TheengineerhadnotyettakenhisclothesoutofthetrunkwhenforthethirdtimetheshrewdeyesandthecraftyfaceofUncleLicurgoappearedinthedoor-way。
“Ibegyourpardon，SenorDonJose，“hesaid，displayinghisbrilliantlywhiteteethinanaffectedsmile，“but——Iwantedtosaythatifyouwishtosettlethematterbymeansoffriendlyarbitrations——Although，asthesayingis，'Askotherpeople'sopinionofsomethingthatconcernsonlyyourself，andsomewillsayitiswhiteandothersblack。'“
“Willyougetawayfromhere，man?“
“Isaythat，becauseIhatethelaw。Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowiththelaw。Well，good-by，again，SenorDonJose。Godgiveyoulonglifetohelpthepoor！“
“Good-by，man，good-by。”
Pepeturnedthekeyinthelockofthedoor，sayingtohimself:
“Thepeopleofthistownappeartobeverylitigious。”
CHAPTERV
WILLTHEREBEDISSENSION?
AlittlelaterPepemadehisappearanceinthedining-room。
“Ifyoueataheartybreakfast，“saidDonaPerfectatohim，inaffectionateaccents，“youwillhavenoappetitefordinner。Wedinehereatone。Perhapsyoumaynotlikethecustomsofthecountry。”
“Iamenchantedwiththem，aunt。”
“Say，then，whichyouprefer——toeataheartybreakfastnow，ortotakesomethinglight，andkeepyourappetitefordinner。”
“Iprefertotakesomethinglightnow，inordertohavethepleasureofdiningwithyou。ButnotevenifIhadfoundanythingtoeatinVillahorrenda，wouldIhaveeatenanythingatthisearlyhour。”
“Ofcourse，Ineednottellyouthatyouaretotreatuswithperfectfrankness。Youmaygiveyourordershereasifyouwereinyourownhouse。”
“Thanks，aunt。”
“Buthowlikeyourfatheryouare！“saidthesenora，regardingtheyoungman，asheate，withrealdelight。“IcanfancyIamlookingnowatmydearbrotherJuan。Hesatjustasyouaresittingandateasyouareeating。Inyourexpression，especially，youareaslikeastwodropsofwater。”
Pepebeganhisfrugalbreakfast。Thewords，aswellasthemannerandtheexpression，ofhisauntandcousininspiredhimwithsomuchconfidencethathealreadyfeltasifhewereinhisownhouse。
“DoyouknowwhatRosariowassayingtomethismorning?“saidDonaPerfecta，lookingathernephew。“Well，shewassayingthat，asamanaccustomedtotheluxuriesandtheetiquetteofthecapitalandtoforeignways，youwouldnotbeabletoputupwiththesomewhatrusticsimplicityandthelackofceremonyofourmanneroflife；forhereeverythingisveryplain。”
“Whatamistake！“respondedPepe，lookingathiscousin。“NooneabhorsmorethanIdothefalsenessandthehypocrisyofwhatiscalledhighsociety。Believeme，Ihavelongwishedtogivemyselfacompletebathinnature，assomeonehassaid；tolivefarfromtheturmoilofexistenceinthesolitudeandquietofthecountry。Ilongforthetranquillityofalifewithoutstrife，withoutanxieties；neitherenvyingnorenvied，asthepoethassaid。Foralongtimemystudiesatfirst，andmyworkafterward，preventedmefromtakingtherestwhichI
need，andwhichmymindandmybodybothrequire；buteversinceI
enteredthishouse，mydearaunt，mydearcousin，IhavefeltmyselfsurroundedbythepeacefulatmospherewhichIhavelongedfor。Youmustnottalktome，then，ofsociety，eitherhighorlow；oroftheworld，eithergreatorsmall，forIwouldwillinglyexchangethemallforthispeacefulretreat。”
Whilehewasthusspeaking，theglassdoorwhichledfromthedining-
roomintothegardenwasobscuredbytheinterpositionbetweenitandthelightofadarkbody。Theglassesofapairofspectacles，catchingasunbeam，sentforthafugitivegleam；thelatchcreaked，thedooropened，andthePenitentiarygravelyenteredtheroom。Hesalutedthosepresent，takingoffhisbroad-brimmedhatandbowinguntilitsbrimtouchedthefloor。
“ItistheSenorPenitentiary，ofourholycathedral，“saidDonaPerfecta:“apersonwhomweallesteemgreatly，andwhosefriendyouwill，Ihope，be。Takeaseat，SenorDonInocencio。”
Pepeshookhandswiththevenerablecanon，andbothsatdown。
“Ifyouareaccustomedtosmokeaftermeals，praydoso，“saidDonaPerfectaamiably；“andtheSenorPenitentiaryalso。”
TheworthyDonInocenciodrewfromunderhiscassockalargeleathercigar-case，whichshowedunmistakablesignsoflonguse，openedit，andtookfromittwolongcigarettes，oneofwhichheofferedtoourfriend。Rosariotookamatchfromalittleleaf-shapedmatchbox，whichtheSpaniardsironicallycallawagon，andtheengineerandthecanonweresoonpuffingtheirsmokeovereachother。
“AndwhatdoesSenorDonJosethinkofourdearcityofOrbajosa?“
askedthecanon，shuttinghislefteyetightly，accordingtohishabitwhenhesmoked。
“Ihavenotyetbeenabletoformanideaofthetown，“saidPepe。
“FromthelittleIhaveseenofit，however，Ithinkthathalfadozenlargecapitalistsdisposedtoinvesttheirmoneyhere，apairofintelligentheadstodirecttheworkofrenovatingtheplace，andacoupleofthousandsofactivehandstocarryitout，wouldnotbeabadthingforOrbajosa。Comingfromtheentrancetothetowntothedoorofthishouse，Isawmorethanahundredbeggars。Thegreaterpartofthemarehealthy，andevenrobustmen。Itisapitiablearmy，thesightofwhichoppressestheheart。”
“Thatiswhatcharityisfor，“declaredDonInocencio。“Apartfromthat，Orbajosaisnotapoortown。YouarealreadyawarethatthebestgarlicinallSpainisproducedhere。Therearemorethantwentyrichfamilieslivingamongus。”
“Itistrue，saidDonaPerfecta，“thatthelastfewyearshavebeenwretched，owingtothedrought；butevenso，thegranariesarenotempty，andseveralthousandsofstringsofgarlicwererecentlycarriedtomarket。”
“DuringthemanyyearsthatIhavelivedinOrbajosa，“saidthepriest，withafrown，“Ihaveseeninnumerablepersonscomeherefromthecapital，somebroughtbytheelectoralhurly-burly，otherstovisitsomeabandonedsite，ortoseetheantiquitiesofthecathedral，andtheyalltalktousabouttheEnglishploughsandthreshing-machinesandwater-powerandbanks，andIdon'tknowhowmanyotherabsurdities。
Theburdenoftheirsongisthatthisplaceisverybackward，andthatitcouldbeimproved。Letthemkeepawayfromus，inthedevil'sname！
Wearewellenoughasweare，withoutthegentlemenfromthecapitalvisitingus；agreatdealbetteroffwithouthearingthatcontinualclamoraboutourpovertyandthegrandeursandthewondersofotherplaces。Thefoolinhisownhouseiswiserthanthewisemaninanother's。Isitnotso，SenorDonJose?Ofcourse，youmustn'timagine，evenremotely，thatIsaythisonyouraccount。Notatall！Ofcoursenot！IknowthatwehavebeforeusoneofthemosteminentyoungmenofmodernSpain，amanwhowouldbeabletotransformintofertilelandsouraridwastes。AndIamnotatallangrybecauseyousingusthesameoldsongabouttheEnglishploughsandarboricultureandsilviculture。
Notintheleast。Menofsuchgreat，suchverygreatmerit，maybeexcusedforthecontemptwhichtheymanifestforourlittleness。No，no，myfriend；no，no，SenorDonJose！youareentitledtosayanythingyouplease，eventotellusthatwearenotmuchbetterthanKaffirs。”
Thisphilippic，concludedinamarkedtoneofirony，andallofitimpertinentenough，didnotpleasetheyoungman；butherefrainedfrommanifestingtheslightestannoyanceandcontinuedtheconversation，endeavoringtoavoidasfaraspossiblethesubjectsinwhichtheover-
sensitivepatriotismofthecanonmightfindcauseofoffence。ThelatterrosewhenDonaPerfectabegantospeaktohernephewaboutfamilymatters，andtookafewturnsabouttheroom。
