoutfurtherdelay，without，however，abandoningtheprojectwhichhadbroughthimtoit。Onemorning，findingafavorableoccasion，heopenedhismindtoDonaPerfectaonthispoint。
　　“Nephew，“respondedthatlady，withheraccustomedgentleness，“don'tberash。Why！youarelikefire。Yourfatherwasjustthesame——whatamanhewas！Youarelikeaflash——IhavealreadytoldyouthatIwillbeverygladtocallyoumyson。Evenifyoudidnotpossessthegoodqualitiesandthetalentswhichdistinguishyouinspiteofsomelittledefects，foryouhavethose，too；evenifyouwerenotasgoodasyouare；itisenoughthatthisunionhasbeenproposedbyyourfather，towhombothmydaughterandmyselfowesomuch，formetoacceptit。AndRosaritowillnotopposeitsinceIwishit。Whatiswanting，then?Nothing；thereisnothingwantingbutalittletime。Themarriagecannotbeconcludedwiththehasteyoudesireandwhichmight，perhaps，givegroundforinterpretationsdiscreditabletomydeardaughter'sreputation。Butasyouthinkofnothingbutmachines，youwanteverythingdonebysteam。Wait，man，wait；whathurryareyouin?
　　ThishatredthatyouhavetakentoourpoorOrbajosaisnothingbutacaprice。Butofcourseyoucanonlyliveamongcountsandmarquisesandoratorsanddiplomats——allyouwantistogetmarriedandseparatemeforeverfrommydaughter，“sheadded，wipingawayatear。“Sincethatisthecase，inconsiderateboy，atleasthavethecharitytodelayforalittlethismarriage，forwhichyouaresoeager。Whatimpatience！
　　Whatardentlove！Ididnotsupposethatapoorcountrygirllikemydaughtercouldinspiresoviolentapassion。”
　　TheargumentsofhisauntdidnotconvincePepeRey，buthedidnotwishtocontradicther。Afreshcauseofanxietywassoonaddedtothosewhichalreadyembitteredhisexistence。HehadnowbeeninOrbajosafortwoweeks，andduringthattimehehadreceivednoletterfromhisfather。Thiscouldnotbeattributedtocarelessnessonthepartoftheofficialsofthepost-officeofOrbajosa，forthefunctionarywhohadchargeofthatservicebeingthefriendand/prot間?ofDonaPerfecta，thelattereverydayrecommendedhimtotakethegreatestcarethatthelettersaddressedtohernephewdidnotgoastray。Theletter-carrier，namedCristovalRamos，andnicknamedCaballuco——apersonagewhoseacquaintancewehavealreadymade——alsovisitedthehouse，andtohimDonaPerfectawasaccustomedtoaddresswarningsandreprimandsasenergeticasthefollowing:
　　“Aprettymailserviceyouhave！HowisitthatmynephewhasnotreceivedasinglelettersincehehasbeeninOrbajosa?Whenthecarryingofthemailisentrustedtosuchagiddy-pate，howcanthingsbeexpectedtogowell?Iwillspeaktothegovernoroftheprovincesothathemaybecarefulwhatkindofpeopleheputsinthepost-office。”
　　Caballuco，shrugginghisshoulders，lookedatReywiththemostcompleteindifference。
　　Onedayheenteredthehousewithaletterinhishand。
　　“ThankHeaven！“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew。“Herearelettersfromyourfather。Rejoice，man！Aprettyfrightwehavehadthroughmybrother'slazinessaboutwriting。Whatdoeshesay?Heiswell，nodoubt，“sheadded，seeingthatPepeReyopenedtheletterwithfeverishimpatience。
　　Theengineerturnedpaleasheglancedoverthefirstlines。
　　“GoodHeavens！Pepe，whatisthematter?“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，risinginalarm。“Isyourfatherill?“
　　“Thisletterisnotfrommyfather，“respondedPepe，revealinginhiscountenancethegreatestconsternation。
　　“Whatisit，then?“
　　“AnorderfromtheMinisterofPublicWorks，relievingmefromthechargewhichwasconfidedtome。”
　　“What！Canitbepossible！“
　　“Adismissalpureandsimple，expressedintermsverylittleflatteringtome。”
