Part 9 (1/2)

These I bore in silence for some time, as part of my probation in the character of a soldier; resolved, nevertheless, to employ my interest at court for a removal into another corps, and to take so my sentiments to Don Gonzales upon the injustice of his behaviour

While I aniements I underwent, and the hard duty to which I was daily exposed, it was our fate to be concerned in the battle of Saragossa, where our regilish infantry, that it was forced to give ground with the loss of one half of its officers and , being inforrace of his corps, which had never turned back to the ene across the field at full speed, rallied our broken squadrons, and led us back to the charge with such intrepidity of behaviour, as did not fail to inspire us all with uncoht uish lory, but likewise on the supposition, that, as I was acting under the eye of Gonzales, my conduct would be narrowly observed

I therefore exerted an the attack with the re the rest of the engagement I even acquired his applause in the very heat of battle When his hat was struck off, and his horse fell under hi seized for ed to a common trooper, attended this stern commander as before, and seconded him in all his repeated efforts; but it was impossible to withstand the nu had the reatest part of the army routed, was fain to yield to the fortune of the day; yet he retired as became a reat deliberation in the rear of the Spanish troops, and frequently faced about to check the pursuit of the eneh cost his, he was left aluese horse had actually cut off our co forces of Spain

In this dile our lives and liberty, than that of opening a passage sword in hand; and this hat Gonzales instantly resolved to atteing the line abreast of one another, bore down all opposition, and were in a fair way of accoallant Orgullo, in crossing a ditch, had the misfortune to be thrown from his horse, and was aloons, whose sas already suspended over his head, as he lay half stunned with his fall; when I rode up, discharged a pistol in the ruffian's brain, and, seating ood fortune to conduct him to a place of safety

Here he was provided with such accommodation as his case required; for he had been wounded in the battle, and dangerously bruised by his fall, and, when all the necessary steps were taken towards his recovery, I desired to know if he had any further co resolved to join the arht proper to coe, because he had not spoke one word to ood office he had received at my hands; a reserve which I attributed to his pride, and resented accordingly He no sooner understood my intention, than he desired to see me in his apartment, and, as near as I can remember, spoke to this effect:--

”Were your father Don Alonzo alive, I should now, in consequence of your behaviour, banish every suggestion of resentreat sincerity Yes, Don Diego, your virtue hath triumphed over that enenerous treath for our which it was unjust to exercise, and would be wicked to maintain I must likewise atone for the injuries you have sustained, and ment for that life which I have twice to-day owed to your valour and generosity

Whatever interest I have at court shall be ens in your favour, which shall be disclosed in due season Meanwhile, I desire you will still add one obligation to the debt which I have already incurred, and carry this billet in person to my Estifania, who, from the news of this fatal overthrow , he presented a letter, directed to his lady, which I received in a transport of joy, with expressions suitable to the occasion, and immediately set out for his country house, which happened to be about thirty leagues frolorious and interesting; forDon Orgullo's daughter and heiress Antonia, as reported to be a young lady of great beauty, and the most amiable accomplishments

However ridiculous it may seem for a man to conceive a passion for an object which he hath never beheld, certain it is, my sentiments were so much prepossessed by the fame of her qualifications, that I must have fallen a victim to her charms, had they been ues I had undergone in the field, I closed not an eye until I arrived at the gate of Gonzales, being deterullo ht not be alarmed for the life of her husband

I declared my errand, and was introduced into a saloon, where I had not waited above three reat confusion received the letter, exclai the contents, she underwent a variety of agitations; but, when she had perused the whole, her countenance regained its serenity, and, regarding o,” said she, ”while I lament the national calamity, in the defeat of our army, I at the sa you upon this occasion, and, according to the directions of my dear lord, bid you heartily welcome to this house, as his preserver and friend I was not unacquainted with your character before this last triumph of your virtue, and have often prayed to Heaven for soed so long between the family of Gonzales and your father's house My prayers have been heard, the long-wished-for reconciliation is now effected, and I hope nothing will ever intervene to disturb this happy union”

To this polite and affectionate declaration, Iman, whose heart overfloith joy and benevolence, and desired to kno soon her answer to ratify his i thanked ed I would retire into a chaues II persisted in the resolution of returning to Don Gonzales, without allowing ed in conversation with an uncle of Don Gonzales, who lodged in the house, and gave orders that a collation should be prepared in another apartment, while she retired to her closet, and wrote a letter to her husband

In less than an hour froant dining-roonificent entertainment was served up, and where ere joined by Donna Estifania, and her beautiful daughter the fair Antonia, who, advancing with the most amiable sweetness, thanked enerosity of my conduct towards her father I had been ravished with her first appearance, which far exceeded ination, and my faculties were so disordered by this address, that I answered her compliment with the most aard confusion But this disorder did not turn to my prejudice in the opinion of that lovely creature, who has often told ave herself credit for that perplexity in ard and affection than at that juncture, when ured by the toils and duty of the preceding day; for this very dishabille presented itself to her reflection as the immediate effect of that very merit by which I was entitled to her esteem

Wretch that I am! to survive the loss of such an excellent woman, endeared to my remembrance by the most tender offices of wedlock, happily exercised for the space of five-and-twenty years! Forgive these tears; they are not the drops of weakness, but remorse Not to trouble you with idle particulars, suffice it is to say, I was favoured with such ht it incumbent upon her to let me know she had not overacted her hospitality, and, while we sat at table, accosted o, at ard, which I own are unusual fro cavalier like you, when I communicate the contents of this letter fro, she put the billet into my hand, and I read these words, or words to this effect:--