Thiswasaspaciousandwell-lightedapartment，thewallsofwhichwerecoveredwithanold-fashionedpaperwhoseflowersandbranches，althoughfaded，preservedtheiroriginalpattern，thankstothecleanlinesswhichreignedineachandeverypartofthedwelling。Theclock，fromthecaseofwhichhung，uncovered，theapparentlymotionlessweightsandthevolublependulum，perpetuallyrepeatingNo，no，occupied，withitsvariegateddial，themostprominentplaceamongthesolidpiecesoffurnitureofthedining-room，theadornmentofthewallsbeingcompletedbyaseriesofFrenchengravingsrepresentingtheexploitsoftheconquerorofMexico，withprolixexplanationsatthefootofeachconcerningaFerdinandCortez，andaDonnaMarine，aslittletruetonatureaswerethefiguresdelineatedbytheignorantartist。Inthespacebetweenthetwoglassdoorswhichcommunicatedwiththegardenwasanapparatusofbrass，whichitisnotnecessarytodescribefurtherthantosaythatitservedtosupportaparrot，whichmaintaineditselfonitwiththeairofgravityandcircumspectionpeculiartothoseanimals，takingnoteofeverythingthatwenton。Thehardandironicalexpressionoftheparrottribe，theirgreencoats，theirredcaps，theiryellowboots，andfinally，thehoarse，mockingwordswhichtheygenerallyutter，givethemastrangeandrepulsiveaspect，halfserious，half-comic。Thereisintheirairanindescribablesomethingofthestiffnessofdiplomats。Attimestheyremindoneofbuffoons，andtheyalwaysresemblethoseabsurdlyconceitedpeoplewho，intheirdesiretoappearverysuperior，looklikecaricatures。
ThePenitentiarywasveryfondoftheparrot。WhenheleftDonaPerfectaandRosarioconversingwiththetraveller，hewentovertothebird，and，allowingittobitehisforefingerwiththegreatestgoodhumor，saidtoit:
“Rascal，knave，whydon'tyoutalk?Youwouldbeoflittleaccountifyouweren'taprater。Theworldofbirds，aswellasmen，isfullofpraters。”
Then，withhisownvenerablehand，hetooksomepeasfromthedishbesidehim，andgavethemtothebirdtoeat。Theparrotbegantocalltothemaid，askingherforsomechocolate，anditswordsdivertedthetwoladiesandtheyoungmanfromaconversationwhichcouldnothavebeenveryengrossing。
CHAPTERVI
INWHICHITISSEENTHATDISAGREEMENTMAYARISEWHENLEASTEXPECTED
SuddenlyDonCayetanoPolentinos，DonaPerfecta'sbrother-in-law，appearedatthedoor，andenteringtheroomwithoutstretchedarms，cried:
“Letmeembraceyou，mydearDonJose。”
Theyembracedeachothercordially。DonCayetanoandPepewerealreadyacquaintedwitheachother，fortheeminentscholarandbibliophilewasinthehabitofmakingatriptoMadridwheneveranexecutor'ssaleofthestockofsomedealerinoldbookswasadvertised。DonCayetanowastallandthin，ofmiddleage，althoughconstantstudyorill-healthhadgivenhimawornappearance；heexpressedhimselfwitharefinedcorrectnesswhichbecamehimadmirably，andhewasaffectionateandamiableinhismanners，attimestoexcess。Withrespecttohisvastlearning，whatcanbesaidbutthathewasarealprodigy?InMadridhisnamewasalwaysmentionedwithrespect，andifDonCayetanohadlivedinthecapital，hecouldnothaveescapedbecomingamember，inspiteofhismodesty，ofeveryacademyinit，past，present，andtocome。Buthewasfondofquietandretirement，andtheplacewhichvanityoccupiesinthesoulsofothers，apurepassionforbooks，aloveofsolitaryandsecludedstudy，withoutanyotheraimorincentivethanthebooksandthestudythemselves，occupiedinhis。
HehadformedinOrbajosaoneofthefinestlibrariesthatistobefoundinallSpain，andamonghisbookshepassedlonghoursofthedayandofthenight，compiling，classifying，takingnotes，andselectingvarioussortsofpreciousinformation，orcomposing，perhaps，somehithertounheard-ofandundreamed-ofwork，worthyofsogreatamind。
Hishabitswerepatriarchal；heatelittle，drankless，andhisonlydissipationsconsistedofaluncheonintheAlamillosonverygreatoccasions，anddailywalkstoaplacecalledMundogrande，wherewereoftendisinterredfromtheaccumulateddustoftwentycenturies，medals，bitsofarchitecture，andoccasionallyanamphoraorcubiculariaofinestimablevalue。
DonCayetanoandDonaPerfectalivedinsuchperfectharmonythatthepeaceofParadisewasnottobecomparedtoit。Theyneverdisagreed。
ItistruethatDonCayetanoneverinterferedintheaffairsofthehousenorDonaPerfectainthoseofthelibrary，excepttohaveitsweptanddustedeverySaturday，regardingwithreligiousrespectthebooksandpapersthatwereinuseonthetableoranywhereelseintheroom。
AfterthequestionsandanswerspropertotheoccasionhadbeeninterchangedDonCayetanosaid:
“Ihavealreadylookedatthebooks。Iamverysorrythatyoudidnotbringmetheeditionof1527。IshallhavetomakeajourneytoMadridmyself。Areyougoingtoremainwithuslong?Thelongerthebetter，mydearPepe。HowgladIamtohaveyouhere！BetweenusbothwewillarrangeapartofmylibraryandmakeanindexofthewritersontheArtofHorsemanship。Itisnotalwaysonehasathandamanofyourtalents。Youshallseemylibrary。Youcantakeyourfillofreadingthere——asoftenasyoulike。Youwillseemarvels，realmarvels，inestimabletreasures，rareworksthatnoonebutmyselfhasacopyof。
ButIthinkitmustbetimefordinner，isitnot，Jose?Isitnot，Perfecta?Isitnot，Rosarito?Isitnot，SenorDonInocencio?To-dayyouaredoublyaPenitentiary——Imeanbecauseyouwillaccompanyusindoingpenance。”
Thecanonbowedandsmiled，manifestinghispleasedacquiescence。Thedinnerwassubstantial，andinallthedishestherewasnoticeabletheexcessiveabundanceofcountrybanquets，realizedattheexpenseofvariety。Therewasenoughtosurfeittwiceasmanypersonsassatdowntotable。Theconversationturnedonvarioussubjects。
“Youmustvisitourcathedralassoonaspossible，“saidthecanon。
“Therearefewcathedralslikeours，SenorDonJose！Butofcourseyou，whohaveseensomanywondersinforeigncountries，willfindnothingremarkableinouroldchurch。WepoorprovincialsofOrbajosa，however，thinkitdivine。MasterLopezofBerganza，oneoftheprebendariesofthecathedral，calleditinthesixteenthcentury/pulchraaugustissima/。Butperhapsforamanofyourlearningitwouldpossessnomerit，andsomemarketconstructedofironwouldseemmorebeautiful。”
TheironicalremarksofthewilycanonannoyedPepeReymoreandmoreeverymoment，but，determinedtocontrolhimselfandtoconcealhisanger，heansweredonlywithvaguewords。DonaPerfectathentookupthethemeandsaidplayfully:
“Takecare，Pepito；Iwarnyouthatifyouspeakillofourholychurchweshallceasetobefriends。Youknowagreatdeal，youareamaneminentforyourknowledgeoneverysubject，butifyouaregoingtodiscoverthatthatgrandedificeisnottheeighthwonderoftheworldyouwilldowelltokeepyourknowledgetoyourselfandleaveusinourignorance。”
“Farfromthinkingthatthebuildingisnothandsome，“respondedPepe，“thelittleIhaveseenofitsexteriorhasseemedtomeofimposingbeauty。Sothereisnoneedforyoutobealarmed，aunt。AndIamveryfarfrombeingasavant。”
“Softly；softly，“saidthecanon，extendinghishandandgivinghismouthatrucefromeatinginordertotalk。“Stopthere——don'tcomenowpretendingmodesty，SenorDonJose；wearetoowellawareofyourgreatmerit，ofthehighreputationyouenjoyandtheimportantpartyouplaywhereveryouare，forthat。Menlikeyouarenottobemetwitheveryday。ButnowthatIhaveextolledyourmeritsinthisway——“
Hestoppedtoeatamouthful，andwhenhistonguewasoncemoreatlibertyhecontinuedthus:
“NowthatIhaveextolledyourmeritsinthisway，permitmetoexpressadifferentopinionwiththefranknesswhichbelongstomycharacter。
Yes，SenorDonJose，yes，SenorDonCayetano；yes，senoraandsenorita，science，asthemodernsstudyandpropagateit，isthedeathofsentimentandofeverysweetillusion。Underitsinfluencethelifeofthespiritdeclines，everythingisreducedtofixedrules，andeventhesublimecharmsofnaturedisappear。Sciencedestroysthemarvellousinthearts，aswellasfaithinthesoul。Sciencesaysthateverythingisalie，andwouldreduceeverythingtofiguresandlines，notonly/mariaacterras/，whereweare，but/coelumqueprofundum/，whereGodis。Thewonderfulvisionsofthesoul，itsmysticraptures，eventheinspirationofthepoets，areallalie。Theheartisasponge；thebrain，aplaceforbreedingmaggots。”
Everyonelaughed，whilethecanontookadraughtofwine。
“Come，now，willSenorDonJosedeny，“continuedtheecclesiastic，“thatscience，asitistaughtandpropagatedto-day，isfastmakingoftheworldandofthehumanraceagreatmachine?“
“Thatdepends，“saidDonCayetano。“Everythinghasits/pro/andits/contra/。”
“Takesomemoresalad，SenorPenitentiary，“saidDonaPerfecta；“itisjustasyoulikeit——withagooddealofmustard。”
PepeReywasnotfondofengaginginuselessdiscussions；hewasnotapedant，nordidhedesiretomakeadisplayofhislearning，andstilllessdidhewishtodosointhepresenceofwomen，andinaprivatere-union；buttheimportunateandaggressiveverbosityofthecanonrequired，inhisopinion，acorrective。Toflatterhisvanitybyagreeingwithhisviewswould，hethought，beabadwaytogiveittohim，andhedeterminedthereforetoexpressonlysuchopinionsasshouldbemostdirectlyopposedtothoseofthesarcasticPenitentiaryandmostoffensivetohim。
“Soyouwishtoamuseyourselfatmyexpense，“hesaidtohimself。
“Wait，andyouwillseewhatafinedanceIwillleadyou。”
Thenhesaidaloud:
“AllthattheSenorPenitentiaryhassaidironicallyisthetruth。Butitisnotourfaultifscienceoverturnsdayafterdaythevainidolsofthepast:itssuperstitions，itssophisms，itsinnumerablefables——beautiful，someofthem，ridiculousothers——forinthevineyardoftheLordgrowbothgoodfruitandbad。Theworldofillusions，whichis，aswemightsay，asecondworld，istumblingaboutusinruins。
Mysticisminreligion，routineinscience，mannerisminart，arefalling，asthePagangodsfell，amidjests。Farewell，foolishdreams！
thehumanraceisawakeninganditseyesbeholdthelight。Itsvainsentimentalism，itsmysticism，itsfevers，itshallucination，itsdeliriumarepassingaway，andhewhowasbeforesickisnowwellandtakesanineffabledelightinthejustappreciationofthings。
Imagination，theterriblemadwoman，whowasthemistressofthehouse，hasbecometheservant。Lookaroundyou，SenorPenitentiary，andyouwillseetheadmirableaggregationoftruthswhichhastakentheplaceoffable。Theskyisnotavault；thestarsarenotlittlelamps；themoonisnotasportivehuntress，butanopaquemassofstone；thesunisnotagaylyadornedandvagabondcharioteerbutafixedfire；ScyllaandCharybdisarenotnymphsbutsunkenrocks；thesirensareseals；
andintheorderofpersonages，MercuryisManzanedo；Marsisaclean-
shavenoldman，theCountvonMoltke；Nestormaybeagentlemaninanovercoat，whoiscalledM。Thiers；OrpheusisVerdi；VulcanisKrupp；
Apolloisanypoet。Doyouwishmore?Well，then，Jupiter，agodwho，ifhewerelivingnow，woulddeservetobeputinjail，doesnotlaunchthethunderbolt，butthethunderboltfallswhenelectricitywillsit。
ThereisnoParnassus；thereisnoOlympus；thereisnoStygianlake；
norarethereanyotherElysianFieldsthanthoseofParis。ThereisnootherdescenttohellthanthedescentsofGeology，andthistraveller，everytimehereturnsfromit，declaresthattherearenodamnedsoulsinthecentreoftheearth。TherearenootherascentstoheaventhanthoseofAstronomy，andshe，onherreturn，declaresthatshehasnotseenthesixorsevencirclesofwhichDanteandthemysticaldreamersoftheMiddleAgesspeak。Shefindsonlystarsanddistances，lines，vastspaces，andnothingmore。Therearenownofalsecomputationsoftheageoftheearth，forpaleontologyandprehistoricresearchhavecountedtheteethofthisskullinwhichweliveanddiscoveredthetrueage。Fable，whetheritbecalledpaganismorChristianidealism，existsnolonger，andimaginationplaysonlyasecondarypart。AllthemiraclespossiblearesuchasIwork，wheneverIdesiretodoso，inmylaboratory，withmyBunsenpile，aconductingwire，andamagnetizedneedle。TherearenownoothermultiplicationsofloavesandfishesthanthosewhichIndustrymakes，withhermouldsandhermachines，andthoseoftheprintingpress，whichimitatesNature，takingfromasingletypemillionsofcopies。Inshort，mydearcanon，ordershavebeengiventoputontheretiredlistalltheabsurdities，lies，illusions，dreams，sentimentalities，andprejudiceswhichdarkentheunderstandingofman。Letusrejoiceatthefact。”
WhenPepefinishedspeaking，afurtivesmileplayeduponthecanon'slipsandhiseyeswereextraordinarilyanimated。DonCayetanobusiedhimselfingivingvariousforms——nowrhomboidal，nowprismatic——toalittleballofbread。ButDonaPerfectawaspaleandkepthereyesfixedonthecanonwithobservantinsistence。Rosaritolookedwithamazementathercousin。Thelatter，bendingtowardher，whisperedunderhisbreath:
“Don'tmindme，littlecousin；Iamtalkingallthisnonsenseonlytoenragethecanon。”
CHAPTERVII
THEDISAGREEMENTINCREASES
“Perhapsyouthink，“saidDonaPerfecta，withatingeofconceitinhertones，“thatSenorDonInocencioisgoingtoremainsilentandnotgiveyouananswertoeachandeveryoneofthosepoints。”
“Oh，no！“exclaimedthecanon，archinghiseyebrows。“Iwillnotattempttomeasuremypoorabilitieswithachampionsovaliantandatthesametimesowellarmed。SenorDonJoseknowseverything；thatistosay，hehasathiscommandthewholearsenaloftheexactsciences。
OfcourseIknowthatthedoctrinesheupholdsarefalse；butIhaveneitherthetalentnortheeloquencetocombatthem。Iwouldemploytheologicalarguments，drawnfromrevelation，fromfaith，fromtheDivineWord；butalas！SenorDonJose，whoisaneminentsavant，wouldlaughattheology，atfaith，atrevelation，attheholyprophets，atthegospel。Apoorignorantpriest，anunhappymanwhoknowsneithermathematics，norGermanphilosophywithits/ego/andits/nonego/，apoordominie，whoknowsonlythescienceofGodandsomethingoftheLatinpoets，cannotenterintocombatwithsovaliantachampion。”
PepeReyburstintoafranklaugh。
“IseethatSenorDonInocencio，“hesaid，“hastakenseriouslyallthenonsenseIhavebeentalking。Come，SenorCanon，regardthewholematterasajest，andletitendthere。Iamquitesurethatmyopinionsdonotinrealitydiffergreatlyfromyours。Youareapiousandlearnedman；itisIwhoamignorant。IfIhaveallowedmyselftospeakinjest，pardonme，allofyou——thatismyway。”
“Thanks！“respondedthepresbyter，visiblyannoyed。“Isthatthewayyouwanttogetoutofitnow?Iamwellaware，weareallwellaware，thattheviewsyouhavesustainedareyourown。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。Youarethemanoftheage。Itcannotbedeniedthatyouhaveawonderful，atrulywonderfulintellect。Whileyouweretalking，atthesametimethatIinwardlydeplorederrorssogreat，Icouldnotbutadmire，Iwillconfessitfrankly，theloftinessofexpression，theprodigiousfluency，thesurprisingmethodofyourreasoning，theforceofyourarguments。Whatahead，SenoraDonaPerfecta，whataheadyouryoungnephewhas！WhenIwasinMadridandtheytookmetotheAtheneum，IconfessthatIwasamazedtoseethewonderfultalentwhichGodhasbestowedontheatheistsandtheProtestants。”
