Whilethisdialoguewasbeingrapidlycarriedon，PepeReysaw，infrontoftheterraceandverynearhim，awindowbelongingtothebombardedhouseopen；hesawasmilingfaceappearatit——afamiliarface——afacethesightofwhichstunnedhim，terrifiedhim，madehimturnpaleandtremble。ItwasthatofJacinto，who，interruptedinhisgravestudies，appearedatitwithhispenbehindhisear。Hismodest，fresh，andsmilingcountenance，appearinginthisway，hadanauroralaspect。
　　“Good-afternoon，SenorDonJose，“hesaidgayly。
　　“Jacinto，Jacinto，Isay！“
　　“Iamcoming。Iwassalutingafriend。”
　　“Comeaway，comeaway！“criedFlorentina，inalarm。“ThePenitentiaryisgoinguptoDonNominative'sroomandhewillgiveusablessing。”
　　“Yes，comeaway；letusclosethedoorofthedining-room。”
　　Theyrushedpell-mellfromtheterrace。
　　“YoumighthaveguessedthatJacintowouldseeyoufromhistempleoflearning，“saidTafetantotheTroyas。
　　“DonNominativeisourfriend，“respondedoneofthegirls。“Fromhistempleofsciencehesaysagreatmanysweetthingstousonthesly，andheblowsuskissesbesides。”
　　“Jacinto?“askedtheengineer。“Whatthedeuceisthatnameyougavehim?“
　　“DonNominative。”
　　Thethreegirlsburstoutlaughing。
　　“Wecallhimthatbecauseheisverylearned。”
　　“No，becausewhenwewerelittlehewaslittletoo。But，yes，nowI
　　remember。Weusedtoplayontheterrace，andwecouldhearhimstudyinghislessonsaloud。”
　　“Yes，andthewholeblesseddayheusedtospendsingling。”
　　“Declining，girl！Thatiswhatitwas。Hewouldgolikethis:
　　'Nominative，rosa，Genitive，Dative，Accusative。'“
　　“IsupposethatIhavemynicknametoo，“saidPepeRey。
　　“LetMariaJuanatellyouwhatitis，“saidFlorentina，hidingherself。
　　“I?Tellittohimyou，Pepa。”
　　“Youhaven'tanynameyet，DonJose。”
　　“ButIshallhaveone。IpromiseyouthatIwillcometohearwhatitisandtoreceiveconfirmation，“saidtheyoungman，makingamovementtogo。
　　“What，areyougoing?“
　　“Yes。Youhavelosttimeenoughalready。Towork，girls！Throwingstonesattheneighborsandthepassers-byisnotthemostsuitableoccupationforgirlsasprettyandascleverasyouare。Well，good-
　　by。”
　　Andwithoutwaitingforfurtherremonstrances，oransweringthecivilitiesofthegirls，heleftthehousehastily，leavingDonJuanTafetanbehindhim。
　　Thescenewhichhehadjustwitnessed，theindignitysufferedbythecanon，theunexpectedappearanceofthelittledoctoroflaws，addedstillfurthertotheperplexities，theanxieties，andthedisagreeablepresentimentsthatalreadydisturbedthesouloftheunluckyengineer。
　　HeregrettedwithhiswholesoulhavingenteredthehouseoftheTroyas，and，resolvingtoemployhistimebetterwhilehishypochondriasmlasted，hemadeatourofinspectionthroughthetown。
　　Hevisitedthemarket，theCalledelaTriperia，wheretheprincipalstoreswere；heobservedthevariousaspectspresentedbytheindustryandcommerceofthegreatcityofOrbajosa，and，findingonlynewmotivesofweariness，hebenthisstepsinthedirectionofthePaseodelasDescalzas；buthesawthereonlyafewstraydogs，for，owingtothedisagreeablewindwhichprevailed，theusualpromenadershadremainedathome。Hewenttotheapothecary's，wherevariousspeciesofruminantfriendsofprogress，whochewedagainandagainthecudofthesameendlesstheme，wereaccustomedtomeet，buttherehewasstillmorebored。Finally，ashewaspassingthecathedral，heheardthestrainsoftheorganandthebeautifulchantingofthechoir。Heentered，kneltbeforethehighaltar，rememberingthewarningswhichhisaunthadgivenhimaboutbehavingwithdecoruminchurch；thenvisitedachapel，andwasabouttoenteranotherwhenanacolyte，warden，orbeadleapproachedhim，andwiththerudestmannerandinthemostdiscourteoustonesaidtohim:
　　“Hislordshipsaysthatyouaretogetoutofthechurch。”
　　Theengineerfeltthebloodrushtohisface。Heobeyedwithoutaword。
　　Turnedouteverywhere，eitherbysuperiorauthorityorbyhisowntedium，hehadnoresourcebuttoreturntohisaunt'shouse，wherehefoundwaitingforhim:
　　First，UncleLicurgo，toannounceasecondlawsuittohim；second，SenorDonCayetano，toreadhimanotherpassagefromhisdiscourseonthe“GenealogiesofOrbajosa“；third，Caballuco，onsomebusinesswhichhehadnotdisclosed；fourth，DonaPerfectaandheraffectionatesmile，forwhatwillappearinthefollowingchapter。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THEDISCORDCONTINUESTOINCREASE
　　Afreshattempttoseehiscousinthateveningfailed，andPepeReyshuthimselfupinhisroomtowriteseveralletters，hismindpreoccupiedwithonethought。
　　“To-nightorto-morrow，“hesaidtohimself，“thiswillendonewayoranother。”
　　WhenhewascalledtosupperDonaPerfecta，whowasalreadyinthedining-room，wentuptohimandsaid，withoutpreface:
　　“DearPepe，don'tdistressyourself，IwillpacifySenorDonInocencio。
　　Iknoweverythingalready。MariaRemedios，whohasjustleftthehouse，hastoldmeallaboutit。”
　　DonaPerfecta'scountenanceradiatedsuchsatisfactionasanartist，proudofhiswork，mightfeel。
　　“Aboutwhat?“
　　“Setyourmindatrest。Iwillmakeanexcuseforyou。YoutookafewglassestoomuchintheCasino，thatwasit，wasitnot?Thereyouhavetheresultofbadcompany。DonJuanTafetan，theTroyas！Thisishorrible，frightful。Didyouconsiderwell?“
　　“Iconsideredeverything，“respondedPepe，resolvednottoenterintodiscussionswithhisaunt。
　　“Ishalltakegoodcarenottowritetoyourfatherwhatyouhavedone。”
　　“Youmaywritewhateveryoupleasetohim。”
　　“Youwillexculpateyourselfbydenyingthetruthofthisstory，then?“
　　“Idenynothing。”
　　“Youconfessthenthatyouwereinthehouseofthose——“
　　“Iwas。”
　　“Andthatyougavethemahalfounce；for，accordingtowhatMariaRemedioshastoldme，FlorentinawentdowntotheshopoftheExtramaduranthisafternoontogetahalfouncechanged。Theycouldnothaveearneditwiththeirsewing。Youwereintheirhouseto-day；
　　consequently——“
　　“ConsequentlyIgaveittoher。Youareperfectlyright。”
　　“Youdonotdenyit?“
　　“WhyshouldIdenyit?IsupposeIcandowhateverIpleasewithmymoney?“
　　“ButyouwillsurelydenythatyouthrewstonesatthePenitentiary。”