　　“Wasthereeveranythingsounjust！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，whenshehadrecoveredfromheramazement。
　　“Whatahumiliation！“exclaimedtheyoungman。“ItisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhavereceivedanaffrontlikethis。”
　　“ButtheGovernmentisunpardonable！Toputsuchaslightuponyou！DoyouwishmetowritetoMadrid?Ihaveverygoodfriendsthere，andI
　　maybeabletoobtainsatisfactionforyoufromtheGovernmentandreparationforthisbrutalaffront。”
　　“Thanks，senora，Idesirenorecommendations，“saidtheyoungman，withill-humor。
　　“Butwhatapieceofinjustice！whatahigh-handedproceeding！Todischargeinthiswayayoungmanofyourmerit，aneminentscientist。
　　Why，Icannotcontainmyanger！“
　　“Iwillfindout，“saidPepe，withenergy，“whoitisthatoccupieshimselfininjuringme。”
　　“Thatminister——butwhatistobeexpectedfromthoseinfamouspoliticasters?“
　　“Inthisthereisthehandofsomeonewhoisdeterminedtodrivemetodesperation，“declaredtheyoungman，visiblydisturbed。“Thisisnottheactoftheminister；thisandothercontrarietiesthatIamexperiencingaretheresultofarevengefulplot，ofasecretandwell-
　　laidplanofsomeimplacableenemy，andthisenemyishereinOrbajosa，thisplothasbeenhatchedinOrbajosa，doubtitnot，dearaunt。”
　　“Youareoutofyourmind，“repliedDonaPerfecta，withalookofcompassion。“YouhaveenemiesinOrbajosa，yousay?Someonewishestorevengehimselfuponyou?Come，Pepillo，youhavelostyoursenses。Thereadingofthosebooksinwhichtheysaythatwehaveforancestorsmonkeysorparrotshasturnedyourbrain。”
　　Shesmiledsweetlyassheutteredthelastwords，andtakingatoneoffamiliarandaffectionateadmonition，sheadded:
　　“Mydearboy，thepeopleofOrbajosamayberudeandboorishrustics，withoutlearning，orpolish，orfinemanners；butinloyaltyandgoodfaithweyieldtonoone——tonoone，Isay，noone。”
　　“Don'tsuppose，“saidtheyoungman，“thatIaccuseanyoneinthishouse。Butthatmyimplacableandcruelenemyisinthiscity，Iampersuaded。”
　　“Iwishyouwouldshowmethatstagevillain，“respondedDonaPerfecta，smilingagain。“IsupposeyouwillnotaccuseUncleLicurgo，noranyoftheotherswhohavebroughtsuitsagainstyou；forthepoorpeoplebelievetheyareonlydefendingtheirrights。Andbetweenourselves，theyarenotaltogetherwantinginreasoninthiscase。Besides，UncleLicurgolikesyougreatly。Hehastoldmesohimself。Fromthemomenthesawyou，youtookhisfancy，andthepooroldmanhasconceivedsuchanaffectionforyou——“
　　“Oh，yes——aprofoundaffection！“murmuredPepe。
　　“Don'tbefoolish，“continuedhisaunt，puttingherhandonhisshoulderandlookingathimclosely。“Don'timagineabsurdities；
　　convinceyourselfthatyourenemy，ifyouhaveone，isinMadrid，inthatcentreofcorruption，ofenvyandrivalry，notinthispeacefulandtranquilcorner，whereallisgood-willandconcord。Someone，nodoubt，whoisenviousofyourmerit——ThereisonethingIwishtosaynow——andthatis，thatifyoudesiretogotheretolearnthecauseofthisaffrontandaskanexplanationofitfromtheGovernment，youmustnotneglectdoingsoonouraccount。”
　　PepeReyfixedhiseyesonhisaunt'scountenance，asifhewishedtopenetratewithhisglancetheinmostdepthsofhersoul。
　　“Isaythatifyouwishtogo，doso，“repeatedDonaPerfecta，withadmirableserenity，whilehercountenanceexpressedthemostcompleteandunaffectedsincerity。
　　“No，senora:Idonotwishtogo。”
　　“Somuchthebetter；Ithinkyouareright。Youaremoretranquilhere，notwithstandingthesuspicionswithwhichyouaretormentingyourself。