“SenorDonInocencio，“saidDonaPerfecta，lookingalternatelyathernephewandherfriend，“Ithinkthatinjudgingthisboyyouaremorethanbenevolent。Don'tgetangry，Pepe，ormindwhatIsay，forIamneitherasavante，noraphilosopher，noratheologian；butitseemstomethatSenorDonInocenciohasjustgivenaproofofhisgreatmodestyandChristiancharityinnotcrushingyouashecouldhavedoneifhehadwished。”
“Oh，senora！“saidtheecclesiastic。
“Thatisthewaywithhim，“continuedDonaPerfecta，“alwayspretendingtoknownothing。Andheknowsmorethanthesevendoctorsputtogether。
Ah，SenorDonInocencio，howwellthenameyouhavesuitsyou！Butdon'taffectanunseasonablehumilitynow。Why，mynephewhasnopretensions。Allheknowsiswhathehasbeentaught。Ifhehasbeentaughterror，whatmorecanhedesirethanthatyoushouldenlightenhimandtakehimoutofthelimboofhisfalsedoctrines?“
“Justso；IdesirenothingmorethanthattheSenorPenitentiaryshouldtakemeout，“——murmuredPepe，comprehendingthatwithoutintendingit，hehadgothimselfintoalabyrinth。
“Iamapoorpriest，whoseonlylearningissomeknowledgeoftheancients，“respondedDonInocencio。“Irecognizetheimmensevalue，fromaworldlypointofview，ofSenorDonJose'sscientificknowledge，andbeforesobrilliantanoracleIprostratemyselfandamsilent。”
Sosaying，thecanonfoldedhishandsacrosshisbreastandbenthishead。PepeReywassomewhatdisturbedbecauseoftheturnwhichhismindhadchosentogivetoanidlediscussionjestinglyfollowedup，andinwhichhehadengagedonlytoenliventheconversationalittle。
Hethoughtthatthemostprudentcoursetopursuewouldbetoendatoncesodangerousadebate，andforthispurposeheaddressedaquestiontoSenorDonCayetanowhenthelatter，shakingoffthedrowsinesswhichhadovercomehimafterthedessert，offeredthegueststheindispensabletoothpicksstuckinachinapeacockwithoutspreadtail。
“YesterdayIdiscoveredahandgraspingthehandleofanamphora，onwhichthereareanumberofhieraticcharacters。Iwillshowittoyou，“saidDonCayetano，delightedtointroduceafavoritetheme。
“IsupposethatSenordeReyisveryexpertinarchaeologicalmattersalso，“saidthecanon，who，stillimplacable，pursuedhisvictimtohislastretreat。
“Ofcourse，“saidDonaPerfecta。“Whatistherethatthesecleverchildrenofourdaydonotunderstand?Theyhaveallthesciencesattheirfingers'ends。Theuniversitiesandtheacademicsteachthemeverythinginatwinkling，givingthemapatentoflearning。”
“Oh，thatisunjust！“respondedthecanon，observingthepainedexpressionoftheengineer'scountenance。
“Myauntisright，“declaredPepe。“Atthepresentdaywelearnalittleofeverything，andleaveschoolwiththerudimentsofvariousstudies。”
“Iwassaying，“continuedthecanon，“thatyouarenodoubtagreatarchaeologist。”
“Iknowabsolutelynothingofthatscience，“respondedtheyoungman。
“Ruinsareruins，andIhavenevercaredtocovermyselfwithdustgoingamongthem。”
DonCayetanomadeanexpressivegrimace。
“ThatisnottosaythatIcondemnarchaeology，“saidDonaPerfecta'snephewquickly，observingwithpainthathecouldnotutterawordwithoutwoundingsomeone。“Iknowthatfromthatdustissueshistory。
Thosestudiesaredelightfulandveryuseful。”
“You，“saidthePenitentiary，puttinghistoothpickintothelastofhisbackteeth，“arenodoubtmoreinclinedtocontroversialstudies。
Anexcellentideahasjustoccurredtome，SenorDonJose；yououghttobealawyer。”
“LawisaprofessionwhichIabhor，“repliedPepeRey。“Iknowmanyestimablelawyers，amongthemmyfather，whoisthebestofmen；but，inspiteofsofavorableaspecimen，Icouldneverhadbroughtmyselftopractiseaprofessionwhichconsistsindefendingwithequalreadinessthe/pro/andthe/contra/ofaquestion。Iknowofnogreatermisjudgment，nogreaterprejudice，nogreaterblindness，thanparentsshowintheireagernesstodedicatetheirsonstothelaw。ThechiefandthemostterribleplagueofSpainisthecrowdofouryounglawyers，forwhoseexistenceafabulousnumberoflawsuitsarenecessary。Lawsuitsmultiplyinproportiontothedemand。Andeventhus，numbersareleftwithoutemployment，and，asajurisconsultcannotputhishandtotheploughorseathimselfattheloom，theresultisthatbrilliantsquadronofidlersfullofpretensions，whoclamorforplaces，embarrasstheadministration，agitatepublicopinion，andbreedrevolutions。Insomewaytheymustmakealiving。Itwouldbeagreatermisfortuneiftherewerelawsuitsenoughforallofthem。”
“Pepe，forHeaven'ssake，takecarewhatyousay，“saidDonaPerfecta，inatoneofmarkedseverity。“Butexcusehim，SenorDonInocencio，forheisnotawarethatyouhaveanephewwho，althoughhehasonlylatelylefttheuniversity，isaprodigyinthelaw。”
“Ispeakingeneralterms，“saidPepe，withfirmness。“Being，asIam，thesonofadistinguishedlawyer，Icannotbeignorantofthefactthattherearemanymenwhopractisethatnobleprofessionwithhonortothemselves。”
“No；mynephewisonlyaboyyet，“saidthecanon，withaffectedhumility。“Farbeitfrommetoassertthatheisaprodigyoflearning，likeSenordeRey。Intime，whocantell?Histalentsareneitherbrilliantnorseductive。Ofcourse，Jacinto'sideasaresolidandhisjudgmentissound。Whatheknowsheknowsthoroughly。Heisunacquaintedwithsophistriesandhollowphrases。”
PepeReyappearedeverymomentmoreandmoredisturbed。Theideathat，withoutdesiringit，hisopinionsshouldbeinoppositiontothoseofthefriendsofhisaunt，vexedhim，andheresolvedtoremainsilentlestheandDonInocencioshouldendbythrowingtheplatesateachother'sheads。Fortunatelythecathedralbell，callingthecanontotheimportantdutiesofthechoir，extricatedhimfromhispainfulposition。Thevenerableecclesiasticroseandtookleaveofeveryone，treatingReywithasmuchamiabilityandkindnessasiftheyhadbeenoldanddearfriends。Thecanon，afterofferinghisservicestoPepeforallthathemightrequire，promisedtopresenthisnephewtohiminorderthattheyoungmanmightaccompanyhimtoseethetown，speakinginthemostaffectionatetermsanddeigning，onleavingtheroom，topathimontheshoulder。PepeRey，acceptingwithpleasuretheseformulasofconcord，neverthelessfeltindescribablyrelievedwhenthepriesthadleftthedining-roomandthehouse。
CHAPTERVIII
INALLHASTE
Alittlelaterthescenehadchanged。DonCayetano，findingrestfromhissublimelaborsinagentleslumberthathadovercomehimafterdinner，reclinedcomfortablyinanarm-chairinthedining-room。
Rosarito，seatedatoneofthewindowsthatopenedintothegarden，glancedathercousin，sayingtohimwiththemuteeloquenceofhereyes:
“Cousin，sitdownherebesidemeandtellmeeverythingyouhavetosaytome。”
Hercousin，mathematicianthoughhewas，understood。
“Mydearcousin，“saidPepe，“howyoumusthavebeenboredthisafternoonbyourdisputes！HeavenknowsthatformyownpleasureI
wouldnothaveplayedthepedantasIdid；thecanonwastoblameforit。Doyouknowthatthatpriestappearstometobeasingularcharacter?“
“Heisanexcellentperson！“respondedRosarito，showingthedelightshefeltatbeingabletogivehercousinallthedataandtheinformationthathemightrequire。
