dona perecta-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



Caballuco；　shrugging　his　shoulders；　looked　at　Rey　with　the　most　complete　indifference。

One　day　he　entered　the　house　with　a　letter　in　his　hand。

〃Thank　Heaven！〃　said　Dona　Perfecta　to　her　nephew。　〃Here　are　letters　from　your　father。　Rejoice；　man！　A　pretty　fright　we　have　had　through　my　brother's　laziness　about　writing。　What　does　he　say？　He　is　well；　no　doubt；〃　she　added；　seeing　that　Pepe　Rey　opened　the　letter　with　feverish　impatience。

The　engineer　turned　pale　as　he　glanced　over　the　first　lines。

〃Good　Heavens！　Pepe；　what　is　the　matter？〃　exclaimed　Dona　Perfecta；　rising　in　alarm。　〃Is　your　father　ill？〃

〃This　letter　is　not　from　my　father；〃　responded　Pepe；　revealing　in　his　countenance　the　greatest　consternation。

〃What　is　it；　then？〃

〃An　order　from　the　Minister　of　Public　Works；　relieving　me　from　the　charge　which　was　confided　to　me。〃

〃What！　Can　it　be　possible！〃

〃A　dismissal　pure　and　simple；　expressed　in　terms　very　little　flattering　to　me。〃

〃Was　there　ever　any　thing　so　unjust！〃　exclaimed　Dona　Perfecta；　when　she　had　recovered　from　her　amazement。

〃What　a　humiliation！〃　exclaimed　the　young　man。　〃It　is　the　first　time　in　my　life　that　I　have　received　an　affront　like　this。〃

〃But　the　Government　is　unpardonable！　To　put　such　a　slight　upon　you！　Do　you　wish　me　to　write　to　Madrid？　I　have　very　good　friends　there；　and　I　may　be　able　to　obtain　satisfaction　for　you　from　the　Government　and　reparation　for　this　brutal　affront。〃

〃Thanks；　senora；　I　desire　no　recommendations；〃　said　the　young　man；　with　ill…humor。

〃But　what　a　piece　of　injustice！　what　a　high…handed　proceeding！　To　discharge　in　this　way　a　young　man　of　your　merit；　an　eminent　scientist。　Why；　I　cannot　contain　my　anger！〃

〃I　will　find　out；〃　said　Pepe；　with　energy；　〃who　it　is　that　occupies　himself　in　injuring　me。〃

〃That　ministerbut　what　is　to　be　expected　from　those　infamous　politicasters？〃

〃In　this　there　is　the　hand　of　some　one　who　is　determined　to　drive　me　to　desperation；〃　declared　the　young　man；　visibly　disturbed。　〃This　is　not　the　act　of　the　minister；　this　and　other　contrarieties　that　I　am　experiencing　are　the　result　of　a　revengeful　plot；　of　a　secret　and　well…　laid　plan　of　some　implacable　enemy；　and　this　enemy　is　here　in　Orbajosa；　this　plot　has　been　hatched　in　Orbajosa；　doubt　it　not；　dear　aunt。〃

〃You　are　out　of　your　mind；〃　replied　Dona　Perfecta；　with　a　look　of　compassion。　〃You　have　enemies　in　Orbajosa；　you　say？　Some　one　wishes　to　revenge　himself　upon　you？　Come；　Pepillo；　you　have　lost　your　senses。　The　reading　of　those　books　in　which　they　say　that　we　have　for　ancestors　monkeys　or　parrots　has　turned　your　brain。〃

She　smiled　sweetly　as　she　uttered　the　last　words；　and　taking　a　tone　of　familiar　and　affectionate　admonition；　she　added：

〃My　dear　boy；　the　people　of　Orbajosa　may　be　rude　and　boorish　rustics；　without　learning；　or　polish；　or　fine　manners；　but　in　loyalty　and　good　faith　we　yield　to　no　oneto　no　one；　I　say；　no　one。〃

〃Don't　suppose；〃　said　the　young　man；　〃that　I　accuse　any　one　in　this　house。　But　that　my　implacable　and　cruel　enemy　is　in　this　city；　I　am　persuaded。〃

〃I　wish　you　would　show　me　that　stage　villain；〃　responded　Dona　Perfecta；　smiling　again。　〃I　suppose　you　will　not　accuse　Uncle　Licurgo；　nor　any　of　the　others　who　have　brought　suits　against　you；　for　the　poor　people　believe　they　are　only　defending　their　rights。　And　between　ourselves；　they　are　not　altogether　wanting　in　reason　in　this　case。　Besides；　Uncle　Licurgo　likes　you　greatly。　He　has　told　me　so　himself。　From　the　moment　he　saw　you；　you　took　his　fancy；　and　the　poor　old　man　has　conceived　such　an　affection　for　you〃