　　PoorPepillo！WepoorrusticsofOrbajosalivehappyinourignorance。
　　Iamverysorrythatyouarenotcontentedhere。Butisitmyfaultifyouvexandworryyourselfwithoutacause?DoInottreatyoulikeason?HaveInotreceivedyouasthehopeofmyhouse?CanIdomoreforyou?Ifinspiteofallthisyoudonotlikeus，ifyoushowsomuchindifferencetowardus，ifyouridiculeourpiety，ifyouinsultourfriends，isitbychancebecausewedonottreatyouwell?“
　　DonaPerfecta'seyesgrewmoist。
　　“Mydearaunt，“saidPepe，feelinghisangervanish，“ItoohavecommittedsomefaultssinceIhavebeenaguestinthishouse。”
　　“Don'tbefoolish。Don'ttalkaboutcommittingfaults。Amongthepersonsofthesamefamilyeverythingisforgiven。”
　　“ButRosarito——whereisshe?“askedtheyoungman，rising。“AmInottoseeherto-day，either?“
　　“Sheisbetter。Doyouknowthatshedidnotwishtocomedownstairs?“
　　“Iwillgouptoherthen。”
　　“No，itwouldbeofnouse。Thatgirlhassomeobstinatenotions——
　　to-daysheisdeterminednottoleaveherroom。Shehaslockedherselfin。”
　　“Whatastrangeidea！“
　　“Shewillgetoverit。Undoubtedlyshewillgetoverit。Wewillseeto-nightifwecannotputthesemelancholythoughtsoutofherhead。Wewillgetupapartytoamuseher。Whydon'tyougotoDonInocencio'sandaskhimtocomehereto-nightandbringJacintillowithhim?“
　　“Jacintillo！“
　　“Yes，whenRosaritohasthesefitsofmelancholy，theonlyonewhocandivertheristhatyoungman。”
　　“ButIwillgoupstairs——“
　　“No，youmustnot。”
　　“Whatetiquettethereisinthishouse！“
　　“Youareridiculingus。DoasIaskyou。”
　　“ButIwishtoseeher。”
　　“Butyoucannotseeher。Howlittleyouknowthegirl！“
　　“IthoughtIknewherwell。Iwillstayhere，then。Butthissolitudeishorrible。”
　　“Therecomesthenotary。”
　　“Maledictionsuponhim！“
　　“AndIthinktheattorney-generalhasjustcomeintoo——heisanexcellentperson。”
　　“Hebehangedwithhisgoodness！“
　　“Butbusinessaffairs，whentheyareone'sown，serveasadistraction。
　　Someoneiscoming。Ithinkitistheagriculturalexpert。Youwillhavesomethingtooccupyyounowforanhourortwo。”
　　“Anhourortwoofhell！“
　　“Ah，ha！ifIamnotmistakenUncleLicurgoandUnclePasoLargohavejustentered。Perhapstheyhavecometoproposeacompromisetoyou。”
　　“Iwouldthrowmyselfintothepondfirst！“
　　“Howunnaturalyouare！Fortheyareallveryfondofyou。Well，sothatnothingmaybewanting，therecomestheconstabletoo。Heiscomingtoserveasummonsonyou。”
　　“Tocrucifyme。”
　　Alltheindividualsnamedwerenowenteringtheparloronebyone。
　　“Good-by，Pepe；amuseyourself，“saidDonaPerfecta。
　　“Earth，openandswallowme！“exclaimedtheyoungmandesperately。
　　“SenorDonJose。”
　　“MydearDonJose。”
　　“EsteemedDonJose。”
　　“MydearestDonJose。”
　　“Myrespectedfriend，DonJose。”
　　Hearingthesehoneyedandinsinuatingpreliminaries，PepeReyexhaledadeepsighandgavehimselfup。Hegavehimselfup，soulandbody，totheexecutioners，whobrandishedhorribleleavesofstampedpaperwhilethevictim，raisinghiseyestoheavenwithalookofChristianmeekness，murmured:
　　“Father，whyhastthouforsakenme?“
　　CHAPTERXII
　　HEREWASTROY
　　Love，friendship，awholesomemoralatmosphere，spirituallight，sympathy，aneasyinterchangeofideasandfeelings，thesewerewhatPepeRey'snatureimperativelydemanded。Deprivedofthem，thedarknessthatshroudedhissoulgrewdeeper，andhisinwardgloomimpartedatingeofbitternessanddiscontenttohismanner。Onthedayfollowingthescenesdescribedinthelastchapter，whatvexedhimmorethananythingwasthealreadyprolongedandmysteriousseclusionofhiscousin，accountedforatfirstbyatriflingindispositionandthenbycapricesandnervousfeelingsdifficultofexplanation。