“Oh，yes！Anexcellentperson。Thatisveryevident！“
“Whenyouknowhimalittlebetter，youwillseethat。”
“Thatheisbeyondallprice！Butitisenoughforhimtobeyourfriendandyourmamma'stobemyfriendalso，“declaredtheyoungman。
“Anddoeshecomehereoften?“
“Everyday。Hespendsagreatdealofhistimewithus，“respondedRosaritoingenuously。“Howgoodandkindheis！Andhowfondheisofme！“
“Come！Ibegintolikethisgentleman。”
“Hecomesintheevening，besides，toplaytresillo，“continuedtheyounggirl；“foreverynightsomefriendsmeethere——thejudgeofthelowercourt，theattorney-general，thedean，thebishop'ssecretary，thealcalde，thecollectoroftaxes，DonInocencio'snephew——“
“Ah！Jacintito，thelawyer。”
“Yes；heisasimple-heartedboy，asgoodasgold。Hisuncleadoreshim。Sincehereturnedfromtheuniversitywithhisdoctor'stassel——
forheisadoctorintwosciences，andhetookhonorsbesides——whatdoyouthinkofthat?——well，asIwassaying，sincehisreturn，hehascomehereveryoftenwithhisuncle。Mammatooisveryfondofhim。Heisaverysensibleboy。Hegoeshomeearlywithhisuncle；henevergoesatnighttotheCasino，norplaysnorsquandersmoney，andheisemployedintheofficeofDonLorenzoRuiz，whoisthebestlawyerinOrbajosa。TheysayJacintowillbeagreatlawyer，too。”
“Hisuncledidnotexaggeratewhenhepraisedhim，then，“saidPepe。“I
amverysorrythatItalkedallthatnonsenseIdidaboutlawyers。I
wasveryperverse，wasInot，mydearcousin?“
“Notatall；formypart，Ithinkyouwerequiteright。”
“But，really，wasInotalittle——“
“Notintheleast，notintheleast！“
“Whataweightyouhavetakenoffmymind！ThetruthisthatIfoundmyselfconstantly，andwithoutknowingwhy，indistressingoppositiontothatvenerablepriest。Iamverysorryforit。”
“WhatIthink，“saidRosarito，lookingathimwitheyesfullofaffection，“isthatyouwillnotfindyourselfathomeamongus。”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?“
“Idon'tknowwhetherIcanmakemyselfquiteclear，cousin。ImeanthatitwillnotbeeasyforyoutoaccustomyourselftothesocietyandtheideasofthepeopleofOrbajosa。Iimagineso——itisasupposition。”
“Oh，no！Ithinkyouaremistaken。”
“Youcomefromadifferentplace，fromanotherworld，wherethepeopleareveryclever，andverylearned，andhaverefinedmanners，andawittywayoftalking，andanair——perhapsIamnotmakingmyselfclear。
Imeanthatyouareaccustomedtoliveamongpeopleofrefinement；youknowagreatdeal。Herethereisnotwhatyouneed；herethepeoplearenotlearnedorverypolished。Everythingisplain，Pepe。Iimagineyouwillbebored，terriblybored，andthatintheendyouwillhavetogoaway。”
TheexpressionofsadnesswhichwasnaturalinRosarito'scountenanceherebecamesoprofoundthatPepeReywasdeeplymoved。
“Youaremistaken，mydearcousin。Ididnotcomeherewiththeideasyoufancy，noristherebetweenmycharacterandmyopinionsandthecharacterandopinionsofthepeopleherethewantofharmonyyouimagine。Butletussupposeforamomentthattherewere。”
“Letussupposeit。”
“InthatcaseIhavethefirmconvictionthatbetweenyouandme，betweenustwo，dearRosarito，perfectharmonywouldstillexist。OnthispointIcannotbemistaken。MyhearttellsmethatIamnotmistaken。”
Rosaritoblusheddeeply，butmakinganefforttoconcealherembarrassmentundersmilesandfugitiveglances，shesaid:
“Come，now，nopretences。ButifyoumeanthatIshallalwaysapproveofwhatyousay，youareright。”
“Rosario，“exclaimedtheyoungman，“themomentIsawyoumysoulwasfilledwithgladness；IfeltatthesametimearegretthatIhadnotcomebeforetoOrbajosa。”
“Now，thatIamnotgoingtobelieve，“shesaid，affectinggayetytoconcealheremotion。“Sosoon?Don'tbegintomakeprotestationsalready。See，Pepe，Iamonlyacountrygirl，Icantalkonlyaboutcommonthings；Idon'tknowFrench；Idon'tdresswithelegance；allI
knowishowtoplaythepiano；I——“
“Oh，Rosario！“criedtheyoungman，withardor；“Ibelievedyoutobeperfectbefore；nowIamsureyouareso。”
Hermotheratthismomententeredtheroom。Rosarito，whodidnotknowwhattosayinanswertohercousin'slastwords，wasconscious，however，ofthenecessityofsayingsomething，and，lookingathermother，shecried:
“Ah！Iforgottogivetheparrothisdinner。”
“Don'tmindthatnow。Butwhydoyoustayinhere?Takeyourcousinforawalkinthegarden。”
DonaPerfectasmiledwithmaternalkindnessathernephew，asshepointedtowardtheleafyavenuewhichwasvisiblethroughtheglassdoor。
“Letusgothere，“saidPepe，rising。
Rosaritodarted，likeabirdreleasedfromitscage，towardtheglassdoor。
“Pepe，whoknowssomuchandwhomustunderstandallabouttrees，“saidDonaPerfecta，“willteachyouhowtograft。Letusseewhathethinksofthoseyoungpear-treesthattheyaregoingtotransplant。”
“Come，come！“calledRosaritotohercousinimpatientlyfromthegarden。
Bothdisappearedamongthefoliage。DonaPerfectawatchedthemuntiltheywereoutofsightandthenbusiedherselfwiththeparrot。Asshechangeditsfoodshesaidtoherselfwithacontemplativeair:
“Howdifferentheis！Hehasnotevengivenacaresstothepoorbird。”
Then，thinkingitpossiblethatshehadbeenoverheardbyherbrother-
in-law，shesaidaloud:
“Cayetano，whatdoyouthinkofmynephew?Cayetano！“
Alowgruntgaveevidencethattheantiquarywasreturningtotheconsciousnessofthismiserableworld。
“Cayetano！“
“Justso，justso！“murmuredthescientistinasleepyvoice。“Thatyounggentlemanwillmaintain，aseveryonedoes，thatthestatuesofMundograndebelongtothefirstPhoenicianimmigration。ButIwillconvincehim?“
“But，Cayetano！“
“But，Perfecta！There！NowyouwillinsistuponitagainthatIhavebeenasleep。”
“No，indeed；howcouldIinsistuponanythingsoabsurd！Butyouhaven'ttoldmewhatyouthinkaboutthatyoungman。”
DonCayetanoplacedthepalmofhishandbeforehismouthtoconcealayawn；thenheandDonaPerfectaentereduponalongconversation。Thosewhohavetransmittedtousthenecessarydataforacompilationofthishistoryomitthisdialogue，nodoubtbecauseitwasentirelyconfidential。AsforwhattheengineerandRosaritosaidinthegardenthatafternoon，itisevidentthatitwasnotworthyofmention。
Ontheafternoonofthefollowingday，however，eventstookplacewhich，beingofthegravestimportance，oughtnottobepassedoverinsilence。Lateintheafternoonthetwocousinsfoundthemselvesalone，afterramblingthroughdifferentpartsofthegardeninfriendlycompanionshipandhavingeyesandearsonlyforeachother。
“Pepe，“Rosariowassaying，“allthatyouhavebeentellingmeispurefancy，oneofthosestoriesthatyouclevermenknowsowellhowtoputtogether。YouthinkthatbecauseIamacountrygirlIbelieveeverythingIamtold。”
“IfyouunderstoodmeaswellasIthinkIunderstandyou，youwouldknowthatIneversayanythingIdonotmean。Butletushavedonewithfoolishsubtletiesandlovers'sophistries，thatleadonlytomisunderstandings。Iwillspeaktoyouonlyinthelanguageoftruth。
AreyoubychanceayoungladywhoseacquaintanceIhavemadeonthepromenadeorataparty，andwithwhomIproposetospendapleasanthourortwo?No，youaremycousin。Youaresomethingmore。Rosario，letusatonceputthingsontheirproperfooting。Letusdropcircumlocutions。Ihavecomeheretomarryyou。”
Rosariofeltherfaceburning，andherheartwasbeatingviolently。
“See，mydearcousin，“continuedtheyoungman。“IsweartoyouthatifyouhadnotpleasedmeIshouldbealreadyfarawayfromthisplace。
