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
Besides that such levity seems irreconcilable with the feelings of
any but the profligate of our sex, I will frankly own the relish of
life to be extinct in me; so that I mean to end my days in this
convent, and to become a benefactress to it.
Such was Donna Mencia's discourse about her future plans. She then
drew a purse from beneath her robe, and put it into my hands, with
this address: Here are a hundred ducats simply to furnish out your
wardrobe. That done, come and see me again. I mean not to confine
my gratitude within such narrow bounds. I returned her a thousand
thanks, and promised solemnly not to quit Burgos, without taking
leave of her. Having given this pledge, which I had every
inclination to redeem, I went to look out for some house of
entertainment. Entering the first I met with, I asked for a room.
To parry the ill opinion my frock might convey of my finances, I told
the landlord that, however appearances might be against me, I could
pay for my night's lodging as well as a better dressed gentleman. At
this speech, the landlord, whose name was Majuelo, a great banterer
in a coarse way, running over me with his eyes from top to toe,
answered with a cool, sarcastic grin, that there was no need of any
such assurance: it was evident I should pay my way liberally, for he
discovered something of nobility through my disguise, and had no
doubt but I was a gentleman in very easy circumstances. I saw
plainly that the rascal was laughing at me; and, to stop his humor
before it became too convulsive, gave him a little insight into the
state of my purse. I went so far as to count over my ducats on a
table before him, and perceived my coin to have inclined him to a
more respectful judgment. I begged the favor of him to send for a
tailor. A broker would be better, said he; he will bring all sorts
of apparel, and you will be dressed up out of hand. I approved of
this advice, and determined to follow it: but, as the day was on the
point of closing, I put off my purchase till the morrow, and thought
only of getting a good supper, to make me amends for the miserable
fare I had taken up with since my escape from the forest.
_CHAPTER XV._
_GIL BLAS DRESSES HIMSELF TO MORE ADVANTAGE, AND RECEIVES A SECOND
PRESENT FROM THE LADY. HIS EQUIPAGE ON SETTING OUT FROM BURGOS._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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