　　ReywassurprisedbyconductsocontrarytotheideawhichhehadformedofRosarito。Fourdayshadpassedduringwhichhehadnotseenher；andcertainlyitwasnotbecausehedidnotdesiretobeatherside；andhissituationthreatenedsoontobecomehumiliatingandridiculous，if，byboldlytakingtheinitiative，hedidnotatonceputanendtoit。
　　“ShallInotseemycousinto-day，either?“hesaidtohisaunt，withmanifestill-humor，whentheyhadfinisheddining。
　　“No，notto-day，either。HeavenknowshowsorryIamforit。Igaveheragoodtalkingtothismorning。Thisafternoonwewillseewhatcanbedone。”
　　Thesuspicionthatinthisunreasonableseclusionhisadorablecousinwasratherthehelplessvictimthanthefreeandwillingagent，inducedhimtocontrolhimselfandtowait。HaditnotbeenforthissuspicionhewouldhaveleftOrbajosathatveryday。HehadnodoubtwhateverthatRosariolovedhim，butitwasevidentthatsomeunknowninfluencewasatworktoseparatethem，anditseemedtohimtobethepartofanhonorablemantodiscoverwhencethatmaligninfluenceproceededandtoopposeit，asfarasitwasinhispowertodoso。
　　“IhopethatRosarito'sobstinacywillnotcontinuelong，“hesaidtoDonaPerfecta，disguisinghisrealsentiments。
　　OnthisdayhereceivedaletterfromhisfatherinwhichthelattercomplainedofhavingreceivednonefromOrbajosa，acircumstancewhichincreasedtheengineer'sdisquietude，perplexinghimstillfurther。
　　Finally，afterwanderingaboutaloneinthegardenforalongtime，heleftthehouseandwenttotheCasino。Heentereditwiththedesperateairofamanabouttothrowhimselfintothesea。
　　Intheprincipalroomshefoundvariouspeopletalkinganddiscussingdifferentsubjects。Inonegrouptheyweresolvingwithsubtlelogicdifficultproblemsrelatingtobulls；inanother，theywerediscussingtherelativemeritsofdifferentbreedsofdonkeysofOrbajosaandVillahorrenda。Boredtothelastdegree，PepeReyturnedawayfromthesediscussionsanddirectedhisstepstowardthereading-room，wherehelookedthroughvariousreviewswithoutfindinganydistractioninthereading，andalittlelater，passingfromroomtoroom，hestopped，withoutknowingwhy，atthegaming-table。Fornearlytwohoursheremainedintheclutchesofthehorribleyellowdemon，whoseshiningeyesofgoldatoncetortureandcharm。Butnoteventheexcitementofplayhadpowertolightenthegloomofhissoul，andthesametediumwhichhadimpelledhimtowardthegreenclothsenthimawayfromit。
　　Shunningthenoise，hefoundhimselfinanapartmentusedasanassembly-room，inwhichatthetimetherewasnotalivingsoul，andhereheseatedhimselfwearilyatawindowoverlookingthestreet。
　　Thiswasverynarrow，withmorecornersandsalientanglesthanhouses，andwasovershadedthroughoutitswholeextentbytheimposingmassofthecathedralthatlifteditsdarkandtime-corrodedwallsatoneendofit。PepeReylookedupanddownandineverydirection；nosignoflife——notafootstep，notavoice，notaglance，disturbedthestillness，peacefulasthatofatomb，thatreignedeverywhere。
　　Suddenlystrangesounds，likethewhisperingoffemininevoices，fellonhisear，andthentherustlingofcurtainsthatwerebeingdrawn，afewwords，andfinallythehummingofasong，thebarkofalap-dog，andothersignsofsociallife，whichseemedverystrangeinsuchaplace。Observingattentively，PepeReyperceivedthatthesenoisesproceededfromanenormousbalconywithblindswhichdisplayeditscorpulentbulkinfrontofthewindowatwhichhewassitting。Beforehehadconcludedhisobservations，amemberoftheCasinosuddenlyappearedbesidehim，andaccostedhimlaughinglyinthismanner:
