CHAPTER XI.
Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back; It is a swelling, and the last affection A high mind can put off. It is a rebel Both to the soul and reason, and enforces All laws, all conscience; treads upon religion, And offers violence to Nature's self.
Ben Jonson.
Gomez Arias, after his interview with Leonor, repaired to the placewhere he had appointed his confidential valet to await his leisure. Uponhis way he met the diligent Roque, and briefly related to him thesuccess which had hitherto attended his operations.
"My good Roque," he gaily exclaimed, "our path now seems clear, and wehave nothing to impede our course."
"Aye, Senor," returned Roque, "so it appears; but God grant that ourcourse may not yet be obstructed. When he who walketh uprightly must seethat he stumbleth not, what chance have we?"
"Well," cried his master, laughing, "in such a case mind thou art not inmy way; for assuredly my fall will entail upon thee some sore bruises."
"Bless me, good Senor," cried the valet, jocosely, "do what I may, Icannot guard myself from such peril; for, by some unaccountablemischance, when you _do_ fall, I am sure to reap the disagreeableresults: however, may the saints protect us in all lawful enterprise,and, certes, there is no stronger law than necessity."
"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Don Lope, at this moment, "Roque--look! who isthat cavalier in the distance?"
Roque looked as he was ordered, but could perceive nothing that mightcall for such an exclamation.
"Senor," said he, surprised, "what causes your alarm?"
"Is not that _caballero_ going towards our mansion?"
"He may--but what is there strange in that?"
"Surely it is the Count Urena!"
"He looks very much like him."
"Then I am undone! Run, Roque; dispatch! Detain him."
And without further ceremony, by the smart application of his hand tothe back of the valet, he gave an additional impetus to the motives forincreased exertion, whilst he himself advanced at a brisk pace towardsthe object that had so unseasonably disturbed his interestingspeculations.
Roque, like a good servant, without losing any time in useless parley,obeyed his master's commands by making the best of his way to the personin question, who in reality proved to be the Count. Gomez Arias, feelingcertain that his apprehensions were well founded, suddenly seized him bythe shoulder, at the same time calling on him to stay.
"What means this?" cried Urena, sharply, turning round, not at allpleased with the roughness of the salutation: "who is he that dares----"
"Your friend," answered Gomez Arias, laughing.
"Don Lope!" cried Count Urena, in amazement.
"The same--but whither are you going?"
"To your house, surely: and now you must confess that I am a sincerefriend; for although not entirely recovered from my late indisposition,I could not resist the desire of being present at your wedding; so Iposted to Granada, and here I am, in time, I suppose?"
"Oh, quite," replied Don Lope, evidently annoyed.
"But it seems," continued Count Urena, "that my arrival does not meetwith your approbation?"
"My dear friend, you must excuse my apparent want of cordiality, but Ihave already dispatched an express to your castle to explain matters,and you must on no account be seen in Granada."
"But why?"
"I ask it as a particular favor."
"I cannot comprehend," said the Count, perplexed: then he turned toRoque; but Roque, as if aware that he was about to be questioned, and,conscious of his total inability to satisfy any queries, to save theCount a fruitless expenditure of words, shrugged up his shoulders, androlled his eyes most expressively.
"My dear Count," cried Gomez Arias, "it is of momentous importance thatyou should not be seen in this city by any of our mutual relations andfriends. My peace of mind, my future prospects, nay, my very honor,require this sacrifice from your friendship. I have no time now to enterinto explanation; but the enigma will be solved upon your perusal of mydispatch: in the meantime suffice it to say, that your immediate removalfrom Granada, and your strictly keeping within your house, will bind meto you with a powerful and lasting obligation."
"_By Santiago_, Don Lope," exclaimed the Count, good humoredly, "youmust either be crazy, or wish to pass some merry jest upon me. Well, Iam heartily happy to see a bridegroom in such spirits."
"No, by my honor," returned Gomez Arias, "I solemnly vow to you, thatthis step is demanded by actual and imperious necessity."
