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308 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane chapter viii. The reception which Gil Blas met with from the players of Grenada, and his finding an old acquaintance behind the scenes. Laura had no sooner finished her story, than an old actress, who lived in the neighbourhood , came to take her up in her way to the play-house. This venerable stageheroine would have been very proper for playing the part of the goddess Cotys.1 My sister did not fail to present her brother to this superannuated figure; upon which, a great many compliments passed on both sides. I left them together, telling the steward’s widow, that I would rejoin her at the theatre , as soon as I ordered my baggage to be carried to the Marquis of Marialva’s house, to which he gave me a direction. I went immediately to my own room; from whence, after having satisfied my landlady, I repaired with a man who carried my portmanteau , to a large furnished house where my new master lodged. I met at the door his steward, who asked me if I was not Dame Estella’s brother; and upon my answering in the affirmative, said, “Signior cavalier, you are very welcome: the Marquis of Marialva , whose steward I have the honour to be, has ordered me to give you a handsome reception. There is a chamber prepared for you; to which, if you please, I will shew you the way.” So saying, he carried me to the top of the house, and shewed me into a chamber so small, that a very narrow bed, a chest, and two chairs quite filled it. This was my apartment. “You won’t be very much at large in this place, (said my guide;) but to make you amends, you shall be lodged in a superb manner at Lisbon.” I locked my portmanteau in my chest, put the key in my pocket, and asked what hour they supped. It was answered, that the Portugueze nobleman kept no table at home, but gave a certain monthly sum to each domestic for his board. I put other questions to him, and learned, that the people belonging to the Marquis were a parcel of happy sluggards.2 After a short conversation, I left the steward, to go in quest of Laura, agreeably ingrossed with the presage I had conceived of my new place. As soon as I arrived at the play-house-door, and told that I was Estella’s brother, I was immediately admitted. You might have seen the guards as eager in making a passage for me, as if I had been one of the most considerable noblemen of Grenada. All the servants and door-keepers whom I met, made me profound bows. But what I wish I could paint to the reader, was my serio-comical3 reception behind the scenes, where I found the company all dressed, and ready to begin. The actors and actresses to whom Laura presented me, poured upon me in shoals.4 The men overwhelmed me with embraces ; and the women, in their turns, applying their painted faces to mine, covered it with white and red: each desirous of being the first to make their compliment, they spoke altogether: it was impossible for me alone to answer; but my sister came to my assistance, and her indefatigable tongue did not leave me in debt to any one. The embraces of the actors and actresses did not suffice; for I was also obliged to undergo the civilities of the scene-painter, the music, prompter, candle-snuffer and his Volume Three: VII.8 309 deputy; in short, of all the servants of the theatre, who, on the report of my arrival, came running to behold me. One would have thought that all these people were foundlings , who never had seen a brother before. Mean while, the performance began; and some gentlemen, who were behind the scenes, ran to their places; while I, like a child of the house, continued to converse with those of the actors who were not on the stage. Among these, I heard one called Melchior : I was struck with the name; I considered with attention the person who bore it, and imagined I had seen him somewhere. I at length recollected him to be Melchior Zapata, that poor stroler, who, as I have observed in the first volume of my history, soaked crusts of bread in a spring. Taking him aside...

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