bad man, my lord," answered the Duchess, meekly; "and Heavenwill punish him."
"Bad! he is the incarnation of the evil one," cried the Duke, stampinghis foot. "But you answer not my question. Would you not be a queen,and see your Marquezinho a prince? Ha! then you might be proud indeed!"
"I seek not for more than I possess," answered the lady. "Oh! my lord,indulge not in such dangerous thoughts: they can but bring destructionon your head. That you do think of them I know too well; for I have oflate heard you muttering them in your sleep."
"Then go to bed, and dream of them yourself, fair lady: you will findthem pleasant and enticing," said the Duke, again laughing.
"It is early, my lord, and the sun has but just set," answered theDuchess.
"Oh, I forgot--I forgot!" exclaimed her husband. "No matter, you mustkeep country hours. It is good for the health: so to bed--to bed, anddream of a royal crown."
"'Tis a dream, my lord, which has cost many a one his head," said theDuchess, sadly.
The Duke started, and his pallor again returned. "What folly is this?"he exclaimed, angrily. "I spoke but in jest.--Now, obey me, and tobed!"
The duchess turned a look of grief towards her haughty lord; but,accustomed to obey his imperious commands, she retired to her room.
"That woman is not to be trusted," muttered the Duke, when left alone."She has neither ambition nor courage. It was folly to speak to her onthe subject."
We constantly observe that weak and vain men have some parasite attachedto them, who plays on the former quality by flattering the latter forhis own individual interests, at the same time despising and oftendestroying the very person who supports him, like the noxious weed thetree to which it clings; and such an one had the Duke of Aveiro, in theperson of his secretary, master of the household, and chief butler,Captain Policarpio d'Azevedo; for in all those capacities did thatworthy gentleman serve him, besides holding a commission in the army.The duke now summoned his confidant, ordering supper to be brought, andhaving disencumbered himself of his morning costume, and dressed in alight gown, he seated himself at table. Captain Policarpio soonappeared, bearing a dish, which he placed before his master; and thentook his station behind his chair, while a troop of other servantsfollowed, with the remainder of the repast, who were ordered forthwithto retire. It may seem strange, but it is a notorious fact, that at thetime of which we speak, and even until very lately, commissions in thearmy were procured by the nobles for their domestics, as a reward forservices often of a very doubtful nature. Many of the principalfidalgos retained in their household three or four of these gentryholding the rank of captain, who waited on them at their meals, dressedin their uniforms, and often decked with the Order of Christ; and it wasnot till the army was remodelled by Lord Beresford, that the abuse wasfinally abolished. It may be supposed that an army so organised couldnot be in a very efficient state, or possessed of officers with a veryhigh tone of feeling among them. It also showed the arrogantdispositions of the fidalgos, who thus attempted to assume even morethan the state of princes.
"You have now served me faithfully for some years, Policarpio, and it istime your services were more amply rewarded," began the Duke.
"Oh, your Excellency is too kind, too generous; for when you are servedfor love, why speak of reward?--the satisfaction of following so good amaster is in itself sufficient payment," answered the Escudeiro, sidlinground, so as to come in sight of his lord.
"Because it is my pleasure to repay those who serve me faithfully andwell as you have done," answered the Duke. "It may soon, too, be in mypower to reward you far more than I have yet done; for when the masterrises, so will those who follow him. Mark that, Policarpio!"
"How can my lord rise higher than he is at present?" said the flatterer,surprised at the question, and eager to learn to what it might furthertend. "Is not my lord already one of the greatest men in the kingdom,both in rank and wealth?"
"I was so, truly, under the reign of our late pious king; but thingshave changed, and a vile upstart has dared to insult my honour; but theday will come, and soon, too, when I may have my full revenge, and hewho now triumphs in power shall writhe beneath my feet."
"May my lord have success in all his wishes, and enjoy full revenge onall his enemies!" answered the Escudeiro.
"Wishes are but of little avail, without action," observed the Noble;"and much must be accomplished before my hopes are fulfilled."
