TheveryacuteandlivelySpanishcriticwhosignshimselfClarin，andisknownpersonallyasDonLeopoldoAlas，saysthepresentSpanishnovelhasnoyesterday，butonlyaday-before-yesterday。Itdoesnotderivefromtheromanticnovelwhichimmediatelyprecededthat:thenovel，largeorlittle，asitwaswithCervantes，HurtadodeMendoza，Quevedo，andthemastersofpicaresquefiction。
Clarindatesitsrenascencefromthepoliticalrevolutionof1868，whichgaveSpanishliteraturethefreedomnecessarytothefictionthatstudiestoreflectmodernlife，actualideas，andcurrentaspirations；andthoughitsauthorswerefewatfirst，“theyhaveneverbeenadventurousspirits，friendsofUtopia，revolutionists，orimpatientprogressistsandreformers。”Hethinksthatthemostdaring，themostadvanced，ofthenewSpanishnovelists，andthebestbyfar，isDonBenitoPerezGaldos。
IshouldmyselfhavemademylittleexceptioninfavorofDonArmandoPalacioValdes，butClarinspeakswithinfinitelymoreauthority，andIamcertainlyreadytosubmitwhenhegoesontosaythatGaldosisnotasocialorliteraryinsurgent；thathehasnopoliticalorreligiousprejudices；thatheshunsextremes，andischarmedwithprudence；thathisnovelsdonotattacktheCatholicdogmas——thoughtheydealsoseverelywithCatholicbigotry——butthecustomsandideascherishedbysecularfanaticismtotheinjuryoftheChurch。Becausethisissoevident，ourcriticholds，hisnovelsare“foundinthebosomoffamiliesineverycornerofSpain。”TheirpopularityamongallclassesinCatholicandprejudicedSpain，andnotamongfree-
thinkingstudentsmerely，bearstestimonytothefactthathisaimandmotiveareunderstoodandappreciated，althoughhisstoriesareapparentlysooftenanti-Catholic。
I
DonaPerfectais，firstofall，astory，andagreatstory，butitiscertainlyalsoastorythatmustappearattimespotently，andevenbitterly，anti-Catholic。Yetitwouldbeapityandanerrortoreaditwiththepreoccupationthatitwasananti-Catholictract，forreallyitisnotthat。Ifthepersonswerechangedinnameandplace，andmodifiedinpassiontofitacoolerair，itmightequallyseemananti-Presbyterianoranti-Baptisttract；forwhatitshowsinthelightoftheirownhatefulnessandcrueltyareperversionsofanyreligion，anycreed。Itisnot，however，atractatall；itdealsinartisticlargenesswiththepassionofbigotry，asitdealswiththepassionoflove，thepassionofambition，thepassionofrevenge。ButGaldosisSpanishandCatholic，andforhimthebigotrywearsaSpanishandCatholicface。Thatisall。
Uptoacertaintime，Ibelieve，Galdoswroteromanticoridealisticnovels，andoneoftheseIhaveread，andittiredmeverymuch。Itwascalled“Marianela，“anditsurprisedmethemorebecauseIwasalreadyacquaintedwithhislaterwork，whichisallrealistic。Butonedoesnotturnrealistinasinglenight，andalthoughthechangeinGaldoswasrapiditwasnotquitealightningchange；perhapsbecauseitwasnotmerelyanoutwardchange，butartisticallyachangeofheart。Hisacceptanceinhisqualityofrealistwasmuchmoreinstantthanhisconversion，andvastlywider；forwearetoldbythecriticwhomIhavebeenquotingthatGaldos\'searlierefforts，whichhecalled/EpisodiosNacionales/，neverhadthevoguewhichhisrealisticnovelshaveenjoyed。
Thesewere，indeed，tendencious，ifImayAnglicizeaverynecessarywordfromtheSpanish/tendencioso/。Thatis，theydealtwithveryobviousproblems，andhadverydistinctandpoignantsignifications，atleastinthecaseof“DonaPerfecta，““LeonRoch，“and“Gloria。”Instilllaternovels，EmiliaPardo-Bazanthinks，hehascomprehendedthat“thenovelofto-daymusttakenoteoftheambienttruth，andrealizethebeautifulwithfreedomandindependence。”Thisvaliantlady，inthecampaignforrealismwhichshemadeunderthetitleof“LaCuestionPalpitante“——oneofthebestandstrongestbooksonthesubject——countshimfirstamongSpanishrealists，asClarincountshimfirstamongSpanishnovelists。“Withacertainfundamentalhumanity，“
shesays，“acertainmagisterialsimplicityinhiscreations，withthenaturaltendencyofhisclearintelligencetowardthetruth，andwiththefranknessofhisobservation，thegreatnovelistwasalwaysdisposedtopassovertorealismwitharmsandmunitions；buthisaestheticinclinationswereidealistic，andonlyinhislatestworkshasheadoptedthemethodofthemodernnovel，fathomedmoreandmorethehumanheart，andbrokenonceforallwiththepicturesqueandwiththetypicalpersonages，toembracetheearthwetread。”
Forher，asIconfessforme，“DonaPerfecta“isnotrealisticenough——realisticasitis；forrealismatitsbestisnottendencious。Itdoesnotseektograpplewithhumanproblems，butisrichlycontentwithportrayinghumanexperiences；andIthinkSenoraPardo-Bazanisrightinregarding“DonaPerfecta“astransitional，andofaperiodwhentheauthorhadnotyetassimilatedinitsfullestmeaningthefaithhehadimbibed。
II
Yetitisagreatnovel，asIsaid；andperhapsbecauseitistransitionalitwillpleasethegreaternumberwhoneverreallyarriveanywhere，andwholiketofindthemselvesingoodcompany/enroute/。
Itissofarlikelifethatitisfullofsignificationswhichpassbeyondthepersonsandactionsinvolved，andenvelopthereader，asifhetoowereacharacterofthebook，orratherasifitspersonsweremenandwomenofthisthinking，feeling，andbreathingworld，andhemustrecognizetheirexperiencesasveritablefacts。Fromthefirstmomenttothelastitislikesomepassageofactualeventsinwhichyoucannotwithholdyourcompassion，yourabhorrence，youradmiration，anymorethaniftheytookplacewithinyourpersonalknowledge。Wheretheytranscendallfactsofyourpersonalknowledge，youdonotaccusethemofimprobability，foryoufeeltheirpotentialityinyourself，andeasilyaccountfortheminthealiencircumstance。Iamnotsayingthatthestoryhasnofaults；ithasseveral。Therearetagsofromanticismflutteringaboutithereandthere；andattimestheauthorpermitshimselfcertainold-fashionedliteraryairsandposesandartifices，whichyousimplywonderat。Itisinspiteofthese，andwithallthesedefects，thatitissogreatandbeautifulabook。
III
Whatseemstobesoveryadmirableinthemanagementofthestoryistheauthor\'ssuccessinkeepinghisowncounsel。Thismayseemaveryeasything；but，ifthereaderwillthinkoverthenovelistsofhisacquaintance，hewillfindthatitisatleastveryuncommon。Theymostlygivethemselvesawayalmostfromthebeginning，eitherbytheiranxietytohidewhatiscoming，ortheirvanityinhintingwhatgreatthingstheyhaveinstoreforthereader。Galdosdoesneithertheonenortheother。Hemakesithisbusinesstotellthestoryasitgrows；
toletthecharactersunfoldthemselvesinspeechandaction；topermittheeventstohappenunheralded。Hedoesnotprophesytheircourse，hedoesnotforecasttheweatherevenfortwenty-fourhours；
theatmospherebecomesslowly，slowly，butwithoccasionalliftsandreliefs，ofsuchabroodingbreathlessness，ofsuchadeepeningdensity，thatyoufeelthewildpassion-stormnearerandnearerathand，tillitburstsatlast；andthenyouareastonishedthatyouhadnotforeseenityourselffromthefirstmoment。