　　“Idonotthrowstones。”
　　“Imeanthatthosegirls，inyourpresence——“
　　“Thatisanothermatter。”
　　“AndtheyinsultedpoorMariaRemedios，too。”
　　“Idonotdenythat，either。”
　　“Andhowdoyouexcuseyourconduct！PepeinHeaven'sname，haveyounothingtosay?Thatyouaresorry，thatyoudeny——“
　　“Nothing，absolutelynothing，senora！“
　　“Youdon'tevengivemeanysatisfaction。”
　　“Ihavedonenothingtooffendyou。”
　　“Come，theonlythingthereisleftforyoutodonowis——there，takethatstickandbeatme！“
　　“Idon'tbeatpeople。”
　　“Whatawantofrespect！What，don'tyouintendtoeatanysupper?“
　　“Iintendtotakesupper。”
　　Formorethanaquarterofanhournoonespoke。DonCayetano，DonaPerfecta，andPepeReyateinsilence。ThiswasinterruptedwhenDonInocencioenteredthedining-room。
　　“HowsorryIwasforit，mydearDonJose！Believeme，Iwastrulysorryforit，“hesaid，pressingtheyoungman'shandandregardinghimwithalookofcompassion。
　　Theengineerwassoperplexedforamomentthathedidnotknowwhattoanswer。
　　“Irefertotheoccurrenceofthisafternoon。”
　　“Ah，yes！“
　　“Toyourexpulsionfromthesacredprecinctsofthecathedral。”
　　“Thebishopshouldconsiderwell，“saidPepeRey，“beforeheturnsaChristianoutofthechurch。”
　　“Thatisverytrue。Idon'tknowwhocanhaveputitintohislordship'sheadthatyouareamanofverybadhabits；Idon'tknowwhohastoldhimthatyoumakeaboastofyouratheismeverywhere；thatyouridiculesacredthingsandpersons，andeventhatyouareplanningtopulldownthecathedraltobuildalargetarfactorywiththestones。I
　　triedmybesttodissuadehim，buthislordshipisalittleobstinate。”
　　“Thanksforsomuchkindness。”
　　“AnditisnotbecausethePenitentiaryhasanyreasontoshowyoutheseconsiderations。Alittlemore，andtheywouldhavelefthimstretchedonthegroundthisafternoon。”
　　“Bah！“saidtheecclesiastic，laughing。“Buthaveyouheardofthatlittleprankalready?IwagerMariaRemedioscamewiththestory。AndI
　　forbadehertodoit——Iforbadeherpositively。Thethinginitselfisofnoconsequence，amInotright，SenordeRey?“
　　“Sinceyouthinkso——“
　　“ThatiswhatIthink。Youngpeople'spranks！Youth，letthemodernssaywhattheywill，isinclinedtoviceandtoviciousactions。SenordeRey，whoisapersonofgreatendowments，couldnotbealtogetherperfect——whyshoulditbewonderedatthatthoseprettygirlsshouldhavecaptivatedhim，and，aftergettinghismoneyoutofhim，shouldhavemadehimtheaccompliceoftheirshamelessandcriminalinsultstotheirneighbors?Mydearfriend，forthepainfulpartthatIhadinthisafternoon'ssport，“headded，raisinghishandtothewoundedspot，“Iamnotoffended，norwillIdistressyoubyevenreferringtosodisagreeableanincident。IamtrulysorrytohearthatMariaRemedioscameheretotellallaboutit。Mynieceissofondofgossiping！Iwagershetoldtooaboutthehalfounce，andyourrompingwiththegirlsontheterrace，andyourchasingoneanotherabout，andthepinchesandthecapersofDonJuanTafetan。Bah！thosethingsoughtnottobetold。”
　　PepeReydidnotknowwhichannoyedhimmost——hisaunt'sseverityorthehypocriticalcondescensionofthecanon。
　　“Whyshouldtheynotbetold?“saidDonaPerfecta。“Hedoesnotseemashamedofhisconducthimself。IassureyouallthatIkeepthisfrommydeardaughteronlybecause，inhernervouscondition，afitofangermightbedangeroustoher。”
　　“Come，itisnotsoseriousasallthat，senora，“saidthePenitentiary。“Ithinkthemattershouldnotbeagainreferredto，andwhentheonewhowasstonedsaysthat，therestmaysurelybesatisfied。Andtheblowwasnojoke，SenorDonJose。Ithoughttheyhadsplitmyheadopenandthatmybrainswereoozingout。”
　　“Iamtrulysorryfortheoccurrence！“stammeredPepeRey。“Itgivesmerealpain，althoughIhadnopartinit——“
　　“YourvisittothoseSenorasTroyaswillbetalkedaboutalloverthetown，“saidthecanon。“WearenotinMadrid，inthatcentreofcorruption，ofscandal——“
　　“Thereyoucanvisitthevilestplaceswithoutanyoneknowingit，“
　　saidDonaPerfecta。
　　“Hereweareveryobservantofoneanother，“continuedDonInocencio。
　　“Wetakenoticeofeverythingourneighborsdo，andwithsuchasystemofvigilancepublicmoralsaremaintainedataproperheight。Believeme，myfriend，believeme，——andIdonotsaythistomortifyyou，——youarethefirstgentlemanofyourpositionwho，inthelightofday——thefirst，yes，senor——/Trojoequiprimusaboris/。”
　　Andburstingintoalaugh，heclappedtheengineeronthebackintokenofamityandgood-will。
　　“HowgratefulIoughttobe，“saidtheyoungman，concealinghisangerunderthesarcasticwordswhichhethoughtthemostsuitabletoanswerthecovertironyofhisinterlocutors，“tomeetwithsomuchgenerosityandtolerance，whenmycriminalconductwoulddeserve——“
　　“What！Isapersonofone'sownblood，onewhobearsone'sname，“saidDonaPerfecta，“tobetreatedlikeastranger?Youaremynephew，youarethesonofthebestandthemostvirtuousofmen，ofmydearbrotherJuan，andthatissufficient。YesterdayafternoonthesecretaryofthebishopcameheretotellmethathislordshipisgreatlydispleasedbecauseIhaveyouinmyhouse。”
　　“Andthattoo?“murmuredthecanon。
　　“Andthattoo。IsaidthatinspiteoftherespectwhichIowethebishop，andtheaffectionandreverencewhichIbearhim，mynephewismynephew，andIcannotturnhimoutofmyhouse。”
　　“ThisisanothersingularitywhichIfindinthisplace，“saidPepeRey，palewithanger。“Here，apparently，thebishopgovernsotherpeople'shouses。”
　　“Heisasaint。Heissofondofmethatheimagines——heimaginesthatyouaregoingtocontaminateuswithyouratheism，yourdisregardforpublicopinion，yourstrangeideas。Ihavetoldhimrepeatedlythat，atbottom，youareanexcellentyoungman。”
　　“Someconcessionmustalwaysbemadetosuperiortalent，“observedDonInocencio。
　　“Andthismorning，whenIwasattheCirujedas'——oh，youcannotimagineinwhatastatetheyhadmyhead！Wasittruethatyouhadcometopulldownthecathedral；thatyouwerecommissionedbytheEnglishProtestantstogopreachingheresythroughoutSpain；thatyouspentthewholenightgamblingintheCasino；thatyouweredrunkinthestreets?