"Well, well," replied the nobleman, acquiescing, "I will, at all events,comply with your request, whatever may be the motive."
The friends took leave of each other, and Gomez Arias breathed morefreely, as he again considered himself assured of the success of hisplans.
"Senor," said Roque, "we were just speaking of impediments, and therecomes the Count. Now, God send that we may meet no more!"
"Ay, Roque," replied Gomez Arias: "If I think rightly, the most materialpart of the business remains yet to be done, and it puzzles me strangelyhow to ensure its success."
"Most prudently said, Senor," returned Roque; "for it is indeed aticklish point to dispose of a lady, when it unfortunately happens thatshe is not equally desirous to be disposed of;--but whither are we goingnow?"
"To the gardens,--for there we shall be unobserved:" then, after apause, he continued; "Roque, thou appearest uneasy; what is the reasonthat at every minute thy head is turned backwards, as if inapprehension?"
"Oh, nothing, Senor, nothing in the world."
The valet delivered these words in an irresolute tone, for his master'sobservations had been just. Roque had for some time betrayed suchdisquietude in his manner, that at length the attention of Don Lope wasdirected towards the object of his valet's uneasiness, and he perceiveda stranger following them at some distance. It was a Moor, of dark andrepulsive appearance, who was evidently observing them, although heaffected a total indifference to their movements.
"Roque," said Gomez Arias, in whom the slightest incident now createdsuspicion, "Dost thou know that strange looking man?"
"Think you, my honored master," returned Roque, "that I am likely toconsort with so villainous looking a Moor? What should I do with such anacquaintance? I am a _Christiano viejo_,[38] and my conscience would notallow me to consort with infidels, and particularly when they are soill-favored as yonder prowling rascal."
"Roque, Roque, thou talkest too much, and the very earnestness of thymanner makes me strongly suspect that thy knowledge of the stranger ismore than thou art willing that I should learn."
"_San Pedro me valga!_" ejaculated Roque. "My honored master, how canyou thus call in question my integrity? Do you think, Senor, it isreally possible for me to use any mystery with my master?"
"Avaunt, thou hypocritical dog!" cried Don Lope; "thou canst not deceiveme: however, I am now too deeply engrossed with more important matters;but mark me--should I find out any double dealing, any imposition on thypart, thou mayest well tremble!"
"Tremble!" exclaimed Roque, in a shrill tone, and affectingindifference. "An honest man has no reason to tremble."
And he trembled and quivered like the aspen leaf, which doubtless didnot look as if he had yet possessed himself of the attributes of anhonest man. They had by this time arrived at the gardens, and GomezArias was exceedingly surprised when he observed that the strange Moorhad followed them thither, though keeping always the same respectfuldistance.
"By my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "such conduct cannot be merelyaccidental. Roque, _maldito_,[39] some mystery lies in this."
"In what, Senor Don Lope?" demanded the valet, with much simplicity.
"Attempt not to impose on me, thou base-born and ungracious varlet. Whydoes that Moor follow us in this manner?"
"My dear master," replied Roque, "is it in my power to stop the man?What dominion have I over him? These places are public, and I supposethat he, though a Moor, c
onsiders that he has the same right to walkhere as we faithful Christians. Now, good Senor, could you prevail uponthe queen to limit the privileges of those infidels, and allot them apiece of ground for their own use, aloof from all public places,certainly much abomination and contamination would be spared; andthus----"
"Cease, thou graceless dog!" interrupted Don Lope. "Cease, for I can nolonger endure thy interminable prosing; a more talkative varlet neverintruded on the patience of an indulgent master. See! there is themysterious Moor again; and if I mistake not, it is the very same who hasfollowed me already twice before. Yes, surely he is the same, althoughhe has somewhat altered his attire."
"What!" cried Roque thrown off his guard; "has he followed you too,Senor?"
"Ah!" returned Don Lope, "then you have seen him before. Now, rascal,"he added, grasping roughly the poor valet by the collar--"Leave off thisfoolish dissembling, or by _Santiago_, I'll strangle thee on the spot!"