Nexttothisexcellentmethod，whichIcountthesupremecharacteristicofthebookmerelybecauseitrepresentsthewhole，andtheotherfactsareinthenatureofparts，isthemasterlyconceptionofthecharacters。Theyareeachtypicalofacertainsideofhumannature，asmostofourpersonalfriendsandenemiesare；butnotexclusivelyofthissideorthat。Theyareeachofmixedmotives，mixedqualities；noneofthemisquiteamonster；thoughthosewhoarebadlymixeddosuchmonstrousthings。
PepeRey，whoissuchagoodfellow——sokind，andbrave，andupright，andgenerous，sofineamind，andsohighasoul——istactlessandimprudent；heevencondescendstothethoughtofintrigue；andthoughherejectshisplotsatlast，hisnaturehasonceharboreddeceit。DonInocencio，thepriest，whosecontrolofDonaPerfecta\'sconsciencehasvitiatedtheveryspringsofgoodnessinher，isbynomeansbad，asidefromhispurposes。Heloveshissisterandhersontenderly，andwishestoprovideforthembythemarriagewhichPepe\'spresencethreatenstoprevent。Thenephew，thoughselfishandlittle，hasmomentsofalmostbeingagoodfellow；thesister，thoughsheisreallysuchalambofmeekness，becomesacat，andscratchesDonInocenciodreadfullywhenheweakensinhisdesignagainstPepe。
Rosario，oneofthesweetestandpurestimagesofgirlhoodthatIknowinfiction，abandonsherselfwithequalpassiontotheloveshefeelsforhercousinPepe，andtotheloveshefeelsforhermother，DonaPerfecta。Sheisreadytoflywithhim，andyetshebetrayshimtohermother\'spitilesshate。
ButitisDonaPerfectaherselfwhoisthetranscendentfigure，themostpowerfulcreationofthebook。Inher，bigotryanditsfellow-
vice，hypocrisy，havedonetheirperfectwork，untilshecomesneartobeingadevil，andreallydoessomedevil\'sdeeds。Yetevensheisnotwithoutsomeextenuatingtraits。Herbigotryspringsfromherconscience，andsheistrulydevotedtoherdaughter\'seternalwelfare；sheisofsuchanativefranknessthatatacertainpointshetearsasidehermaskofdissimulationandletsPepeseealltheuglinessofherpervertedsoul。Sheiswonderfullymanaged。Atwhatmomentdoesshebegintohatehim，andtowishtoundoherownworkinmakingamatchbetweenhimandherdaughter?Icoulddefyanyonetosay。Alloneknowsisthatatonemomentsheadoresherbrother\'sson，andatanothersheabhorshim，andhasalreadysubtlyentereduponhereffortstothwarttheaffectionshehasinvitedinhimforherdaughter。
Caballuco，whatshallIsayofCaballuco?Heseemsaltogetherbad，buttheauthorletsoneimaginethatthiscruel，thisruthlessbrutemusthavesomewhereabouthimtraitsoflovableness，ofleniency，thoughheneverletsoneseethem。HisgratitudetoDonaPerfecta，evenhismurderousdevotion，isnotaltogetherbad；andheiscertainlyworsethannaturemadehim，whenwroughtuponbyherfuryandthesuggestionofDonInocencio。Thescenewheretheyworkhimuptorebellionandassassinationisacompendiumofthehistoryofintolerance；asthemeanlittleconceitedcityofOrbajosasisthemicrocosmofbigotedandreactionarySpain。
IV
Ihavecalled，orhalf-called，thisbooktendencious；butinacertainlargerviewitisnotso。Itistheeternalinterestofpassionworkinguponpassion，notthetemporaryinterestofconditionantagonizingcondition，whichrenders“DonaPerfecta“sopoignantlyinteresting，andwhichmakesitstragedyimmense。Butthereishopeaswellasdespairinsuchatragedy。Thereisthestrangesupportofabereavementinit，theconsolationoffeelingthatforthosewhohavesuffereduntodeath，nothingcanharmthemmore；thatevenforthosewhohaveinflictedtheirsufferingthispeacewillsooncome。
“IsPerezGaldosapessimist?“asksthecriticClarin。“No，certainly；
butifheisnot，whydoeshepaintussorrowsthatseeminconsolable?
Isitfromloveofparadox?Isittoshowthathisgenius，whichcandosomuch，canpainttheshadowlovelierthanthelight?Nothingofthis。Nothingthatisnotserious，honest，andnoble，istobefoundinthisnovelist。Aretheypessimistic，thoseballadsoftheNorth，thatalwaysendwithvagueresonancesofwoe?Aretheypessimists，thosesingersofourownland，whosurpriseuswithtearsinthemidstoflaughter?IsNaturepessimistic，whoissosadatnightfallthatitseemsasifdayweredyingforever?……Thesadnessofart，likethatofnature，isaformofhope。WhyisChristianitysoartistic?
Becauseitisthereligionofsadness。”
W。D。HOWELLS。
DONAPERFECTA
CHAPTERI
VILLAHORRENDA！FIVEMINUTES！
WhenthedowntrainNo。65——ofwhatlineitisunnecessarytosay——
stoppedatthelittlestationbetweenkilometres171and172，almostallthesecond-andthird-classpassengersremainedinthecars，yawningorasleep，forthepenetratingcoldoftheearlymorningdidnotinvitetoawalkontheunshelteredplatform。Theonlyfirst-classpassengeronthetrainalightedquickly，andaddressingagroupoftheemployesaskedthemifthiswastheVillahorrendastation。
“WeareinVillahorrenda，“answeredtheconductorwhosevoicewasdrownedbythecacklingofthehenswhichwereatthatmomentbeingliftedintothefreightcar。“Iforgottocallyou，SenordeRey。I
thinktheyarewaitingforyouatthestationwiththebeasts。”
“Why，howterriblycolditishere！“saidthetraveller，drawinghiscloakmorecloselyabouthim。“IstherenoplaceinthestationwhereIcouldrestforawhile，andgetwarm，beforeundertakingajourneyonhorsebackthroughthisfrozencountry?“
Beforehehadfinishedspeakingtheconductor，calledawaybytheurgentdutiesofhisposition，wentoff，leavingourunknowncavalier\'squestionunanswered。Thelattersawthatanotheremployewascomingtowardhim，holdingalanterninhisrighthand，thatswungbackandforthashewalked，castingthelightontheplatformofthestationinaseriesofzigzags，likethosedescribedbytheshowerfromawatering-pot。
“IstherearestaurantorabedroominthestationofVillahorrenda?“
saidthetravellertothemanwiththelantern。
“Thereisnothinghere，“answeredthelatterbrusquely，runningtowardthemenwhowereputtingthefreightonboardthecars，andassuagingthemwithsuchavolleyofoaths，blasphemies，andabusiveepithetsthattheverychickens，scandalizedbyhisbrutality，protestedagainstitfromtheirbaskets。
“ThebestthingIcandoistogetawayfromthisplaceasquicklyaspossible，“saidthegentlementohimself。“Theconductorsaidthatthebeastswerehere。”
Justashehadcometothisconclusionhefeltathinhandpullinghimgentlyandrespectfullybythecloak。Heturnedroundandsawafigureenvelopedinagraycloak，andoutofwhosevoluminousfoldspeepedtheshrivelledandastutecountenanceofaCastilianpeasant。Helookedattheungainlyfigure，whichremindedoneoftheblackpoplaramongtrees；heobservedtheshrewdeyesthatshonefrombeneaththewidebrimoftheoldvelvethat；thesinewybrownhandthatgraspedagreenswitch，andthebroadfootthat，witheverymovement，madetheironspurjingle。
“AreyouSenorDonJosedeRey?“askedthepeasant，raisinghishandtohishat。
“Yes；andyou，Itakeit，“answeredthetravellerjoyfully，“areDonaPerfecta\'sservant，whohavecometothestationtomeetmeandshowmethewaytoOrbajosa?“
“Thesame。Wheneveryouarereadytostart。Theponyrunslikethewind。AndSenorDonJose，Iamsure，isagoodrider。Forwhatcomesbyrace-?