〃Oh；　yesa　profound　affection！〃　murmured　Pepe。

〃Don't　be　foolish；〃　continued　his　aunt；　putting　her　hand　on　his　shoulder　and　looking　at　him　closely。　〃Don't　imagine　absurdities；　convince　yourself　that　your　enemy；　if　you　have　one；　is　in　Madrid；　in　that　centre　of　corruption；　of　envy　and　rivalry；　not　in　this　peaceful　and　tranquil　corner；　where　all　is　good…will　and　concord。　Some　one；　no　doubt；　who　is　envious　of　your　merit　There　is　one　thing　I　wish　to　say　nowand　that　is；　that　if　you　desire　to　go　there　to　learn　the　cause　of　this　affront　and　ask　an　explanation　of　it　from　the　Government；　you　must　not　neglect　doing　so　on　our　account。〃

Pepe　Rey　fixed　his　eyes　on　his　aunt's　countenance；　as　if　he　wished　to　penetrate　with　his　glance　the　inmost　depths　of　her　soul。

〃I　say　that　if　you　wish　to　go；　do　so；〃　repeated　Dona　Perfecta；　with　admirable　serenity；　while　her　countenance　expressed　the　most　complete　and　unaffected　sincerity。

〃No；　senora：　I　do　not　wish　to　go。〃

〃So　much　the　better；　I　think　you　are　right。　You　are　more　tranquil　here；　notwithstanding　the　suspicions　with　which　you　are　tormenting　yourself。　Poor　Pepillo！　We　poor　rustics　of　Orbajosa　live　happy　in　our　ignorance。　I　am　very　sorry　that　you　are　not　contented　here。　But　is　it　my　fault　if　you　vex　and　worry　yourself　without　a　cause？　Do　I　not　treat　you　like　a　son？　Have　I　not　received　you　as　the　hope　of　my　house？　Can　I　do　more　for　you？　If　in　spite　of　all　this　you　do　not　like　us；　if　you　show　so　much　indifference　toward　us；　if　you　ridicule　our　piety；　if　you　insult　our　friends；　is　it　by　chance　because　we　do　not　treat　you　well？〃

Dona　Perfecta's　eyes　grew　moist。

〃My　dear　aunt；〃　said　Pepe；　feeling　his　anger　vanish；　〃I　too　have　committed　some　faults　since　I　have　been　a　guest　in　this　house。〃

〃Don't　be　foolish。　Don't　talk　about　committing　faults。　Among　the　persons　of　the　same　family　every　thing　is　forgiven。〃

〃But　Rosaritowhere　is　she？〃　asked　the　young　man；　rising。　〃Am　I　not　to　see　her　to…day；　either？〃

〃She　is　better。　Do　you　know　that　she　did　not　wish　to　come　down　stairs？〃

〃I　will　go　up　to　her　then。〃

〃No；　it　would　be　of　no　use。　That　girl　has　some　obstinate　notions　to…day　she　is　determined　not　to　leave　her　room。　She　has　locked　herself　in。〃

〃What　a　strange　idea！〃

〃She　will　get　over　it。　Undoubtedly　she　will　get　over　it。　We　will　see　to…night　if　we　cannot　put　these　melancholy　thoughts　out　of　her　head。　We　will　get　up　a　party　to　amuse　her。　Why　don't　you　go　to　Don　Inocencio's　and　ask　him　to　come　here　to…night　and　bring　Jacintillo　with　him？〃

〃Jacintillo！〃

〃Yes；　when　Rosarito　has　these　fits　of　melancholy；　the　only　one　who　can　divert　her　is　that　young　man。〃

〃But　I　will　go　upstairs〃

〃No；　you　must　not。〃

〃What　etiquette　there　is　in　this　house！〃

〃You　are　ridiculing　us。　Do　as　I　ask　you。〃

〃But　I　wish　to　see　her。〃

〃But　you　cannot　see　her。　How　little　you　know　the　girl！〃

〃I　thought　I　knew　her　well。　I　will　stay　here；　then。　But　this　solitude　is　horrible。〃

〃There　comes　the　notary。〃

〃Maledictions　upon　him！〃

〃And　I　think　the　attorney…general　has　just　come　in　toohe　is　an　excellent　person。〃

〃He　be　hanged　with　his　goodness！〃

〃But　business　affairs；　when　they　are　one's　own；　serve　as　a　distraction。　Some　one　is　coming。　I　think　it　is　the　agricultural　expert。　You　will　have　something　to　occupy　you　now　for　an　hour　or　two。〃

〃An　hour　or　two　of　hell！〃

〃Ah；　ha！　if　I　am　not　mistaken　Uncle　Licurgo　and　Uncle　Paso　Largo　have　just　entered。　Perhaps　they　have　come　to　propose　a　compromise　to　you。〃

〃I　would　throw　myself　into　the　pond　first！〃

〃How　unnatural　you　are！　For　they　are　all　very　fond　of　you。　Well；　so　that　nothing　may　be　wanting；　there　comes　the　constable　too。　He　is　coming　to　serve　a　summons　on　you。〃

