“Aproposofmusic，“saidPepeRey，withoutobservingthedeplorableeffectwhichhiswordsproducedonbothmotheranddaughter，“imaginehowdisposedmymindwouldbetoreligiouscontemplationonenteringthecathedral，whenjustatthatmoment，andpreciselyattheoffertoryathighmass，theorganistplayedapassagefrom'Traviata。'“
“SenordeReyisrightinthat，“saidthelittlelawyeremphatically。
“Theorganistplayedtheotherdaythewholeofthedrinkingsongandthewaltzfromthesameopera，andafterwardarondeaufromthe'GrandeDuchesse。'“
“ButwhenIfeltmyheartsink，“continuedtheengineerimplacably，“waswhenIsawanimageoftheVirgin，whichseemstobeheldingreatveneration，judgingfromthecrowdbeforeitandthemultitudeoftaperswhichlightedit。Theyhavedressedherinapuffed-outgarmentofvelvet，embroideredwithgold，ofashapesoextraordinarythatitsurpassesthemostextravagantofthefashionsoftheday。Herfaceisalmosthiddenunderavoluminousfrill，madeofinnumerablerowsoflace，crimpedwithacrimping-iron，andhercrown，halfayardinheight，surroundedbygoldenrays，lookslikeahideouscatafalqueerectedoverherhead。Ofthesamematerial，andembroideredinthesamemanner，arethetrousersoftheInfantJesus。Iwillnotgoon，fortodescribetheMotherandtheChildmightperhapsleadmetocommitsomeirreverence。Iwillonlysaythatitwasimpossibleformetokeepfromsmiling，andforashorttimeIcontemplatedtheprofanedimage，sayingtomyself:'MotherandLadymine，whatasighttheyhavemadeofyou！'“
AsheendedPepelookedathishearers，andalthough，owingtothegatheringdarkness，hecouldnotseetheircountenancesdistinctly，hefanciedthatinsomeofthemheperceivedsignsofangryconsternation。
“Well，SenorDonJose！“exclaimedthecanonquickly，smilingwithatriumphantexpression，“thatimage，whichtoyourphilosophyandpantheismappearssoridiculous，isOurLadyofHelp，patronessandadvocateofOrbajosa，whoseinhabitantsregardherwithsomuchvenerationthattheywouldbequitecapableofdragginganyonethroughthestreetswhoshouldspeakillofher。Thechroniclesandhistory，SenorDonJose，arefullofthemiracleswhichshehaswrought，andevenatthepresentdaywereceiveconstantlyincontrovertibleproofsofherprotection。Youmustknowalsothatyouraunt，DonaPerfecta，ischiefladyinwaitingtotheMostHolyVirginofHelp，andthatthedressthattoyouappearssogrotesque——wentoutfromthishouse，andthatthetrousersoftheInfantaretheworkoftheskilfulneedleandtheardentpietycombinedofyourcousinRosarito，whoisnowlisteningtous。”
PepeReywasgreatlydisconcerted。AtthesameinstantDonaPerfectaroseabruptlyfromherseat，and，withoutsayingaword，walkedtowardthehouse，followedbythePenitentiary。Theothersrosealso。
Recoveringfromhisstupefaction，theyoungmanwasabouttobeghiscousin'spardonforhisirreverence，whenheobservedthatRosaritowasweeping。Fixingonhercousinalookoffriendlyandgentlereproof，shesaid:
“Whatideasyouhave！“
ThevoiceofDonaPerfectawasheardcryinginanalteredaccent:
“Rosario！Rosario！“
Thelatterrantowardthehouse。
CHAPTERX
THEEVIDENCEOFDISCORDISEVIDENT
PepeReywasdisturbedandperplexed，enragedwithhimselfandeveryoneelse；hetriedinvaintoimaginewhatcouldbetheconflictthathadarisen，inspiteofhimself，betweenhisideasandtheideasofhisaunt'sfriends。Thoughtfulandsad，foreseeingfuturediscord，heremainedforashorttimesittingonthebenchinthesummer-house，hischinrestingonhisbreast，hisforeheadgatheredinafrown，hishandsclasped。Hethoughthimselfalone。
Suddenlyheheardagayvoicehummingtherefrainofasongfromazarzuela。HelookedupandsawDonJacintosittingintheoppositecornerofthesummer-house。
“Ah，SenordeRey！“saidtheyouthabruptly，“onedoesnotoffendwithimpunitythereligioussentimentsofthegreatmajorityofanation。Ifyoudoubtit，considerwhathappenedinthefirstFrenchrevolution。”
WhenPepeheardthebuzzingofthisinsecthisirritationincreased。
Neverthelesstherewasnoangerinhissoultowardtheyouthfuldoctoroflaws。Thelatterannoyedhim，asaflymightannoyhim，butnothingmore。Reyfelttheirritationwhicheveryimportunatebeinginspires，andwiththeairofonewhobrushesawayabuzzingdrone，heanswered:
“WhathastheFrenchrevolutiontodowiththerobeoftheVirgin?“
Hegotupandwalkedtowardthehouse，buthehadnottakenhalfadozenstepsbeforeheheardagainbesidehimthebuzzingofthemosquito，saying:
“SenorDonJose，Iwishtospeaktoyouaboutanaffairinwhichyouaregreatlyinterestedandwhichmaycauseyousometrouble。”
“Anaffair?“saidtheyoungman，drawingback。“Letushearwhataffairisthat。”
“Yoususpectwhatitis，perhaps，“saidJacinto，approachingPepe，andsmilingwiththeairofamanofbusinesswhohassomeunusuallyimportantmatteronhand；“Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutthelawsuit。”
“Thelawsuit！Myfriend，Ihavenolawsuits。You，asagoodlawyer，dreamoflawsuitsandseestampedpapereverywhere。”
“What！Youhavenotheardofyourlawsuit?“exclaimedtheyouth，withamazement。
“Ofmylawsuit！ButIhavenolawsuits，norhaveIeverhadany。”
“Well，ifyouhavenotheardofit，Iamallthebetterpleasedtohavespokentoyouaboutit，sothatyoumaybeonyourguard。Yes，senor，youaregoingtohaveasuitatlaw。”
“Andwithwhom?“
“WithUncleLicurgoandotherland-ownerswhosepropertybordersontheestatecalledThePoplars。”
PepeReywasastounded。
“Yes，senor，“continuedthelittlelawyer。“To-dayUncleLicurgoandI
hadalongconference。AsIamsuchafriendofthefamily，Iwantedtoletyouknowaboutit，sothat，ifyouthinkwellofit，youmayhastentoarrangethematter。”
“ButwhathaveItoarrange?Whatdothoserascalsclaimfromme?“
“Itseemsthatastreamofwaterwhichrisesinyourpropertyhaschangeditscourseandflowsoversometile-worksoftheaforesaidUncleLicurgoandthemillofanotherperson，occasioningconsiderabledamage。Myclient——forheisdeterminedthatIshallgethimoutofthisdifficulty——myclient，asIsaid，demandsthatyoushallrestorethewatertoitsformerchannel，soastoavoidfreshinjuries，andthatyoushallindemnifyhimforthedamagewhichhisworkshavealreadysustainedthroughtheneglectofthesuperiorproprietor。”
“AndIamthesuperiorproprietor！IfIengageinalawsuit，thatwillbethefirstfruitthatthosefamousPoplars，whichweremineandwhichnow，asIunderstand，belongtoeverybody，willhaveeverproducedme，forLicurgo，aswellassomeoftheotherfarmersofthedistrict，havebeenfilchingfromme，littlebylittle，yearafteryear，piecesofland，anditwillbeverydifficulttore-establishtheboundariesofmyproperty。”
“Thatisadifferentquestion。”
“Thatisnotadifferentquestion。Therealsuit，“exclaimedtheengineer，unabletocontrolhisanger，“willbetheonethatIwillbringagainstthatrabblewhonodoubtproposetothemselvestotiremeoutanddrivemetodesperation——sothatImayabandoneverythingandletthemcontinueinpossessionofwhattheyhavestolen。Weshallseeiftherearelawyersandjudgeswhowillupholdtheinfamousconductofthosevillagelegists，whoareforeveratlaw，andwhowasteandconsumethepropertyofothers。Iamobligedtoyou，younggentleman，forhavinginformedmeofthevillanousintentionsofthoseboors，whoaremoreperversethanSatanhimself。WhenItellyouthatthatverytile-yardandthatverymillonwhichLicurgobaseshisclaimaremine——“