“Whichisthewayout?“askedthetraveller，withimpatience。“Come，letusstart，senor?Whatisyourname?“
“MynameisPedroLucas，“answeredthemanofthegraycloak，againmakingamotiontotakeoffhishat；“buttheycallmeUncleLicurgo。
Whereistheyounggentleman\'sbaggage?“
“Thereitis?thereunderthecloak。Therearethreepieces?twoportmanteausandaboxofbooksforSenorDonCayetano。Hereisthecheck。”
Amomentlatercavalierandsquirefoundthemselvesbehindthebarrackscalledadepot，andfacingaroadwhich，startingatthispoint，disappearedamongtheneighboringhills，onwhosenakedslopescouldbevaguelydistinguishedthemiserablehamletofVillahorrenda。
Therewerethreeanimalstocarrythemenandtheluggage。Anotill-
lookingnagwasdestinedforthecavalier；UncleLicurgowastorideavenerablehack，somewhatlooseinthejoints，butsure-footed；andthemule，whichwastobeledbyastoutcountryboyofactivelimbsandfieryblood，wastocarrytheluggage。
Beforethecaravanhadputitselfinmotionthetrainhadstarted，andwasnowcreepingalongtheroadwiththelazydeliberationofawaytrain，awakening，asitrecededinthedistance，deepsubterraneanechoes。Asitenteredthetunnelatkilometre172，thesteamissuedfromthesteamwhistlewithashriekthatresoundedthroughtheair。
Fromthedarkmouthofthetunnelcamevolumesofwhitishsmoke，asuccessionofshrillscreamsliketheblastsofatrumpetfollowed，andatthesoundofitsstentorianvoicevillages，towns，thewholesurroundingcountryawoke。Hereacockbegantocrow，furtheronanother。Daywasbeginningtodawn。
CHAPTERII
AJOURNEYINTHEHEARTOFSPAIN
WhentheyhadproceededsomedistanceontheirwayandhadleftbehindthemthehovelsofVillahorrenda，thetraveller，whowasyoungandhandsomespokethus:
“Tellme，SenorSolon-?
“Licurgo，atyourservice。”
“SenorLicurgo，Imean。ButIwasrightingivingyouthenameofawiselegislatorofantiquity。Excusethemistake。Buttocometothepoint。Tellme，howismyaunt?“
“Ashandsomeasever，“answeredthepeasant，pushinghisbeastforwardalittle。“TimeseemstostandstillwithSenoraDonaPerfecta。TheysaythatGodgiveslonglifetothegood，andifthatissothatangeloftheLordoughttoliveathousandyears。Ifalltheblessingsthatareshoweredonherinthisworldwerefeathers，thesenorawouldneednootherwingstogouptoheavenwith。”
“Andmycousin，SenoritaRosario?“
“Thesenoraoveragain！“saidthepeasant。“WhatmorecanItellyouofDonaRosaritobutthatthatsheisthelivingimageofhermother?Youwillhaveatreasure，SenorDonJose，ifitistrue，asIhear，thatyouhavecometobemarriedtoher。Shewillbeaworthymateforyou，andtheyoungladywillhavenothingtocomplainof，either。BetweenPedroandPedrothedifferenceisnotverygreat。”
“AndSenorDonCayetano?“
“Buriedinhisbooksasusual。Hehasalibrarybiggerthanthecathedral；andherootsuptheearth，besides，searchingforstonescoveredwithfantasticalscrawls，thatwerewritten，theysay，bytheMoors。”
“HowsoonshallwereachOrbajosa?“
“Bynineo\'clock，Godwilling。Howdelightedthesenorawillbewhensheseeshernephew！Andyesterday，SenoritaRosariowasputtingtheroomyouaretohaveinorder。Astheyhaveneverseenyou，bothmotheranddaughterthinkofnothingelsebutwhatSenorDonJoseislike，orisnotlike。Thetimehasnowcomeforletterstobesilentandtonguestotalk。Theyoungladywillseehercousinandallwillbejoyandmerry-making。IfGodwills，allwillendhappily，asthesayingis。”
“Asneithermyauntnormycousinhasyetseenme，“saidthetravellersmiling，“itisnotwisetomakeplans。”
“That\'strue；forthatreasonitwassaidthatthebayhorseisofonemindandhewhosaddleshimofanother，“answeredthepeasant。“Butthefacedoesnotlie。Whatajewelyouaregetting！andshe，whatahandsomeman！“
TheyoungmandidnothearUncleLicurgo\'slastwords，forhewaspreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts。Arrivedatabendintheroad，thepeasantturnedhishorse\'sheadinanotherdirection，saying:
“Wemustfollowthispathnow。Thebridgeisbroken，andtherivercanonlybefordedattheHilloftheLilies。”
“TheHilloftheLilies，“repeatedthecavalier，emergingfromhisrevery。“Howabundantbeautifulnamesareintheseunattractivelocalities！SinceIhavebeentravellinginthispartofthecountrytheterribleironyofthenamesisaconstantsurprisetome。SomeplacethatisremarkableforitsbarrenaspectandthedesolatesadnessofthelandscapeiscalledValleamenoPleasantValley。Somewretchedmud-walledvillagestretchedonabarrenplainandproclaimingitspovertyindiversewayshastheinsolencetocallitselfVillaricaRichTown；andsomearidandstonyravine，wherenoteventhethistlescanfindnourishment，callsitself，nevertheless，ValdefloresValeofFlowers。ThathillinfrontofusistheHilloftheLilies?
Butwhere，inHeaven\'sname，arethelilies?Iseenothingbutstonesandwitheredgrass。CallitHillofDesolation，andyouwillberight。
WiththeexceptionofVillahorrenda，whoseappearancecorrespondswithitsname，allisironyhere。Beautifulwords，aprosaicandmeanreality。Theblindwouldbehappyinthiscountry，whichforthetongueisaParadiseandfortheeyesahell。”
SenorLicurgoeitherdidnotheartheyoungman\'swords，or，hearing，hepaidnoattentiontothem。Whentheyhadfordedtheriver，which，turbidandimpetuous，hurriedonwithimpatienthaste，asiffleeingfromitsownhands，thepeasantpointedwithoutstretchedarmtosomebarrenandextensivefieldsthatweretobeseenontheleft，andsaid:
“ThosearethePoplarsofBustamante。”
“Mylands！“exclaimedthetravellerjoyfully，gazingatthemelancholyfieldsilluminedbytheearlymorninglight。“Forthefirsttime，IseethepatrimonywhichIinheritedfrommymother。Thepoorwomanusedtopraisethiscountrysoextravagantly，andtellmesomanymarvellousthingsaboutitwhenIwasachild，thatIthoughtthattobeherewastobeinheaven。Fruits，flowers，game，largeandsmall；mountains，lakes，rivers，romanticstreams，pastoralhills，allweretobefoundinthePoplarsofBustamante；inthisfavoredland，thebestandmostbeautifulontheearth。Butwhatistobesaid?Thepeopleofthisplaceliveintheirimaginations。IfIhadbeenbroughthereinmyyouth，whenIsharedtheideasandtheenthusiasmofmydearmother，I
supposethatI，too，wouldhavebeenenchantedwiththesebarehills，thesearidormarshyplains，thesedilapidatedfarmhouses，thesericketynorias，whosebucketsdripwaterenoughtosprinklehalfadozencabbages，thiswretchedandbarrendesolationthatsurroundsme。”
“Itisthebestlandinthecountry，“saidSenorLicurgo；“andforthechick-pea，thereisnootherlikeit。”
“Iamdelightedtohearit，forsincetheycameintomypossessionthesefamouslandshaveneverbroughtmeapenny。”
ThewiselegislatorofSpartascratchedhisearandgaveasigh。
“ButIhavebeentold，“continuedtheyoungman，“thatsomeoftheneighboringproprietorshaveputtheirploughsintheseestatesofmine，andthat，littlebylittle，theyarefilchingthemfromme。Herethereareneitherlandmarksnorboundaries，norrealownership，SenorLicurgo。”
Thepeasant，afterapause，duringwhichhissubtleintellectseemedtobeoccupiedinprofounddisquisitions，expressedhimselfasfollows:
“UnclePasoLargo，whom，forhisgreatforesight，wecallthePhilosopher，sethisploughinthePoplars，abovethehermitage，andbitbybit，hehasgobbledupsixfanegas。”
“Whatanincomparableschool！“exclaimedtheyoungman，smiling。“I
wagerthathehasnotbeentheonly——philosopher?“
“Itisatruesayingthatoneshouldtalkonlyaboutwhatoneknows，andthatifthereisfoodinthedove-cote，doveswon\'tbewanting。Butyou，SenorDonJose，canapplytoyourowncausethesayingthattheeyeofthemasterfattenstheox，andnowthatyouarehere，tryandrecoveryourproperty。”
“Perhapsthatwouldnotbesoeasy，SenorLicurgo，“returnedtheyoungman，justastheywereenteringapathborderedoneithersidebywheat-fields，whoseluxurianceandearlyripenessgladdenedtheeye。
“Thisfieldappearstobebettercultivated。IseethatallisnotdrearinessandmiseryinthePoplars。”
Thepeasantassumedamelancholylook，and，affectingsomethingofdisdainforthefieldsthathadbeenpraisedbythetraveller，saidinthehumblestoftones:
“Senor，thisismine。”
“Ibegyourpardon，“repliedthegentlemanquickly；“nowIwasgoingtoputmysickleinyourfield。Apparentlythephilosophyofthisplaceiscontagious。”
Theynowdescendedintoacanebrake，whichformedthebedofashallowandstagnantbrook，and，crossingit，theyenteredafieldfullofstonesandwithouttheslightesttraceofvegetation。
“Thisgroundisverybad，“saidtheyoungman，turningroundtolookathiscompanionandguide，whohadremainedalittlebehind。“Youwillhardlybeabletoderiveanyprofitfromit，foritisallmudandsand。”
Licurgo，fullofhumility，answered:
“Thisisyours。”
“Iseethatallthepoorlandismine，“declaredtheyoungman，laughinggood-humoredly。”
Astheywerethusconversing，theyturnedagainintothehigh-road。Themorningsunshine，pouringjoyouslythroughallthegatesandbalconiesoftheSpanishhorizon，hadnowinundatedthefieldswithbrilliantlight。Thewidesky，undimmedbyasinglecloud，seemedtogrowwiderandtorecedefurtherfromtheearth，inordertocontemplateit，andrejoiceinthecontemplation，fromagreaterheight。Thedesolate，treelessland，straw-coloredatintervals，atintervalsofthecolorofchalk，andallcutupintotrianglesandquadrilaterals，yelloworblack，grayorpalegreen，boreafancifulresemblancetoabeggar\'scloakspreadoutinthesun。OnthatmiserablecloakChristianityandIslamismhadfoughtwitheachotherepicbattles。Gloriousfields，intruth，butthecombatsofthepasthadleftthemhideous！
“Ithinkweshallhaveascorchingday，SenorLicurgo，“saidtheyoungman，looseninghiscloakalittle。“Whatadrearyroad！Notasingletreetobeseen，asfarastheeyecanreach。Hereeverythingisincontradiction。Theironydoesnotcease。Why，whentherearenopoplarshere，eitherlargeorsmall，shouldthisbecalledThePoplars?“
UncleLicurgodidnotanswerthisquestionbecausehewaslisteningwithhiswholesoultocertainsoundswhichweresuddenlyheardinthedistance，andwithanuneasyairhestoppedhisbeast，whileheexploredtheroadandthedistanthillswithagloomylook。
“Whatisthematter?“askedthetraveller，stoppinghishorsealso。
“Doyoucarryarms，DonJose?“
“Arevolver——ah！nowIunderstand。Arethererobbersabout?“
“Perhaps，“answeredthepeasant，withvisibleapprehension。“IthinkI
heardashot。”
“Weshallsoonsee。Forward！“saidtheyoungman，puttingspurstohisnag。“Theyarenotveryterrible，Idaresay。”
“Keepquiet，SenorDonJose，“exclaimedthepeasant，stoppinghim。
“ThosepeopleareworsethanSatanhimself。Theotherdaytheymurderedtwogentlemenwhowereontheirwaytotakethetrain。Letusleaveoffjesting。GasparonelFuerte，PepitoChispillas，Merengue，andAhorcaSuegrasshallnotseemyfacewhileIlive。Letusturnintothepath。”
“Forward，SenorLicurgo！“
“Back，SenorDonJose，“repliedthepeasant，indistressedaccents。
“Youdon\'tknowwhatkindofpeoplethoseare。Theyarethesamemenwhostolethechalice，theVirgin\'scrown，andtwocandlesticksfromthechurchoftheCarmenlastmonth；theyarethemenwhorobbedtheMadridtraintwoyearsago。”
DonJose，hearingthesealarmingantecedents，felthiscouragebegintogiveway。
“Doyouseethatgreathighhillinthedistance?Well，thatiswherethoserascalshidethemselves；thereinsomecaveswhichtheycalltheRetreatoftheCavaliers。”
“OftheCavaliers?“
“Yes，senor。Theycomedowntothehigh-roadwhentheCivilGuardsarenotwatching，androballtheycan。Doyouseeacrossbeyondthebendoftheroad?Well，thatwaserectedinremembranceofthedeathoftheAlcaldeofVillahorrenda，whomtheymurderedthereatthetimeoftheelections。”
“Yes，Iseethecross。”
“Thereisanoldhousethere，inwhichtheyhidethemselvestowaitforthecarriers。TheycallthatplaceThePleasaunce。”
“ThePleasaunce?“
“Ifallthepeoplewhohavebeenmurderedandrobbedthereweretoberestoredtheywouldformanarmy。”
Whiletheywerethustalkingshotswereagainheard，thistimenearerthanbefore，whichmadethevaliantheartsofthetravellersquakealittle，butnotthatofthecountrylad，who，jumpingaboutforjoy，askedSenorLicurgo\'spermissiontogoforwardtowatchtheconflictwhichwastakingplacesonearthem。ObservingthecourageoftheboyDonJosefeltalittleashamedofhavingbeenfrightened，oratleastalittledisturbed，bytheproximityoftherobbers，andcried，puttingspurstohisnag:
“Wewillgoforward，then。Perhapswemaybeabletolendassistancetotheunluckytravellerswhofindthemselvesinsoperilousasituation，andgivealessonbesidestothosecavaliers。”
Thepeasantendeavoredtoconvincetheyoungmanoftherashnessofhispurpose，aswellasoftheprofitlessnessofhisgenerousdesign，sincethosewhohadbeenrobbedwererobbedandperhapsdeadalso，andnotinaconditiontoneedtheassistanceofanyone。
Thegentlemaninsisted，inspiteofthesesagecounsels；thepeasantreiteratedhisobjectionsmorestronglythanbefore；whentheappearanceoftwoorthreecarters，comingquietlydowntheroaddrivingawagon，putanendtothecontroversy。Thedangercouldnotbeverygreatwhenthesemenwerecomingalongsounconcernedly，singingmerrysongs；andsuchwasinfactthecase，fortheshots，accordingtowhatthecarterssaid，hadnotbeenfiredbytherobbers，butbytheCivilGuards，whodesiredinthiswaytopreventtheescapeofhalfadozenthieveswhomtheyweretaking，boundtogether，tothetownjail。
“Yes，Iknownowwhatitwas，“saidLicurgo，pointingtoalightcloudofsmokewhichwastobeseensomedistanceoff，totherightoftheroad。“Theyhavepepperedthemthere。Thathappenseveryotherday。”
Theyoungmandidnotunderstand。
“Iassureyou，SenorDonJose，“addedtheLacedaemonianlegislator，withenergy，“thatitwasverywelldone；foritisofnousetotrythoserascals。Thejudgecross-questionsthemalittleandthenletsthemgo。Ifattheendofatrialdraggedoutforhalfadozenyearsoneofthemissenttojail，atthemomentleastexpectedheescapes，andreturnstotheRetreatoftheCavaliers。Thatisthebestthingtodo——shootthem！Takethemtoprison，andwhenyouarepassingasuitableplace——Ah，dog，soyouwanttoescape，doyou?pum！pum！Theindictmentisdrawnup，thewitnessessummoned，thetrialended，thesentencepronounced——allinaminute。Itisatruesayingthatthefoxisverycunning，buthewhocatcheshimismorecunningstill。”