"Sweet master, you surely don't mean to harm your faithful Roque?"
"Art thou, then, prepared to confess thy knowledge of the Moor?"demanded Gomez Arias.
"Like a good Christian, I am always prepared to confess."
"Well, then, begin, thou sinner."
"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir,that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct theirnatural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Senor,unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all."
Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of thesincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectlyelegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain inobserving the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handlehis luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in itscolour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan--his loquacious tongueprotruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes startedout with an unusual degree of animation.
Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few heartyshakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthenedrespirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he hadsustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar--
"_Virgen Santa!_" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honoredmaster, what have you done! There is my beautiful--my best_gorguera_[40] completely destroyed--torn to tatters--absolutely spoiltfor ever--past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine _gorguera_, too, ofthe very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers ofLisarda--and what will she say? What will she say when her loquaciousabilities are called into action by no less a subject than the totaldestruction of her superb _gorguera_?"
"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I wouldconfidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world."
"Senor Don Lope, a fine _gorguera_ is perhaps unworthy of youreloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for moredeserving objects. But consider, Sir----"
"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon yourfoolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; butnow, Roque, be explicit or---- how often have you seen that Moor?"
"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque.
"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?"
"Apparently he did; but you know, Senor, we must not always trust toappearances."
"How did you meet his advances?"
"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself allthe time, and as it happened that we adhered constantly to the sameregular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without evercoming into contact."
"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed ashe was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of hisvalet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely tosucceed by gentle means than by actual force--
"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what yousay, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return."
"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit weare even."
"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?"
"For my wages," composedly answered the valet.
"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh atyour fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor.However, as to the point in question,--it appears that the Moor hadreally sought your acquaintance?"
"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I amin no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian maytake to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which isprecisely the case in the present instance."
"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a futureperiod, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque,tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of thetroublesome object of my disquietude."
"My fruitful invention, Senor, as you are kindly pleased to term thatfaculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat withcontempt;--my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up----"
"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master.
"Nothing," drawled out the valet.
"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces meto retain such a dull brute about me."
A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course todetermine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by thetrees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque,unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine theunfortunate _gorguera_, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over itsmelancholy fate.
"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy butplacing Theodora in a convent."
"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents."
"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to theinconvenience of consulting her inclination?--No, Roque; unless somebetter plan be instantly devised, I must even resolve upon the convent;for the time passes rapidly away, and this girl must be disposed ofto-night."
"Could you not contrive to send her to her father?" demanded Roque:"Poor thing, she is so very unhappy that----"
"Send her to her father!" returned Gomez Arias. "Art thou mad,Roque?--or is it thy wish that my fortune should be ruined for ever?"
"Neither one nor the other," rejoined the valet; "but it strikes me asplainly as day-light, that before we contrive to shut up this bird inthe cage, her continual chirping will call some one to the rescue, andthen I do not see any chance of mending our fortune; but, by-the-bye,talking of mending, I wonder if I am likely to find any for this mostinnocent and ill-treated _gorguera_?"
"A thousand curses on thee and on thy _gorguera_!" cried Gomez Arias,impatiently; then, assuming a calmer tone, he continued--"With regard tothy fears that she may call for rescue, that inconvenience may be easilyobviated."
"_Santos cielos!_" exclaimed Roque, with visible affright--"You surelydo not mean to cut off her tongue?"
"No," answered Don Lope, "that fate I reserve for yours, unless youcontrive to keep it under better control."--He then added--"By sendingTheodora to some nunnery in a remote city, such as Barcelona orSaragossa for example,--the air must be sharp, indeed, that can conveythus far the sound of her complaints."
"But, Senor," asked Roque, "is the young lady to be conducted to thesaid remote city by magic, or is she merely to be led in the ordinaryway; for if this last be the case, what deception can you use subtleenough to lure a bird that has already been caught once in your snares?"
