The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane

Chapter X. What followed the marriage of Gil Blas and the fair Antonia. The beginning of Scipio’s history.

452 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane preferred a private conversation to dancing, and gave each other an account of what had happened to them since their parting; but they were interrupted by Seraphina, who being informed of their meeting, sent for them to express her joy at their reconciliation . “My children, (said she) on this day of rejoicing, it is an addition to my satisfaction , to see you restored to each other. Friend Scipio, I give you back your spouse, and protest to you, that her conduct has always been irreproachable: you may live here happily together; and you, Beatrice, attach yourself to Antonia, and be as much devoted to her, as your husband is to Signior de Santillane.” Scipio, after this, could not help looking upon his wife as another Penelope,8 and promised to treat her with all imaginable affection. The young peasants and their partners, having danced all day, retired to their own houses; but the festival was continued at the castle, where a magnificent supper was prepared; and when it was time to go to rest, the grand vicar blessed the nuptial bed; Seraphina undressed the bride, and the noblemen of Leyva did me the same honour. What was merry enough, the officers of Don Alphonso, and the ladies of the governess , took it into their heads to perform the same ceremony to Beatrice and Scipio, who, to make the scene more comical, very gravely allowed themselves to be stript and put to bed. chapter x. What followed the marriage of Gil Blas and the fair Antonia. The beginning of Scipio’s history. On the very next day after my marriage, the lords of Leyva returned to Valencia, after having given me a thousand new marks of friendship; so that my secretary and I remained in the house, with our wives and servants only. The care which both of us took to please the ladies, was not ineffectual; in a little time, I inspired my wife with as much love for me, as I had for her; and Scipio made his spouse forget the sorrows which he had made her suffer. Beatrice, who had a pliant , obliging temper, easily insinuated herself into the favour, and gained the confidence of her mistress. In short, we agreed, all four, to admiration, and began to enjoy a situation worthy of envy. All our days glided away in the most agreeable amusements. Antonia was naturally grave, but Beatrice and I were very gay; and had we been otherwise , Scipio’s presence was enough to keep off melancholy. He was an incomparable fellow for society, one of those comical creatures, whose appearance alone can make a company merry. One day that we took a whim, after dinner, to go and take a siesta, in the most agreeable place of the wood, my secretary was in such good humour, that he banished all desire of sleeping, by his merry discourse. “Hold thy tongue, friend, (said I) or if thou Scipio tells his history 454 The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane art resolved to keep us from taking our nap, entertain us with some story worthy of our attention.” “With all my heart, Sir, (answered he) shall I recount the history of King Pelagius ?”*1 “I would rather hear thy own; (I replied) but that is a pleasure thou hast not thought proper to give me, since we lived together, nor ever will, I suppose.” “And what is the reason? (said he) if I have not recounted my own history, it was because you never expressed the least desire to hear it; it is not, therefore, my fault that you are ignorant of my adventures; and if you are in the least curious to know them, I am ready to satisfy your curiosity.” Antonia, Beatrice and I took him at his word, and disposed ourselves in order, to hear his narration, which could not miss of having a good effect; either in diverting, or lulling us asleep. Had it depended upon me, (said Scipio) I should have been the son of some grandee , or knight of Alcantara, at least; but as one does not choose his own father, you must know that mine was an honest soldier of the holy brotherhood,2 Torribio Scipio by name. While he was travelling to and fro on the highway, where his profession obliged him, almost always, to be...