　　'But，senoras，'Isaidtothem，'wouldyouhavemesendmynephewtothehotel?'Besides，theyarewrongaboutthedrunkenness，andasforgambling——Ihaveneveryetheardthatyougambled。”
　　PepeReyfoundhimselfinthatstateofmindinwhichthecalmestmanisseizedbyasuddenrage，byablindandbrutalimpulsetostranglesomeone，tostrikesomeoneintheface，tobreaksomeone'shead，tocrushsomeone'sbones。ButDonaPerfectawasawomanandwas，besides，hisaunt；andDonInocenciowasanoldmanandanecclesiastic。Inadditiontothis，physicalviolenceisinbadtasteandunbecomingapersonofeducationandaChristian。Thereremainedtheresourceofgivingventtohissuppressedwrathindignifiedandpolitelanguage；
　　butthislastresourceseemedtohimpremature，andonlytobeemployedatthemomentofhisfinaldeparturefromthehouseandfromOrbajosa。
　　Controllinghisfury，then，hewaited。
　　Jacintoenteredastheywerefinishingsupper。
　　“Good-evening，SenorDonJose，“hesaid，pressingtheyoungman'shand。
　　“Youandyourfriendskeptmefromworkingthisafternoon。Iwasnotabletowritealine。AndIhadsomuchtodo！“
　　“Iamverysorryforit，Jacinto。Butaccordingtowhattheytellme，youaccompanythemsometimesintheirfrolics。”
　　“I！“exclaimedtheboy，turningscarlet。“Why，youknowverywellthatTafetanneverspeaksawordoftruth。Butisittrue，SenordeRey，thatyouaregoingaway?“
　　“Isthatthereportinthetown?“
　　“Yes。IhearditintheCasinoandatDonLorenzoRuiz's。”
　　ReycontemplatedinsilenceforafewmomentsthefreshfaceofDonNominative。Thenhesaid:
　　“Well，itisnottrue；myauntisverywellsatisfiedwithme；shedespisesthecalumnieswithwhichtheOrbajosansarefavoringme——andshewillnotturnmeoutofherhouse，eventhoughthebishophimselfshouldtrytomakeherdoso。”
　　“Asforturningyououtofthehouse——never。Whatwouldyourfathersay?“
　　“Notwithstandingallyourkindness，dearestaunt，notwithstandingthecordialfriendshipofthereverendcanon，itispossiblethatImaymyselfdecidetogoaway。”
　　“Togoaway！“
　　“Togoaway——you！“
　　AstrangelightshoneinDonaPerfecta'seyes。Thecanon，experiencedthoughhewasindissimulation，couldnotconcealhisjoy。
　　“Yes，andperhapsthisverynight。”
　　“Why，man，howimpetuousyouare；Whydon'tyouatleastwaituntilmorning?Here——Juan，letsomeonegoforUncleLicurgotogetthenagready。Isupposeyouwilltakesomeluncheonwithyou。Nicolasa，thatpieceofvealthatisonthesideboard！Librada，thesenorito'slinen。”
　　“No，Icannotbelievethatyouwouldtakesorasharesolution，“saidDonCayetano，thinkinghimselfobligedtotakesomepartinthequestion。
　　“Butyouwillcomeback，willyounot?“askedthecanon。
　　“Atwhattimedoesthemorningtrainpass?“askedDonaPerfecta，inwhoseeyeswasclearlydiscerniblethefeverishimpatienceofherexaltation。
　　“Iamgoingawayto-night。”
　　“Butthereisnomoon。”
　　InthesoulofDonaPerfecta，inthesoulofthePenitentiary，inthelittledoctor'syouthfulsoulechoedlikeacelestialharmonytheword，“To-night！“
　　“Ofcourse，dearPepe，youwillcomeback。Iwroteto-daytoyourfather，yourexcellentfather，“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，withallthephysiognomicsignsthatmaketheirappearancewhenatearisabouttobeshed。
　　“Iwilltroubleyouwithafewcommissions，“saidthesavant。
　　“AgoodopportunitytoorderthevolumethatiswantinginmycopyoftheAbbeGaume'swork，“saidtheyouthfullawyer。
　　“Youtakesuchsuddennotions，Pepe；youaresofullofcaprices，“
　　murmuredDonaPerfecta，smiling，withhereyesfixedonthedoorofthedining-room。“ButIforgottotellyouthatCaballucoiswaitingtospeaktoyou。”
　　CHAPTERXV
　　DISCORDCONTINUESTOGROWUNTILWARISDECLARED
　　Everyonelookedtowardthedoor，atwhichappearedtheimposingfigureoftheCentaur，serious-lookingandfrowning；embarrassedbyhisanxietytosalutethecompanypolitely；savagelyhandsome，butdisfiguredbytheviolencewhichhedidhimselfinsmilingcivillyandtreadingsoftlyandholdinghisherculeanarmsinacorrectposture。
　　“Comein，SenorRamos，“saidPepeRey。
　　“No，no！“objectedDonaPerfecta。“Whathehastosaytoyouisanabsurdity。”
　　“Lethimsayit。”
　　“Ioughtnottoallowsuchridiculousquestionstobediscussedinmyhouse。”
　　“WhatisSenorRamos'businesswithme?“
　　Caballucoutteredafewwords。
　　“Enough，enough！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta。“Don'ttroublemynephewanymore。Pepe，don'tmindthissimpleton。DoyouwishmetotellyouthecauseofthegreatCaballuco'sanger?“shesaid，turningtotheothers。
　　“Anger?IthinkIcanimagine，“saidthePenitentiary，leaningbackinhischairandlaughingwithboisteroushilarity。
　　“IwantedtosaytoSenorDonJose——“growledtheformidablehorseman。
　　“Holdyourtongue，man，forHeaven'ssake！Anddon'ttireusanymorewiththatnonsense。”
　　“SenorCaballuco，“saidthecanon，“itisnottobewonderedatthatgentlemenfromthecapitalshouldcutouttheroughridersofthissavagecountry。”
　　“Intwowords，Pepe，thequestionisthis:Caballucois——“
　　Shecouldnotgoonforlaughing。
　　“Is——Idon'tknowjustwhat，“saidDonInocencio，“ofoneoftheTroyagirls，ofMariquitaJuana，ifIamnotmistaken。”
　　“Andheisjealous！Afterhishorse，thefirstthingincreationforhimisMariquillaTroya。”
　　“Aprettyinsinuationthat！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta。“PoorCristobal！
　　Didyousupposethatapersonlikemynephew——letushear，whatwereyougoingtosaytohim?Speak。”
　　“SenorDonJoseandIwilltalktogetherpresently，“respondedthebravoofthetownbrusquely。
　　Andwithoutanotherwordhelefttheroom。
　　ShortlyafterwardPepeReyleftthedining-roomtoretiretohisownroom。InthehallhefoundhimselffacetofacewithhisTrojanantagonist，andhecouldnotrepressasmileatthesightofthefierceandgloomycountenanceoftheoffendedlover。
　　“Awordwithyou，“saidthelatter，plantinghimselfinsolentlyinfrontoftheengineer。“DoyouknowwhoIam?“
　　Ashespokehelaidhisheavyhandontheyoungman'sshoulderwithsuchinsolentfamiliaritythatthelatter，incensed，flunghimoffwithviolence，saying:
　　“Itisnotnecessarytocrushonetosaythat。”
　　Thebravo，somewhatdisconcerted，recoveredhimselfinamoment，andlookingatReywithprovokingboldness，repeatedhisrefrain:
　　“DoyouknowwhoIam?“
　　“Yes；Iknownowthatyouareabrute。”
　　Hepushedthebullyroughlyasideandwentintohisroom。Astracedontheexcitedbrainofourunfortunatefriendatthismoment，hisplanofactionmightbesummedupbrieflyanddefinitelyasfollows:TobreakCaballuco'sheadwithoutlossoftime；thentotakeleaveofhisauntinseverebutpolitewordswhichshouldreachhersoul；tobidacoldadieutothecanonandgiveanembracetotheinoffensiveDonCayetano；
　　toadministerathrashingtoUncleLicurgo，bywayofwindinguptheentertainment，andleaveOrbajosathatverynight，shakingthedustfromhisshoesatthecitygates。