“Thetitle-deedsofthepropertyoughttobeexamined，toseeifpossessionmaynotconstituteatitleinthiscase。”
“Possession！Thosescoundrelsarenotgoingtohavethepleasureoflaughingatmeinthatway。IsupposethatjusticeishonestlyandfaithfullyadministeredinthecityofOrbajosa。”
“Oh，astothat！“exclaimedthelittlelawyer，withanapprovinglook，“thejudgeisanexcellentperson！Hecomeshereeveryevening。ButitisstrangethatyoushouldhavereceivednonoticeofSenorLicurgo'sclaims。Haveyounotyetbeensummonedtoappearbeforethetribunalofarbitration?“
“No。”
“Itwillbeto-morrow，then。Well，IamverysorrythatSenorLicurgo'sprecipitationhasdeprivedmeofthepleasureandhonorofdefendingyou，butwhatistobedone?LicurgowasdeterminedthatIshouldtakehimoutofhistroubles。Iwillstudythematterwiththegreatestcare。Thisvileslaveryisthegreatdrawbackofjurisprudence。”
Pepeenteredthedining-roominadeplorablestateofmind。DonaPerfectawastalkingwiththePenitentiary，asheentered，andRosaritowassittingalone，withhereyesfixedonthedoor。Shewasnodoubtwaitingforhercousin。
“Comehere，yourascal，“saidhisaunt，smilingwithverylittlespontaneity。“Youhaveinsultedus，yougreatatheist！butweforgiveyou。Iamwellawarethatmydaughterandmyselfaretworusticswhoareincapableofsoaringtotheregionsofmathematicswhereyoudwell，butforallthatitispossiblethatyoumayonedaygetdownonyourkneestousandbegustoteachyoutheChristiandoctrine。”
Pepeansweredwithvaguephrasesandformulasofpolitenessandrepentance。
“Formypart，“saidDonInocencio，withanaffectedairofmeeknessandamiability，“ifinthecourseoftheseidledisputesIhavesaidanythingthatcouldoffendSenorDonJose，Ibeghispardonforit。Weareallfriendshere。”
“Thanks。Itisofnoconsequence。”
“Inspiteofeverything，“saidDonaPerfecta，smilingwithmorenaturalnessthanbefore，“Ishallalwaysbethesameformydearnephew；inspiteofhisextravagantandanti-religiousideas。InwhatwaydoyousupposeIamgoingtospendthisevening?Well，intryingtomakeUncleLicurgogiveupthoseobstinatenotionswhichwouldotherwisecauseyouannoyance。Isentforhim，andheiswaitingformenowinthehall。Makeyourselfeasy，Iwillarrangethematter；foralthoughIknowthatheisnotaltogetherwithoutrightonhisside——“
“Thanks，dearaunt，“respondedtheyoungman，hiswholebeinginvadedbyawaveofthegenerousemotionwhichwassoeasilyarousedinhissoul。
PepeReylookedinthedirectionofhiscousin，intendingtojoinher，butsomewilyquestionsofthecanonretainedhimatDonaPerfecta'sside。Rosariolookeddejected，andwaslisteningwithanairofmelancholyindifferencetothewordsofthelittlelawyer，who，havinginstalledhimselfatherside，keptupacontinuousstreamoffulsomeflatteries，seasonedwithill-timedjestsandfatuousremarksintheworstpossibletaste。
“Theworstofitis，“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew——surprisingtheglancewhichhecastinthedirectionoftheill-assortedpair——“theworstofitis，thatyouhaveoffendedpoorRosario。Youmustdoallinyourpowertomakeyourpeacewithher。Thepoorchildissogood！“
“Oh，yes！sogood，“addedthecanon，“thatIhavenodoubtthatshewillforgivehercousin。”
“IthinkthatRosariohasalreadyforgivenme，“affirmedRey。
“Andifnot，angelicbreastsdonotharborresentmentlong，“saidDonInocenciomellifluously。“Ihaveagreatdealofinfluencewiththechild，andIwillendeavortodissipateinhergeneroussoulwhateverprejudicemayexistthereagainstyou。AssoonasIsayawordortwotoher——“
PepeReyfeltaclouddarkenhissoulandhesaidwithmeaning:
“Perhapsitmaynotbenecessary。”
“Iwillnotspeaktohernow，“addedthecapitular，“becausesheislisteningentrancedtoJacinto'snonsense。Ah，thosechildren！Whentheyoncebeginthereisnostoppingthem。”
Thejudgeofthelowercourt，thealcalde'slady，andthedeanofthecathedralnowmadetheirappearance。Theyallsalutedtheengineer，manifestingintheirwordsandmanner，onseeinghim，thesatisfactionofgratifiedcuriosity。Thejudgewasoneofthosecleverandintelligentyoungmenwhoeverydayspringintonoticeinofficialcircles；aspiring，almostbeforetheyareoutoftheshell，tothehighestpoliticalandadministrativepositions。Hegavehimselfairsofgreatimportance，andinspeakingofhimselfandofhisjuveniletoga，heseemedindirectlytomanifestgreatoffencebecausehehadnotbeenallatoncemadepresidentofthesupremecourt。Insuchinexperthands，inabrainthusswollenwithvanity，inthisincarnationofconceit，hadthestateplacedthemostdelicateandthemostdifficultfunctionsofhumanjustice。Hismannerswerethoseofaperfectcourtier，andrevealedascrupulousandminuteattentiontoallthatconcernedhisownperson。Hehadtheinsufferablehabitoftakingoffandputtingoneverymomenthisgoldeye-glasses，andinhisconversationhemanifestedwithfrequencythestrongdesirewhichhehadtobetransferredtoMadrid，inorderthathemightgivehisinvaluableservicestotheDepartmentofGraceandJustice。
Thealcalde'sladywasagood-naturedwoman，whoseonlyweaknesswastofancythatshehadagreatmanyacquaintancesatthecourt。SheaskedPepeReyvariousquestionsaboutthefashions，mentioningestablishmentsinwhichshehadhadamantleoraskirtmadeonherlastjourneytothecapital，contemporaneouswiththevisitofMuley-
Abbas，andshealsomentionedthenamesofadozenduchessesandmarchionesses；speakingofthemwithasmuchfamiliarityasiftheyhadbeenfriendsofherschool-days。ShesaidalsothattheCountessofM。
famousforherpartieswasafriendofhersandthatin'60shehadpaidheravisit，whenthecountesshadinvitedhertoherboxattheTeatroReal，whereshesawMuley-AbbasinMoorishdressandaccompaniedbyhisretinueofMoors。Thealcalde'swifetalkedincessantlyandwasnotwantinginhumor。
Thedeanwasaveryoldman，corpulentandred-faced，plethoricandapoplecticlooking，amansoobesethatheseemedburstingoutofhisskin。Hehadbelongedtooneofthesuppressedreligiousorders；hetalkedonlyofreligiousmatters；andfromtheveryfirstmanifestedthemostprofoundcontemptforPepeRey。Thelatterappearedeverymomentmoreunabletoaccommodatehimselftoasocietysolittletohistaste。Hisdisposition——notatallmalleable，hard，andverylittleflexible——rejectedtheduplicitiesandthecompromisesoflanguagetosimulateconcordwhenitdidnotexist。Heremained，then，verygraveduringthewholeofthetiresomeevening，obligedashewastoenduretheoratoricalvehemenceofthealcalde'swife，who，withoutbeingFame，hadtheprivilegeoffatiguingwithahundredtonguestheearsofmen。If，insomebriefrespitewhichthisladygaveherhearers，PepeReymadeanattempttoapproachhiscousin，thePenitentiaryattachedhimselftohiminstantly，likethemollusktotherock；takinghimapartwithamysteriousairtoproposetohimanexcursionwithSenorDonCayetanotoMundogrande，orafishingpartyontheclearwatersoftheNahara。
