dona perecta-第25章

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or　of　a　coming　attack　of　nerves。　The　maids　came　running　in。

〃Go　for　Senor　Don　Inocencio！〃　she　cried。　〃Instantlyhurry！　Ask　him　to　come　here！〃

Then　she　tore　her　handkerchief　with　her　teeth。



CHAPTER　XX

RUMORSFEARS

On　the　day　following　that　of　this　lamentable　quarrel；　various　rumors　regarding　Pepe　Rey　and　his　conduct　spread　through　Orbajosa；　going　from　house　to　house；　from　club　to　club；　from　the　Casino　to　the　apothecary's　and　from　the　Paseo　de　las　Descalzes　to　the　Puerta　de　Baidejos。　They　were　repeated　by　every　body；　and　so　many　were　the　comments　made　that；　if　Don　Cayetano　had　collected　and　compiled　them；　he　might　have　formed　with　them　a　rich　〃Thesaurus〃　of　Orbajosan　benevolence。　In　the　midst　of　the　diversity　of　the　reports　circulated；　there　was　agreement　in　regard　to　certain　important　particulars；　one　of　which　was　the　following：

That　the　engineer；　enraged　at　Dona　Perfecta's　refusal　to　marry　Rosario　to　an　atheist；　had　raised　his　hand　to　his　aunt。

The　young　man　was　living　in　the　widow　De　Cusco's　hotel；　an　establishment　mounted；　as　they　say　now；　not　at　the　height；　but　at　the　depth　of　the　superlative　backwardness　of　the　town。　Lieutenant…colonel　Pinzon　visited　him　with　frequency；　in　order　that　they　might　discuss　together　the　plot　which　they　had　on　hand；　and　for　the　successful　conduct　of　which　the　soldier　showed　the　happiest　dispositions。　New　artifices　and　stratagems　occurred　to　him　at　every　instant；　and　he　hastened　to　put　them　into　effect　with　excellent　humor；　although　he　would　often　say　to　his　friend：

〃The　role　I　am　playing；　dear　Pepe；　is　not　a　very　dignified　one；　but　to　give　an　annoyance　to　the　Orbajosans　I　would　walk　on　my　hands　and　feet。〃

We　do　not　know　what　cunning　stratagems　the　artful　soldier；　skilled　in　the　wiles　of　the　world；　employed；　but　certain　it　is　that　before　he　had　been　in　the　house　three　days　he　had　succeeded　in　making　himself　greatly　liked　by　every　body　in　it。　His　manners　were　very　pleasing　to　Dona　Perfecta；　who　could　not　hear　unmoved　his　flattering　praises　of　the　elegance　of　the　house；　and　of　the　nobility；　piety；　and　august　magnificence　of　its　mistress。　With　Don　Inocencio　he　was　hand　and　glove。　Neither　her　mother　nor　the　Penitentiary　placed　any　obstacle　in　the　way　of　his　speaking　with　Rosario　（who　had　been　restored　to　liberty　on　the　departure　of　her　ferocious　cousin）；　and；　with　his　delicate　compliments；　his　skilful　flattery；　and　great　address；　he　had　acquired　in　the　house　of　Polentinos　considerable　ascendency；　and　he　had　even　succeeded　in　establishing　himself　in　it　on　a　footing　of　familiarity。　But　the　object　of　all　his　arts　was　a　servant　maid　named　Librada；　whom　he　had　seduced　（chastely　speaking）　that　she　might　carry　messages　and　notes　to　Rosario；　of　whom　he　pretended　to　be　enamored。　The　girl　allowed　herself　to　be　bribed　with　persuasive　words　and　a　good　deal　of　money；　because　she　was　ignorant　of　the　source　of　the　notes　and　of　the　real　meaning　of　the　intrigue；　for　had　she　known　that　it　was　all　a　diabolical　plot　of　Don　Jose；　although　she　liked　the　latter　greatly；　she　would　not　have　acted　with　treachery　toward　her　mistress　for　all　the　money　in　the　world。

One　day　Dona　Perfecta；　Don　Inocencio；　Jacinto；　and　Pinzon　were　conversing　together　in　the　garden。　They　were　talking　about　the　soldiers　and　the　purpose　for　which　they　had　been　sent　to　Orbajosa；　in　which　the　Penitentiary　found　motive　for　condemning　the　tyrannical　conduct　of　the　Government；　and；　without　knowing　how　it　came　about；　Pepe　Rey's　name　was　mentioned。

〃He　is　still　at　the　hotel；〃　said　the　little　lawyer。　〃I　saw　him　yesterday；　and　he　gave　me　remembrances　for　you；　Dona　Perfecta。〃

〃Was　there　ever　seen　such　insolence！　Ah；　Senor　Pinzon！　do　not　be　surprised　at　my　using　this　language；　speaking　of　my　own　nephewthat　young　man；　you　remember；　who　had　the　room　which　you　occupy。〃