Althoughpolitenessanddelicacywouldhaveobligedmetomakeanefforttoconcealmydisappointment，Ishouldhavefoundithardtodoso。Thatismycharacter。”
“Cousin，youhaveonlyjustarrived，“saidRosaritolaconically，tryingtolaugh。
“Ihaveonlyjustarrived，andIalreadyknowallthatIwantedtoknow；IknowthatIloveyou；thatyouarethewomanwhommyhearthaslongbeenannouncingtome，sayingtomenightandday，'Nowsheiscoming，nowsheisnear；nowyouareburning。'“
ThesewordsservedRosarioasanexcuseforbreakingintothelaughthathadbeendimplingherlips。Hersoulswelledwithhappiness；shebreathedanatmosphereofjoy。
“Youpersistindepreciatingyourself，“continuedPepe，“butformeyoupossesseveryperfection。Youhavetheadmirablequalityofradiatingonallaroundyouthedivinelightofyoursoul。Themomentoneseesyouonefeelsinstinctivelythenobilityofyourmindandthepurityofyourheart。Toseeyouistoseeacelestialbeingwho，throughtheforgetfulnessofHeaven，remainsupontheearth；youareanangel，andIadoreyou。”
Whenhehadsaidthisitseemedasifhehadfulfilledanimportantmission。Rosarito，overcomebytheviolenceofheremotion，feltherscantstrengthsuddenlyfailher；and，half-fainting，shesankonastonethatinthosepleasantsolitudesservedasaseat。Pepebentoverher。Hereyeswereclosed，herforeheadrestedonthepalmofherhand。
AfewmomentslaterthedaughterofDonaPerfectaPolentinosgavehercousin，amidhappytears，atenderglancefollowedbythesewords:
“IlovedyoubeforeIhadeverseenyou。”
Placingherhandsinthoseoftheyoungmansherosetoherfeet，andtheirformsdisappearedamongtheleafybranchesofanoleanderwalk。
Nightwasfallingandsoftshadowsenvelopedthelowerendofthegarden，whilethelastraysofthesettingsuncrownedthetree-topswithfleetingsplendors。Thenoisyrepublicofthebirdskeptupadeafeningclamorintheupperbranches。Itwasthehourinwhich，afterflittingaboutinthejoyousregionsofthesky，theywereallgoingtorest，andtheyweredisputingwithoneanotherthebranchestheyhadselectedforsleeping-places。Theirchatterattimeshadasoundofrecriminationandcontroversy，attimesofmockeryandmerriment。Intheirvolubletwitterthelittlerascalssaidthemostinsultingthingstoeachother，peckingateachotherandflappingtheirwings，asoratorswavetheirarmswhentheywanttomaketheirhearersbelievetheliestheyaretellingthem。Butwordsofloveweretobeheardtheretoo，forthepeaceofthehourandthebeautyofthespotinvitedtoit。Asharpearmighthavedistinguishedthefollowing:
“IlovedyoubeforeIhadevenseenyou，andifyouhadnotcomeI
shouldhavediedofgrief。Mammausedtogivemeyourfather'sletterstoread，andhepraisedyousomuchinthemthatIusedtosay，'Thatisthemanwhooughttobemyhusband。'Foralongtimeyourfathersaidnothingaboutourmarrying，whichseemedtomegreatnegligence。
UncleCayetano，wheneverhespokeofyou，wouldsay，'Therearenotmanymenlikehimintheworld。Thewomanwhogetshimforahusbandmaythinkherselffortunate。'Atlastyourfathersaidwhathecouldnotavoidsaying。Yes，hecouldnotavoidsayingit——Iwasexpectingiteveryday。”
Shortlyafterthesewordsthesamevoiceaddeduneasily:“Someoneisfollowingus。”
Emergingfromamongtheoleanders，Pepe，turninground，sawtwomenapproachingthem，andtouchingtheleavesofayoungtreenearby，hesaidaloudtohiscompanion:
“Itisnotpropertopruneyoungtreeslikethisforthefirsttimeuntiltheyhavetakenfirmroot。Treesrecentlyplantedhavenotsufficientstrengthtobeartheoperation。Youknowthattherootscangrowonlybymeansoftheleaves，sothatifyoutaketheleavesfromatree——“
“Ah，SenorDonJose，“criedthePenitentiary，withafranklaugh，approachingthetwoyoungpeopleandbowingtothem，“areyougivinglessonsinhorticulture?/InserenuncMeliboeepiros；poneordinevites/，asthegreatsingerofthelaborsofthefieldsaid。'Graftthepear-tree，dearMeliboeus，trimthevines。'Andhowarewenow，SenorDonJose?“
Theengineerandthecanonshookhands。Thenthelatterturnedround，andindicatingbyagestureayoungmanwhowasbehindhim，said，smiling:
“IhavethepleasureofpresentingtoyoumydearJacintillo——agreatrogue，afeather-head，SenorDonJose。”
CHAPTERIX
THEDISAGREEMENTCONTINUESTOINCREASE，ANDTHEREAFTERTOBECOMEDISCORD
Closebesidetheblackcassockwasafreshandrosyface，thatseemedfresherandrosierfromthecontrast。Jacintosalutedourhero，notwithoutsomeembarrassment。
Hewasoneofthoseprecociousyouthswhomtheindulgentuniversitysendsprematurelyforthintothearenaoflife，makingthemfancythattheyaremenbecausetheyhavereceivedtheirdoctor'sdegree。Jacintohadaround，handsomefacewithrosycheeks，likeagirl's，andwithoutanybeardsavethedownwhichannounceditscoming。Inpersonhewasplumpandbelowthemediumheight。Hisagewasalittleovertwenty。Hehadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodunderthedirectionofhisexcellentandlearneduncle，whichisthesameassayingthatthetwighadnotbecomecrookedinthegrowing。Aseveremoraltraininghadkepthimalwaysstraight，andinthefulfilmentofhisscholasticdutieshehadbeenalmostabovereproach。Havingconcludedhisstudiesattheuniversitywithastonishingsuccess，fortherewasscarcelyaclassinwhichhedidnottakethehighesthonors，heenteredonthepracticeofhisprofession，promising，byhisapplicationandhisaptitudeforthelaw，tomaintainfreshandgreenintheforumthelaurelsofthelecture-hall。
Attimeshewasasmischievousasaboy，attimesassedateasaman。
Inverytruth，ifJacintohadnothadalittle，andevenagreatdealoflikingforprettygirls，hisunclewouldhavethoughthimperfect。
Theworthymanpreachedtohimunceasinglyonthispoint，hasteningtoclipthewingsofeveryaudaciousfancy。Butnoteventhismundaneinclinationoftheyoungmancouldcoolthegreataffectionwhichourworthycanonborethecharmingoffspringofhisdearniece，MariaRemedios。Wheretheyounglawyerwasconcerned，everythingelsemustgiveway。Eventhegraveandmethodicalhabitsoftheworthyecclesiasticwerealteredwhentheyinterferedwiththeaffairsofhisprecociouspupil。Thatorderandregularity，apparentlyasfixedasthelawsofaplanetarysystem，wereinterruptedwheneverJacintowasillorhadtotakeajourney。Uselesscelibacyoftheclergy！TheCouncilofTrentprohibitsthemfromhavingchildrenoftheirown，butGod——andnottheDevil，astheproverbsays——givesthemnephewsandniecesinorderthattheymayknowthetenderanxietiesofpaternity。
Examiningimpartiallythequalitiesofthiscleverboy，itwasimpossiblenottorecognizethathewasnotwantinginmerit。Hischaracterwasinthemaininclinedtouprightness，andnobleactionsawakenedafrankadmirationinhissoul。Withrespecttohisintellectualendowmentsandhissocialknowledge，theyweresufficienttoenablehimtobecomeintimeoneofthosenotabilitiesofwhomtherearesomanyinSpain；hemightbewhatwetakedelightincallinghyperbolicallyadistinguishedpatrician，oraneminentpublicman；
specieswhich，owingtotheirgreatabundance，arehardlyappreciatedattheirjustvalue。Inthetenderageinwhichtheuniversitydegreeservesasasortofsolderbetweenboyhoodandmanhood，fewyoungmen——
