The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, Volume 1 (of 3)Le Sage, Alain René
General
The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, Volume 1 (of 3)
Le Sage, Alain René
Adventure and adventurers -- Fiction; Blas, Gil (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
It was evident enough that Don Lewis was disturbed by this
declaration. Might one without impropriety, replied he, just ask the
lady's name? What do you mean by impropriety? exclaimed the
pretended Don Felix. Why make any secret about such a matter as
that? Do you think me more of a Joseph than other young noblemen of
my standing? Have a better opinion of my spirit. Besides, the
object, between ourselves, is unworthy of any great reserve, she is
but a little mushroom of the lower ranks. A man of fashion never
quarrels with his conscience about such obscure gallantries, and even
thinks it an honor conferred on a tradesman's wife or daughter when
he leaves her without any. I shall, therefore, acquaint you in plain
terms, that the name of the doctor's daughter is Isabella. And the
doctor himself, interrupted Pacheco impatiently .... he possibly may
be Signor Murcia de la Llana? Precisely so, replied my mistress.
Here is a letter sent me just now. Read it, and then you will see
how deeply your humble servant has dipped into her good graces. Don
Lewis just cast his eye upon the note, and recognizing the
handwriting, was struck dumb with astonishment and vexation. What is
the matter? cried Aurora, with an air of surprise, keeping up the
spirit of her assumed character. You change color! God forgive me,
but you are a party concerned in this young lady. Ah! plague take my
officious tongue for having opened my affairs to you with so much
frankness.
I am very much obliged to you for it for my own part, said Don Lewis,
in a transport made up of spite and rage. Traitress! Jilt! My dear
Don Felix, how shall I ever requite you! You have restored me to my
senses when they were just on the wing for an eternal flight. I was
tickling myself into a fool's paradise of credulous love. But love
is too cold a term to express my extravagances. I fancied myself
adored by Isabella. The creature had wormed herself into my heart by
feigning to give me her own. But now I know her clearly for a
coquette, and as such despise her as she deserves. Your feelings on
the occasion do you infinite credit, said Aurora, testifying a
friendly sympathy in his resentment. A plodding pettifogger's
worthless brood might have gorged to surfeit on the love of a young
nobleman so captivating as yourself. Her fickleness is inexcusable.
So far from taking her sacrifice of you in good part, it is my
determination to punish her by the keenest contempt. As for me,
rejoined Pacheco, I shall never set eyes on her again; and if that is
not revenge, the devil is in it. You are in the right, exclaimed our
masquerading Mendoza. At the same time, that she may fully
understand how ineffably we both disdain her, I vote for sitting
down, each of us, and writing her a sarcastic farewell. They shall
be enclosed in one cover, and serve as an answer to her own letter.
But do not let us proceed to this extremity till you have examined
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account