〃Yes；　I　know。　I　am　not　acquainted　with　him；　but　I　know　him　by　sight　and　by　reputation。　He　is　an　intimate　friend　of　our　brigadier。〃

〃An　intimate　friend　of　the　brigadier？〃

〃Yes；　senor；　of　the　commander　of　the　brigade　that　has　just　arrived　in　this　district；　and　which　is　quartered　in　the　neighboring　villages。〃

〃And　where　is　he？〃　asked　the　lady。

〃In　Orbajosa。〃

〃I　think　he　is　stopping　at　Polavieja's；〃　observed　Jacinto。

〃Your　nephew　and　Brigadier　Batalla　are　intimate　friends；〃　continued　Pinzon；　〃they　are　always　to　be　seen　together　in　the　streets。〃

〃Well；　my　friend；　that　gives　me　a　bad　idea　of　your　chief；〃　said　Dona　Perfecta。

〃He　ishe　is　very　good…natured；〃　said　Pinzon；　in　the　tone　of　one　who；　through　motives　of　respect；　did　not　venture　to　use　a　harsher　word。

〃With　your　permission；　Senor　Pinzon；　and　making　an　honorable　exception　in　your　favor；　it　must　be　said　that　in　the　Spanish　army　there　are　some　curious　types〃

〃Our　brigadier　was　an　excellent　soldier　before　he　gave　himself　up　to　spiritualism。〃

〃To　spiritualism！〃

〃That　sect　that　calls　up　ghosts　and　goblins　by　means　of　the　legs　of　a　table！〃　said　the　canon；　laughing。

〃From　curiosity；　only　from　curiosity；〃　said　Jacintillo；　with　emphasis；　〃I　ordered　Allan　Kardec's　book　from　Madrid。　It　is　well　to　know　something　about　every　thing。〃

〃But　is　it　possible　that　such　folliesHeavens！　Tell　me；　Pinzon；　does　my　nephew　too　belong　to　that　sect　of　table…tippers？〃

〃I　think　it　was　he　who　indoctrinated　our　valiant　Brigadier　Batalla。〃

〃Good　Heavens！〃

〃Yes；　and　whenever　he　chooses；〃　said　Don　Inocencio；　unable　to　contain　his　laughter；　〃he　can　speak　to　Socrates；　St。　Paul；　Cervantes；　or　Descartes；　as　I　speak　to　Librada　to　ask　her　for　a　match。　Poor　Senor　de　Rey！　I　was　not　mistaken　in　saying　that　there　was　something　wrong　in　his　head。〃

〃Outside　that；〃　continued　Pinzon；　〃our　brigadier　is　a　good　soldier。　If　he　errs　at　all；　it　is　on　the　side　of　severity。　He　takes　the　orders　of　the　Government　so　literally　that；　if　he　were　to　meet　with　much　opposition　here；　he　would　be　capable　of　not　leaving　one　stone　upon　another　in　Orbajosa。　Yes；　I　advise　you　all　to　be　on　your　guard。〃

〃But　is　that　monster　going　to　cut　all　our　heads　off；　then？　Ah；　Senor　Don　Inocencio！　these　visits　of　the　army　remind　me　of　what　I　have　read　in　the　lives　of　the　martyrs　about　the　visits　of　the　Roman　proconsuls　to　a　Christian　town。〃

〃The　comparison　is　not　wanting　in　exactness；〃　said　the　Penitentiary；　looking　at　the　soldier　over　his　spectacles。

〃It　is　not　very　agreeable；　but　if　it　is　the　truth；　why　should　it　not　be　said？〃　observed　Pinzon　benevolently。　〃Now　you　all　are　at　our　mercy。〃

〃The　authorities　of　the　place；〃　objected　Jacinto；　〃still　exercise　their　functions　as　usual。〃

〃I　think　you　are　mistaken；〃　responded　the　soldier；　whose　countenance　Dona　Perfecta　and　the　Penitentiary　were　studying　with　profound　interest。　〃The　alcalde　of　Orbajosa　was　removed　from　office　an　hour　ago。〃

〃By　the　governor　of　the　province？〃

〃The　governor　of　the　province　has　been　replaced　by　a　delegate　from　the　Government；　who　was　to　arrive　this　morning。　The　municipal　councils　will　all　be　removed　from　office　to…day。　The　minister　has　so　ordered　because　he　suspected；　I　don't　know　on　what　grounds；　that　they　were　not　supporting　the　central　authority。〃

〃This　is　a　pretty　state　of　things！〃　murmured　the　canon；　frowning　and　pushing　out　his　lower　lip。

Dona　Perfecta　looked　thoughtful。

〃Some　of　the　judges　of　the　primary　court；　among　them　the　judge　of　Orbajosa；　have　been　deprived　of　office。〃

〃The　judge！　PeriquitoPeriquito　is　no　longer　judge！〃　exclaimed　Dona　Perfecta；　in　a　voice　and　with　the　manner　of　a　person　who　has　just　been　stung　by　a　snake。

