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406 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane chapter ix. Scipio returns to Madrid, and procures the enlargement of Gil Blas, on certain conditions. What course they steer together, when they leave the tower of Segovia, and the conversation that passes between them. Scipio set out once more for Madrid; and I, in expectation of his return, applied myself to reading, being furnished with more books than I wanted, by Tordesillas, who borrowed them from an old commander that could not read, though he had a fine library , to maintain the appearance of a literati. I loved, in particular, good works of morality , because I found in them, every moment, passages that flattered my aversion for the court, and my inclination for solitude. I spent three weeks, without hearing a syllable of my agent, who at length returned, and said to me with a gay air, “This time, Signior de Santillane, I bring good news; Madam the nurse interests herself in your behalf. Her maid, at my intreaty, in consideration of an hundred pistoles that I have consigned to her, has been so generous as to engage her to beg your release of the Prince of Spain; and that prince, who, as I have already observed, can refuse her nothing, has promised to ask it of the King his father. I am come hither in a hurry, to apprize you of it, and shall return immediately, to put the finishing stroke to the work.” So saying, he left me, and went back to court. His third trip was not of long duration. In eight days my man returned, and told me, that the Prince had, not without difficulty, obtained my release. This piece of information was confirmed the same day by Mr. Keeper, who embraced me, saying, “My dear Gil Blas, thank heaven! you are free! the gates of this prison are open to you; but upon two conditions, which, perhaps, will give you a great deal of pain, and which I am obliged to inform you of, though not without regret. His majesty forbids you to appear at court, and orders you to quit the kingdom of Castile, in a month. I am very much mortified that you are prohibited from going to court.” “And I am overjoyed at it, (I replied:) God knows what my opinion of it is. I expected but one favour from the King, and I have received two.” Being assured that I was no longer prisoner, I hired two mules, which my confident and I mounted next day, after having bid adieu to Cogollos, and returned a thousand thanks to Tordesillas, for all the marks of friendship I had received at his hands. We set out merrily for Madrid, to retrieve, from the hands of Signior Gabriel, our two bags, in each of which were five hundred doubloons. My associate said to me by the way, “If we are not rich enough to buy a magnificent estate, we can, at least, purchase a commodious one.” “So we had but a hut, (answered I) I should be satisfied with my condition : for, though I am scarce in the middle of my career, I feel myself quite detached from the world, and intend, for the future, to live for myself only. Besides, I must tell thee, I have formed an enchanting idea of a country life, the pleasures of which I enjoy by anticipation. Methinks I already behold the enamelled meads, hear the nightin- Volume Three: IX.9 407 gales sing, and the brooks murmur.1 Sometimes I divert myself in hunting, and sometimes in fishing. Imagine to thyself, my friend, all the different pleasures that await us in solitude, and thou wilt be as much charmed with it as I am. With regard to eating, the most simple nourishment is the best. A morsel of bread may satisfy us when we are hungry, and the appetite with which we eat it, will make us think it excellent food. The pleasure does not consist in the quality of exquisite dishes, but centers wholly in ourselves ; and this is so true, that the most delicious of my meals are not those in which the greatest delicacy and abundance reign. Frugality is a source of delights, and wonderfully conducive to health.” “By your leave, Signior Gil Blas, (said my secretary, interrupting me) I am not altogether of your opinion, with regard to the pretended frugality you praise so much. Why should we...

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