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Chapter VII. Gil Blas quits his place, and goes into the service of Don Gonzales de Pacheco.
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190 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane chapter vii. Gil Blas quits his place, and goes into the service of Don Gonzales de Pacheco. Three weeks after this marriage, my mistress being desirous of recompensing me for the services I had done her, made me a present of an hundred pistoles, saying, “Gil Blas, my friend, far from turning you away, I leave it to your choice to stay with me as long as you please; but my husband’s uncle, Don Gonzales de Pacheco, wants to have you for a valet de chambre. I spoke to him so advantageously of you, that he assured me, I would do him a favour in parting with you to him. He is an old nobleman, (added she) of an excellent character, and you will be quite happy in his service.” I thanked Aurora for her generosity, and as she had no longer any occasion for me, accepted the post to which I was recommended; the more willingly, as I should still be in the family. One morning, therefore, I went with a message from my new married mistress, to Signior Don Gonzales, who was still a-bed although it was nearly twelve o’clock. When I entered his chamber, I found him taking some broth which a page had brought in. The old gentleman’s whiskers were in papers,1 his eyes almost quite extinguished, and his face pale and meagre. He was one of those old boys who have been great rakes in their youth, and are not a whit more sedate in their old age. He received me with great civility, and told me that if I would serve him with as much zeal as I had manifested for his niece, I might depend upon living happily. I promised to have the same attachment to him which I had for her, and that moment, he engaged me in his service. Behold me then with a new master, and heaven knows what sort of a man he was! When he got up, I fancied I saw the resurrection of Lazarus. Paint to your own imagination , a tall body so lean and withered, that when it was naked an anatomist might have taught osteology upon it,2 with legs so small that they looked like spindles,3 after he had put on three or four pair of stockings. This living mummy was besides troubled with an asthma, and coughed at every word he spoke. Having drank chocolate, he called for paper and ink, and wrote a letter which he sealed and sent away, according to the direction, by the page who had brought the broth; then turning to me, “Friend, (said he) thou art the person whom I intend henceforth to trust with my commissions, especially those which regard Donna Euphrasia, a young lady whom I love, and who is passionately fond of me.” “Good God! (said I to myself ) how can young people help believing themselves beloved , when this old dotard4 thinks himself adored!” “Gil Blas, (added he) thou shalt go with me this very day to her house, where I sup almost every night, and thou wilt be charmed with her prudence and reserve: far from resembling those silly coquets who can relish nothing but youth, and are won by appearances only, she has an understanding already mature and judicious, that consults the sentiments of a man, and prefers a lover of delicacy and taste, to one of the most shining exteriors.” Signior Don Gonzales did not here finish the elogium of his mistress, whom he represented as the epitome Volume Two: IV.7 191 of all perfection. But he had a hearer not easily persuaded. After the conduct of the actresses, which I had seen, I did not look upon old noblemen as people very happy in their amours. I pretended, however, out of complaisance, to believe all that my master said. I did more, I extolled the discernment and taste of Euphrasia; and was even impudent enough to affirm, that she could not have a more amiable gallant. The good old gentleman did not perceive that I made game of him;5 but on the contrary , applauded my good sense. So true it is, that a sycophant may run any risk with the great, who swallow all kind of flattery, let it be ever so absurd. The old man having written his letter, pulled some hairs out of his beard with a pair of pincers, cleaned...