〃To　crucify　me。〃

All　the　individuals　named　were　now　entering　the　parlor　one　by　one。

〃Good…by；　Pepe；　amuse　yourself；〃　said　Dona　Perfecta。

〃Earth；　open　and　swallow　me！〃　exclaimed　the　young　man　desperately。

〃Senor　Don　Jose。〃

〃My　dear　Don　Jose。〃

〃Esteemed　Don　Jose。〃

〃My　dearest　Don　Jose。〃

〃My　respected　friend；　Don　Jose。〃

Hearing　these　honeyed　and　insinuating　preliminaries；　Pepe　Rey　exhaled　a　deep　sigh　and　gave　himself　up。　He　gave　himself　up；　soul　and　body；　to　the　executioners；　who　brandished　horrible　leaves　of　stamped　paper　while　the　victim；　raising　his　eyes　to　heaven　with　a　look　of　Christian　meekness；　murmured：

〃Father；　why　hast　thou　forsaken　me？〃



CHAPTER　XII

HERE　WAS　TROY

Love；　friendship；　a　wholesome　moral　atmosphere；　spiritual　light；　sympathy；　an　easy　interchange　of　ideas　and　feelings；　these　were　what　Pepe　Rey's　nature　imperatively　demanded。　Deprived　of　them；　the　darkness　that　shrouded　his　soul　grew　deeper；　and　his　inward　gloom　imparted　a　tinge　of　bitterness　and　discontent　to　his　manner。　On　the　day　following　the　scenes　described　in　the　last　chapter；　what　vexed　him　more　than　any　thing　was　the　already　prolonged　and　mysterious　seclusion　of　his　cousin；　accounted　for　at　first　by　a　trifling　indisposition　and　then　by　caprices　and　nervous　feelings　difficult　of　explanation。

Rey　was　surprised　by　conduct　so　contrary　to　the　idea　which　he　had　formed　of　Rosarito。　Four　days　had　passed　during　which　he　had　not　seen　her；　and　certainly　it　was　not　because　he　did　not　desire　to　be　at　her　side；　and　his　situation　threatened　soon　to　become　humiliating　and　ridiculous；　if；　by　boldly　taking　the　initiative；　he　did　not　at　once　put　an　end　to　it。

〃Shall　I　not　see　my　cousin　to…day；　either？〃　he　said　to　his　aunt；　with　manifest　ill…humor；　when　they　had　finished　dining。

〃No；　not　to…day；　either。　Heaven　knows　how　sorry　I　am　for　it。　I　gave　her　a　good　talking　to　this　morning。　This　afternoon　we　will　see　what　can　be　done。〃

The　suspicion　that　in　this　unreasonable　seclusion　his　adorable　cousin　was　rather　the　helpless　victim　than　the　free　and　willing　agent；　induced　him　to　control　himself　and　to　wait。　Had　it　not　been　for　this　suspicion　he　would　have　left　Orbajosa　that　very　day。　He　had　no　doubt　whatever　that　Rosario　loved　him；　but　it　was　evident　that　some　unknown　influence　was　at　work　to　separate　them；　and　it　seemed　to　him　to　be　the　part　of　an　honorable　man　to　discover　whence　that　malign　influence　proceeded　and　to　oppose　it；　as　far　as　it　was　in　his　power　to　do　so。

〃I　hope　that　Rosarito's　obstinacy　will　not　continue　long；〃　he　said　to　Dona　Perfecta；　disguising　his　real　sentiments。

On　this　day　he　received　a　letter　from　his　father　in　which　the　latter　complained　of　having　received　none　from　Orbajosa；　a　circumstance　which　increased　the　engineer's　disquietude；　perplexing　him　still　further。　Finally；　after　wandering　about　alone　in　the　garden　for　a　long　time；　he　left　the　house　and　went　to　the　Casino。　He　entered　it　with　the　desperate　air　of　a　man　about　to　throw　himself　into　the　sea。

In　the　principal　rooms　he　found　various　people　talking　and　discussing　different　subjects。　In　one　group　they　were　solving　with　subtle　logic　difficult　problems　relating　to　bulls；　in　another；　they　were　discussing　the　relative　merits　of　different　breeds　of　donkeys　of　Orbajosa　and　Villahorrenda。　Bored　to　the　last　degree；　Pepe　Rey　turned　away　from　these　discussions　and　directed　his　steps　toward　the　reading…room；　where　he　looked　through　various　reviews　without　finding　any　distraction　in　the　reading；　and　a　little　later；　passing　from　room　to　room；　he　stopped；　without　knowing　why；　at　the　gaming…table。　For　nearly　two　hours　he　remained　in　the　clutches　of　the　horrible　yellow　demon；　whose　shining　eyes　of　gold　at　once　torture　and　charm。　But　not　even　the　excitement　of　play　had　power　to　lighten　the　gloom　of　his　soul；　and　the　same　tedium　which　had　impelled　him　toward　the　green　cloth　sent　him　away　from　it。　Shunning　the　noise；　he　found　himself　in　an　apartment　use