“Forward，then，andletusridefaster，forthisroad，besidesbeingalongone，isnotatallapleasantone，“saidRey。
AstheypassedThePleasaunce，theysaw，alittleinfromtheroad，theguardswhoafewminutesbeforehadexecutedthestrangesentencewithwhichthereaderhasbeenmadeacquainted。Thecountryboywasinconsolablebecausetheyrodeonandhewasnotallowedtogetanearerviewofthepalpitatingbodiesoftherobbers，whichcouldbedistinguishedformingahorriblegroupinthedistance。Buttheyhadnotproceededtwentypaceswhentheyheardthesoundofahorsegallopingafterthematsorapidapacethathegaineduponthemeverymoment。Ourtravellerturnedroundandsawaman，orratheraCentaur，forthemostperfectharmonyimaginableexistedbetweenhorseandrider。Thelatterwasofarobustandplethoricconstitution，withlargefieryeyes，ruggedfeatures，andablackmustache。Hewasofmiddleageandhadageneralairofrudenessandaggressiveness，withindicationsofstrengthinhiswholeperson。Hewasmountedonasuperbhorsewithamuscularchest，likethehorsesoftheParthenon，caparisonedinthepicturesquefashionofthecountry，andcarryingonthecrupperagreatleatherbagonthecoverofwhichwastobeseen，inlargeletters，thewordMail。
“Hello！Good-day，SenorCaballuco，“saidLicurgo，salutingthehorsemanwhenthelatterhadcomeupwiththem。“Howisitthatwegotsofaraheadofyou?Butyouwillarrivebeforeus，ifyousetyourmindtoit。”
“Iwillrestalittle，“answeredSenorCaballuco，adaptinghishorse\'spacetothatofourtravellers\'beasts，andattentivelyobservingthemostdistinguishedofthethree，“sincethereissuchgoodcompany。”
“Thisgentleman，“saidLicurgo，smiling，“isthenephewofDonaPerfecta。”
“Ah！Atyourservice，senor。”
Thetwomensalutedeachother，itbeingnoticeablethatCaballucoperformedhiscivilitieswithanexpressionofhaughtinessandsuperioritythatrevealed，attheveryleast，aconsciousnessofgreatimportance，andofahighstandinginthedistrict。WhenthearroganthorsemanrodeasidetostopandtalkforamomentwithtwoCivilGuardswhopassedthemontheroad，thetravelleraskedhisguide:
“Whoisthatoddcharacter?“
“Whoshoulditbe?Caballuco。”
“AndwhoisCaballuco?“
“What！HaveyouneverheardofCaballuco?“saidthecountryman，amazedatthecrassignoranceofDonaPerfecta\'snephew。“Heisaverybraveman，afinerider，andthebestconnoisseurofhorsesinallthesurroundingcountry。WethinkagreatdealofhiminOrbajosa；andheiswellworthyofit。Justasyouseehim，heisapowerintheplace，andthegovernoroftheprovincetakesoffhishattohim。”
“Whenthereisanelection！“
“AndtheGovernorofMadridwritesofficialletterstohimwithagreatmanytitlesinthesuperscription。HethrowsthebarlikeaSt。
Christopher，andhecanmanageeverykindofweaponaseasilyaswemanageourfingers。Whentherewasmarketinspectionhere，theycouldnevergetthebestofhim，andshotsweretobeheardeverynightatthecitygates。Hehasafollowingthatisworthanymoney，fortheyarereadyforanything。Heisgoodtothepoor，andanystrangerwhoshouldcomehereandattempttotouchsomuchasahairoftheheadofanynativeofOrbajosawouldhavehimtosettlewith。ItisveryseldomthatsoldierscomeherefromMadrid，butwhenevertheydocome，notadaypasseswithoutbloodbeingshed，forCaballucowouldpickaquarrelwiththem，ifnotforonethingforanother。Atpresentitseemsthatheisfallenintopovertyandheisemployedtocarrythemail。ButheistryinghardtopersuadetheTownCounciltohaveamarket-
inspector\'sofficehereagainandtoputhiminchargeofit。Idon\'tknowhowitisthatyouhaveneverheardhimmentionedinMadrid，forheisthesonofafamousCaballucowhowasinthelastrebellion，andwhowashimselfthesonofanotherCaballuco，whowasalsointherebellionofthatday。Andasthereisarumornowthatthereisgoingtobeanotherinsurrection——forthewholecountryisinaferment——weareafraidthatCaballucowilljointhatalso，followingintheillustriousfootstepsofhisfatherandhisgrandfather，who，toourglorybeitsaid，wereborninourcity。”
Ourtravellerwassurprisedtoseethespeciesofknight-errantrythatstillexistedintheregionswhichhehadcometovisit，buthehadnoopportunitytoputfurtherquestions，forthemanwhowastheobjectofthemnowjoinedthem，sayingwithanexpressionofill-humor:
“TheCivilGuarddespatchedthree。Ihavealreadytoldthecommandertobecarefulwhatheisabout。To-morrowwewillspeaktothegovernoroftheprovince，andI——“
“AreyougoingtoX。?“
“No；butthegovernoriscominghere，SenorLicurgo；doyouknowthattheyaregoingtosendusacoupleofregimentstoOrbajosa?“
“Yes，“saidthetravellerquickly，withasmile。“IhearditsaidinMadridthattherewassomefearofarisinginthisplace。Itiswelltobepreparedforwhatmayhappen。”
“TheytalknothingbutnonsenseinMadrid，“exclaimedtheCentaurviolently，accompanyinghisaffirmationwithastringoftongue-
blisteringvocables。“InMadridthereisnothingbutrascality。Whatdotheysendussoldiersfor?Tosqueezemorecontributionsoutofusandacoupleofconscriptionsafterward。Byallthat\'sholy！ifthereisn\'tarisingthereoughttobe。Soyou“——heended，lookingbanteringlyattheyoungman——“soyouareDonaPerfecta\'snephew?“
Thisabruptquestionandtheinsolentglanceofthebravoannoyedtheyoungman。
“Yes，senor，atyourservice。”
“Iamafriendofthesenora\'s，andIloveherasIdotheappleofmyeye，“saidCaballuco。“AsyouaregoingtoOrbajosaweshallseeeachotherthere。”
Andwithoutanotherwordheputspurstohishorse，which，settingoffatagallop，soondisappearedinacloudofdust。
Afterhalfanhour\'sride，duringwhichneitherSenorDonJosenorSenorLicurgomanifestedmuchdispositiontotalk，thetravellerscameinsightofanancient-lookingtownseatedontheslopeofahill，fromthemidstofwhosecloselyclusteredhousesarosemanydarktowers，and，onaheightaboveit，theruinsofadilapidatedcastle。Itsbasewasformedbyamassofshapelesswalls，ofmudhovels，grayanddustylookingasthesoil，togetherwithsomefragmentsofturretedwalls，inwhoseshelteraboutathousandhumblehutsraisedtheirmiserableadobefronts，likeanaemicandhungryfacesdemandinganalmsfromthepasser-by。Ashallowriversurroundedthetown，likeagirdleoftin，refreshing，initscourse，severalgardens，theonlyvegetationthatcheeredtheeye。Peopleweregoingintoandcomingoutofthetown，onhorsebackandonfoot，andthehumanmovement，althoughnotgreat，gavesomeappearanceoflifetothatgreatdwellingplacewhosearchitecturalaspectwasratherthatofruinanddeaththanofprogressandlife。Theinnumerableandrepulsive-lookingbeggarswhodraggedthemselvesoneithersideoftheroad，askingtheobolusfromthepasser-by，presentedapitifulspectacle。Itwouldbeimpossibletoseebeingsmoreinharmonywith，orbettersuitedtothefissuresofthatsepulchreinwhichacitywasnotonlyburiedbutgonetodecay。Asourtravellersapproachedthetown，adiscordantpealofbellsgavetoken，withtheirexpressivesound，thatthatmummyhadstillasoul。
ItwascalledOrbajosa，acitythatfigures，notintheChaldeanorCopticgeography，butinthatofSpain，with7324inhabitants，atown-