〃The　person　who　was　judge　in　Orbajosa　is　judge　no　longer；〃　said　Pinzon。　〃To…morrow　the　new　judge　will　arrive。〃

〃A　stranger！〃

〃A　stranger。〃

〃A　rascal；　perhaps。　The　other　was　so　honorable！〃　said　Dona　Perfecta；　with　alarm。　〃I　never　asked　any　thing　from　him　that　he　did　not　grant　it　to　me　at　once。　Do　you　know　who　will　be　the　new　alcalde？〃

〃They　say　a　corregidor　is　coming。〃

〃There；　say　at　once　that　the　Deluge　is　coming；　and　let　us　be　done　with　it；〃　said　the　canon；　rising。

〃So　that　we　are　at　the　brigadier's　mercy！〃

〃For　a　few　days　only。　Don't　be　angry　with　me。　In　spite　of　my　uniform　I　am　an　enemy　of　militarism；　but　we　are　ordered　to　strikeand　we　strike。　There　could　not　be　a　viler　trade　than　ours。〃

〃That　it　is；　that　it　is！〃　said　Dona　Perfecta；　with　difficulty　concealing　her　fury。　〃Now　that　you　have　confessed　it　So；　then；　neither　alcalde　nor　judge〃

〃Nor　governor　of　the　province。〃

〃Let　them　take　the　bishop　from　us　also　and　send　us　a　choir　boy　in　his　stead。〃

〃That　is　all　that　is　wantingif　the　people　here　will　allow　them　to　do　it；〃　murmured　Don　Inocencio；　lowering　his　eyes。　〃They　won't　stop　at　trifles。〃

〃And　it　is　all　because　they　are　afraid　of　an　insurrection　in　Orbajosa；〃　exclaimed　Dona　Perfecta；　clasping　her　hands　and　waving　them　up　and　down。　〃Frankly；　Pinzon；　I　don't　know　why　it　is　that　even　the　very　stones　don't　rise　up　in　rebellion。　I　wish　you　no　harm；　but　it　would　be　a　just　judgment　on　you　if　the　water　you　drink　turned　into　mud。　You　say　that　my　nephew　is　the　intimate　friend　of　the　brigadier？〃

〃So　intimate　that　they　are　together　all　day　long；　they　were　school…　fellows。　Batalla　loves　him　like　a　brother；　and　would　do　anything　to　please　him。　In　your　place；　senora；　I　would　be　uneasy。〃

〃Oh；　my　God！　I　fear　there　will　be　an　attack　on　the　house！〃

〃Senora；〃　declared　the　canon；　with　energy；　〃before　I　would　consent　that　there　should　be　an　attack　on　this　honorable　housebefore　I　would　consent　that　the　slightest　harm　should　be　done　to　this　noble　familyI；　my　nephew；　all　the　people　of　Orbajosa〃

Don　Inocencio　did　not　finish。　His　anger　was　so　great　that　the　words　refused　to　come。　He　took　a　few　steps　forward　with　a　martial　air；　then　returned　to　his　seat。

〃I　think　that　your　fears　are　not　idle；〃　said　Pinzon。　〃If　it　should　be　necessary；　I〃

〃And　I〃　said　Jacinto。

Dona　Perfecta　had　fixed　her　eyes　on　the　glass　door　of　the　dining…room；　through　which　could　be　seen　a　graceful　figure。　As　she　looked　at　it；　it　seemed　as　if　the　cloud　of　apprehension　which　rested　on　her　countenance　grew　darker。

〃Rosario！　come　in　here；　Rosario！〃　she　said；　going　to　meet　the　young　girl。　〃I　fancy　you　look　better　to…day；　and　that　you　are　more　cheerful。　Don't　you　think　that　Rosario　looks　better？　She　seems　a　different　being。〃

They　all　agreed　that　the　liveliest　happiness　was　depicted　on　her　countenance。



CHAPTER　XXI

〃DESPERTA　FERRO〃

About　this　time　the　following　items　of　news　appeared　in　the　Madrid　newspapers：

〃There　is　no　truth　whatever　in　the　report　that　there　has　been　an　insurrection　in　the　neighborhood　of　Orbajosa。　Our　correspondent　in　that　place　informs　us　that　the　country　is　so　little　disposed　for　adventures　that　the　further　presence　of　the　Batalla　brigade　in　that　locality　is　considered　unnecessary。〃

〃It　is　said　that　the　Batalla　brigade　will　leave　Orbajosa；　as　troops　are　not　required　there；　to　go　to　Villajuan　de　Nahara；　where　guerillas　have　made　their　appearance。〃

〃The　news　has　been　confirmed　that　the　Aceros；　with　a　number　of　mounted　followers；　are　ranging　the　district　of　Villajuan；　adjacent　to　the　judicial　district　of　Orbajosa。　The　governor　of　the　province　of　X。　has　telegraphed　to　the　Government　that　Francisco　Acero　entered　Las　Roquetas；　where　he　demanded　provisions　and　money。　Domingo　Acero　（Faltriq