Atlasttheeveningcametoanend，aseverythingdoesinthisworld。
Thedeanretired，leavingthehouse，asitseemed，empty，andverysoonthereremainedofthealcalde'swifeonlyanecho，likethebuzzwhichremainsintheairafterastormhaspassedaway。Thejudgealsodeprivedthecompanyofhispresence，andatlastDonInocenciogavehisnephewthesignalfordeparture。
“Come，boy，come；foritislate，“hesaid，smiling。“HowyouhavetormentedpoorRosarito，hashenot，child?Home，yourogue，home，withoutdelay。”
“Itistimetogotobed，“saidDonaPerfecta。
“Timetogotowork，“respondedthelittlelawyer。
“Iamalwaystellinghimthatheoughttogetthroughwithhisbusinessintheday-time，buthewillnotmindme。”
“Thereissomuch，soverymuchbusinesstobegotthrough。”
“No，sayrather，thatconfoundedworkwhichyouhaveundertaken。Hedoesnotwishtosayit，SenorDonJose，butthetruthisthatheiswritingabookon'TheInfluenceofWomaninChristianSociety，'and，inadditiontothat，'AGlanceattheCatholicMovementin'——somewhereorother。Whatdoyouknowaboutglancesorinfluences?Buttheseyouthsofthepresentdayhaveaudacityenoughforanything。Oh，whatboys！Well，letusgohome。Good-night，SenoraDonaPerfecta——good-
night，SenorDonJose——Rosarito。”
“IwillwaitforSenorDonCayetano，“saidJacinto，“toaskhimtogivemetheAugustoNicolas。”
“Alwayscarryingbooks。Why，sometimesyoucomeintothehouseladenlikeadonkey。Verywell，then，letuswait。”
“SenorDonJacintodoesnotwritehastily，“saidPepeRey；“heprepareshimselfwellforhiswork，sothathisbooksmaybetreasuresoflearning。”
“Butthatboywillinjurehisbrain，“objectedDonaPerfecta。“ForHeaven'ssakebecareful！Iwouldsetalimittohisreading。”
“Sincewearegoingtowait，“saidthelittledoctor，inatoneofinsufferableconceit，“IwilltakewithmealsothethirdvolumeofConcilios。Whatdoyouthink，uncle?“
“Takethat，ofcourse。Itwouldneverdotoleavethatbehindyou。”
FortunatelySenorDonCayetanowhogenerallyspenthiseveningsatthehouseofDonLorenzoRuizsoonarrived，andthebooksbeingreceived，uncleandnephewleftthehouse。
Reyreadinhiscousin'ssadcountenanceakeendesiretospeaktohim。
HeapproachedherwhileDonaPerfectaandDonCayetanowerediscussingsomedomesticmatterapart。
“Youhaveoffendedmamma，“saidRosarito。
Herfeaturesexpressedsomethingliketerror。
“Itistrue，“respondedtheyoungman；“Ihaveoffendedyourmamma——I
haveoffendedyou。”
“No，notme。IalreadyimaginedthattheInfantJesusoughtnottoweartrousers。”
“ButIhopethatyouwillbothforgiveme。Yourmammawassokindtomealittlewhileago。”
DonaPerfecta'svoicesuddenlyvibratedthroughthedining-room，withsodiscordantatonethathernephewstartedasifhehadheardacryofalarm。Thevoicesaidimperiously:
“Rosario，gotobed！“
Startled，hermindfilledwithanxiousfears，thegirllingeredintheroom，goinghereandthereasifshewaslookingforsomething。Asshepassedhercousinshewhisperedsoftlyandcautiouslythesewords:
“Mammaisangry。”
“But——“
“Sheisangry——beonyourguard，beonyourguard。”
Thenshelefttheroom。Hermother，forwhomUncleLicurgowaswaiting，followedher，andforsometimethevoicesofDonaPerfectaandthecountrymanwereheardmingledtogetherinfamiliarconference。PepewasleftwithDonCayetano，who，takingalight，said；
“Good-night，Pepe。Butdon'tsupposethatIamgoingtosleep，Iamgoingtowork。Butwhyareyousothoughtful?Whatisthematterwithyou?——JustasIsay，towork。Iammakingnotesfora'MemorialDiscourseontheGenealogiesofOrbajosa。'Ihavealreadyfounddataandinformationoftheutmostvalue。Therecanbenodisputeaboutit。
IneveryperiodofourhistorytheOrbajosanshavebeendistinguishedfortheirdelicatesenseofhonor，theirchivalry，theirvalor，theirintellectuality。TheconquestofMexico，thewarsoftheEmperor，thewarsofPhilipagainsttheheretics，testifytothis。Butareyouill?
Whatisthematterwithyou?AsIsay，eminenttheologians，valiantwarriors，conquerors，saints，bishops，statesmen——allsortsofillustriousmen——haveflourishedinthishumblelandofthegarlic。No，thereisnotinChristendomamoreillustriouscitythanours。Itsvirtuesanditsgloriesareinthemselvesenoughandmorethanenoughtofillallthepagesofourcountry'shistory。Well，Iseethatitissleepyyouare——good-night。AsIsay，Iwouldnotexchangethegloryofbeingasonofthisnoblecityforallthegoldintheworld。Augusta，theancientscalledit；Augustissima，Icallitnow；fornow，asthen，high-mindedness，generosity，valor，magnanimity，arethepatrimonyofall。Well，good-night，dearPepe。ButIfancyyouarenotwell。Hasthesupperdisagreedwithyou?——AlonzoGonzalezdeBustamantewasrightwhenhesaidinhis'FlorestaAmena'thatthepeopleofOrbajosasufficeinthemselvestoconfergreatnessandhonoronakingdom。Don'tyouthinkso?“
“Oh，yes，senor；undoubtedly，“respondedPepeRey，goingabruptlytowardhisroom。
CHAPTERXI
THEDISCORDGROWS
DuringthefollowingdaysPepeReymadetheacquaintanceofseveralofthepeopleoftheplace；hevisitedtheCasino，andformedfriendshipswithsomeoftheindividualswhospendtheirlivesintheroomsofthatcorporation。
ButtheyouthofOrbajosadidnotspendalltheirtimeintheCasino，asevil-mindedpeoplemightimagine。Intheafternoonsthereweretobeseenatthecornerofthecathedral，andinthelittleplazaformedbytheintersectionoftheCalledelCondestableandtheCalledelaTriperia，severalgentlemenwho，gracefullyenvelopedintheircloaks，stoodtherelikesentinels，watchingthepeopleastheypassedby。Iftheweatherwasfine，thoseshininglightsoftheUrbsAugustanculturebenttheirsteps，stillenvelopedintheindispensablecloak，towardthepromenadecalledthePaseodelasDescalzas，whichwasformedbyadoublerowofconsumptive-lookingelmsandsomewitheredbushesofbroom。TherethebrilliantPleiadwatchedthedaughtersofthisfellow-
townsmanorthat，whohadalsocomethereforawalk，andtheafternoonpassedtolerably。Intheevening，theCasinofilledupagain；andwhilesomeofthemembersgavetheirloftymindstothedelightsofmonte，othersreadthenewspapers，whilethemajoritydiscussedinthecoffee-
roomsubjectsofthevariouskinds，suchasthepolitics，horses，bulls，orthegossipoftheplace。TheresultofeverydiscussionwastherenewedconvictionofthesupremacyofOrbajosaanditsinhabitantsoveralltheothertownsandpeoplesonthefaceoftheearth。
Thesedistinguishedmenwerethecreamoftheillustriouscity；somerichlandowners，othersverypoor，butallalikefreefromloftyaspirations。Theyhadtheimperturbabletranquillityofthebeggarwhodesiresnothingmoresolongashehasacrustofbreadwithwhichtocheathunger，andthesuntowarmhim。WhatchieflydistinguishedtheOrbajosansoftheCasinowasasentimentofbitterhostilitytowardallstrangers，andwheneveranystrangerofnoteappearedinitsaugusthalls，theybelievedthathehadcometheretocallinquestionthesuperiorityofthelandofthegarlic，ortodisputewithit，throughenvy，theincontestableadvantageswhichnaturehadbestoweduponit。