　　“Ah，SenorDonPepe！whatarogueyouare！Soyouhaveshutyourselfinheretooglethegirls，eh?“
　　ThespeakerwasDonJuanTafetan，averyamiableman，andoneofthefewmembersoftheCasinowhohadmanifestedforPepeReycordialfriendshipandgenuineadmiration。Withhisredcheeks，hislittledyedmustache，hisrestlesslaughingeyes，hisinsignificantfigure，hishaircarefullycombedtohidehisbaldness，DonJuanTafetanwasfarfrombeinganAntinousinappearance，buthewasverywittyandveryagreeableandhehadahappygiftfortellingagoodstory。Hewasmuchgiventolaughter，andwhenhelaughedhisface，fromhisforeheadtohischin，becameonemassofgrotesquewrinkles。Inspiteofthesequalities，andoftheapplausewhichmighthavestimulatedhistasteforspicyjokes，hewasnotascandal-monger。Everyonelikedhim，andPepeReyspentwithhimmanypleasanthours。PoorTafetan，formerlyanemployeinthecivildepartmentofthegovernmentofthecapitaloftheprovince，nowlivedmodestlyonhissalaryasaclerkinthebureauofcharities；ekingouthisincomebygallantlyplayingtheclarionetintheprocessions，inthesolemnitiesofthecathedral，andinthetheatre，wheneversomedesperatecompanyofplayersmadetheirappearanceinthosepartswiththeperfidiousdesignofgivingrepresentationsinOrbajosa。
　　ButthemostcuriousthingaboutDonJuanTafetanwashislikingforprettygirls。Hehimself，inthedayswhenhedidnothidehisbaldnesswithhalfadozenhairsplastereddownwithpomade，whenhedidnotdyehismustache，when，inthefreedomfromcareofyouthfulyears，hewalkedwithshouldersunstoopedandheaderect，hadbeenaformidable/Tenorio/。Tohearhimrecounthisconquestswassomethingtomakeonedielaughing；forthereare/Tenorios/andTenorios/，andhewasoneofthemostoriginal。
　　“Whatgirls?Idon'tseeanygirls，“respondedPepeRey。
　　“Yes，playtheanchorite！“
　　Oneoftheblindsofthebalconywasopened，givingaglimpseofayouthfulface，lovelyandsmiling，thatdisappearedinstantly，likealightextinguishedbythewind。
　　“Yes，Iseenow。”
　　“Don'tyouknowthem?“
　　“OnmylifeIdonot。”
　　“TheyaretheTroyas——theTroyagirls。Thenyoudon'tknowsomethinggood。Threelovelygirls，thedaughtersofacolonelofstaff，whodiedinthestreetsofMadridin'54。”
　　Theblindopenedagain，andtwofacesappeared。
　　“Theyarelaughingatme，“saidTafetan，makingafriendlysigntothegirls。
　　“Doyouknowthem?“
　　“Why，ofcourseIknowthem。Thepoorthingsareinthegreatestwant。
　　Idon'tknowhowtheymanagetolive。WhenDonFranciscoTroyadiedasubscriptionwasraisedforthem，butthatdidnotlastverylong。”
　　“Poorgirls！Iimaginetheyarenotmodelsofvirtue。”
　　“Andwhynot?Idonotbelievewhattheysayinthetownaboutthem。”
　　Oncemoretheblindsopened。
　　“Good-afternoon，girls！“criedDonJuanTafetantothethreegirls，whoappeared，artisticallygrouped，atthewindow。“Thisgentlemansaysthatgoodthingsoughtnottohidethemselves，andthatyoushouldthrowopentheblinds。”
　　Buttheblindwasclosedandajoyousconcertoflaughterdiffusedastrangegayetythroughthegloomystreet。Onemighthavefanciedthataflockofbirdswaspassing。
　　“Shallwegothere?“saidTafetansuddenly。
　　Hiseyessparkledandaroguishsmileplayedonhisdiscoloredlips。
　　“Butwhatsortofpeoplearethey，then?“
　　“Don'tbeafraid，SenordeRey。Thepoorthingsarehonest。Bah！Why，theyliveuponair，likethechameleons。Tellme，cananyonewhodoesn'teatsin?Thepoorgirlsarevirtuousenough。Andeveniftheydidsin，theyfastenoughtomakeupforit。”
　　“Letusgo，then。”