"That is true," replied Gomez Arias, "but I must risk a distant danger,to ward off a more immediate one. I do not entirely flatter myself thatthis unfortunate business will not come to light some time; but if Icannot avoid the storm, I am anxious that, ere it explode, I should atleast be under good shelter."
"Well, Senor," said Roque, "it is a very delicate piece of b
usiness,and I really cannot harbour the presumption of offering you my advice. Ishall obey your commands, as in duty bound, provided they are not in toodirect an opposition with my conscience and----"
"And what?" inquired Don Lope.
"_Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas_," solemnly chaunted the valet, atthe same time affecting to wash his hands.
"_Lavabo inter innocentes_, indeed," exclaimed Gomez Arias: "here's aconscientious sinner with a vengeance! So you cannot light upon somefeasible design?"
"No, in very truth I cannot."
"Then who in the name of Satan can extricate me?" cried Gomez Arias, indespair.
"I can!" answered a deep and determined voice.
Gomez Arias started, turned round, and with amazement beheld themysterious stranger standing, with folded arms, looking calmly upon him.
"And who art thou?" demanded Don Lope, "that presumest thus to intrudeupon my privacy?"
"Good Heavens! who should it be?" said Roque, not allowing time to thestranger to give an answer; "why, my honored master, you piously invokedSatan, and his diabolical majesty sends you forthwith one of hisemissaries."
"Stranger!" proceeded Gomez Arias, not heeding his valet, "what is thyname?"
"To know that were superfluous," coldly answered the Moor, "and innowise necessary towards the acceptation of my services."
"And what assistance canst thou afford me? I know thee not--and yetthose features should not be entirely strangers to my eyes."
"It is possible that they are not," replied the stranger, unmoved, "noris your countenance altogether unknown to me."
"Who then art thou?" demanded Gomez Arias.
"Surely a Moor--a worthless Moor!" bitterly returned the renegade; forit was no other that now addressed Don Lope;--nor did he feelapprehensive of discovery, altered as he was by the conflict of hispassions, continual sufferings, and even by the dress which he hadadopted to baffle the penetration of Gomez Arias.
"Whoever I may be," continued the renegade, "is of no consequence; Icome to render you service--are you disposed to accept it?"
"I cannot," firmly replied Don Lope, "from an utter stranger, withoutpreviously knowing the motives by which he is actuated."
"What!" exclaimed Bermudo, affecting surprise, "cannot you guess mymotives? Certainly, I do not pretend to deny that by assisting you_now_, I chiefly mean to serve myself. You surely cannot expect morefrom a perfect stranger, as you call me. Look at me, Christian!" headded, stifling the conflict which was working in his bosom at the verysight of his foe; "behold, I am a Moor--a miserable Moor. And what elsebut interest could prompt a destitute, a desperate man to proffer hisservices to the proud and rich ones of the land?--Love, or esteem, orgratitude, think you? No, never! My own interest I consult--consultyours, and decide."
"Interest!" cried Gomez Arias; "there is something reassuring in thatword. I like to hear a man talk of his interest, for then I am temptedto believe in his sincerity. What, then, canst thou do for thy interest,Moor? Let us hear in what manner thou art able to serve me."
"I can do much," replied the renegade: "You, Don Lope Gomez Arias, areat present involved in a most distressing predicament?"
"I am."
"And the source of your disquietude is a woman?"
"Proceed."
"Her name, Theodora?"
"Thou art indeed instructed in this affair--how cam'st thou by theknowledge?"--and he cast a terrible look on the trembling Roque.
"Senor," cried Roque, "as I hope for salvation, I----"
"Silence, Sirrah!" exclaimed his master.
"Nay," observed the renegade, "blame not yon trembler; it is true that Iapplied to him before I resolved upon offering you my servicespersonally; but from fear, or some other reason, he paid no regard to myproposal. I therefore waved all further ceremony, and knowing the crisisto be at hand, I have seized this opportunity to address you."
