Juanita la Larga: a Novel

Chapter 34

Chapter 34 J uanita arrived at the house, knocked on the door, and the bailiff ’s wife opened it. Juanita said to her: “Is Don Paco in? Is he up and alone? I need to see him and talk to him right away.” “He’s up and alone in the upstairs room,” said the bailiff’s wife. Without waiting for any further response or permission, Juanita brushed past her interlocutor, broke into a run, climbed the stairs, left her shawl on a bench in the small anteroom, and, bareheaded, entered the room that Don Paco was in. The latter’s surprise and jubilation were indescribable, forasmuch as he was still fearful that Juanita’s coquetry had been a factor in Don Andrés’s boldness. Grateful for the unexpected visit, Don Paco was very gracious, but he concealed his joy and tried to assume the most grave and severe expression that he could. “Don’t be upset with me,” said Juanita, using the familiar, or tú, address with him for the first time. “I was jealous of Doña Agustina and angry at you with as little reason as you are now. I wanted to gall you. I’m being honest, and I confess my guilt and regret it. Forgive me. He kissed me by surprise, but I pushed him away furiously. I swear it, believe me, I swear it on the salvation of my soul: I didn’t push him away only because you entered, and I would’ve pushed him away even more harshly if you hadn’t. I’ve come here to tell you this so that you’ll forgive me, because I love you. I want you to know it. I’m sorry for having sent you packing; I’m crazy about you and can’t live without you.” What was Don Paco to do except swell with pride, be moved, go 178 weak at the knees, and forgive everything on hearing such sweet and impassioned words on such pretty and fresh lips? Nonetheless, he did not know what to say or what to do, and as is generally the case on such occasions, he made not a few foolish remarks. “I can hardly believe,” he said, “that you no longer notice my old age, that you don’t think about the fact that I could be your grandfather , and that you love me as you say. Do you by chance intend to mock me and drive me crazy? Do you seek to flatter me with the hope of a happiness that I no longer dared to imagine even in dreams, only to kill me afterwards by making it disappear?” “No, my love, I do not want to make your hope disappear, but make it come true. I want to give you happiness, if you consider my being yours happiness. If you don’t despise me, if you forgive me, if you don’t believe me unworthy, we’ll marry, even though Doña Inés may be hopping mad that I don’t take the veil, even though Don Andrés may withdraw his favor from you, even though it may become impossible for us to stay in this town, and even though we may have to leave for unknown parts, perhaps to live miserably. Have no doubt: if it were possible that Don Andrés could fall for me to the extreme of wanting to marry me, I’d scorn him for your love even if you were a thousand times more poor than you are. I would sing to him the verse that says: ‘Better a poor Andalusian dance and a few roasted peppers, than a dull Excellency at your side.’” On hearing this, Don Paco could scarcely contain and hide his emotion. A delightful shudder shook his veins, as if light and fire coursed through them instead of blood. He was on the point of throwing himself at Juanita’s feet and kissing them, but he controlled himself yet and said: Juanita la Larga 179 180 Juanita la Larga “I want to believe, I do believe, in your sincerity at this moment. However, my modesty leads me to fear that perhaps you’re deluding yourself, that perhaps you’re deceiving yourself, that perhaps you’ll regret the step you’re taking now. You’re so beautiful that you can seek whatever strikes your fancy. And Don Andrés is no...