In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

THE ADVENTURES OF GIL BLAS of Santillane. BOOK II. chapter i. Fabricius conducts Gil Blas, and introduces him to the licentiate Sedillo. The situation of this canon. A description of his housekeeper. We were so much afraid of coming too late, that we made but one leap from the alley to the house of the old licentiate. We knocked at the door, which was opened by a girl ten years old, who passed for the housekeeper’s niece, in spite of scandal; and asking if the canon could be spoke with, Dame Jacinta appeared: she was a person already arrived at the age of discretion, but still handsome; and, in particular , I admired the freshness of her complexion. She wore a long gown of coarse stuff, with a large leathern girdle, from one side of which hung a bunch of keys, and from the other a rosary of great beads. As soon as we perceived her, we bowed with profound respect, and she returned the salute very civilly, but with a modest deportment and downcast eyes. “Having understood (said my comrade to her) that master licentiate Sedillo has occasion for an honest valet, I am come to present one, with whom, I hope, he will be satisfied.” The housekeeper, at these words, lifting her eyes, surveyed me with attention , and, not being able to reconcile my embroidery with the discourse of Fabricius , asked if it was I who wanted the vacant place. “Yes, (said the son of Nunnez) it is this young man, who, notwithstanding his appearance, has met with misfortunes that oblige him to go to service. But he will soon forget his mishaps, (added he, with an insinuating air) if he has the happiness to come into this family, and live with the virtuous Jacinta, who deserves to be housekeeper to the patriarch of the Indies.”1 At these words, this pious governante2 moved her eyes from me, to consider the polite person who spoke, and, struck with his features, which were not altogether unknown to her, “I have (said she) a confused notion of having seen you somewhere; pray assist my recollection .” “Chaste Jacinta, (answered Fabricius) I am proud of having attracted your ...

Share