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Volume One: III.3 113 let them remain engraven on thy memory: forget that thou hast met me to-day, and never talk of me from henceforth: for if ever I shall hear that thou so much as namest me in conversation—thou knowest me—I will say no more.” Having thus expressed himself, he called to pay, discharged the bill, and we got up in order to part. chapter iii. He is dismissed by Don Barnard de Castil Blazo, and enters into the service of a beau. As we went out of the tavern, and were taking leave of one another, my master happening to pass, saw me, and I perceived, looked hard at the captain, which made me believe that he was surprised to find me acquainted with such a figure. Certain it is, that the appearance of Rolando could not prepossess people in his favour: for he was a very tall fellow with a long visage and hook-nose;1 and though not ugly, had very much the air of a rank sharper. I was not deceived in my conjectures; for in the evening, I found Don Barnard still harping on the captain’s figure, and extremely well disposed to believe all the fine things I could have said of him, had not my mouth been shut. “Gil Blas, (said he) who is that tall spunger2 in whose company I saw thee to-day?” I replied, “He is an alguazil ;” and thought he would rest satisfied with that answer: but he asked a great many other questions; and as I appeared embarassed, because I remembred the threat of Rolando, he broke the conversation abruptly, and went to bed. Next morning, when I had done my duty as usual, instead of six rials, he gave me as many ducats; saying, “Hold, my friend, here is what I give thee for having served me hitherto: go, and seek for another place, for I cannot put up with a servant who has such honourable acquaintances .” I took it in my head to pretend in my own justification,3 that my acquaintance with the alguazil was occasioned by my having prescribed for him, while I practised physic at Valladolid. “Very well: (replied my master) that’s an ingenious evasion: but thou should’st have thought of it last night, and not have been so much disconcerted.” “Sir, (added I) I thought it would be imprudent in me to tell it: and that was the cause of my confusion.” “O! surely (replied he, clapping my shoulders gently) you have been very prudent; I did not think thou hadst been so cunning. Go, child, I have no farther occasion for thee.” I went instantly to inform Melendez of this piece of bad news, who told me for my consolation, that he intended to introduce me into a better family; and accordingly, a few days after, “Gil Blas, my friend, (said he) you don’t know what good news I have to tell you; you are going to enjoy the most agreeable post you could desire; for I will settle you with Don Matthias de Silva, a man of the first quality, and one of those young lords who go under the denomination of beaus: he does me the honour to buy 114 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane cloth of me: on trust, indeed; but there is nothing to be lost by people of his rank: for they commonly marry rich heiresses who pay their debts: and even if that should not happen, a tradesman who understands his business, sells always so dear that he can afford to lose three fourths of his bargain. The steward of Don Matthias is my particular friend. Let us go to him now; he will himself present you to his master; and you may depend upon it, he will for my sake, treat you with uncommon regard.” In our way to the house of Don Matthias, the merchant said, “It will not be amiss, I believe, to give you some information of the character of this steward, whose name is Gregorio Rodriguez. Between you and me, he is a man of no family, who finding himself born for business, followed the bent of his genius, and enriched himself with the pillage of two families which he served in quality of steward. I assure you he has a great deal of vanity, and loves to see the rest of the servants cringe to him. They...

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