WhenPepeReypresentedhimselfintheCasino，theyreceivedhimwithsomethingofsuspicion，andasfacetiouspersonsaboundedinit，beforethenewmemberhadbeenthereaquarterofanhour，allsortsofjokeshadbeenmadeabouthim。WheninanswertothereiteratedquestionsofthemembershesaidthathehadcometoOrbajosawithacommissiontoexplorethebasinoftheNaharaforcoal，andtosurveyaroad，theyallagreedthatSenorDonJosewasaconceitedfellowwhowishedtogivehimselfairs，discoveringcoalbedsandplanningrailroads。Someoneadded:
“Hehascometoabadplaceforthat，then。Thosegentlemenimaginethathereweareallfools，andthattheycandeceiveuswithfinewords。HehascometomarryDonaPerfecta'sdaughter，andallthathesaysaboutcoalbedsisonlyforthesakeofappearances。”
“Well，thismorning，“saidanother，amerchantwhohadfailed，“theytoldmeattheDominguez'thatthegentlemanhasnotapeseta，andthathehascomehereinordertobesupportedbyhisauntandtoseeifhecancatchRosarito。”
“Itseemsthatheisnoengineeratall，“addedanolive-planter，whoseplantationsweremortgagedfordoubletheirvalue。“Butitisasyousay:thosestarvelingsfromMadridthinktheyarejustifiedindeceivingpoorprovincials，andastheybelievethathereweallweartails——“
“Itisplaintobeseenthatheispenniless——“
“Well，half-jestandthewholeearnest，hetolduslastnightthatwewerelazybarbarians。”
“Thatwespentourtimesunningourselves，liketheBedouins。”
“Thatwelivedwiththeimagination。”
“That'sit；thatwelivedwiththeimagination。”
“AndthatthiscitywaspreciselylikeacityinMorocco。”
“Well！onehasnopatiencetolistentothosethings。WhereelsecouldheseeunlessitmightbeinParisastreetliketheCalledelCondestable，thatcanshowsevenhousesinarow，allofthemmagnificent，fromDonaPerfecta'shousetothatofNicolasitaHernandez?Doesthatfellowsupposethatonehasneverseenanything，orhasneverbeeninParis?“
“Healsosaid，withagreatdealofdelicacy，thatOrbajosawasacityofbeggars；andhegaveustounderstandthatinhisopinionweliveinthemeanestwayherewithoutbeingourselvesawareofit。”
“Whatinsolence！Ifheeversaysthattome，therewillbeasceneintheCasino，“exclaimedthecollectoroftaxes。“Whydidn'ttheytellhimhowmanyarrobasofoilOrbajosaproducedlastyear?Doesn'tthefoolknowthatingoodyearsOrbajosaproduceswheatenoughtosupplyallSpain，andevenallEurope，withbread?Itistruethatthecropshavebeenbadforseveralyearspast，butthatisnottherule。Andthecropofgarlic！Iwagerthegentlemandoesn'tknowthatthegarlicofOrbajosamadethegentlemanofthejuryintheExpositionofLondonstare！“
TheseandotherconversationsofasimilarkindweretobeheardintheroomsoftheCasinointhosedays。Notwithstandingthisboastfultalk，socommoninsmalltowns，which，fortheveryreasonthattheyaresmall，aregenerallyarrogant，Reywasnotwithoutfindingsincerefriendsamongthemembersofthelearnedcorporation，fortheywerenotallgossips，norweretherewantingamongthempersonsofgoodsense。
Butourherohadthemisfortune——ifmisfortuneitcanbecalled——tobeunusuallyfrankinthemanifestationofhisfeelings，andthisawakenedsomeantipathytowardhim。
Dayspassed。Inadditiontothenaturaldisgustwhichthesocialcustomsoftheepiscopalcityproducedinhim，variouscauses，allofthemdisagreeable，begantodevelopinhismindaprofoundsadness，chiefamongthesecausesbeingthecrowdoflitigantsthatswarmedabouthimlikevoraciousants。ManyothersoftheneighboringlandownersbesidesUncleLicurgoclaimeddamagesfromhim，oraskedhimtorenderaccountsforlandsmanagedbyhisgrandfather。Aclaimwasalsobroughtagainsthimbecauseofacertaincontractofpartnershipenteredintobyhismotherandwhich，asitappeared，hadnotbeenfulfilled；andhewasrequiredinthesamewaytoacknowledgeamortgageontheestateofThePoplarsexecutedinanirregularformbyhisuncle。Claimsswarmedaroundhim，multiplyingwithant-likerapidity。Hehadcometothedeterminationtorenouncetheownershipofhislands，butmeanwhilehisdignityrequiredthatheshouldnotyieldtothewilymanoeuvresoftheartfulrustics；andasthetown-councilbroughtaclaimagainsthimalsoonaccountofapretendedconfusionoftheboundarylinesofhisestatewiththoseofanadjoiningwoodbelongingtothetown-lands，theunfortunateyoungmanfoundhimselfateverystepobligedtoprovehisrights，whichwerebeingcontinuallycalledinquestion。Hishonorwasengaged，andhehadnoalternativebuttodefendhisrightstothedeath。
DonaPerfectahadpromisedinhermagnanimitytohelphimtofreehimselffromthesedisgracefulplotsbymeansofanamicablearrangement；butthedayspassed，andthegoodofficesoftheexemplaryladyhadproducednoresultwhatever。Theclaimsmultipliedwiththedangerousswiftnessofaviolentdisease。PepeReypassedhourafterhouratcourt，makingdeclarationsandansweringthesamequestionsoverandoveragain，andwhenhereturnedhometiredandangry，thereappearedbeforehimthesharpfeaturesandgrotesquefaceofthenotary，whohadbroughthimathickbundleofstampedpapersfullofhorribleformulas——thathemightbestudyingthequestion。
ItwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatPepeReywasnotamantoenduresuchannoyanceswhenhemightescapefromthembyleavingthetown。Hismother'snoblecityappearedtohisimaginationlikeahorriblemonsterwhichhadfasteneditsferociousclawsinhimandwasdrinkinghisblood。Tofreehimselffromthismonsternothingmorewasnecessary，hebelieved，thanflight。Butaweightyinterest——aninterestinwhichhisheartwasconcerned——kepthimwherehewas；bindinghimtotherockofhismartyrdomwithverystrongbonds。Nevertheless，hehadcometofeelsodissatisfiedwithhisposition；hehadcometoregardhimselfassoutterlyastranger，sotosay，inthatgloomycityoflawsuits，ofold-
fashionedcustomsandideas，ofenvyandofslander，thatheresolvedtoleaveitwithoutfurtherdelay，without，however，abandoningtheprojectwhichhadbroughthimtoit。Onemorning，findingafavorableoccasion，heopenedhismindtoDonaPerfectaonthispoint。
“Nephew，“respondedthatlady，withheraccustomedgentleness，“don'tberash。Why！youarelikefire。Yourfatherwasjustthesame——whatamanhewas！Youarelikeaflash——IhavealreadytoldyouthatIwillbeverygladtocallyoumyson。Evenifyoudidnotpossessthegoodqualitiesandthetalentswhichdistinguishyouinspiteofsomelittledefects，foryouhavethose，too；evenifyouwerenotasgoodasyouare；itisenoughthatthisunionhasbeenproposedbyyourfather，towhombothmydaughterandmyselfowesomuch，formetoacceptit。AndRosaritowillnotopposeitsinceIwishit。Whatiswanting，then?Nothing；thereisnothingwantingbutalittletime。Themarriagecannotbeconcludedwiththehasteyoudesireandwhichmight，perhaps，givegroundforinterpretationsdiscreditabletomydeardaughter'sreputation。Butasyouthinkofnothingbutmachines，youwanteverythingdonebysteam。Wait，man，wait；whathurryareyouin?
