The Exemplary Novels of CervantesCervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
General
The Exemplary Novels of Cervantes
Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
Spanish fiction -- Translations into English
Finding herself left alone, Leocadia got out of bed, and groped about
the room, and along the walls, feeling for a door or window through
which she might make her escape. She found the door, but it was locked
outside. She succeeded in opening the window; and the moonlight shone in
so brightly, that she could distinguish the colour of some damask
hangings in the room. She saw that the bed was gilded, and so rich, that
it seemed that of a prince rather than of a private gentleman. She
counted the chairs and the cabinets, observed the position of the door,
and also perceived some pictures hanging on the walls, but was not able
to distinguish the subjects. The window was large, and protected by a
stout iron grating: it looked out on a garden, surrounded by high walls,
so that escape in that direction was as impossible as by the door.
Everything she observed in this sumptuous apartment showed her that its
master was a person of quality, and of extraordinary wealth. Among other
things on which she cast her eyes was a small crucifix of solid silver,
standing on a cabinet near the window. She took it, and hid it in the
sleeve of her gown, not out of devotion, nor yet with a felonious
intention, but with a very proper and judicious design. Having done
this, she shut the window as before, and returned to the bed, to see
what would be the end of an affair which had begun so badly. In about
half an hour, as it seemed to her, the door was opened; some one came
in, blindfolded her, and taking her by the arm, without a word spoken,
led her out of the room, which she heard him lock behind him.
This person was Rodolfo, who though he had gone to look for his friends,
had changed his mind in that respect, not thinking it advisable to
acquaint them with what had passed between him and the girl. On the
contrary, he resolved to tell them, that repenting of his violence, and
moved by her tears, he had only carried her half-way towards his house,
and then let her go. Having come to this resolution, he hastened back to
remove Leocadia before daylight appeared, which would compel him to keep
her in his room all the following day. He led her then to the Plaza del
Ayuntamiento, and there, in a feigned voice, speaking half Portuguese
and half Spanish, he told her she might go home without fear, for she
should not be followed; and he was already out of sight before she had
taken the bandage from her eyes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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