　　AmomentlaterDonJuanTafetanandPepeReywereenteringtheparloroftheTroyas。Thepovertyhesaw，thatstruggleddesperatelytodisguiseitself，afflictedtheyoungman。Thethreegirlswereverylovely，especiallythetwoyoungerones，whowerepaleanddark，withlargeblackeyesandslenderfigures。Well-dressedandwellshodtheywouldhaveseemedthedaughtersofaduchess，andworthytoallythemselveswithprinces。
　　Whenthevisitorsentered，thethreegirlswereforamomentabashed:
　　butverysoontheirnaturallygayandfrivolousdispositionsbecameapparent。Theylivedinpoverty，asbirdsliveinconfinement，singingbehindironbarsastheywouldsinginthemidstoftheabundanceoftheforest。Theyspentthedaysewing，whichshowedatleasthonorableprinciples；butnooneinOrbajosa，oftheirownstationinlife，heldanyintercoursewiththem。Theywere，toacertainextent，proscribed，lookeddownupon，avoided，whichalsoshowedthatthereexistedsomecauseforscandal。But，tobejust，itmustbesaidthatthebadreputationoftheTroyasconsisted，morethaninanythingelse，inthenametheyhadofbeinggossipsandmischief-makers，fondofplayingpracticaljokes，andboldandfreeintheirmanners。Theywroteanonymousletterstogravepersonages；theygavenicknamestoeverylivingbeinginOrbajosa，fromthebishopdowntothelowestvagabond；
　　theythrewpebblesatthepassers-by；theyhissedbehindthewindowbars，inordertoamusethemselveswiththeperplexityandannoyanceofthestartledpasser-by；theyfoundouteverythingthatoccurredintheneighborhood；towhichendtheymadeconstantuseofeverywindowandapertureintheupperpartofthehouse；theysangatnightinthebalcony；theymaskedthemselvesduringtheCarnival，inordertoobtainentranceintothehousesofthehighestfamilies；andtheyplayedmanyothermischievousprankspeculiartosmalltowns。Butwhateveritscause，thefactwasthatontheTroyatriumviraterestedoneofthosestigmasthat，onceaffixedonanyonebyasusceptiblecommunity，accompaniesthatpersonimplacablyevenbeyondthetomb。
　　“Thisisthegentlemantheysayhascometodiscoverthegold-mines?“
　　saidoneofthegirls。
　　“AndtodoawaywiththecultivationofgarlicinOrbajosatoplantcottonorcinnamontreesinitsstead?“
　　Pepecouldnothelplaughingattheseabsurdities。
　　“AllhehascomeforistomakeacollectionofprettygirlstotakebackwithhimtoMadrid，“saidTafetan。
　　“Ah！I'llbeverygladtogo！“criedone。
　　“Iwilltakethethreeofyouwithme，“saidPepe。“ButIwanttoknowonething；whywereyoulaughingatmewhenIwasatthewindowoftheCasino?“
　　Thesewordswerethesignalforfreshburstsoflaughter。
　　“Thesegirlsaresillythings，“saidtheeldest。
　　“ItwasbecausewesaidyoudeservedsomethingbetterthanDonaPerfecta'sdaughter。”
　　“Itwasbecausethisonesaidthatyouareonlylosingyourtime，forRosaritocaresonlyforpeopleconnectedwiththeChurch。”
　　“Howabsurdyouare！Isaidnothingofthekind！ItwasyouwhosaidthatthegentlemanwasaLutheranatheist，andthatheentersthecathedralsmokingandwithhishaton。”
　　“Well，Ididn'tinventit；thatiswhatSuspiritostoldmeyesterday。”
　　“AndwhoisthisSuspiritoswhosayssuchabsurdthingsaboutme?“
　　“Suspiritosis——Suspiritos。”
　　“Girls，“saidTafetan，withsmilingcountenance，“theregoestheorange-vender。Callhim；Iwanttoinviteyoutoeatoranges。”
　　Oneofthegirlscalledtheorange-vender。
　　TheconversationstartedbytheTroyasdispleasedPepeReynotalittle，dispellingtheslightfeelingofcontentmentwhichhehadexperiencedatfindinghimselfinsuchgayandcommunicativecompany。
　　Hecouldnot，however，refrainfromsmilingwhenhesawDonJuanTafetantakedownaguitarandbegintoplayuponitwithallthegraceandskillofhisyouthfulyears。
　　“Ihavebeentoldthatyousingbeautifully，“saidReytothegirls。
　　“LetDonJuanTafetansing。”