　　Butinthemidstofallthesemortificationsandpersecutionstheunfortunateyoungmanhadnotceasedtothinkofanotherunhappybeing，whomhebelievedtobeinasituationevenmorepainfulanddistressingthanhisown。Oneofthemaid-servantsfollowedtheengineerintohisroom。
　　“Didyougivehermymessage?“heasked。
　　“Yes，senor，andshegavemethis。”
　　Reytookfromthegirl'shandafragmentofanewspaper，onthemarginofwhichhereadthesewords:
　　“Theysayyouaregoingaway。Ishalldieifyoudo。”
　　Whenhereturnedtothedining-roomUncleLicurgolookedinatthedoorandasked:
　　“Atwhathourdoyouwantthehorse?“
　　“Atnohour，“answeredReyquickly。
　　“Thenyouarenotgoingto-night?“saidDonaPerfecta。“Well，itisbettertowaituntilto-morrow。”
　　“Iamnotgoingto-morrow，either。”
　　“Whenareyougoing，then?“
　　“Wewillseepresently，“saidtheyoungmancoldly，lookingathisauntwithimperturbablecalmness。“ForthepresentIdonotintendtogoaway。”
　　Hiseyesflashedforthafiercechallenge。
　　DonaPerfectaturnedfirstred，thenpale。Shelookedatthecanon，whohadtakenoffhisgoldspectaclestowipethem，andthenfixedhereyessuccessivelyoneachoftheotherpersonsintheroom，includingCaballuco，who，enteringshortlybefore，hadseatedhimselfontheedgeofachair。DonaPerfectalookedatthemasagenerallooksathistrustybody-guard。Thenshestudiedthethoughtfulandserenecountenanceofhernephew——ofthatenemy，who，byastrategicmovement，suddenlyreappearedbeforeherwhenshebelievedhimtobeinshamefulflight。
　　Alas！Bloodshed，ruin，anddesolation！Agreatbattlewasabouttobefought。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　NIGHT
　　Orbajosaslept。Themelancholystreet-lampsweresheddingtheirlastgleamsatstreet-cornersandinby-ways，liketiredeyesstrugglinginvainagainstsleep。Bytheirdimlight，wrappedintheircloaks，glidedpastlikeshadows，vagabonds，watchmen，andgamblers。Onlythehoarseshoutofthedrunkardorthesongoftheserenaderbrokethepeacefulsilenceofthehistoriccity。Suddenlythe“AveMariaPurisima“ofsomedrunkenwatchmanwouldbeheard，likeamoanutteredinitssleepbythetown。
　　InDonaPerfecta'shousealsosilencereigned，unbrokenbutforaconversationwhichwastakingplacebetweenDonCayetanoandPepeRey，inthelibraryoftheformer。Thesavantwasseatedcomfortablyinthearm-chairbesidehisstudytable，whichwascoveredwithpapersofvariouskindscontainingnotes，annotations，andreferences，allarrangedinthemostperfectorder。Rey'seyeswerefixedontheheapofpapers，buthisthoughtsweredoubtlessfarawayfromthisaccumulatedlearning。
　　“Perfecta，“saidtheantiquary，“althoughsheisanexcellentwoman，hasthedefectofallowingherselftobeshockedbyanylittleactoffolly。Intheseprovincialtowns，mydearfriend，theslightestslipisdearlypaidfor。IseenothingparticularinyourhavinggonetotheTroyas'house。IfancythatDonInocencio，underhiscloakofpiety，issomethingofamischief-maker。Whathashetodowiththematter?“
　　“Wehavereachedapoint，SenorDonCayetano，inwhichitisnecessarytotakeadecisiveresolution。ImustseeRosarioandspeakwithher。”
　　“Seeher，then！“
　　“Buttheywillnotletme，“answeredtheengineer，strikingthetablewithhisclenchedhand。“Rosarioiskeptaprisoner。”
　　“Aprisoner！“repeatedthesavantincredulously。“ThetruthisthatI
　　donotlikeherlooksorherhair，andstilllessthevacantexpressioninherbeautifuleyes。Sheismelancholy，shetalkslittle，sheweeps——
　　friendDonJose，Igreatlyfearthatthegirlmaybeattackedbytheterriblemaladytowhichsomanyofthemembersofmyfamilyhavefallenvictims。”
　　“Aterriblemalady！Whatisit?“
　　“Madness——orrathermania。Notasinglememberofmyfamilyhasbeenfreefromit。Ialonehaveescapedit。”
　　“You！Butleavingasidethequestionofmadness，“saidRey，withimpatience，“IwishtoseeRosario。”
　　“Nothingmorenatural。Buttheisolationinwhichhermotherkeepsherisahygienicmeasure，dearPepe，andtheonlyonethathasbeensuccessfullyemployedwiththevariousmembersofmyfamily。ConsiderthatthepersonwhosepresenceandvoicewouldmakethestrongestimpressiononRosarillo'sdelicatenervoussystemisthechosenofherheart。”
　　“Inspiteofallthat，“insistedPepe，“Iwishtoseeher。”
　　“PerhapsPerfectawillnotopposeyourdoingso，“saidthesavant，givinghisattentiontohisnotesandpapers。“Idon'twanttotakeanyresponsibilityinthematter。”
　　Theengineer，seeingthathecouldobtainnothingfromthegoodPolentinos，rosetoretire。
　　“Youaregoingtowork，“hesaid，“andIwillnottroubleyouanylonger。”
　　“No，thereistimeenough。SeetheamountofpreciousinformationthatIcollectedto-day。Listen:'In1537anativeofOrbajosa，calledBartolomedelHoyo，wenttoCivita-VecchiainoneofthegalleysoftheMarquisofCastelRodrigo。'Another:'InthesameyeartwobrothersnamedJuanandRodrigoGonzalezdelArcoembarkedinoneofthesixshipswhichsailedfromMaestrichtonthe20thofFebruary，andwhichencounteredinthelatitudeofCalaisanEnglishvesselandtheFlemishfleetcommandedbyVanOwen。'Thatwastrulyanimportantexploitofournavy。IhavediscoveredthatitwasanOrbajosan，oneMateoDiazCoronel，anensignintheguards，who，in1709，wroteandpublishedinValenciathe'MetricalEncomium，FuneralChant，LyricalEulogy，NumericalDescription，GloriousSufferings，andSorrowfulGloriesoftheQueenoftheAngels。'Ipossessamostpreciouscopyofthiswork，whichisworththeminesofPeru。AnotherOrbajosanwastheauthorofthatfamous'TreatiseontheVariousStylesofHorsemanship'whichI
　　showedyouyesterday；and，inshort，thereisnotastepItakeinthelabyrinthofunpublishedhistorythatIdonotstumbleagainstsomeillustriouscompatriot。Itismypurposetodrawallthesenamesoutoftheunjustobscurityandoblivioninwhichtheyhavesolonglain。Howpureajoy，dearPepe，torestorealltheirlustretotheglories，epicandliterary，ofone'snativeplace！AndhowcouldamanbetteremploythescantintellectwithwhichHeavenhasendowedhim，thefortunewhichhehasinherited，andthebriefperiodoftimeonearthallowedtoeventhelongestlife。ThankstomeitwillbeseenthatOrbajosaistheillustriouscradleofSpanishgenius。ButwhatdoIsay?Isnotitsillustriousancestryevidentinthenoblenessandhigh-mindednessofthepresentUrbsAugustangeneration?Weknowfewplaceswhereallthevirtues，unchokedbythemaleficweedsofvice，growmoreluxuriantly。
　　Hereallispeace，mutualrespect，Christianhumility。CharityispractisedhereasitwasinBiblicaltimes；hereenvyisunknown；herethecriminalpassionsareunknown，andifyouhearthievesandmurderersspokenof，youmaybesurethattheyarenotthechildrenofthisnoblesoil；or，thatiftheyare，theybelongtothenumberofunhappycreaturespervertedbytheteachingsofdemagogues。Hereyouwillseethenationalcharacterinallitspurity——upright，noble，incorruptible，pure，simple，patriarchal，hospitable，generous。