hall，anepiscopalseat，acourt-house，aseminary，astockfarm，ahighschool，andotherofficialprerogatives。
“Thebellsareringingforhighmassinthecathedral，“saidUncleLicurgo。“WehavearrivedsoonerthanIexpected。”
“Theappearanceofyournativecity，“saidtheyoungman，examiningthepanoramaspreadoutbeforehim，“couldnotbemoredisagreeable。ThehistoriccityofOrbajosa，whosenameisnodoubtacorruptionofUrbsAugusta，lookslikeagreatdunghill。”
“Allthatcanbeseenfromhereisthesuburbs，“saidtheguide，inanoffendedtone。“WhenyouentertheCalleRealandtheCalledeCondestable，youwillseehandsomebuildings，likethecathedral。”
“Idon\'twanttospeakillofOrbajosabeforeseeingit，“saidtheyoungman。“AndyoumustnottakewhatIhavesaidasamarkofcontempt，forwhetherhumbleandmean，orstatelyandhandsome，thatcitywillalwaysbeverydeartome，notonlyisitmymother\'snativeplace，butbecausetherearepersonslivinginitwhomIlovewithoutseeingthem。Letusentertheaugustcity，then。”
Theywerenowascendingaroadontheoutskirtsofthetown，andpassingclosetothewallsofthegardens。
“Doyouseethatgreathouseattheendofthislargegardenwhosewallwearenowpassing?“saidUncleLicurgo，pointingtoamassive，whitewashedwallbelongingtotheonlydwellinginviewwhichhadtheappearanceofacheerfulandcomfortablehabitation。
“Yes；thatismyaunt\'shouse?“
“Exactlyso！Whatwearelookingatistherearofthehouse。ThefrontfacestheCalledelCondestable，andithasfiveironbalconiesthatlooklikefivecastles。Thefinegardenbehindthewallbelongstothehouse，andifyouriseupinyourstirrupsyouwillbeabletoseeitallfromhere。”
“Why，weareatthehouse，then！“criedtheyoungman。“Canwenotenterfromhere?“
“Thereisalittledoor，butthesenorahaditcondemned。”
Theyoungmanraisedhimselfinhisstirrupsand，stretchinghisneckasfarashecould，lookedoverthewall。
“Icanseethewholeofthegarden，“hesaid。“There，underthetrees，thereisawoman，agirl，ayounglady。”
“ThatisSenoritaRosario，“answeredLicurgo。
Andatthesametimehealsoraisedhimselfinhisstirrupstolookoverthewall。
“Eh！SenoritaRosario！“hecried，makingenergeticsignswithhisrighthand。“Hereweare；Ihavebroughtyourcousinwithme。”
“Shehasseenus，“saidtheyoungman，stretchingouthisneckasfaraswaspossible。“ButifIamnotmistaken，thereisanecclesiasticwithher——apriest。”
“ThatisthePenitentiary，“answeredthecountryman，withnaturalness。
“Mycousinhasseenus——shehasleftthepriest，andisrunningtowardthehouse。Sheisbeautiful。”
“Asthesun！“
“Shehasturnedredderthanacherry。Come，come，SenorLicurgo。”
CHAPTERIII
PEPEREY
Beforeproceedingfurther，itwillbewelltotellwhoPepeReywas，andwhatweretheaffairswhichhadbroughthimtoOrbajosa。
WhenBrigadierReydiedin1841，histwochildren，JuanandPerfecta，hadjustmarried:thelattertherichestland-ownerofOrbajosa，theformerayounggirlofthesamecity。ThehusbandofPerfectawascalledDonManuelMariaJosedePolentinos，andthewifeofJuan，MariaPolentinos；butalthoughtheyhadthesamesurname，theirrelationshipwassomewhatdistantandnotveryeasytomakeout。JuanReywasadistinguishedjurisconsultwhohadbeengraduatedinSevilleandhadpractisedlawinthatcityforthirtyyearswithnolesshonorthanprofit。In1845hewasleftawidowerwithasonwhowasoldenoughtoplaymischievouspranks；hewouldsometimesamusehimselfbyconstructingviaducts，mounds，ponds，dikes，andtrenchesofearth，intheyardofthehouse，andthenfloodingthosefragileworkswithwater。Hisfatherlethimdoso，saying，“Youwillbeanengineer。”
PerfectaandJuanhadceasedtoseeeachotherfromthetimeoftheirmarriage，becausethesisterhadgonetoMadridwithherhusband，thewealthyPolentinos，whowasasrichashewasextravagant。PlayandwomenhadsocompletelyenslavedManuelMariaJosethathewouldhavedissipatedallhisfortune，ifdeathhadnotbeenbeforehandwithhimandcarriedhimoffbeforehehadhadtimetosquanderit。Inanightoforgythelifeoftherichprovincial，whohadbeensuckedsovoraciouslybytheleechesofthecapitalandtheinsatiablevampireofplay，cametoasuddentermination。Hissoleheirwasadaughterafewmonthsold。WiththedeathofPerfecta\'shusbandtheterrorsofthefamilywereatanend，butthegreatstrugglebegan。ThehouseofPolentinoswasruined；theestateswereindangerofbeingseizedbythemoney-lenders；allwasinconfusion:enormousdebts，lamentablemanagementinOrbajosa，discreditandruininMadrid。
Perfectasentforherbrother，who，comingtothedistressedwidow\'sassistance，displayedsomuchdiligenceandskillthatinashorttimethegreaterpartofthedangersthatthreatenedherhaddisappeared。HebeganbyobliginghissistertoliveinOrbajosa，managingherselfhervastestates，whilehefacedtheformidablepressureofthecreditorsinMadrid。Littlebylittlethehousefreeditselffromtheenormousburdenofitsdebts，fortheexcellentDonJuanRey，whohadthebestwayintheworldformanagingsuchmatters，pleadedinthecourt，madesettlementswiththeprincipalcreditorsandarrangedtopaythembyinstalments，theresultofthisskilfulmanagementbeingthattherichpatrimonyofPolentinoswassavedfromruinandmightcontinue，formanyyearstocome，tobestowsplendorandgloryonthatillustriousfamily。
Perfecta\'sgratitudewassoprofoundthatinwritingtoherbrotherfromOrbajosa，whereshedeterminedtoresideuntilherdaughtershouldbegrownup，shesaidtohim，amongotheraffectionatethings:“Youhavebeenmorethanabrothertome，morethanafathertomydaughter。
Howcaneitherofuseverrepayyouforservicessogreat?Ah，mydearbrother?fromthemomentinwhichmydaughtercanreasonandpronounceanameIwillteachhertoblessyours。Mygratitudewillendonlywithmylife。Yourunworthysisterregretsonlythatshecanfindnoopportunityofshowingyouhowmuchshelovesyouandofrecompensingyouinamannersuitedtothegreatnessofyoursoulandtheboundlessgoodnessofyourheart。”
AtthesametimewhenthesewordswerewrittenRosaritowastwoyearsold。PepeRey，shutupinaschoolinSeville，wasmakinglinesonpaper，occupiedinprovingthat“thesumofalltheinterioranglesofanypolygonisequaltotwiceasmanyrightangles，wantingfour，asthefigurehassides。”Thesevexatiouscommonplacesoftheschoolkepthimverybusy。Yearafteryearpassed。Theboygrewup，stillcontinuingtomakelines。Atlast，hemadeonewhichiscalled“FromTarragonatoMontblanch。”Hisfirstserioustoywasthebridge，120
metresinlength，overtheRiverFrancoli。
DuringallthistimeDonaPerfectacontinuedtoliveinOrbajosa。AsherbrotherneverleftSeville，severalyearspassedwithouttheirseeingeachother。Aquarterlyletter，aspunctuallywrittenasitwaspunctuallyanswered，keptincommunicationthesetwohearts，whoseaffectionneithertimenordistancecouldcool。In1870，whenDonJuanRey，satisfiedwithhavingfulfilledhismissioninsociety，retiredfromitandwenttoliveinhisfinehouseinPuertoReal，Pepe，whohadbeenemployedforseveralyearsintheworksofvariousrichbuildingcompanies，setoutonatourthroughGermanyandEngland，forthepurposeofstudy。Hisfather\'sfortune，aslargeasitispossibleforafortunewhichhasonlyanhonorablelaw-officeforitssourcetobeinSpain，permittedhimtofreehimselfinashorttimefromtheyokeofmateriallabor。Amanofexaltedideasandwithanardentloveforscience，hefoundhispurestenjoymentintheobservationandstudyofthemarvelsbymeansofwhichthegeniusoftheagefurthersatthesametimethecultureandmaterialcomfortandthemoralprogressofman。