　　“Idon'tsing。”
　　“NorI，“saidthesecondofthegirls，offeringtheengineersomepiecesoftheskinoftheorangeshehadjustpeeled。
　　“MariaJuana，don'tleaveyoursewing，“saidtheeldestoftheTroyas。
　　“Itislate，andthecassockmustbefinishedto-night。”
　　“Thereistobenoworkto-day。Tothedevilwiththeneedles！“
　　exclaimedTafetan。
　　Andhebegantosingasong。
　　“Thepeoplearestoppinginthestreet，“saidthesecondofthegirls，goingoutonthebalcony。“DonJuanTafetan'sshoutscanbeheardinthePlaza——Juana，Juana！“
　　“Well?“
　　“Suspiritosiswalkingdownthestreet。”
　　“Throwapieceoforange-peelather。”
　　PepeReylookedoutalso；hesawaladywalkingdownthestreetatwhomtheyoungestoftheTroyas，takingaskilfulaim，threwalargepieceoforange-peel，whichstruckherstraightonthebackofthehead。Thentheyhastilyclosedtheblinds，andthethreegirlstriedtostifletheirlaughtersothatitmightnotbeheardinthestreet。
　　“Thereisnoworkto-day，“criedone，overturningthesewing-basketwiththetipofhershoe。
　　“Thatisthesameassaying，to-morrowthereistobenoeating，“saidtheeldest，gatheringupthesewingimplements。
　　PepeReyinstinctivelyputhishandintohispocket。Hewouldgladlyhavegiventhemanalms。Thespectacleofthesepoororphans，condemnedbytheworldbecauseoftheirfrivolity，saddenedhimbeyondmeasure。
　　IftheonlysinoftheTroyas，iftheonlypleasurewhichtheyhadtocompensatethemforsolitude，poverty，andneglect，wastothroworange-peelsatthepassers-by，theymightwellbeexcusedfordoingit。Theausterecustomsofthetowninwhichtheylivedhadperhapspreservedthemfromvice，buttheunfortunategirlslackeddecorumandgood-breeding，thecommonandmostvisiblesignsofmodesty，anditmighteasilybesupposedthattheyhadthrownoutofthewindowsomethingmorethanorange-peels。PepeReyfeltprofoundpityforthem。
　　Henotedtheirshabbydresses，madeover，mended，trimmed，andretrimmed，tomakethemlooklikenew；henotedtheirbrokenshoes——andoncemoreheputhishandinhispocket。
　　“Vicemayreignhere，“hesaidtohimself，“butthefaces，thefurniture，allshowthatthisisthewreckofarespectablefamily。Ifthesepoorgirlswereasbadasitissaidtheyare，theywouldnotliveinsuchpovertyandtheywouldnotwork。InOrbajosatherearerichmen。”
　　Thethreegirlswentbackandforwardbetweenhimandthewindow，keepingupagayandsprightlyconversation，whichindicated，itmustbesaid，aspeciesofinnocenceinthemidstofalltheirfrivolityandunconventionality。
　　“SenorDonJose，whatanexcellentladyDonaPerfectais！“
　　“SheistheonlypersoninOrbajosawhohasnonickname，theonlypersoninOrbajosawhoisnotspokenillof。”
　　“Everyonerespectsher。”
　　“Everyoneadoresher。”
　　Totheseutterancestheyoungmanrespondedbypraisesofhisaunt，buthehadnolongeranyinclinationtotakemoneyfromhispocketandsay，“MariaJuana，takethisforapairofboots。”“Pepa，takethistobuyadressforyourself。”“Florentina，takethistoprovideyourselfwithaweek'sprovisions，“ashehadbeenonthepointofdoing。Atamomentwhenthethreegirlshadrunouttothebalconytoseewhowaspassing，DonJuanTafetanapproachedReyandwhisperedtohim:
　　“Howprettytheyare！Aretheynot?Poorthings！Itseemsimpossiblethattheyshouldbesogaywhenitmaybepositivelyaffirmedthattheyhavenotdinedto-day。”
　　“DonJuan，DonJuan！“criedPepilla。“Herecomesafriendofyours，NicolasitoHernandez，inotherwords，CirioPascual，withthisthree-
　　storyhat。Heisprayingtohimself，nodoubt，forthesoulsofthosewhomhehassenttothegravewithhisextortion。”
　　“Iwagerthatneitherofyouwilldaretocallhimbyhisnickname。”
　　“Itisabet。”