　　ThereforeitisthatIlivesohappyinthissolitudefarfromtheturmoilofcitieswhere，alas！falsehoodandvicereign。ThereforeitisthatthemanyfriendswhomIhaveinMadridhavenotbeenabletotemptmefromthisplace；thereforeitisthatIspendmylifeinthesweetcompanionshipofmyfaithfultownspeopleandmybooks，breathingthewholesomeatmosphereofintegrity，whichisgraduallybecomingcircumscribedinourSpaintothehumbleandChristiantownsthathavepreserveditwiththeemanationsoftheirvirtues。Andbelieveme，mydearPepe，thispeacefulisolationhasgreatlycontributedtopreservemefromtheterriblemaladyconnaturalinmyfamily。InmyyouthI
　　suffered，likemybrothersandmyfather，fromalamentablepropensitytothemostabsurdmanias；buthereyouhavemesomiraculouslycuredthatallIknowofthemaladyiswhatIseeofitinothers。AnditisforthatreasonthatIamsouneasyaboutmylittleniece。”
　　“IamrejoicedthattheairofOrbajosahasprovedsobeneficialtoyou，“saidRey，unabletoresistthejestingmoodthat，byastrangecontradiction，cameoverhiminthemidstofhissadness。“WithmeithasagreedsobadlythatIthinkIshallsoonbecomemadifIremaininit。Well，good-night，andsuccesstoyourlabors。”
　　“Good-night。”
　　Pepewenttohisroom，butfeelingneitheradesireforsleeportheneedofphysicalrepose，——onthecontrary，aviolentexcitationofmindwhichimpelledhimtomove，toact，——hewalkedupanddowntheroom，torturinghimselfwithuselesscavilling。Afteratimeheopenedthewindowwhichoverlookedthegardenand，leaninghiselbowsontheparapet，hegazedoutonthelimitlessdarknessofthenight。Nothingcouldbeseen，buthewhoisabsorbedinhisownthoughtsseeswiththementalvision，andPepeRey，hiseyesfixedonthedarkness，sawthevariedpanoramaofhismisfortunesunrollitselfuponitbeforehim。
　　Theobscuritydidnotpermithimtoseetheflowersoftheearth，northoseoftheheavens，whicharethestars。Theveryabsenceoflightproducedtheeffectofanillusorymovementinthemassesoffoliage，whichseemedtostretchaway，torecedeslowly，andcomecurlingbacklikethewavesofashadowysea。Avastfluxandreflux，astrifebetweenforcesvaguelycomprehended，agitatedthesilentsky。Themathematician，contemplatingthisstrangeprojectionofhissouluponthenight，saidtohimself:
　　“Thebattlewillbeterrible。Letusseewhowillcomeoutofitvictorious。”
　　Thenocturnalinsectswhisperedinhisearmysteriouswords。Hereashrillchirp；thereaclick，liketheclickmadewiththetongue；
　　furtheron，plaintivemurmurs；inthedistanceatinklelikethatofthebellontheneckofthewanderingox。SuddenlyReyheardastrangesound，arapidnote，thatcouldbeproducedonlybythehumantongueandlips。Thissibilantbreathingpassedthroughtheyoungman'sbrainlikeaflashoflightning。Hefeltthatswift“s-s-s“dartsnake-likethroughhim，repeatedagainandthenagain，withaugmentedintensity。
　　Helookedallaround，thenhelookedtowardtheupperpartofthehouse，andhefanciedthatinoneofthewindowshecoulddistinguishanobjectlikeawhitebirdflappingitswings。ThroughPepeRey'sexcitedmindflashedinstantlytheideaofthephoenix，ofthedove，oftheregalheron，andyetthebirdhesawwasnotingmorethanahandkerchief。
　　Theengineersprangfromthebalconyintothegarden。Observingattentively，hesawthehandandthefaceofhiscousin。Hethoughthecouldperceivethegesturecommonlyemployedofimposingsilencebylayingthefingeronthelips。Thenthedearshadepointeddownwardanddisappeared。PepeReyreturnedquicklytothisroom，enteredthehallnoiselessly，andwalkedslowlyforward。Hefelthisheartbeatwithviolence。Hewaitedforafewmoments，andatlasthehearddistinctlylighttapsonthestepsofthestairs。One，two，three——thesoundswereproducedbyapairoflittleshoes。
　　Hewalkedinthedirectionwhencetheyproceeded，andstretchedouthishandsintheobscuritytoassistthepersonwhowasdescendingthestairs。Inhissoultherereignedanexaltedandprofoundtenderness，but——whyseektodenyit——minglingwiththistenderfeeling，theresuddenlyarosewithinhim，likeaninfernalinspiration，anothersentiment，afiercedesireforrevenge。Thestepscontinuedtodescend，comingnearerandnearer。PepeReywentforward，andapairofhands，gropinginthedarkness，cameincontactwithhisown。Thetwopairsofhandswereunitedinacloseclasp。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS
　　Thehallwaslongandbroad。Atoneendofitwasthedooroftheroomoccupiedbytheengineer，inthecentrethatofthedining-room，andattheotherendwerethestaircaseandalargecloseddoorreachedbyastep。ThisdooropenedintoachapelinwhichthePolentinosperformedtheirdomesticdevotions。Occasionallytheholysacrificeofthemasswascelebratedinit。
　　Rosarioledhercousintothedoorofthechapelandthensankdownonthedoorstep。
　　“Here?“murmuredPepeRey。
　　FromthemovementsofRosarito'srighthandhecomprehendedthatshewasblessingherself。
　　“Rosario，dearcousin，thanksforallowingmetoseeyou！“heexclaimed，embracingherardently。
　　Hefeltthegirl'scoldfingersonhislips，imposingsilence。Hekissedthemrapturously。
　　“Youarefrozen。Rosario，whydoyoutrembleso?“
　　Herteethwerechattering，andherwholeframetrembledconvulsively。
　　Reyfelttheburningheatofhiscousin'sfaceagainsthisown，andhecriedinalarm:
　　“Yourforeheadisburning！Youarefeverish。”
　　“Very。”
　　“Areyoureallyill?“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Andyouhaveleftyourroom——“
　　“Toseeyou。”
　　Theengineerwrappedhisarmsaroundhertoprotectherfromthecold，butitwasnotenough。
　　“Wait，“hesaidquickly，rising。“Iamgoingtomyroomtobringmytravellingrug。”
　　“Putoutthelight，Pepe。”
　　Reyhadleftthelampburninginhisroom，throughthedoorofwhichissuedafaintstreakoflight，illuminatingthehall。Hereturnedinaninstant。Thedarknesswasnowprofound。Gropinghiswayalongthewallhereachedthespotwherehiscousinwassitting，andwrappedtherugcarefullyaroundher。
　　“Youarecomfortablenow，mychild。”
　　“Yes，socomfortable！Withyou！“
　　“Withme——andforever！“exclaimedtheyoungman，withexaltation。
　　Butheobservedthatshewasreleasingherselffromhisarmsandwasrising。
　　“Whatareyoudoing?“
　　Ametallicsoundwasheard。Rosariohadputthekeyintotheinvisiblelockandwascautiouslyopeningthedooronthethresholdofwhichtheyhadbeensitting。Thefaintodorofdampness，peculiartoroomsthathavebeenlongshutup，issuedfromtheplace，whichwasasdarkasatomb。PepeReyfelthimselfbeingguidedbythehand，andhiscousin'svoicesaidfaintly:
　　“Enter！“
　　Theytookafewstepsforward。HeimaginedhimselfbeingledtoanunknownElysiumbytheangelofnight。Rosariogropedherway。Atlasthersweetvoicesoundedagain，murmuring:
　　“Sitdown。”
　　Theywerebesideawoodenbench。Bothsatdown。PepeReyembracedRosarioagain。Ashedidso，hisheadstruckagainstahardbody。