"And what proposition hast thou to make?" demanded Don Lope.
"To remove from your path this obstacle to your ambition; to rid youimmediately of Theodora."
"Fiend!" fiercely cried Gomez Arias, "thou darest not propose murder tome?"
"No, Christian," calmly returned Bermudo "dark as my form may be, andunseemly as my features are, yet I would scorn to imbrue my hands in theblood of a woman: no, though a ruffian, I am not yet sunk to thedespicable wretch you suppose me. Theodora shall not suffer anyindignity from me, but merely be removed from Granada."
"And what security wouldst thou afford of thy adherence to this promise,should I be inclined to enter into arrangements?"
"Security! the most firm and unbounded--the love which a Moor hasconceived for her charms."
"What! art thou then the admirer?" sneeringly asked Gomez Arias.
"No!" indignantly exclaimed the renegade--"see you aught of that in me?Can the signs of any tender sentiment be traced in my visage?"
"Well," muttered Roque, "methinks he speaks very sensibly."
"I cannot love," repeated the renegade; "but a Moor, my superior inrank, one whom I have bound myself to serve, is powerfully stricken withthe beauty of her you now wish to discard; he will treat her with everyconsideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upongaining her love."
The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade madethese overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination.He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyzeevery feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery werediscernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That darkbrow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which heshould be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for aninterview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus,his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from whichexpression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs thathad urged him to proffer his services.
"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause.
"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired DonLope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all furthercommunication on the subject would be needless."
"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though notfar from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you bedisposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as Ishall be obliged to take my measures accordingly."
He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seemingindifference.--Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was somethingin this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; butthe shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of thedanger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived theinward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentleremonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lopeindignantly repulsed the presuming valet.
"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humilitywill not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offerthy opinion now."
"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energiesto a firm resolution.
"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensiblemust be commensurate with the importance of my assistance."
"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider ajust remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion."
"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place confidencein the magnitude of my service, I shall leave the reward entirely toyour generosity,--and now listen. At midnight you must be with Theodoraat the extremity of _El cerro de los Martires_;[41] the distance isshort from Granada, and can therefore soon be traversed. There I willwait for you, and there you may likewise meet the noble Moor thatemploys me."
"I am resolved," cried Gomez Arias. "Yes, I will meet you at midnightthen"--and rising, he was about to withdraw, when the renegade gentlydetaining him--
"Stay," he said; "I must have a pledge to pr
esent to my master."
"What dost thou demand?" asked Don Lope.
"That ring," returned Bermudo, pointing to one that sparkled on the handof Gomez Arias.
"I cannot part with this gem; it is a bauble, but one I must preserve;ask for another boon three times as valuable, and it shall be grantedthee."
"One does not hinder the other," said the renegade, dissembling. "Thinkyou, Don Lope, that the difficulty from which I disentangle you meritsno other reward than a paltry ring? I must have it for a pledge, and itshall be returned in due time for gold."
Gomez Arias cast a look of contempt on the Moor, who, thoroughlyprepared for his part, most efficaciously assumed the appearance of themercenary he was then undertaking to personate.
"Well, what is it you resolve," he cried, with a malicious smile--"topart with a ring, or keep the woman you detest?"
"Take it!" disdainfully replied Gomez Arias, throwing the requiredpledge on the ground.
The renegade humbly inclined himself to take it; but he could not socompletely master his feelings as not to betray some marks of thepleasure he felt at the possession of so precious a gage. Gomez Arias,however, erroneously attributed these symptoms to the avariciousdisposition of the wretch who appeared willing to undertake any servicefor gold. He again cast a contemptuous glance on the Moor, and making asign to Roque, abruptly left the place. The renegade gave a loose to thejoy which swelled tumultuously in his bosom; he kissed the ring withwild demonstrations of pleasure, and looking in the direction that GomezArias was gone--
"Now," he exclaimed, "my time is coming, and soon, proud Spaniard, wiltthou feel the power of thy bitterest enemy."