ThishatredthatyouhavetakentoourpoorOrbajosaisnothingbutacaprice。Butofcourseyoucanonlyliveamongcountsandmarquisesandoratorsanddiplomats——allyouwantistogetmarriedandseparatemeforeverfrommydaughter，“sheadded，wipingawayatear。“Sincethatisthecase，inconsiderateboy，atleasthavethecharitytodelayforalittlethismarriage，forwhichyouaresoeager。Whatimpatience！
Whatardentlove！Ididnotsupposethatapoorcountrygirllikemydaughtercouldinspiresoviolentapassion。”
TheargumentsofhisauntdidnotconvincePepeRey，buthedidnotwishtocontradicther。Afreshcauseofanxietywassoonaddedtothosewhichalreadyembitteredhisexistence。HehadnowbeeninOrbajosafortwoweeks，andduringthattimehehadreceivednoletterfromhisfather。Thiscouldnotbeattributedtocarelessnessonthepartoftheofficialsofthepost-officeofOrbajosa，forthefunctionarywhohadchargeofthatservicebeingthefriendand/prot間?ofDonaPerfecta，thelattereverydayrecommendedhimtotakethegreatestcarethatthelettersaddressedtohernephewdidnotgoastray。Theletter-carrier，namedCristovalRamos，andnicknamedCaballuco——apersonagewhoseacquaintancewehavealreadymade——alsovisitedthehouse，andtohimDonaPerfectawasaccustomedtoaddresswarningsandreprimandsasenergeticasthefollowing:
“Aprettymailserviceyouhave！HowisitthatmynephewhasnotreceivedasinglelettersincehehasbeeninOrbajosa?Whenthecarryingofthemailisentrustedtosuchagiddy-pate，howcanthingsbeexpectedtogowell?Iwillspeaktothegovernoroftheprovincesothathemaybecarefulwhatkindofpeopleheputsinthepost-office。”
Caballuco，shrugginghisshoulders，lookedatReywiththemostcompleteindifference。
Onedayheenteredthehousewithaletterinhishand。
“ThankHeaven！“saidDonaPerfectatohernephew。“Herearelettersfromyourfather。Rejoice，man！Aprettyfrightwehavehadthroughmybrother'slazinessaboutwriting。Whatdoeshesay?Heiswell，nodoubt，“sheadded，seeingthatPepeReyopenedtheletterwithfeverishimpatience。
Theengineerturnedpaleasheglancedoverthefirstlines。
“GoodHeavens！Pepe，whatisthematter?“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，risinginalarm。“Isyourfatherill?“
“Thisletterisnotfrommyfather，“respondedPepe，revealinginhiscountenancethegreatestconsternation。
“Whatisit，then?“
“AnorderfromtheMinisterofPublicWorks，relievingmefromthechargewhichwasconfidedtome。”
“What！Canitbepossible！“
“Adismissalpureandsimple，expressedintermsverylittleflatteringtome。”
“Wasthereeveranythingsounjust！“exclaimedDonaPerfecta，whenshehadrecoveredfromheramazement。
“Whatahumiliation！“exclaimedtheyoungman。“ItisthefirsttimeinmylifethatIhavereceivedanaffrontlikethis。”
“ButtheGovernmentisunpardonable！Toputsuchaslightuponyou！DoyouwishmetowritetoMadrid?Ihaveverygoodfriendsthere，andI
maybeabletoobtainsatisfactionforyoufromtheGovernmentandreparationforthisbrutalaffront。”
“Thanks，senora，Idesirenorecommendations，“saidtheyoungman，withill-humor。
“Butwhatapieceofinjustice！whatahigh-handedproceeding！Todischargeinthiswayayoungmanofyourmerit，aneminentscientist。
Why，Icannotcontainmyanger！“
“Iwillfindout，“saidPepe，withenergy，“whoitisthatoccupieshimselfininjuringme。”
“Thatminister——butwhatistobeexpectedfromthoseinfamouspoliticasters?“
“Inthisthereisthehandofsomeonewhoisdeterminedtodrivemetodesperation，“declaredtheyoungman，visiblydisturbed。“Thisisnottheactoftheminister；thisandothercontrarietiesthatIamexperiencingaretheresultofarevengefulplot，ofasecretandwell-
laidplanofsomeimplacableenemy，andthisenemyishereinOrbajosa，thisplothasbeenhatchedinOrbajosa，doubtitnot，dearaunt。”
“Youareoutofyourmind，“repliedDonaPerfecta，withalookofcompassion。“YouhaveenemiesinOrbajosa，yousay?Someonewishestorevengehimselfuponyou?Come，Pepillo，youhavelostyoursenses。Thereadingofthosebooksinwhichtheysaythatwehaveforancestorsmonkeysorparrotshasturnedyourbrain。”
Shesmiledsweetlyassheutteredthelastwords，andtakingatoneoffamiliarandaffectionateadmonition，sheadded:
“Mydearboy，thepeopleofOrbajosamayberudeandboorishrustics，withoutlearning，orpolish，orfinemanners；butinloyaltyandgoodfaithweyieldtonoone——tonoone，Isay，noone。”
“Don'tsuppose，“saidtheyoungman，“thatIaccuseanyoneinthishouse。Butthatmyimplacableandcruelenemyisinthiscity，Iampersuaded。”
“Iwishyouwouldshowmethatstagevillain，“respondedDonaPerfecta，smilingagain。“IsupposeyouwillnotaccuseUncleLicurgo，noranyoftheotherswhohavebroughtsuitsagainstyou；forthepoorpeoplebelievetheyareonlydefendingtheirrights。Andbetweenourselves，theyarenotaltogetherwantinginreasoninthiscase。Besides，UncleLicurgolikesyougreatly。Hehastoldmesohimself。Fromthemomenthesawyou，youtookhisfancy，andthepooroldmanhasconceivedsuchanaffectionforyou——“
“Oh，yes——aprofoundaffection！“murmuredPepe。
“Don'tbefoolish，“continuedhisaunt，puttingherhandonhisshoulderandlookingathimclosely。“Don'timagineabsurdities；
convinceyourselfthatyourenemy，ifyouhaveone，isinMadrid，inthatcentreofcorruption，ofenvyandrivalry，notinthispeacefulandtranquilcorner，whereallisgood-willandconcord。Someone，nodoubt，whoisenviousofyourmerit——ThereisonethingIwishtosaynow——andthatis，thatifyoudesiretogotheretolearnthecauseofthisaffrontandaskanexplanationofitfromtheGovernment，youmustnotneglectdoingsoonouraccount。”
PepeReyfixedhiseyesonhisaunt'scountenance，asifhewishedtopenetratewithhisglancetheinmostdepthsofhersoul。
“Isaythatifyouwishtogo，doso，“repeatedDonaPerfecta，withadmirableserenity，whilehercountenanceexpressedthemostcompleteandunaffectedsincerity。
“No，senora:Idonotwishtogo。”
“Somuchthebetter；Ithinkyouareright。Youaremoretranquilhere，notwithstandingthesuspicionswithwhichyouaretormentingyourself。
PoorPepillo！WepoorrusticsofOrbajosalivehappyinourignorance。
Iamverysorrythatyouarenotcontentedhere。Butisitmyfaultifyouvexandworryyourselfwithoutacause?DoInottreatyoulikeason?HaveInotreceivedyouasthehopeofmyhouse?CanIdomoreforyou?Ifinspiteofallthisyoudonotlikeus，ifyoushowsomuchindifferencetowardus，ifyouridiculeourpiety，ifyouinsultourfriends，isitbychancebecausewedonottreatyouwell?“
DonaPerfecta'seyesgrewmoist。
“Mydearaunt，“saidPepe，feelinghisangervanish，“ItoohavecommittedsomefaultssinceIhavebeenaguestinthishouse。”
“Don'tbefoolish。Don'ttalkaboutcommittingfaults。Amongthepersonsofthesamefamilyeverythingisforgiven。”
“ButRosarito——whereisshe?“askedtheyoungman，rising。“AmInottoseeherto-day，either?“
“Sheisbetter。Doyouknowthatshedidnotwishtocomedownstairs?“