　　“Juana，shuttheblinds，waituntilhepasses，andwhenheisturningthecorner，Iwillcallout，'Cirio，CirioPascual！'“
　　DonJuanTafetanranouttothebalcony。
　　“Comehere，DonJose，sothatyoumayknowthistype，“hecalled。
　　PepeRey，availinghimselfofthemomentinwhichthethreegirlsandDonJuanweremakingmerryinthebalcony，callingNicolasitoHernandezthenicknamewhichsogreatlyenragedhim，steppedcautiouslytooneofthesewingbasketsintheroomandplacedinitahalfouncewhichhehadleftafterhislossesatplay。
　　Thenhehurriedouttothebalconyjustasthetwoyoungestcriedinthemidstofwildburstsoflaughter，“Cirio，CirioPascual！“
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　ACASUSBELLI
　　AfterthispranktheTroyascommencedaconversationwiththeirvisitorsaboutthepeopleandtheaffairsofthetown。Theengineer，fearingthathisexploitmightbediscoveredwhilehewaspresent，wishedtogo，whichdispleasedtheTroyasgreatly。Oneofthemwhohadlefttheroomnowreturned，saying:
　　“Suspiritosisnowintheyard；sheishangingouttheclothes。”
　　“DonJosewillwishtoseeher，“saidanotherofthegirls。
　　“Sheisafine-lookingwoman。AndnowshearrangesherhairintheMadridfashion。Come，allofyou。”
　　Theytooktheirvisitorstothedining-room——anapartmentverylittleused——whichopenedonaterrace，wheretherewereafewflowersinpotsandmanybrokenanddisusedarticlesoffurniture。Theterraceoverlookedtheyardofanadjoininghouse，withapiazzafullofgreenvinesandplantsinpotscarefullycultivated。Everythingaboutitshowedittobetheabodeofneatandindustriouspeopleofmodestmeans。
　　TheTroyas，approachingtheedgeoftheroof，lookedattentivelyattheneighboringhouse，andthen，imposingsilencebyagestureontheircavaliers，retreatedtoapartoftheterracefromwhichtheycouldnotseeintotheyard，andwheretherewasnodangeroftheirbeingseenfromit。
　　“Sheiscomingoutofthekitchennowwithapanofpeas，“saidMariaJuana，stretchingouthernecktolook。
　　“Theregoes！“criedanother，throwingapebbleintotheyard。
　　Thenoiseoftheprojectilestrikingagainsttheglassofthepiazzawasheard，andthenanangryvoicecrying:
　　“Nowtheyhavebrokenanotherpaneofglass！“
　　Thegirls，hidden，closebesidethetwomen，inacorneroftheterrace，weresuffocatingwithlaughter。
　　“SenoraSuspiritosisveryangry，“saidRey。“Whydotheycallherbythatname?“
　　“Because，whensheistalking，shesighsaftereveryword，andalthoughshehaseverythingshewants，sheisalwayscomplaining。”
　　Therewasamoment'ssilenceinthehousebelow。PepitaTroyalookedcautiouslydown。
　　“Thereshecomesagain，“shewhispered，oncemoreimposingsilencebyagesture。“Maria，givemeapebble。Giveithere——bang！thereitgoes！“
　　“Youdidn'thither。Itstrucktheground。”
　　“LetmeseeifIcan。Letuswaituntilshecomesoutofthepantryagain。”
　　“Now，nowsheiscomingout。Takecare，Florentina。”
　　“One，two，three！Thereitgoes！“
　　Acryofpainwasheardfrombelow，amalediction，amasculineexclamation，foritwasamanwhoutteredit。PepeReycoulddistinguishclearlythesewords:
　　“Thedevil！Theyhaveputaholeinmyhead，the——Jacinto，Jacinto！
　　Butwhatanabominableneighborhoodthisis！“
　　“GoodHeavens！whathaveIdone！“exclaimedFlorentina，filledwithconsternation。“IhavestruckSenorDonInocencioonthehead。”
　　“ThePenitentiary?“saidPepeRey。
　　“Yes。”
　　“Doesheliveinthathouse?“
　　“Why，whereelseshouldhelive?“
　　“Andtheladyofthesighs——“
　　“Ishisniece，hishousekeeper，orwhateverelseshemaybe。Weamuseourselveswithherbecausesheisverytiresome，butwearenotaccustomedtoplaytricksonhisreverence，thePenitentiary。”