　　“Whatisthis?“heasked。
　　“Thefeet。”
　　“Rosario——whatareyousaying?“
　　“ThefeetoftheDivineJesus，oftheimageofChristcrucified，thatweadoreinmyhouse。”
　　PepeReyfeltacoldchillstrikethroughhim。
　　“Kissthem，“saidtheyounggirlimperiously。
　　Themathematiciankissedthecoldfeetoftheholyimage。
　　“Pepe，“thencriedtheyounggirl，pressinghercousin'shandardentlybetweenherown，“doyoubelieveinGod?“
　　“Rosario！Whatareyousaying?Whatabsurditiesareyouimagining?“
　　respondedhercousin，perplexed。
　　“Answerme。”
　　PepeReyfeltdropsofmoistureonhishands。
　　“Whyareyoucrying?“hesaid，greatlydisturbed。“Rosario，youarekillingmewithyourabsurddoubts。DoIbelieveinGod?Doyoudoubtit?“
　　“Idonotdoubtit；buttheyallsaythatyouareanatheist。”
　　“Youwouldsufferinmyestimation，youwouldloseyouraureoleofpurity——yourcharm——ifyougavecredittosuchnonsense。”
　　“WhenIheardthemaccuseyouofbeinganatheist，althoughIcouldbringnoprooftothecontrary，Iprotestedfromthedepthsofmysoulagainstsuchacalumny。Youcannotbeanatheist。Ihavewithinmeasstronganddeepaconvictionofyourfaithasofmyown。”
　　“Howwiselyyouspeak！Why，then，doyouaskmeifIbelieveinGod?“
　　“BecauseIwantedtohearitfromyourownlips，andrejoiceinhearingyousayit。ItissolongsinceIhaveheardthesoundofyourvoice！
　　Whatgreaterhappinessthantohearitagain，saying:'IbelieveinGod?'“
　　“Rosario，eventhewickedbelieveinhim。Iftherebeatheists，whichI
　　doubt，theyarethecalumniators，theintriguerswithwhomtheworldisinfested。Formypart，intriguesandcalumniesmatterlittletome；andifyourisesuperiortothemandcloseyourheartagainstthediscordwhichaperfidioushandwouldsowinit，nothingshallinterferewithourhappiness。”
　　“Butwhatisgoingonaroundus?Pepe，dearPepe，doyoubelieveinthedevil?“
　　Theengineerwassilent。ThedarknessofthechapelpreventedRosariofromseeingthesmilewithwhichhercousinreceivedthisstrangequestion。
　　“Wemustbelieveinhim，“hesaidatlast。
　　“Whatisgoingon?Mammaforbidsmetoseeyou；but，exceptinregardtotheatheism，shedoesnotsayanythingagainstyou。Shetellsmetowait，thatyouwilldecide；thatyouaregoingaway，thatyouarecomingback——Speaktomewithfrankness——haveyouformedabadopinionofmymother?“
　　“Notatall，“repliedRey，urgedbyafeelingofdelicacy。
　　“Doyounotbelieve，asIdo，thatshelovesusboth，thatshedesiresonlyourgood，andthatweshallintheendobtainherconsenttoourwishes?“
　　“Ifyoubelieveit，Idotoo。Yourmamaadoresusboth。But，dearRosario，itmustbeconfessedthatthedevilhasenteredthishouse。”
　　“Don'tjest！“shesaidaffectionately。“Ah！Mammaisverygood。Shehasnotoncesaidtomethatyouwereunworthytobemyhusband。Allsheinsistsuponistheatheism。Theysay，besides，thatIhavemanias，andthatIhavethemanianowoflovingyouwithallmysoul。Inourfamilyitisarulenottoopposedirectlythemaniasthatarehereditaryinit，becausetoopposethemaggravatesthem。”
　　“Well，Ibelievethatthereareskilfulphysiciansatyoursidewhohavedeterminedtocureyou，andwhowill，intheend，myadoredgirl，succeedindoingso。”
　　“No，no；athousandtimesno！“exclaimedRosario，leaningherforeheadonherlover'sbreast。“IamwillingtobemadifIamwithyou。ForyouIamsuffering，foryouIamill；foryouIdespiselifeandIriskdeath。Iknowitnow——to-morrowIshallbeworse，Ishallbedangerouslyill，Ishalldie。Whatdoesitmattertome?“
　　“Youarenotill，“heresponded，withenergy；“thereisnothingthematterwithyoubutanagitationofmindwhichnaturallybringswithitsomeslightnervousdisturbances；thereisnothingthematterwithyoubutthesufferingoccasionedbythehorriblecoercionwhichtheyareusingwithyou。Yoursimpleandgeneroussouldoesnotcomprehendit。
　　Youyield；youforgivethosewhoinjureyou；youtormentyourself，attributingyoursufferingtobaleful，supernaturalinfluences；yousufferinsilence；yougiveyourinnocentnecktotheexecutioner，youallowyourselftobeslain，andtheveryknifewhichisplungedintoyourbreastseemstoyouthethornofaflowerthathaspiercedyouinpassing。Rosario，castthoseideasfromyourmind；considerourrealsituation，whichisserious；seekitscausewhereitreallyis，anddonotgivewaytoyourfears；donotyieldtothetortureswhichareinflicteduponyou，makingyourselfmentallyandphysicallyill。Thecouragewhichyoulackwouldrestoreyoutohealth，becauseyouarenotreallyill，mydeargirl，youare——doyouwishmetosayit?——youarefrightened，terrified。Youareunderwhattheancients，notknowinghowtoexpressit，calledanevilspell。Courage，Rosario，trustinme！
　　Riseandfollowme。ThatisallIwillsay。”
　　“Ah，Pepe——cousin！Ibelievethatyouareright，“exclaimedRosario，drownedintears。“Yourwordsresoundwithinmyheart，arousinginitnewenergy，newlife。Hereinthisdarkness，wherewecannotseeeachother'sfaces，anineffablelightemanatesfromyouandinundatesmysoul。Whatpowerhaveyoutotransformmeinthisway?ThemomentIsawyouIbecameanotherbeing。InthedayswhenIdidnotseeyouI
　　returnedtomyformerinsignificance，mynaturalcowardice。Withoutyou，myPepe，IliveinLimbo。Iwilldoasyoutellme，Iwillariseandfollowyou。Wewillgotogetherwhereveryouwish。DoyouknowthatIfeelwell?DoyouknowthatIhavenofever:thatIhaverecoveredmystrength；thatIwanttorunaboutandcryout；thatmywholebeingisrenewedandenlarged，andmultipliedahundred-foldinordertoadoreyou?Pepe，youareright。Iamnotsick，Iamonlyafraid；orrather，bewitched。”
　　“Thatisit，bewitched。”
　　“Bewitched！Terribleeyeslookatme，andIremainmuteandtrembling。
　　Iamafraid，butofwhat?Youalonehavethestrangepowerofcallingmebacktolife。Hearingyou，Iliveagain。IbelieveifIweretodieandyouweretopassbymygrave，thatdeepunderthegroundIshouldfeelyourfootsteps。Oh，ifIcouldseeyounow！Butyouareherebesideme，andIcannotdoubtthatitisyou。Somanydayswithoutseeingyou！Iwasmad。Eachdayofsolitudeappearedtomeacentury。
　　Theysaidtome，to-morrowandto-morrow，andalwaysto-morrow。I
　　lookedoutofthewindowatnight，andthelightofthelampinyourroomservedtoconsoleme。Attimesyourshadowonthewindowwasformeadivineapparition。Istretchedoutmyarmstoyou，Ishedtearsandcriedoutinwardly，withoutdaringtodosowithmyvoice。WhenI
　　receivedthemessageyousentmewiththemaid，whenIreceivedyourlettertellingmethatyouweregoingaway，Igrewverysad，IthoughtmysoulwasleavingmybodyandthatIwasdyingslowly。Ifell，likethebirdwoundedasitflies，thatfallsand，falling，dies。To-night，whenIsawthatyouwereawakesolate，IcouldnotresistthelongingIhadtospeaktoyou；andIcamedownstairs。Ibelievethatallthecourageofmylifehasbeenusedupinthissingleact，andthatnowI
　　canneverbeanythingagainbutacoward。Butyouwillgivemecourage；youwillgivemestrength；youwillhelpme，willyounot?