“Iwillgouptoherthen。”
“No，itwouldbeofnouse。Thatgirlhassomeobstinatenotions——
to-daysheisdeterminednottoleaveherroom。Shehaslockedherselfin。”
“Whatastrangeidea！“
“Shewillgetoverit。Undoubtedlyshewillgetoverit。Wewillseeto-nightifwecannotputthesemelancholythoughtsoutofherhead。Wewillgetupapartytoamuseher。Whydon'tyougotoDonInocencio'sandaskhimtocomehereto-nightandbringJacintillowithhim?“
“Jacintillo！“
“Yes，whenRosaritohasthesefitsofmelancholy，theonlyonewhocandivertheristhatyoungman。”
“ButIwillgoupstairs——“
“No，youmustnot。”
“Whatetiquettethereisinthishouse！“
“Youareridiculingus。DoasIaskyou。”
“ButIwishtoseeher。”
“Butyoucannotseeher。Howlittleyouknowthegirl！“
“IthoughtIknewherwell。Iwillstayhere，then。Butthissolitudeishorrible。”
“Therecomesthenotary。”
“Maledictionsuponhim！“
“AndIthinktheattorney-generalhasjustcomeintoo——heisanexcellentperson。”
“Hebehangedwithhisgoodness！“
“Butbusinessaffairs，whentheyareone'sown，serveasadistraction。
Someoneiscoming。Ithinkitistheagriculturalexpert。Youwillhavesomethingtooccupyyounowforanhourortwo。”
“Anhourortwoofhell！“
“Ah，ha！ifIamnotmistakenUncleLicurgoandUnclePasoLargohavejustentered。Perhapstheyhavecometoproposeacompromisetoyou。”
“Iwouldthrowmyselfintothepondfirst！“
“Howunnaturalyouare！Fortheyareallveryfondofyou。Well，sothatnothingmaybewanting，therecomestheconstabletoo。Heiscomingtoserveasummonsonyou。”
“Tocrucifyme。”
Alltheindividualsnamedwerenowenteringtheparloronebyone。
“Good-by，Pepe；amuseyourself，“saidDonaPerfecta。
“Earth，openandswallowme！“exclaimedtheyoungmandesperately。
“SenorDonJose。”
“MydearDonJose。”
“EsteemedDonJose。”
“MydearestDonJose。”
“Myrespectedfriend，DonJose。”
Hearingthesehoneyedandinsinuatingpreliminaries，PepeReyexhaledadeepsighandgavehimselfup。Hegavehimselfup，soulandbody，totheexecutioners，whobrandishedhorribleleavesofstampedpaperwhilethevictim，raisinghiseyestoheavenwithalookofChristianmeekness，murmured:
“Father，whyhastthouforsakenme?“
CHAPTERXII
HEREWASTROY
Love，friendship，awholesomemoralatmosphere，spirituallight，sympathy，aneasyinterchangeofideasandfeelings，thesewerewhatPepeRey'snatureimperativelydemanded。Deprivedofthem，thedarknessthatshroudedhissoulgrewdeeper，andhisinwardgloomimpartedatingeofbitternessanddiscontenttohismanner。Onthedayfollowingthescenesdescribedinthelastchapter，whatvexedhimmorethananythingwasthealreadyprolongedandmysteriousseclusionofhiscousin，accountedforatfirstbyatriflingindispositionandthenbycapricesandnervousfeelingsdifficultofexplanation。
ReywassurprisedbyconductsocontrarytotheideawhichhehadformedofRosarito。Fourdayshadpassedduringwhichhehadnotseenher；andcertainlyitwasnotbecausehedidnotdesiretobeatherside；andhissituationthreatenedsoontobecomehumiliatingandridiculous，if，byboldlytakingtheinitiative，hedidnotatonceputanendtoit。
“ShallInotseemycousinto-day，either?“hesaidtohisaunt，withmanifestill-humor，whentheyhadfinisheddining。
“No，notto-day，either。HeavenknowshowsorryIamforit。Igaveheragoodtalkingtothismorning。Thisafternoonwewillseewhatcanbedone。”
Thesuspicionthatinthisunreasonableseclusionhisadorablecousinwasratherthehelplessvictimthanthefreeandwillingagent，inducedhimtocontrolhimselfandtowait。HaditnotbeenforthissuspicionhewouldhaveleftOrbajosathatveryday。HehadnodoubtwhateverthatRosariolovedhim，butitwasevidentthatsomeunknowninfluencewasatworktoseparatethem，anditseemedtohimtobethepartofanhonorablemantodiscoverwhencethatmaligninfluenceproceededandtoopposeit，asfarasitwasinhispowertodoso。
“IhopethatRosarito'sobstinacywillnotcontinuelong，“hesaidtoDonaPerfecta，disguisinghisrealsentiments。
OnthisdayhereceivedaletterfromhisfatherinwhichthelattercomplainedofhavingreceivednonefromOrbajosa，acircumstancewhichincreasedtheengineer'sdisquietude，perplexinghimstillfurther。
Finally，afterwanderingaboutaloneinthegardenforalongtime，heleftthehouseandwenttotheCasino。Heentereditwiththedesperateairofamanabouttothrowhimselfintothesea。
Intheprincipalroomshefoundvariouspeopletalkinganddiscussingdifferentsubjects。Inonegrouptheyweresolvingwithsubtlelogicdifficultproblemsrelatingtobulls；inanother，theywerediscussingtherelativemeritsofdifferentbreedsofdonkeysofOrbajosaandVillahorrenda。Boredtothelastdegree，PepeReyturnedawayfromthesediscussionsanddirectedhisstepstowardthereading-room，wherehelookedthroughvariousreviewswithoutfindinganydistractioninthereading，andalittlelater，passingfromroomtoroom，hestopped，withoutknowingwhy，atthegaming-table。Fornearlytwohoursheremainedintheclutchesofthehorribleyellowdemon，whoseshiningeyesofgoldatoncetortureandcharm。Butnoteventheexcitementofplayhadpowertolightenthegloomofhissoul，andthesametediumwhichhadimpelledhimtowardthegreenclothsenthimawayfromit。
Shunningthenoise，hefoundhimselfinanapartmentusedasanassembly-room，inwhichatthetimetherewasnotalivingsoul，andhereheseatedhimselfwearilyatawindowoverlookingthestreet。
Thiswasverynarrow，withmorecornersandsalientanglesthanhouses，andwasovershadedthroughoutitswholeextentbytheimposingmassofthecathedralthatlifteditsdarkandtime-corrodedwallsatoneendofit。PepeReylookedupanddownandineverydirection；nosignoflife——notafootstep，notavoice，notaglance，disturbedthestillness，peacefulasthatofatomb，thatreignedeverywhere。
Suddenlystrangesounds，likethewhisperingoffemininevoices，fellonhisear，andthentherustlingofcurtainsthatwerebeingdrawn，afewwords，andfinallythehummingofasong，thebarkofalap-dog，andothersignsofsociallife，whichseemedverystrangeinsuchaplace。Observingattentively，PepeReyperceivedthatthesenoisesproceededfromanenormousbalconywithblindswhichdisplayeditscorpulentbulkinfrontofthewindowatwhichhewassitting。Beforehehadconcludedhisobservations，amemberoftheCasinosuddenlyappearedbesidehim，andaccostedhimlaughinglyinthismanner:
“Ah，SenorDonPepe！whatarogueyouare！Soyouhaveshutyourselfinheretooglethegirls，eh?“
