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Chapter II. The reception that Gil Blas met with from Aurora, and the conversation that passed between them.
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158 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane even recollected all the passages of our theatrical pieces, which might be of service to me, and do me honour during our interview; and by a seasonable application of these, I hoped, (after the example of some players whom I knew) to pass for a wit, though I could only boast of a memory. Absorpt in these reflections which amused my impatience more agreeably than the military stories of my master, I heard the clock strike eleven; upon which, I plunged again into my reverie, sometimes walking, and sometimes sitting in an arbor at the farther end of the garden. The long-expected hour of twelve at last struck, and in a few minutes, Ortiz, as punctual, though less impatient than I, appeared. “Signior Gil Blas, (said she, accosting me) how long have you been here?” I replied, two hours. “In good sooth, (said she, laughing) you are very exact: it is a pleasure to make an assignation with you. True, indeed, (continued she, with a serious air) you cannot pay too dear for the happy tidings I have to tell you. My mistress wants to have some private conversation with you. I will say no more. The rest is a secret you must learn from her own mouth. Follow me, and I will conduct you into her apartment.” So saying, the duenna took me by the hand, and led me in a mysterious manner, through a little door, of which she had the key, into the chamber of her mistress. chapter ii. The reception that Gil Blas met with from Aurora, and the conversation that passed between them. Isaluted Aurora, whom I found in dishabille, in the most respectful manner, and with the best grace I could put on; and she received me with a smiling air, forced me to sit down by her, and bad her ambassadress retire into another room. After this prelude, with which I was not ill pleased, she addressed herself to me in these words. “Gil Blas, you must have perceived that I look upon you in a favourable light, and distinguish you from the rest of my father’s servants; and even though you may not have observed, by my looks, that I have a regard for you, the step I have taken this night, will leave you no room to doubt it.” I gave her no time to proceed, but believing that I ought, as a polite gentleman, to spare her modesty the pain of a more formal explanation, I started up in a transport, and throwing myself at her feet, like a stage hero, who falls on his knees before his princess, cried, in a theatrical tone, “Ah, madam! can it be possible that Gil Blas, hitherto the foot-ball of fortune,1 and outcast of nature, is so happy as to have inspired you with sentiments—” “Don’t speak so loud, (said my mistress, laughing) you will awaken my women, who are asleep in the next room. Get up, take your seat again, and hear me to an end, without interrupting me. Yes, Gil Blas, (continued she, resuming her gravity ) I am your well-wisher; and, as a proof of my esteem, will impart to you a secret, on Volume Two: IV.2 159 which the repose of my life depends: I am in love with a young gentleman of beauty, fortune, and illustrious birth: his name is Don Lewis Pacheco; and although I have seen him several times in the prado, and at public shews, I have never spoke to him, am even ignorant of his character, and don’t know but he may be a person of bad morals. This is what I want to be informed of; and having occasion for a man to enquire carefully about his reputation, and bring me a faithful account of it, I make choice of you, and believe I run no risk, by intrusting you with this commission, in which, I hope, you will acquit yourself with so much discretion and address, that I shall never repent of having made you my confident.” Here my mistress left off speaking, in order to know what answer I would make; and I, though at first disconcerted at being so disagreeably undeceived, quickly recollected myself, and surmounting that shame, which is always the concomitant of unsuccessful rashness, expressed so much zeal for the lady’s interests, and devoted myself with so much ardour to...