The Exemplary Novels of CervantesCervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
General
The Exemplary Novels of Cervantes
Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
Spanish fiction -- Translations into English
money in them; but I could not find them, for some one passing by had no
doubt picked them up.
The alguazil, in despair at finding that the Breton had no money to
bribe with, thought to indemnify himself by extorting something from the
mistress of the house. He called for her, and in she came half dressed,
and when she saw and heard the Breton bawling for his money, Colindres
crying in her shift, the alguazil storming, the attorney in a passion,
and the bailiffs ransacking the room, she was in no very good humour.
The alguazil ordered her to put on her clothes and be off with him to
prison, for allowing men and women to meet for bad purposes in her
house. Then indeed the row grew more furious than ever. "Señor Alguazil
and Señor Attorney," said the hostess, "none of your tricks upon me, for
I know a thing or two, I tell you. Give me none of your blustering, but
shut your mouth, and go your ways in God's name, otherwise by my faith
I'll pitch the house out of the windows, and blow upon you all; for I am
well acquainted with the Señora Colendres, and I know moreover that for
many months past she has been kept by the Señor Alguazil; so don't
provoke me to let out any more, but give this gentleman back his money,
and let us all part good friends, for I am a respectable woman, and I
have a husband with his patent of nobility with its leaden seals all
hanging to it, God be thanked! and I carry on this business with the
greatest propriety. I have the table of charges hung up where everybody
may see it, so don't meddle with me, or by the Lord I'll soon settle
your business. It is no affair of mine if women come in with my lodgers;
they have the keys of their rooms, and I am not a lynx to see through
seven walls."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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