ThespeakerwasDonJuanTafetan，averyamiableman，andoneofthefewmembersoftheCasinowhohadmanifestedforPepeReycordialfriendshipandgenuineadmiration。Withhisredcheeks，hislittledyedmustache，hisrestlesslaughingeyes，hisinsignificantfigure，hishaircarefullycombedtohidehisbaldness，DonJuanTafetanwasfarfrombeinganAntinousinappearance，buthewasverywittyandveryagreeableandhehadahappygiftfortellingagoodstory。Hewasmuchgiventolaughter，andwhenhelaughedhisface，fromhisforeheadtohischin，becameonemassofgrotesquewrinkles。Inspiteofthesequalities，andoftheapplausewhichmighthavestimulatedhistasteforspicyjokes，hewasnotascandal-monger。Everyonelikedhim，andPepeReyspentwithhimmanypleasanthours。PoorTafetan，formerlyanemployeinthecivildepartmentofthegovernmentofthecapitaloftheprovince，nowlivedmodestlyonhissalaryasaclerkinthebureauofcharities；ekingouthisincomebygallantlyplayingtheclarionetintheprocessions，inthesolemnitiesofthecathedral，andinthetheatre，wheneversomedesperatecompanyofplayersmadetheirappearanceinthosepartswiththeperfidiousdesignofgivingrepresentationsinOrbajosa。
ButthemostcuriousthingaboutDonJuanTafetanwashislikingforprettygirls。Hehimself，inthedayswhenhedidnothidehisbaldnesswithhalfadozenhairsplastereddownwithpomade，whenhedidnotdyehismustache，when，inthefreedomfromcareofyouthfulyears，hewalkedwithshouldersunstoopedandheaderect，hadbeenaformidable/Tenorio/。Tohearhimrecounthisconquestswassomethingtomakeonedielaughing；forthereare/Tenorios/andTenorios/，andhewasoneofthemostoriginal。
“Whatgirls?Idon'tseeanygirls，“respondedPepeRey。
“Yes，playtheanchorite！“
Oneoftheblindsofthebalconywasopened，givingaglimpseofayouthfulface，lovelyandsmiling，thatdisappearedinstantly，likealightextinguishedbythewind。
“Yes，Iseenow。”
“Don'tyouknowthem?“
“OnmylifeIdonot。”
“TheyaretheTroyas——theTroyagirls。Thenyoudon'tknowsomethinggood。Threelovelygirls，thedaughtersofacolonelofstaff，whodiedinthestreetsofMadridin'54。”
Theblindopenedagain，andtwofacesappeared。
“Theyarelaughingatme，“saidTafetan，makingafriendlysigntothegirls。
“Doyouknowthem?“
“Why，ofcourseIknowthem。Thepoorthingsareinthegreatestwant。
Idon'tknowhowtheymanagetolive。WhenDonFranciscoTroyadiedasubscriptionwasraisedforthem，butthatdidnotlastverylong。”
“Poorgirls！Iimaginetheyarenotmodelsofvirtue。”
“Andwhynot?Idonotbelievewhattheysayinthetownaboutthem。”
Oncemoretheblindsopened。
“Good-afternoon，girls！“criedDonJuanTafetantothethreegirls，whoappeared，artisticallygrouped，atthewindow。“Thisgentlemansaysthatgoodthingsoughtnottohidethemselves，andthatyoushouldthrowopentheblinds。”
Buttheblindwasclosedandajoyousconcertoflaughterdiffusedastrangegayetythroughthegloomystreet。Onemighthavefanciedthataflockofbirdswaspassing。
“Shallwegothere?“saidTafetansuddenly。
Hiseyessparkledandaroguishsmileplayedonhisdiscoloredlips。
“Butwhatsortofpeoplearethey，then?“
“Don'tbeafraid，SenordeRey。Thepoorthingsarehonest。Bah！Why，theyliveuponair，likethechameleons。Tellme，cananyonewhodoesn'teatsin?Thepoorgirlsarevirtuousenough。Andeveniftheydidsin，theyfastenoughtomakeupforit。”
“Letusgo，then。”
AmomentlaterDonJuanTafetanandPepeReywereenteringtheparloroftheTroyas。Thepovertyhesaw，thatstruggleddesperatelytodisguiseitself，afflictedtheyoungman。Thethreegirlswereverylovely，especiallythetwoyoungerones，whowerepaleanddark，withlargeblackeyesandslenderfigures。Well-dressedandwellshodtheywouldhaveseemedthedaughtersofaduchess，andworthytoallythemselveswithprinces。
Whenthevisitorsentered，thethreegirlswereforamomentabashed:
butverysoontheirnaturallygayandfrivolousdispositionsbecameapparent。Theylivedinpoverty，asbirdsliveinconfinement，singingbehindironbarsastheywouldsinginthemidstoftheabundanceoftheforest。Theyspentthedaysewing，whichshowedatleasthonorableprinciples；butnooneinOrbajosa，oftheirownstationinlife，heldanyintercoursewiththem。Theywere，toacertainextent，proscribed，lookeddownupon，avoided，whichalsoshowedthatthereexistedsomecauseforscandal。But，tobejust，itmustbesaidthatthebadreputationoftheTroyasconsisted，morethaninanythingelse，inthenametheyhadofbeinggossipsandmischief-makers，fondofplayingpracticaljokes，andboldandfreeintheirmanners。Theywroteanonymousletterstogravepersonages；theygavenicknamestoeverylivingbeinginOrbajosa，fromthebishopdowntothelowestvagabond；
theythrewpebblesatthepassers-by；theyhissedbehindthewindowbars，inordertoamusethemselveswiththeperplexityandannoyanceofthestartledpasser-by；theyfoundouteverythingthatoccurredintheneighborhood；towhichendtheymadeconstantuseofeverywindowandapertureintheupperpartofthehouse；theysangatnightinthebalcony；theymaskedthemselvesduringtheCarnival，inordertoobtainentranceintothehousesofthehighestfamilies；andtheyplayedmanyothermischievousprankspeculiartosmalltowns。Butwhateveritscause，thefactwasthatontheTroyatriumviraterestedoneofthosestigmasthat，onceaffixedonanyonebyasusceptiblecommunity，accompaniesthatpersonimplacablyevenbeyondthetomb。
“Thisisthegentlemantheysayhascometodiscoverthegold-mines?“
saidoneofthegirls。
“AndtodoawaywiththecultivationofgarlicinOrbajosatoplantcottonorcinnamontreesinitsstead?“
Pepecouldnothelplaughingattheseabsurdities。
“AllhehascomeforistomakeacollectionofprettygirlstotakebackwithhimtoMadrid，“saidTafetan。
“Ah！I'llbeverygladtogo！“criedone。
“Iwilltakethethreeofyouwithme，“saidPepe。“ButIwanttoknowonething；whywereyoulaughingatmewhenIwasatthewindowoftheCasino?“
Thesewordswerethesignalforfreshburstsoflaughter。
“Thesegirlsaresillythings，“saidtheeldest。
“ItwasbecausewesaidyoudeservedsomethingbetterthanDonaPerfecta'sdaughter。”
“Itwasbecausethisonesaidthatyouareonlylosingyourtime，forRosaritocaresonlyforpeopleconnectedwiththeChurch。”
“Howabsurdyouare！Isaidnothingofthekind！ItwasyouwhosaidthatthegentlemanwasaLutheranatheist，andthatheentersthecathedralsmokingandwithhishaton。”
“Well，Ididn'tinventit；thatiswhatSuspiritostoldmeyesterday。”
“AndwhoisthisSuspiritoswhosayssuchabsurdthingsaboutme?“
“Suspiritosis——Suspiritos。”
“Girls，“saidTafetan，withsmilingcountenance，“theregoestheorange-vender。Callhim；Iwanttoinviteyoutoeatoranges。”
Oneofthegirlscalledtheorange-vender。
TheconversationstartedbytheTroyasdispleasedPepeReynotalittle，dispellingtheslightfeelingofcontentmentwhichhehadexperiencedatfindinghimselfinsuchgayandcommunicativecompany。
Hecouldnot，however，refrainfromsmilingwhenhesawDonJuanTafetantakedownaguitarandbegintoplayuponitwithallthegraceandskillofhisyouthfulyears。
“Ihavebeentoldthatyousingbeautifully，“saidReytothegirls。
“LetDonJuanTafetansing。”
“Idon'tsing。”
“NorI，“saidthesecondofthegirls，offeringtheengineersomepiecesoftheskinoftheorangeshehadjustpeeled。
“MariaJuana，don'tleaveyoursewing，“saidtheeldestoftheTroyas。
“Itislate，andthecassockmustbefinishedto-night。”