especiallyiftheyhavebeenspoiledbytheirmasters——arefreefromanoffensivepedantry，which，ifitgivesthemgreatimportancebesidetheirmamma'sarm-chair，makesthemveryridiculouswhentheyareamonggraveandexperiencedmen。Jacintohadthisdefect，whichwasexcusableinhim，notonlybecauseofhisyouth，butalsobecausehisworthyunclestimulatedhispuerilevanitybyinjudiciouspraise。
Whentheintroductionwasovertheyresumedtheirwalk。Jacintowassilent。Thecanon，returningtotheinterruptedthemeofthe/pyros/
whichweretobegraftedandthe/vites/whichweretobetrimmed，said:
“IamalreadyawarethatSenorDonJoseisagreatagriculturist。”
“Notatall；Iknownothingwhateveraboutthesubject，“respondedtheyoungman，observingwithnolittleannoyancethecanon'smaniaofsupposinghimtobelearnedinallthesciences。
“Oh，yes！agreatagriculturist，“continuedthePenitentiary；'butonagriculturalsubjects，don'tquotethelatesttreatisestome。Formethewholeofthatscience，SenordeRey，iscondensedinwhatIcalltheBibleoftheField，inthe'Georgics'oftheimmortalRoman。Itisalladmirable，fromthatgrandsentence，/Necveroterroeferreomnesomniapossunt/——thatistosay，thatnoteverysoilissuitedtoeverytree，SenorDonJose——totheexhaustivetreatiseonbees，inwhichthepoetdescribesthehabitsofthosewiselittleanimals，definingthedroneinthesewords:
“'IllehorridusalterDesidia，latamquetrahensingloriusalvum。'
'Ofahorribleandslothfulfigure，draggingalongtheignobleweightofthebelly，'SenorDonJose。”
“Youdowelltotranslateitforme，“saidPepe，“forIknowverylittleLatin。”
“Oh，whyshouldthemenofthepresentdayspendtheirtimeinstudyingthingsthatareoutofdate?“saidthecanonironically。“Besides，onlypoorcreatureslikeVirgilandCiceroandLivywroteinLatin。I，however，amofadifferentwayofthinking；aswitnessmynephew，towhomIhavetaughtthatsublimelanguage。TherascalknowsitbetterthanIdo。Theworstofitis，thatwithhismodernreadingheisforgettingit；andsomefineday，withouteverhavingsuspectedit，hewillfindoutthatheisanignoramus。For，SenorDonJose，mynephewhastakentostudyingthenewestbooksandthemostextravaganttheories，anditisFlammarionhereandFlammarionthere，andnothingwilldohimbutthatthestarsarefullofpeople。Come，Ifancythatyoutwoaregoingtobeverygoodfriends。Jacinto，begthisgentlemantoteachyouthehighermathematics，toinstructyouconcerningtheGermanphilosophers，andthenyouwillbeaman。”
Theworthyecclesiasticlaughedathisownwit，whileJacinto，delightedtoseetheconversationturnonathemesogreatlytohistaste，afterexcusinghimselftoPepeRey，suddenlyhurledthisquestionathim:
“Tellme，SenorDonJose，whatdoyouthinkofDarwinism?“
Ourherosmiledatthisinopportunepedantry，andhefeltalmosttemptedtoencouragetheyoungmantocontinueinthispathofchildishvanity；but，judgingitmoreprudenttoavoidintimacy，eitherwiththenephewortheuncle，heansweredsimply:
“IcanthinknothingatallaboutthedoctrinesofDarwin，forIknowscarcelyanythingabouthim。Myprofessionallaborshavenotpermittedmetodevotemuchofmytimetothosestudies。”
“Well，“saidthecanon，laughing，“itallreducesitselftothis，thatwearedescendedfrommonkeys。IfhehadsaidthatonlyinthecaseofcertainpeopleIknow，hewouldhavebeenright。”
“Thetheoryofnaturalselection，“saidJacintoemphatically，“has，theysay，agreatmanypartisansinGermany。”
“Idonotdoubtit，“saidtheecclesiastic。“InGermanytheywouldhavenoreasontobesorryifthattheoryweretrue，asfarasBismarckisconcerned。”
DonaPerfectaandSenorDonCayetanoatthismomentmadetheirappearance。
“Whatabeautifulevening！“saidtheformer。“Well，nephew，areyougettingterriblybored?“
“Iamnotboredintheleast，“respondedtheyoungman。
“Don'ttrytodenyit。CayetanoandIwerespeakingofthataswecamealong。Youarebored，andyouaretryingtohideit。Itisnoteveryyoungmanofthepresentdaywhowouldhavetheself-denialtospendhisyouth，likeJacinto，inatownwherethereareneithertheatres，noroperabouffe，nordancers，norphilosophers，norathenaeums，normagazines，norcongresses，noranyotherkindofdiversionsorentertainments。”
“Iamquitecontentedhere，“respondedPepe。“IwasjustnowsayingtoRosariothatIfindthiscityandthishousesopleasantthatIwouldliketoliveanddiehere。”
Rosarioturnedveryredandtheothersweresilent。Theyallsatdowninasummer-house，Jacintohasteningtotaketheseatontheleftoftheyounggirl。
“Seehere，nephew，Ihaveapieceofadvicetogiveyou，“saidDonaPerfecta，smilingwiththatexpressionofkindnessthatseemedtoemanatefromhersoul，likethearomafromtheflower。“Butdon'timaginethatIameitherreprovingyouorgivingyoualesson——youarenotachild，andyouwilleasilyunderstandwhatImean。”
“Scoldme，dearaunt，fornodoubtIdeserveit，“repliedPepe，whowasbeginningtoaccustomhimselftothekindnessesofhisfather'ssister。
“No，itisonlyapieceofadvice。Thesegentlemen，Iamsure，willagreethatIamintheright。”
Rosariowaslisteningwithherwholesoul。
“Itisonlythis，“continuedDonaPerfecta，“thatwhenyouvisitourbeautifulcathedralagain，youwillendeavortobehavewithalittlemoredecorumwhileyouareinit。”
“Why，whathaveIdone?“
“Itdoesnotsurprisemethatyouarenotyourselfawareofyourfault，“saidhisaunt，withapparentgoodhumor。“Itisonlynatural；
accustomedasyouaretoenterathenaeumsandclubs，andacademiesandcongresseswithoutanyceremony，youthinkthatyoucanenteratempleinwhichtheDivineMajestyisinthesamemanner。”
“Butexcuseme，senora，“saidPepegravely，“Ienteredthecathedralwiththegreatestdecorum。”
“ButIamnotscoldingyou，man；Iamnotscoldingyou。IfyoutakeitinthatwayIshallhavetoremainsilent。Excusemynephew，gentlemen。
Alittlecarelessness，alittleheedlessnessonhispartisnottobewonderedat。Howmanyyearsisitsinceyousetfootinasacredplacebefore?“
“Senora，Iassureyou——But，inshort，letmyreligiousideasbewhattheymay，Iaminthehabitofobservingtheutmostdecoruminchurch。”
“WhatIassureyouis——There，ifyouaregoingtobeoffendedI
won'tgoon。WhatIassureyouisthatagreatmanypeoplenoticeditthismorning。TheSenoresdeGonzalez，DonaRobustiana，Serafinita——inshort，whenItellyouthatyouattractedtheattentionofthebishop——HislordshipcomplainedtomeaboutitthisafternoonwhenIwasatmycousin's。Hetoldmethathedidnotorderyoutobeputoutofthechurchonlybecauseyouweremynephew。”
Rosariolookedanxiouslyathercousin，tryingtoreadinhiscountenance，beforeheutteredit，theanswerhewouldmaketothesecharges。
“Nodoubttheymistookmeforsomeoneelse。”
“No，no！itwasyou。Butthere，don'tgetangry！Wearetalkinghereamongfriendsandinconfidence。Itwasyou。Isawyoumyself。”
“Yousawme！“
“Justso。Willyoudenythatyouwenttolookatthepictures，passingamongagroupofworshipperswhowerehearingmass?Iassureyouthatmyattentionwassodistractedbyyourcomingsandgoingsthat——well，youmustnotdoitagain。ThenyouwentintothechapelofSanGregorio。AttheelevationoftheHostatthehighaltaryoudidnoteventurnaroundtomakeagestureofreverence。Afterwardyoutraversedthewholelengthofthechurch，youwentuptothetomboftheAdelantado，youtouchedthealtarwithyourhands，thenyoupassedasecondtimeamongagroupofworshippers，attractingthenoticeofeveryone。Allthegirlslookedatyou，andyouseemedpleasedatdisturbingsofinelythedevotionsofthosegoodpeople。”
“GoodHeavens！HowmanythingsIhavedone！“exclaimedPepe，halfangry，halfamused。“Iamamonster，itseems，withouteverhavingsuspectedit。”