Onreturningfromhistourhisfatherinformedhimthathehadanimportantprojecttocommunicatetohim。Pepesupposedthatitconcernedsomebridge，dockyard，or，attheleast，thedrainingofsomemarsh，butDonJuansoondispelledhiserror，disclosingtohimhisplaninthefollowingwords:
“ThisisMarch，andPerfecta\'squarterlyletterhasnotfailedtocome。
Readit，mydearboy，andifyoucanagreetowhatthatholyandexemplarywoman，mydearsister，saysinit，youwillgivemethegreatesthappinessIcoulddesireinmyoldage。Iftheplandoesnotpleaseyou，rejectitwithouthesitation，for，althoughyourrefusalwouldgrieveme，thereisnotinittheshadowofconstraintonmypart。Itwouldbeunworthyofusboththatitshouldberealizedthroughthecoercionofanobstinatefather。Youarefreeeithertoacceptortorejectit，andifthereisinyourmindtheslightestrepugnancetoit，arisingeitherfromyourinclinationsorfromanyothercause，Idonotwishyoutodoviolencetoyourfeelingsonmyaccount。”
Pepelaidtheletteronthetableafterhehadglancedthroughit，andsaidquietly:
“MyauntwishesmetomarryRosario！“
“Shewritesacceptingjoyfullymyidea，“saidhisfather，withemotion。
“Fortheideawasmine。Yes，itisalongtime，averylongtimesinceitoccurredtome；butIdidnotwishtosayanythingtoyouuntilI
knewwhatyoursistermightthinkaboutit。Asyousee，Perfectareceivesmyplanwithjoy；shesaysthatshetoohadthoughtofit，butthatshedidnotventuretomentionittome，becauseyouare——youhaveseenwhatshesays——becauseyouareayoungmanofveryexceptionalmeritandherdaughterisacountrygirl，withouteitherabrillianteducationorworldlyattractions。Thoseareherwords。Mypoorsister！
Howgoodsheis！Iseethatyouarenotdispleased；Iseethatthisprojectofmine，resemblingalittletheofficiousprevisionofthefathersofformertimeswhomarriedtheirchildrenwithoutconsultingtheirwishesinthematter，andmakinggenerallyinconsiderateandunwisematches，doesnotseemabsurdtoyou。Godgrantthatthismaybe，asitseemstopromise，oneofthehappiest。Itistruethatyouhaveneverseenyourcousin，butwearebothawareofhervirtue，ofherdiscretion，ofhermodestandnoblesimplicity。Thatnothingmaybewanting，sheisevenbeautiful。Myopinionis，“headdedgayly，“thatyoushouldatoncestartforthatout-of-the-wayepiscopalcity，thatUrbsAugusta，andthere，inthepresenceofmysisterandhercharmingRosarito，decidewhetherthelatteristobesomethingmoretomeornot，thanmyniece。”
Pepetookuptheletteragainandreaditthroughcarefully。Hiscountenanceexpressedneitherjoynorsorrow。Hemighthavebeenexaminingsomeplanforthejunctionoftworailroads。
“Intruth，“saidDonJuan，“inthatremoteOrbajosa，where，bytheway，youhavesomelandthatyoumighttakealookatnow，lifepasseswiththetranquillityandthesweetnessofanidyl。Whatpatriarchalcustoms！Whatnoblesimplicity！WhatruralandVirgilianpeace！If，insteadofbeingamathematician，youwereaLatinist，youwouldrepeat，asyouenterit，the/ergotuaruramanebunt/。Whatanadmirableplaceinwhichtocommunewithone\'sownsoulandtoprepareone\'sselfforgoodworks。Therealliskindnessandgoodness；therethedeceitandhypocrisyofourgreatcitiesareunknown；theretheholyinclinationswhichtheturmoilofmodernlifestiflesspringintobeingagain；theredormantfaithreawakensandonefeelswithinthebreastanimpulse，vaguebutkeen，liketheimpatienceofyouth，thatfromthedepthsofthesoulcriesout:\'Iwishtolive！\'“
AfewdaysafterthisconferencePepeleftPuertoReal。Hehadrefused，somemonthsbefore，acommissionfromthegovernmenttosurvey，initsmineralogicalaspects，thebasinoftheRiverNahara，inthevalleyofOrbajosa；buttheplanstowhichtheconferenceaboverecordedgaverise，causedhimtosaytohimself:“Itwillbeaswelltomakeuseofthetime。Heavenonlyknowshowlongthiscourtshipmaylast，orwhathoursofwearinessitmaybringwithit。”Hewent，then，toMadrid，solicitedthecommissiontoexplorethebasinoftheNahara，whichheobtainedwithoutdifficulty，althoughhedidnotbelongofficiallytotheminingcorps，setoutshortlyafterward，and，afterasecondchangeoftrains，themixedtrainNo。65borehim，aswehaveseen，tothelovingarmsofUncleLicurgo。
Theageofourherowasaboutthirty-fouryears。Hewasofarobustconstitution，ofathleticbuild，andsoadmirablyproportionedandofsocommandinganappearancethat，ifhehadwornauniform，hewouldhavepresentedthemostmartialairandfigurethatitispossibletoimagine。Hishairandbeardwereblondincolor，butinhiscountenancetherewasnoneofthephlegmaticimperturbabilityoftheSaxon，but，onthecontrary，somuchanimationthathiseyes，althoughtheywerenotblack，seemedtobeso。Hisfigurewouldhaveservedasaperfectandbeautifulmodelforastatue，onthepedestalofwhichthesculptormightengravethewords:“Intellect，strength。”Ifnotinvisiblecharacters，heborethemvaguelyexpressedinthebrilliancyofhisglance，inthepotentattractionwithwhichhispersonwaspeculiarlyendowed，andinthesympathywhichhiscordialmannersinspired。
Hewasnotverytalkative——onlypersonsofinconstantideasandunstablejudgmentarepronetoverbosity。Hisprofoundmoralsensemadehimsparingofwordsinthedisputesinwhichthemenofthedayarepronetoengageonanyandeverysubject，butinpoliteconversationhedisplayedaneloquencefullofwitandintelligence，emanatingalwaysfromgoodsenseandatemperateandjustappreciationofworldlymatters。Hehadnotolerationforthosesophistries，andmystifications，andquibblesoftheunderstandingwithwhichpersonsofintelligence，imbuedwithaffectedculture，sometimesamusethemselves；
andindefenceofthetruthPepeReyemployedattimes，andnotalwayswithmoderation，theweaponofridicule。Thiswasalmostadefectintheeyesofmanypeoplewhoesteemedhim，forourherothusappearedwantinginrespectforamultitudeofthingscommonlyacceptedandbelieved。Itmustbeacknowledged，althoughitmaylessenhimintheopinionofmany，thatReydidnotsharethemildtolerationofthecompliantagewhichhasinventedstrangedisguisesofwordsandofactstoconcealwhattothegeneraleyemightbedisagreeable。
Suchwastheman，whateverslanderoustonguesmaysaytothecontrary，whomUncleLicurgointroducedintoOrbajosajustasthecathedralbellswereringingforhighmass。When，lookingoverthegardenwall，theysawtheyounggirlandthePenitentiary，andthentheflightoftheformertowardthehouse，theyputspurstotheirbeastsandenteredtheCalleReal，whereagreatmanyidlersstoodstilltogazeatthetraveller，asifhewereastrangerandanintruderinthepatriarchalcity。Turningpresentlytotherightandridinginthedirectionofthecathedral，whosemassivebulkdominatedthetown，theyenteredtheCalledelCondestable，inwhich，beingnarrowandpaved，thehoofsoftheanimalsclatterednoisily，alarmingthepeopleoftheneighborhood，whocametothewindowsandtothebalconiestosatisfytheircuriosity。Shuttersopenedwithagratingsoundandvariousfaces，almostallfeminine，appearedaboveandbelow。BythetimePepeReyhadreachedthethresholdofthehouseofPolentinosmanyanddiversecommentshadbeenalreadymadeonhisperson。
