The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane

Chapter III. He learns that his post is not altogether without mortifications. His uneasiness at this piece of news, which obliges him to alter his conduct.

346 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane tation: thou writest not only with all the clearness and distinction that I desired, but thy stile is also spirited and easy: thou justifiest the choice I have made of thy pen, and consolest me for the loss of thy predecessor.” He would not have confined my elogium to this, had he not been interrupted by the arrival of his nephew the Count de Lemos,4 whom his excellency embraced several times, and received in such a manner, as gave me to understand that he loved him with a tender affection. They shut themselves up together, to talk in private of a family affair, which I shall have occasion to mention in the sequel; and with which the minister, at that time, seemed to be more engrossed, than with the business of the king. While they were engaged together, I heard the clock strike twelve; and as I knew that the secretaries and clerks quitted their offices at that hour, to go and dine somewhere , I left my performance, and went out, not with a view of going to Monteser’s house, for he had already paid my appointments, and I had taken my leave of him, but to the most famous ordinary of the court-end of the town: a common eating-house would not now serve my turn. Remember that thou now belongest to the king. These words, which the Duke had pronounced, were seeds of ambition that every instant sprung up in my soul. chapter iii. He learns that his post is not altogether without mortifications. His uneasiness at this piece of news, which obliges him to alter his conduct. Iwas at great pains, when I entered, to let the landlord know that I was secretary to the prime minister; and in that quality, I did not know what to order for my dinner: I was afraid of bespeaking something that might savour of parsimony, and therefore bad him dress what he himself should think proper. Accordingly, he regaled me in a sumptuous manner, and I was served with marks of respect which gave me still more pleasure than the good chear. When the bill was brought, I threw a pistole upon the table, leaving to the waiters one fourth of it at least; for so much remained over and above the reckoning. After which, I strutted away with such gestures as shewed that I was mighty well pleased with my own person.1 About twenty yards from hence, there was a large house, in which noblemen that were strangers commonly lodged. Here I hired an apartment, consisting of five or six rooms handsomely furnished, as if I already enjoyed two or three thousand ducats a year; and even paid the first month per advance. Afterwards, returning to work, I spent the whole afternoon in continuing what I had begun in the morning. There were two more secretaries in a closet next to mine; but they only transcribed what the Duke gave them to copy. With these I contracted an acquaintance that very evening, when we went out together; and, in order to gain their friendship the sooner, carried Volume Three: VIII.3 347 them to my tavern, where I ordered for supper the best dishes in season, with the most delicate wines.2 We sat down together, and began to converse with more gaity than wit; for to do justice to my guests, I soon perceived that they did not owe to their genius the places which they possessed. They were connoisseurs, indeed, in the different kinds of handwriting ; but they had not the least tincture of university education. To make amends for this, they understood their own little interest to admiration; and were not so much intoxicated with the honour of serving the prime minister, but that they complained of their situation. “We have (said one of them) already exercised our employment five months at our own expence, without touching one farthing; and, which is worse, our appointments are not regulated; nor do we know upon what footing we are.” “As for my part, (said the other) I would with all my heart put up with twenty stripes, instead of appointments, to be allowed the liberty of engaging myself elsewhere; for I dare not retire of my own accord, nor demand my dismission, after the secrets with which I have been intrusted; else I might chance to visit the tower of Segovia, or...