　　Pepe，mydearcousin，tellmethatyouwill；tellmethatIamstrong，andIwillbestrong；tellmethatIamnotill，andIwillnotbeill。
　　Iamnotillnow。IfeelsowellthatIcouldlaughatmyridiculousmaladies。”
　　Asshesaidthisshefeltherselfclaspedrapturouslyinhercousin'sarms。An“Oh！“washeard，butitcame，notfromherlips，butfromhis，forinbendinghishead，hehadstruckitviolentlyagainstthefeetofthecrucifix。Inthedarknessitisthatthestarsareseen。
　　Intheexaltedstateofhismind，byaspeciesofhallucinationnaturalinthedarkness，itseemedtoPepeReynotthathisheadhadstruckagainstthesacredfoot，butthatthishadmoved，warninghiminthebriefestandmosteloquentmanner。Raisinghisheadhesaid，halfseriously，halfgayly:
　　“Lord，donotstrikeme；Iwilldonothingwrong。”
　　AtthesamemomentRosariotooktheyoungman'shandandpresseditagainstherheart。Avoicewasheard，apure，grave，angelicvoice，fulloffeeling，saying:
　　“LordwhomIadore，LordGodoftheworld，andguardianofmyhouseandofmyfamily；LordwhomPepealsoadores；holyandblessedChristwhodiedonthecrossforoursins；beforethee，beforethywoundedbody，beforethyforeheadcrownedwiththorns，Isaythatthismanismyhusband，andthat，afterthee，heisthebeingwhommyheartlovesmost；IsaythatIdeclarehimtobemyhusband，andthatIwilldiebeforeIbelongtoanother。Myheartandmysoularehis。Letnottheworldopposeourhappiness，andgrantmethefavorofthisunion，whichIsweartobetrueandgoodbeforetheworld，asitisinmyconscience。”
　　“Rosario，youaremine！“exclaimedPepeRey，withexaltation。“Neitheryourmothernoranyoneelseshallpreventit。”
　　Rosariosankpowerlessintohercousin'sarms。Shetrembledinhismanlyembrace，asthedovetremblesinthetalonsoftheeagle。
　　Throughtheengineer'smindthethoughtflashedthatthedevilexisted；
　　butthedevilthenwashe。Rosariomadeaslightmovementoffear；shefeltthethrillofsurprise，sotosay，thatgiveswarningthatdangerisnear。
　　“Sweartomethatyouwillnotyieldtothem，“saidPepeRey，withconfusion，observingthemovement。
　　“Iswearittoyoubymyfather'sashesthatare——“
　　“Where?“
　　“Underourfeet。”
　　Themathematicianfeltthestoneriseunderhisfeet——butno，itwasnotrising；heonlyfancied，mathematicianthoughhewas，thathefeltitrise。
　　“Iswearittoyou，“repeatedRosario，“bymyfather'sashes，andbytheGodwhoislookingatus——Mayourbodies，unitedastheyare，reposeunderthosestoneswhenGodwillstotakeusoutofthisworld。”
　　“Yes，“repeatedthePepeRey，withprofoundemotion，feelinghissoulfilledwithaninexplicabletrouble。
　　Bothremainedsilentforashorttime。Rosariohadrisen。
　　“Already?“hesaid。
　　Shesatdownagain。
　　“Youaretremblingagain，“saidPepe。“Rosario，youareill；yourforeheadisburning。”
　　“IthinkIamdying，“murmuredtheyounggirlfaintly。“Idon'tknowwhatisthematterwithme。”
　　Shefellsenselessintohercousin'sarms。Caressingher，henoticedthatherfacewascoveredwithacoldperspiration。
　　“Sheisreallyill，“hesaidtohimself。“Itwasapieceofgreatimprudencetohavecomedownstairs。”
　　Heliftedherupinhisarms，endeavoringtorestorehertoconsciousness，butneitherthetremblingthathadseizedhernorherinsensibilitypassedaway；andheresolvedtocarryheroutofthechapel，inthehopethatthefreshairwouldreviveher。Andsoitwas。
　　WhensherecoveredconsciousnessRosariomanifestedgreatdisquietudeatfindingherselfatsuchanhouroutofherownroom。Theclockofthecathedralstruckfour。
　　“Howlateitis！“exclaimedtheyounggirl。“Releaseme，cousin。I
　　thinkIcanwalk。Iamreallyveryill。”
　　“Iwillgoupstairswithyou。”
　　“Oh，no；onnoaccount！Iwouldratherdragmyselftomyroomonmyhandsandfeet。Don'tyouhearanoise?“
　　Bothweresilent。Theanxietywithwhichtheylistenedmadethesilenceintense。
　　“Don'tyouhearanything，Pepe?“
　　“Absolutelynothing。”
　　“Payattention。There，thereitisagain。Itisanoisethatsoundsasifitmightbeeithervery，verydistant，orverynear。Itmighteitherbemymother'sbreathingorthecreakingofthevaneonthetowerofthecathedral。Ah！Ihaveaveryfineear。”
　　“Toofine！Well，dearcousin，Iwillcarryyouupstairsinmyarms。”
　　“Verywell；carrymetotheheadofthestairs。AfterwardIcangoalone。AssoonasIrestalittleIshallbeaswellasever。Butdon'tyouhear?“
　　Theystoppedonthefirststep。
　　“Itisametallicsound。”
　　“Yourmother'sbreathing?“
　　“No，itisnotthat。Thenoisecomesfromagreatdistance。Perhapsitisthecrowingofacock?“
　　“Perhapsso。”
　　“Itsoundslikethewords，'Iamgoingthere，Iamgoingthere！'“
　　“Now，nowIhear，“murmuredPepeRey。
　　“Itisacry。”
　　“Itisacornet。”
　　“Acornet！“
　　“Yes。Letushurry。Orbajosaisgoingtowakeup。NowIhearitclearly。Itisnotatrumpetbutaclarionet。Thesoldiersarecoming。”
　　“Soldiers！“
　　“Idon'tknowwhyIimaginethatthismilitaryinvasionisgoingtobeadvantageoustome。Ifeelglad。Up，quickly，Rosario！“
　　“Ifeelglad，too。Up，up！“
　　Inaninstanthehadcarriedherupstairs，andtheloverstookawhisperedleaveofeachother。
　　“Iwillstandatthewindowoverlookingthegarden，sothatyoumayknowIhavereachedmyroomsafely。Good-by。”
　　“Good-by，Rosario。Takecarenottostumbleagainstthefurniture。”
　　“Icanfindmywayhereperfectly，cousin。Weshallsoonseeeachotheragain。Standatyourwindowifyouwishtoreceivemytelegraphicdespatch。”
　　PepeReydidashewasbade；buthewaitedalongtime，andRosariodidnotappearatthewindow。Theengineerfanciedheheardagitatedvoicesonthefloorabovehim。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THESOLDIERS
　　TheinhabitantsofOrbajosaheardinthetwilightvaguenessoftheirmorningslumbersthesamesonorousclarionet，andtheyopenedtheireyes，saying:
　　“Thesoldiers！“
　　Somemurmuredtothemselvesbetweensleepingandwaking:
　　“Atlasttheyhavesentusthatrabble。”
　　Othersgotoutofbedhastily，growling:
　　“Letusgotakealookatthoseconfoundedsoldiers。”
　　Somesoliloquizedinthisway:
　　“Itwillbenecessarytohurryupmatters。Theysaydraftsandcontributions；wewillsayblowsandmoreblows。”
　　Inanotherhousewereheardthesewordsutteredjoyfully:
　　“Perhapsmysoniscoming！Perhapsmybrotheriscoming！“
　　Everywherepeoplewerespringingoutofbed，dressinghastily，openingthewindowstoseetheregimentthatcausedallthisexcitemententeringthecityintheearlydawn。Thecitywasgloom，silence，age；
　　thearmygayety，boisterousness，youth。Asthearmyenteredthecityitseemedasifthemummyreceivedbysomemagicartthegiftoflifeandsprangwithnoisygayetyfromitsdampsarcophagustodancearoundit。
　　Whatmovement，whatshouting，whatlaughter，whatmerriment！Thereisnothingsointerestingasaregiment。Itisourcountryinitsyouthfulandvigorousaspect。Alltheineptitude，theturbulence，thesuperstitionattimes，andattimestheimpietyofthecountryasrepresentedintheindividual，disappearsundertheironruleofdiscipline，whichofsomanyinsignificantfiguresmakesanimposingwhole。Thesoldier，orsotosay，thecorpuscle，separatingatthecommand“Breakranks！“fromthemassinwhichhehasledaregularandattimesasublimelife，occasionallypreservessomeofthequalitiespeculiartothearmy。Butthisisnotthegeneralrule。Theseparationismostoftenaccompaniedbyasuddendeterioration，withtheresultthatifanarmyisthegloryandhonorofanation，anassemblageofsoldiersmaybeaninsupportablecalamity；andthetownsthatshedtearsofjoyandenthusiasmwhentheyseeavictoriousbattalionentertheirprecincts，groanwithterrorandtremblewithapprehensionwhentheyseethesamesoldiersseparateandoffduty。
　　ThislastwaswhathappenedinOrbajosa，forinthosedaystherewerenogloriousdeedstocelebrate，norwasthereanymotiveforweavingwreathsortracingtriumphalinscriptions，orevenformakingmentionoftheexploitsofourbravesoldiers，forwhichreasonallwasfearandsuspicionintheepiscopalcity，which，althoughpoor，didnotlacktreasuresinchickens，fruits，money，andmaidenhood，allofwhichrangreatriskfromthemomentwhenthebefore-mentionedsonsofMarsenteredit。Inadditiontothis，thenativetownofPolentinos，asacityremotefromthemovementandstirbroughtwiththembytraffic，thenewspapers，railroads，andotheragentswhichitisunnecessarynowtospecify，didnotwishtobedisturbedinitstranquilexistence。
　　Besideswhich，itmanifestedoneveryfavorableoccasionastrongaversiontosubmittingtothecentralauthoritywhich，badlyorwell，governsus；andcallingtominditsformerprivilegesandruminatinguponthemanew，asthecamelchewsthecudofthegrasswhichitateyesterday，itwouldoccasionallydisplayacertainrebelliousindependence，andvicioustendenciesmuchtobedeplored，whichattimesgavenolittleanxietytothegovernoroftheprovince。
　　ItmustalsobetakenintoaccountthatOrbajosahadrebelliousantecedents，orratherancestry。Doubtlessitstillretainedsomeofthoseenergeticfibreswhich，inremoteages，accordingtotheenthusiasticopinionofDonCayetano，impelledittounexampledepicdeeds；and，eveninitsdecadence，occasionallyfeltaneagerdesiretodogreatthings，althoughtheymightbeonlybarbaritiesandfollies。
　　Asithadgiventotheworldsomanyillustrioussons，itdesired，nodoubt，thatitsactualscions，theCaballucos，Merengues，andPelosmalos，shouldrenewtheglorious/Gesta/oftheirpredecessors。
　　WhenevertherewasdisaffectioninSpain，Orbajosagaveproofthatitwasnotinvainthatitexistedonthefaceoftheearth，althoughitistruethatitwasneverthetheatreofarealwar。Thespiritofthetown，itssituation，itshistory，allreducedittothesecondarypartofraisingguerillas。Itbestoweduponthecountrythisnationalproductin1827，atthetimeoftheApostolics，duringtheSevenYears'
　　War，in1848，andatotherepochsoflessresonanceinthenationalhistory。Theguerillasandtheirchiefswerealwayspopular，afatalcircumstanceduetotheWarofIndependence，oneofthosegoodthingswhichhavebeentheoriginofaninfinitenumberofdetestablethings。
　　/Corruptiooptimipessima/。Andwiththepopularityoftheguerillasandtheirchiefscoincided，inever-increasingproportion，theunpopularityofeveryonewhoenteredOrbajosainthecharacterofadelegateorinstrumentofthecentralpower。Thesoldierswereheldinsuchdisreputetherethat，whenevertheoldpeopletoldofanycrime，anyrobbery，assassination，orthelikeatrocity，theyadded:“Thishappenedwhenthesoldierswerehere。”
　　Andnowthattheseimportantobservationshavebeenmade，itwillbewelltoaddthatthebattalionssentthereduringthedaysinwhichtheeventsofourstorytookplacedidnotgotoparadethroughthestreets，butforanotherpurposewhichwillbeclearlyandminutelysetforthlateron。Asadetailofnolittleinterest，itmaybenotedthattheeventshererelatedtookplaceataperiodneitherveryremotenorveryrecent。ItmayalsobesaidthatOrbajosacalledbytheRomansUrbsAugusta，althoughsomelearnedmoderns，enquiringintotheetymologyofthetermination/ajosa/[*]areoftheopinionthatitcomesbyitfrombeingtherichestgarlic-growingcountryintheworld
　　isneitherverynearMadridnorveryfarfromit；norcanwesaywhetheritsgloriousfoundationsarelaidtowardthenorthortowardthesouth，towardtheeastortowardthewest；butthatitmaybesupposedtobeinanypartofSpainwherethepungentodorofitsgarlicistobeperceived。
　　[*]Richingarlic。