“Thereistobenoworkto-day。Tothedevilwiththeneedles！“
exclaimedTafetan。
Andhebegantosingasong。
“Thepeoplearestoppinginthestreet，“saidthesecondofthegirls，goingoutonthebalcony。“DonJuanTafetan'sshoutscanbeheardinthePlaza——Juana，Juana！“
“Well?“
“Suspiritosiswalkingdownthestreet。”
“Throwapieceoforange-peelather。”
PepeReylookedoutalso；hesawaladywalkingdownthestreetatwhomtheyoungestoftheTroyas，takingaskilfulaim，threwalargepieceoforange-peel，whichstruckherstraightonthebackofthehead。Thentheyhastilyclosedtheblinds，andthethreegirlstriedtostifletheirlaughtersothatitmightnotbeheardinthestreet。
“Thereisnoworkto-day，“criedone，overturningthesewing-basketwiththetipofhershoe。
“Thatisthesameassaying，to-morrowthereistobenoeating，“saidtheeldest，gatheringupthesewingimplements。
PepeReyinstinctivelyputhishandintohispocket。Hewouldgladlyhavegiventhemanalms。Thespectacleofthesepoororphans，condemnedbytheworldbecauseoftheirfrivolity，saddenedhimbeyondmeasure。
IftheonlysinoftheTroyas，iftheonlypleasurewhichtheyhadtocompensatethemforsolitude，poverty，andneglect，wastothroworange-peelsatthepassers-by，theymightwellbeexcusedfordoingit。Theausterecustomsofthetowninwhichtheylivedhadperhapspreservedthemfromvice，buttheunfortunategirlslackeddecorumandgood-breeding，thecommonandmostvisiblesignsofmodesty，anditmighteasilybesupposedthattheyhadthrownoutofthewindowsomethingmorethanorange-peels。PepeReyfeltprofoundpityforthem。
Henotedtheirshabbydresses，madeover，mended，trimmed，andretrimmed，tomakethemlooklikenew；henotedtheirbrokenshoes——andoncemoreheputhishandinhispocket。
“Vicemayreignhere，“hesaidtohimself，“butthefaces，thefurniture，allshowthatthisisthewreckofarespectablefamily。Ifthesepoorgirlswereasbadasitissaidtheyare，theywouldnotliveinsuchpovertyandtheywouldnotwork。InOrbajosatherearerichmen。”
Thethreegirlswentbackandforwardbetweenhimandthewindow，keepingupagayandsprightlyconversation，whichindicated，itmustbesaid，aspeciesofinnocenceinthemidstofalltheirfrivolityandunconventionality。
“SenorDonJose，whatanexcellentladyDonaPerfectais！“
“SheistheonlypersoninOrbajosawhohasnonickname，theonlypersoninOrbajosawhoisnotspokenillof。”
“Everyonerespectsher。”
“Everyoneadoresher。”
Totheseutterancestheyoungmanrespondedbypraisesofhisaunt，buthehadnolongeranyinclinationtotakemoneyfromhispocketandsay，“MariaJuana，takethisforapairofboots。”“Pepa，takethistobuyadressforyourself。”“Florentina，takethistoprovideyourselfwithaweek'sprovisions，“ashehadbeenonthepointofdoing。Atamomentwhenthethreegirlshadrunouttothebalconytoseewhowaspassing，DonJuanTafetanapproachedReyandwhisperedtohim:
“Howprettytheyare！Aretheynot?Poorthings！Itseemsimpossiblethattheyshouldbesogaywhenitmaybepositivelyaffirmedthattheyhavenotdinedto-day。”
“DonJuan，DonJuan！“criedPepilla。“Herecomesafriendofyours，NicolasitoHernandez，inotherwords，CirioPascual，withthisthree-
storyhat。Heisprayingtohimself，nodoubt，forthesoulsofthosewhomhehassenttothegravewithhisextortion。”
“Iwagerthatneitherofyouwilldaretocallhimbyhisnickname。”
“Itisabet。”
“Juana，shuttheblinds，waituntilhepasses，andwhenheisturningthecorner，Iwillcallout，'Cirio，CirioPascual！'“
DonJuanTafetanranouttothebalcony。
“Comehere，DonJose，sothatyoumayknowthistype，“hecalled。
PepeRey，availinghimselfofthemomentinwhichthethreegirlsandDonJuanweremakingmerryinthebalcony，callingNicolasitoHernandezthenicknamewhichsogreatlyenragedhim，steppedcautiouslytooneofthesewingbasketsintheroomandplacedinitahalfouncewhichhehadleftafterhislossesatplay。
Thenhehurriedouttothebalconyjustasthetwoyoungestcriedinthemidstofwildburstsoflaughter，“Cirio，CirioPascual！“
CHAPTERXIII
ACASUSBELLI
AfterthispranktheTroyascommencedaconversationwiththeirvisitorsaboutthepeopleandtheaffairsofthetown。Theengineer，fearingthathisexploitmightbediscoveredwhilehewaspresent，wishedtogo，whichdispleasedtheTroyasgreatly。Oneofthemwhohadlefttheroomnowreturned，saying:
“Suspiritosisnowintheyard；sheishangingouttheclothes。”
“DonJosewillwishtoseeher，“saidanotherofthegirls。
“Sheisafine-lookingwoman。AndnowshearrangesherhairintheMadridfashion。Come，allofyou。”
Theytooktheirvisitorstothedining-room——anapartmentverylittleused——whichopenedonaterrace，wheretherewereafewflowersinpotsandmanybrokenanddisusedarticlesoffurniture。Theterraceoverlookedtheyardofanadjoininghouse，withapiazzafullofgreenvinesandplantsinpotscarefullycultivated。Everythingaboutitshowedittobetheabodeofneatandindustriouspeopleofmodestmeans。
TheTroyas，approachingtheedgeoftheroof，lookedattentivelyattheneighboringhouse，andthen，imposingsilencebyagestureontheircavaliers，retreatedtoapartoftheterracefromwhichtheycouldnotseeintotheyard，andwheretherewasnodangeroftheirbeingseenfromit。
“Sheiscomingoutofthekitchennowwithapanofpeas，“saidMariaJuana，stretchingouthernecktolook。
“Theregoes！“criedanother，throwingapebbleintotheyard。
Thenoiseoftheprojectilestrikingagainsttheglassofthepiazzawasheard，andthenanangryvoicecrying:
“Nowtheyhavebrokenanotherpaneofglass！“
Thegirls，hidden，closebesidethetwomen，inacorneroftheterrace，weresuffocatingwithlaughter。
“SenoraSuspiritosisveryangry，“saidRey。“Whydotheycallherbythatname?“
“Because，whensheistalking，shesighsaftereveryword，andalthoughshehaseverythingshewants，sheisalwayscomplaining。”
Therewasamoment'ssilenceinthehousebelow。PepitaTroyalookedcautiouslydown。
“Thereshecomesagain，“shewhispered，oncemoreimposingsilencebyagesture。“Maria，givemeapebble。Giveithere——bang！thereitgoes！“
“Youdidn'thither。Itstrucktheground。”
“LetmeseeifIcan。Letuswaituntilshecomesoutofthepantryagain。”
“Now，nowsheiscomingout。Takecare，Florentina。”
“One，two，three！Thereitgoes！“
Acryofpainwasheardfrombelow，amalediction，amasculineexclamation，foritwasamanwhoutteredit。PepeReycoulddistinguishclearlythesewords:
“Thedevil！Theyhaveputaholeinmyhead，the——Jacinto，Jacinto！
Butwhatanabominableneighborhoodthisis！“
“GoodHeavens！whathaveIdone！“exclaimedFlorentina，filledwithconsternation。“IhavestruckSenorDonInocencioonthehead。”
“ThePenitentiary?“saidPepeRey。
“Yes。”
“Doesheliveinthathouse?“
“Why，whereelseshouldhelive?“
“Andtheladyofthesighs——“
“Ishisniece，hishousekeeper，orwhateverelseshemaybe。Weamuseourselveswithherbecausesheisverytiresome，butwearenotaccustomedtoplaytricksonhisreverence，thePenitentiary。”