The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane

Chapter X. Which is as short as the foregoing.

Volume One: III.10 141 chapter x. Which is as short as the foregoing. It being near play-time, my mistress bid Laura and me follow her to the theatre. We went accordingly to her tyring-room,1 where she put off her ordinary dress, and took another more magnificent for her appearance on the stage. The curtain being drawn, Laura conducted and sat down by me in a place, where we could both see and hear the actors perfectly well. I was disgusted at the greatest part of them, doubtless because Don Pompeio had prejudiced me against them. Several, however, were very much applauded, and, among these, even some who put me in mind of the fable of the pig.2 Laura told me the names of all the actors and actresses as they presented themselves; and, not contented with this, the satyrical baggage3 describ’d their characters nicely, as they appeared. “This here (said she) is a noodle.4 —That fellow is a brute: and that minx5 whom you see, with an air more lewd than engaging, is called Rosarda; a very bad acquisition for the company! she should be enrolled in the troop that is raising by order of the viceroy of New-Spain, to be transported forthwith into America. Observe that luminous constellation advancing: that fair setting sun, known by the name of Castilda: if she had exacted a stone from each of her lovers, as a princess of Egypt is said to have done heretofore,6 she could have raised a pyramid which would have touched the third heaven.” In short, Laura gave no quarter: her malicious tongue did not even spare her own mistress. Nevertheless I will confess my weakness: I was charmed with my chamber-maid, tho’ her character was not morally good. She satyrized so agreeably, that I was even in love with her malice. Between the acts she got up, to go and see if Arsenia wanted her; but instead of returning immediately to her place, she amused herself behind the scenes, in listening to the soft things that were said by the men who flattered her. I followed her, for once, to observe, and perceived that she had a great many acquaintances; having reckoned no less than three actors, who, one after another, stopt to speak with her, and seemed to treat her with great familiarity. This was not at all agreeable to me, who feeling, for the first time, what it was to be jealous, returned to my seat so pensive and melancholy, that Laura observed it as soon as she came back. “What is the matter with thee, Gil Blas? (said she, with surprize.) What gloomy daemon has taken possession of thee since I went away? Thou seemest sad and dejected.” “I have too much reason to be so, my princess, (answered I) you have a little too much vivacity in your behaviour: I have observed you with the actors.” “A pleasant cause of melancholy, indeed! (said she, laughing.) How! does that give thee any uneasiness? Truly thou art a meer novice: but thou wilt see a great many other strange things among us, and must accustom thyself to our easy way of life.—Harbour no jealousy, child; for that, among comedians, is looked upon as ridiculous: therefore we have none of it. Fathers, husbands, brothers, 142 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane uncles, and cousins, with us, are the most complaisant persons on earth, and generally make settlements for their own family.” After having exhorted me to take umbrage at nothing, but look upon every thing with composure, she declared that I was the happy mortal who had found the way to her heart; and assured me, that her love should always rest on me alone. On this assurance , which however I might have distrusted, without the imputation of being too suspicious, I promised never more to be alarmed, and kept my word; for that very evening I saw her in close conversation, and heard her laugh heartily with several different men. When the play was over, we went home with our mistress, where Florimonda soon after arrived, with three old noblemen and an actor, to supper. Besides Laura and me, there were of servants in the house, a cookmaid, a coachman, and a page, who all joined in preparing for supper. The cook, who was no less dextrous than Dame Jacinta, was assisted by the coachman in dressing the victuals; while the chambermaid and...