“No，Iamverywellawarethatyouareagoodboy，“saidDonaPerfecta，observingthecanon'sexpressionofunalterablegravity，whichgavehisfacetheappearanceofapasteboardmask。“But，mydearboy，betweenthinkingthingsandshowingtheminthatirreverentmanner，thereisadistancewhichamanofgoodsenseandgoodbreedingshouldnevercross。Iamwellawarethatyourideasare——Now，don'tgetangry！Ifyougetangry，Iwillbesilent。Isaythatitisonethingtohavecertainideasaboutreligionandanotherthingtoexpressthem。IwilltakegoodcarenottoreproachyoubecauseyoubelievethatGoddidnotcreateusinhisimageandlikeness，butthatwearedescendedfromthemonkeys；norbecauseyoudenytheexistenceofthesoul，assertingthatitisadrug，likethelittlepapersofrhubarbandmagnesiathataresoldattheapothecary's——“
“Senora，forHeaven'ssake！“exclaimedPepe，withannoyance。“IseethatIhaveaverybadreputationinOrbajosa。”
Theothersremainedsilent。
“AsIsaid，Iwillnotreproachyouforentertainingthoseideas。And，besides，Ihavenottherighttodoso。IfIshouldundertaketoarguewithyou，you，withyourwonderfultalents，wouldconfutemeathousandtimesover。No，Iwillnotattemptanythingofthatkind。WhatIsayisthatthesepoorandhumbleinhabitantsofOrbajosaarepiousandgoodChristians，althoughtheyknownothingaboutGermanphilosophy，andthat，therefore，yououghtnotpubliclytomanifestyourcontemptfortheirbeliefs。”
“Mydearaunt，“saidtheengineergravely，“Ihaveshownnocontemptforanyone，nordoIentertaintheideaswhichyouattributetome。
PerhapsImayhavebeenalittlewantinginreverenceinthechurch。I
amsomewhatabsent-minded。Mythoughtsandmyattentionwereengagedwiththearchitectureofthebuildingand，franklyspeaking，Ididnotobserve——Butthiswasnoreasonforthebishoptothinkofputtingmeoutofthechurch，norforyoutosupposemecapableofattributingtoapaperfromtheapothecary'sthefunctionsofthesoul。Imaytoleratethatasajest，butonlyasajest。”
TheagitationofPepeRey'smindwassogreatthat，notwithstandinghisnaturalprudenceandmoderation，hewasunabletoconcealit。
“There！Iseethatyouareangry，“saidDonaPerfecta，castingdownhereyesandclaspingherhands。“Iamverysorry。IfIhadknownthatyouwouldhavetakenitinthatway，Ishouldnothavespokentoyou。Pepe，Iaskyourpardon。”
Hearingthesewordsandseeinghiskindaunt'sdeprecatingattitude，Pepefeltashamedofthesternnessofhislastwords，andhemadeanefforttorecoverhisserenity。ThevenerablePenitentiaryextricatedhimfromhisembarrassingposition，sayingwithhisaccustomedbenevolentsmile:
“SenoraDonaPerfecta，wemustbetolerantwithartists。Oh，Ihaveknownagreatmanyofthem！Thosegentlemen，whentheyhavebeforethemastatue，apieceofrustyarmor，amouldypainting，oranoldwall，forgeteverythingelse。SenorDonJoseisanartist，andhehasvisitedourcathedralastheEnglishvisitit，whowouldwillinglycarryitawaywiththemtotheirmuseums，toitslasttile，iftheycould。Thattheworshipperswerepraying，thatthepriestwaselevatingtheSacredHost，thatthemomentofsupremepietyanddevotionhadcome——whatofthat?Whatdoesallthatmattertoanartist?ItistruethatIdonotknowwhatartisworth，apartfromthesentimentswhichitexpresses，but，infine，atthepresentday，itisthecustomtoadoretheform，nottheidea。GodpreservemefromundertakingtodiscussthisquestionwithSenorDonJose，whoknowssomuch，andwho，reasoningwiththeadmirablesubtletyofthemoderns，wouldinstantlyconfoundmymind，inwhichthereisonlyfaith。”
“Thedeterminationwhichyouallhavetoregardmeasthemostlearnedmanonearthannoysmeexceedingly，“saidPepe，speakinginhisformerhardtone。“Holdmeforafool；forIwouldratherberegardedasafoolthanasthepossessorofthatSatanicknowledgewhichishereattributedtome。”
Rosaritolaughed，andJacintothoughtthatahighlyopportunemomenthadnowarrivedtomakeadisplayofhisownerudition。
“Pantheismorpanentheism，“hesaid，“iscondemnedbytheChurch，aswellasbytheteachingsofSchopenhauerandofthemodernHartmann。”
“Ladiesandgentlemen，“saidthecanongravely，“menwhopaysoferventaworshiptoart，thoughitbeonlytoitsform，deservethegreatestrespect。Itisbettertobeanartist，anddelightinthecontemplationofbeauty，thoughthisbeonlyrepresentedbynudenymphs，thantobeindifferentandincredulousineverything。Themindthatconsecratesitselftothecontemplationofbeauty，evilwillnottakecompletepossessionof。/EstDeusinnobis/。/Deus/，beitwellunderstood。LetSenorDonJose，then，continuetoadmirethemarvelsofourchurch；I，forone，willwillinglyforgivehimhisactsofirreverence，withallduerespectfortheopinionsofthebishop。”
“Thanks，SenorDonInocencio，“saidPepe，feelingabitterandrebellioussentimentofhostilityspringingupwithinhimtowardthecanon，andunabletoconquerhisdesiretomortifyhim。“Butletnoneofyouimagine，either，thatitwasthebeautiesofart，ofwhichyousupposethetempletobefull，thatengagedmyattention。Thosebeauties，withtheexceptionoftheimposingarchitectureofaportionoftheedificeandofthethreetombsthatareinthechapeloftheapse，Idonotsee。Whatoccupiedmymindwastheconsiderationofthedeplorabledecadenceofthereligiousarts；andtheinnumerablemonstrosities，ofwhichthecathedralisfull，causedmenotastonishment，butdisgust。”
Theamazementofallpresentwasprofound。
“Icannotendure，“continuedPepe，“thoseglazedandpaintedimagesthatresemblesomuch——Godforgivemeforthecomparison——thedollsthatlittlegirlspaywith。AndwhatamItosayofthetheatricalrobesthatcoverthem?IsawaSt。JosephwithamantlewhoseappearanceIwillnotdescribe，outofrespectfortheholypatriarchandforthechurchofwhichheisthepatron。Onthealtararecrowdedtogetherimagesintheworstpossibletaste；andtheinnumerablecrowns，branches，stars，moons，andotherornamentsofmetalorgiltpaperhaveanairofanironmongerythatoffendsthereligioussentimentanddepressesthesoul。Farfromliftingitselfuptoreligiouscontemplation，thesoulsinks，andtheideaoftheludicrousdistractsit。Thegreatworksofartwhichgivesensibleformtoideas，todogmas，toreligiousfaith，tomysticexaltation，fulfilanoblemission。Thecaricatures，theaberrationsoftaste，thegrotesqueworkswithwhichamistakenpietyfillsthechurch，alsofulfiltheirobject；
butthisisasadoneenough:Theyencouragesuperstition，coolenthusiasm，obligetheeyesofthebelievertoturnawayfromthealtar，and，withtheeyes，thesoulsthathavenotaveryprofoundandaveryfirmfaithturnawayalso。”
“Thedoctrineoftheiconoclasts，too，“saidJacinto，“has，itseems，spreadwidelyinGermany。”
“Iamnotaniconoclast，althoughIwouldpreferthedestructionofalltheimagestotheexhibitionofbuffooneriesofwhichIspeak，“
continuedtheyoungman。“Seeingit，onemayjustlyadvocateareturnofreligiousworshiptotheaugustsimplicityofoldentimes。Butno；
letusnotrenouncetheadmirableaidwhichallthearts，beginningwithpoetryandendingwithmusic，lendtotherelationsbetweenmanandGod。Lettheartslive；lettheutmostpompbedisplayedinreligiousceremonies。Iamapartisanofpomp。”
“Anartist，anartist，andnothingmorethananartist！“exclaimedthecanon，shakinghisheadwithasorrowfulair。“Finepictures，finestatues，beautifulmusic；pleasureforthesenses，andletthedeviltakethesoul！“