"Whatever need be done, I will undertake to serve you, my lord,"answered Captain Policarpio, bowing, and laying his hand to his heart.
"Ah, my friend, you are a man in whom I can place implicit confidence,"said the Duke; "and I know that you would rejoice in my prosperity.What think you, then, if the crown of Portugal were placed on my brow?Would not then my friends have cause to esteem themselves fortunate?"
"Those are already fortunate who serve your Excellency; and no one ismore calculated to adorn a throne," answered the subtle follower,--hisown ambition taking fire on the instant at thoughts of his master'saggrandisement, in the advantages of which he might well expect toparticipate. "And well do I feel assured that you will not neglectthose who have hitherto obeyed you faithfully. Do but point out themeans to attain your aims, and no scruples, no obstacles shall deter mefrom prosecuting them."
"Well, well, we will talk of that anon, my worthy servant," answered theDuke. "It is but lately Heaven has thought fit to inspire my heart withsuch mighty aims; nor have I yet been able to form any plans; but thisalone I know, that while that enemy to our holy religion, Sebastiao Jozede Carvalho exists, all will be fruitless; and he who would do meservice will strike a poniard to his heart. In this will he commit nosin, as I have been assured by Heaven itself, in the sacred person ofone of its most devoted ministers."
"I should fear nothing to serve my master," said Policarpio. "But howcan the death of the Minister alone place your Excellency on thethrone?"
"Hark, you!" whispered the Duke, drawing his servant close to him. "Theking himself may die. He is weak and sickly; or he may be killed whilehunting; he may be thrown from his horse, or a shot may strike him.--Ha!dost thou understand me?"
The attendant nodded, a smile of satisfaction passing over his features."I comprehend, I comprehend; nor will your Excellency's hint be thrownaway."
Much more, to the same effect as the above, the Duke spoke, a mixture ofblasphemy, folly, and daring, to which his worthy servant listened withprofound humility and attention, fully determined to take advantage ofthe knowledge he had gained; if successful, to follow the fortunes ofhis master, or to betray him, if he saw a probability of his plansfailing: and thus are traitors nearly always served.
However, we must confess that we take no interest in these personages,or their conversation; nor do we believe that it would either instructor amuse our readers--which is our only aim in writing--were we todetail it: we therefore refrain from doing so. Indeed, would the truthof history allow us, we would gladly consign all bad characters to theshades of oblivion, and describe such only as had high and noble motivesfor their actions; but, alas! as the world is constituted, did we do so,we should be most justly accused of compiling an extravagant and absurdromance, without either truth for the groundwork, or nature in thecolouring; thus neglecting what we conceive are the great rules to beobserved by those who would paint an historical picture of days gone by.We are, therefore, compelled to introduce such a man as the Duke ofAveiro, in whom we have sought, but sought in vain, to discover someredeeming qualities; but he appears to have possessed but few friends,even among his own class, and those of his own political opinions; as heis described by all as a man singularly ignorant and grosslysuperstitious; of a vindictive and savage disposition, and arrogant andhaughty to all who approached him. We wished to have drawn himotherwise; but we found it impossible so to do and adhere to truth.This we mention, that our readers may not suppose we have caricatured inhis person a Portuguese nobleman of the past century, who could thusweakly yield to the instigatio
ns of a designing madman like Malagrida,and believe in his blasphemous prophecies; but we can assure them thatwe have faithfully translated the very language of that person, avoidingeven much that might shock the ear of the present generation.
The insane ambition of the Duke being once kindled with the hopes ofpromised success, every thought of his mind was occupied with projects,equally replete with wickedness and folly, to compass his end; nor didhe from that time forth again know one moment of tranquillity orhappiness. Leaving his duchess and young son at Azeitao, he, a few daysafterwards, set off for Lisbon, with a nephew, who constantly resided inhis house, accompanied by his constant attendant, Captain Policarpio,and followed by a train of