CHAPTERIV
THEARRIVALOFTHECOUSIN
WhenRosaritolefthimsoabruptlythePenitentiarylookedtowardthegardenwall，andseeingthefacesofLicurgoandhiscompanion，saidtohimself:
“Sotheprodigyisalreadyhere，then。”
Heremainedthoughtfulforsomemoments，hiscloak，graspedwithbothhands，foldedoverhisabdomen，hiseyesfixedontheground，hisgold-
rimmedspectaclesslippinggentlytowardthepointofhisnose，hisunder-lipmoistandprojecting，andhisiron-grayeyebrowsgatheredinaslightfrown。Hewasapiousandholyman，ofuncommonlearningandofirreproachableclericalhabits，alittlepasthissixtiethyear，affableinhismanners，courteousandkind，andgreatlyaddictedtogivingadviceandcounseltobothmenandwomen。FormanyyearspasthehadbeenmasterofLatinandrhetoricintheInstitute，whichnobleprofessionhadsuppliedhimwithalargefundofquotationsfromHoraceandoffloridmetaphors，whichheemployedwithwitandopportuneness。
Nothingmoreneedbesaidregardingthispersonage，butthat，assoonasheheardthetrotoftheanimalsapproachingtheCalledelCondestable，hearrangedthefoldsofhiscloak，straightenedhishat，whichwasnotaltogethercorrectlyplaceduponhisvenerablehead，and，walkingtowardthehouse，murmured:
“Letusgoandseethisparagon。”
MeanwhilePepewasalightingfromhisnag，andDonaPerfecta，herfacebathedintearsandbarelyabletoutterafewtremblingwords，thesincereexpressionofheraffection，wasreceivinghimatthegateitselfinherlovingarms。
“Pepe——buthowtallyouare！Andwithabeard。Why，itseemsonlyyesterdaythatIheldyouinmylap。Andnowyouareaman，agrown-upman。Well，well！Howtheyearspass！ThisismydaughterRosario。”
Asshesaidthistheyreachedtheparloronthegroundfloor，whichwasgenerallyusedasareception-room，andDonaPerfectapresentedherdaughtertoPepe。
Rosariowasagirlofdelicateandfragileappearance，thatrevealedatendencytopensivemelancholy。Inherdelicateandpurecountenancetherewassomethingofthesoft，pearlypallorwhichmostnovelistsattributetotheirheroines，andwithoutwhichsentimentalvarnishitappearsthatnoEnriquietaorJuliacanbeinteresting。ButwhatchieflydistinguishedRosariowasthatherfaceexpressedsomuchsweetnessandmodestythattheabsenceoftheperfectionsitlackedwasnotobserved。Thisisnottosaythatshewasplain；but，ontheotherhand，itistruethatitwouldbeanexaggerationtocallherbeautifulinthestrictestmeaningoftheword。TherealbeautyofDonaPerfecta\'sdaughterconsistedinaspeciesoftransparency，differentfromthatofpearl，alabaster，marble，oranyoftheothersubstancesusedindescriptionsofthehumancountenance；aspeciesoftransparencythroughwhichtheinmostdepthsofhersoulwereclearlyvisible；depthsnotcavernousandgloomy，likethoseofthesea，butlikethoseofaclearandplacidriver。Butthematerialwaswantingthereforacompletepersonality。Thechannelwaswanting，thebankswerewanting。Thevastwealthofherspiritoverflowed，threateningtowashawaythenarrowborders。Whenhercousinsalutedhersheblushedcrimson，andutteredonlyafewunintelligiblewords。
“Youmustbefaintingwithhunger，“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew。
“Youshallhaveyourbreakfastatonce。”
“Withyourpermission，“respondedthetraveller，“Iwillfirstgoandgetridofthedustofthejourney。”
“Thatisasensibleidea，“saidthesenora。“Rosario，takeyourcousintotheroomthatwehavepreparedforhim。Don\'tdelay，nephew。Iamgoingtogivethenecessaryorders。”
Rosariotookhercousintoahandsomeapartmentsituatedonthegroundfloor。ThemomentheentereditPeperecognizedinallthedetailsoftheroomthediligentandlovinghandofawoman。Allwasarrangedwithperfecttaste，andthepurityandfreshnessofeverythinginthischarmingnestinvitedtorepose。Theguestobservedminutedetailsthatmadehimsmile。
“Hereisthebell，“saidRosario，takinginherhandthebell-rope，thetasselofwhichhungovertheheadofthebed。“Allyouhavetodoistostretchoutyourhand。Thewriting-tableisplacedsothatyouwillhavethelightfromtheleft。See，inthisbasketyoucanthrowthewastepapers。Doyousmoke?“
“Unfortunately，yes，“respondedPepeRey。
“Well，then，youcanthrowtheendsofyourcigarshere，“shesaid，touchingwiththetipofhershoeautensilofgilt-brassfilledwithsand。“Thereisnothinguglierthantoseethefloorcoveredwithcigar-ends。Hereisthewashstand。Foryourclothesyouhaveawardrobeandabureau。Ithinkthisisabadplaceforthewatch-case；itwouldbebetterbesidethebed。Ifthelightannoysyou，allyouhavetodoistolowertheshadewiththiscord；see，thisway。”
Theengineerwasenchanted。
Rosaritoopenedoneofthewindows。
“Look，“shesaid，“thiswindowopensintothegarden。Thesuncomesinhereintheafternoon。Herewehavehungthecageofacanarythatsingsasifhewascrazy。Ifhissingingdisturbsyouwewilltakeitaway。”
Sheopenedanotherwindowontheoppositesideoftheroom。
“Thisotherwindow，“shecontinued，“looksoutonthestreet。Look；
fromhereyoucanseethecathedral；itisveryhandsome，andfullofbeautifulthings。AgreatmanyEnglishpeoplecometoseeit。Don\'topenbothwindowsatthesametime，becausedraughtsareverybad。”
“Mydearcousin，“saidPepe，hissoulinundatedwithaninexplicablejoy；“inallthatisbeforemyeyesIseeanangel\'shandthatcanbeonlyyours。Whatabeautifulroomthisis！ItseemstomeasifIhadlivedinitallmylife。Itinvitestopeace。”
Rosaritomadenoanswertotheseaffectionateexpressions，andlefttheroom，smiling。
“Makenodelay，“shesaidfromthedoor；“thedining-roomtooisdownstairs——inthecentreofthishall。”
UncleLicurgocameinwiththeluggage。Peperewardedhimwithaliberalitytowhichthecountrymanwasnotaccustomed，andthelatter，afterhumblythankingtheengineer，raisedhishandtohisheadwithahesitatingmovement，andinanembarrassedtone，andmumblinghiswords，hesaidhesitatingly:
“WhenwillitbemostconvenientformetospeaktoSenorDonJoseabouta——alittlematterofbusiness?“
“Alittlematterofbusiness?Atonce，“respondedPepe，openingoneofhistrunks。
“Thisisnotasuitabletime，“saidthecountryman。“WhenSenorDonJosehasresteditwillbetimeenough。Therearemoredaysthansausages，asthesayingis；andafteronedaycomesanother。Restnow，SenorDonJose。Wheneveryouwanttotakearide——thenagisnotbad。
Well，good-day，SenorDonJose。Iammuchobligedtoyou。Ah！Ihadforgotten，“headded，returningafewmomentslater。“Ifyouhaveanymessageforthemunicipaljudge——Iamgoingnowtospeaktohimaboutourlittleaffair。”
“Givehimmycompliments，“saidPepegayly，nobetterwayofgettingridoftheSpartanlegislatoroccurringtohim。
“Good-by，then，SenorDonJose。”
“Good-by。”