”AMIABLE ESTIFANIA,--You will understand that I am as well as a person can possibly be who hath this day lived to see the ar defeated If you would know the particulars of this unfortunate action, your curiosity will be gratified by the bearer, Don Diego de Zelos, to whose virtue and bravery I am twice indebted for my life I therefore desire you will receive hiratitude which you shall think due for such an obligation; and, in entertaining hiraces the Spanish hospitality In a word, let your own virtue and beneficence conduct you upon this occasion, and lethonour to the preserver of her father! Adieu”

Such a testi soldier, who by this ti happy in the arms of the adorable Antonia I professedree of my colonel's esteem, entertained them with a detail of his personal prowess in the battle, and answered all their questions with thatof his own behaviour Our repast being ended, I tookreceived a letter froreat value, which she begged I would accept, as a token of her esteem Thus loaded with honour and caresses, I set out on my return for the quarters of Don Gonzales, who could scarce credit his own eyes when I delivered his lady's billet; for he thought it impossible to perforlanced over the paper, ”Don Diego,” said he, ”by your short stay one would iine you had met with indifferent reception at my house I hope Estifania has not been deficient in her duty?” I answered this question, by assuring hireeable in all respects, that nothing but ive it up so soon He then turned the conversation upon Antonia, and hinted his intention of giving her incavalier, for whom he had a particular friendshi+p I was so much affected by this insinuation, which seemed at once to blast all my hopes of love and happiness, that the blood forsook my face; I was seized with an universal trepidation, and even obliged to retire, on pretence of being suddenly taken ill

Though Gonzales seeue and want of rest, he in his heart ascribed it to the true cause; and, after having sounded my sentiments to his own satisfaction, blessed , that I was the person upon whom he had pitched for a son-in-laill not trouble you with a repetition of what passed on this interesting occasion, but proceed to observe, that his intention in reeable to his lady; and that, in a little ti Antonia, who submitted to the will of her father without reluctance

Soon after this happy event, I was, by the influence of Don Gonzales, joined to i part of the war After the treaty of Utrecht, I was eiance; and, in an action with those obstinate rebels had the misfortune to lose my father-in-laho by that tieneral The virtuous Estifania did not long survive this ent parents made such a deep impression upon the tender heart ofher frorief, to a pleasant villa near the city of Seville, which I purchased on account of its agreeable situation That I ht the more perfectly enjoy the possession of hts of another separation, peace was no sooner re-established than I obtained leave to resign my commission, and I wholly devoted myself to the joys of a domestic life

Heaven see us with a son, whom, however, it was pleased to recall in his infancy, to our unspeakable grief and rin was afterwards alleviated by the birth of a daughter, who seemed born with every accomplishment to excite the love and admiration of mankind Why did nature debase such a masterpiece with the mixture of an alloy, which hath involved herself and her whole family in perdition? But the ways of Providence are unsearchable She hath paid the debt of her degeneracy; peace be with her soul! The honour of h by a sacrifice which hath robbedelse that is valuable in life, and ruined my peace past all redemption Yes, my friend, all the tortures that huht, to the unspeakable pangs and horrors I have felt

But, to return froression--Serafina, which was the narew up, not only disclosed all the natural graces of external beauty, but likewisesweetness of disposition, and a capacity for acquiring with ease all the accomplishments of her sex It is impossible to convey any adequate idea of a parent's raptures in the contee of our love, she was presue fortune, and likely to be the sole representative of two noble Castilian faht of all who saw her, and a theue You are not to suppose that the education of such a child was neglected Indeed, it wholly engrossed the attention of me and my Antonia, and her proficiency rewarded our care Before she had attained the age of fifteen, she was ant qualification, natural and acquired Her person was, by that tily sweet, and she touched the lute with thedexterity Heaven and earth!

how did iven birth to such perfection! how did ush with paternal fondness, whenever I beheld this orna transport have I enjoyed with ratulation upon our parental happiness!

Serafina, acco the Spanish cavaliers, who are famous for sensibility in love Indeed, she never appeared without a nuh we had bred her up in that freedom of conversation and intercourse which holds a middle space between the French licence and Spanish restraint, she was now so allantry, that we found it necessary to retrench the liberty of our house, and behave to our reat reserve and circuht run no risk frohter

This caution produced overtures froentlemen of rank and distinction, who courted e; and from the number I had actually selected one person, as in all respects worthy the possession of such an inestimable prize His name was Don Manuel de Mendoza His birth was noble, and his character dignified with repeated acts of generosity and virtue Yet, before I would signify to him my approbation of his suit, I resolved to inform aged, and indifferent to any other object, that I ht not lay a tyrannical restraint upon her inclinations The result ofhitherto been deaf to the voice of love; and this piece of inforether with my own sentiments in his favour, I cos with transports of gratitude and joy He was i the affection of hter, and his endeavours were at first received with such respectful civility, as ht have been easily warenius of our family interposed

O my friend! how shall I describe the depravity of that unhappy virgin's sentiments! how recount the particulars ofline of illustrious Castilians, who never received an injury they did not revenge, but washed away every blemish in their fame with the blood of those who attempted to stain it! In that circuenitors, and that consideration alone hath supported ed no pains and expense in perfecting the education of Serafina, my doors were open to every person who ure in the profession of those ao de Zelos was a little acade, poetry, and music; and Heaven decreed that it should fall a sacrifice to its regard for these fatal and delusive arts A other preceptors, it was her fate to be under the instruction of a cursed Ger, understood the ele and taste, and was a person rereeable conversation This traitor, who like you had lost one eye, I not only adhter, but even distinguished with particularhe had either inclination or capacity to debauch the sentiments of my child I was rejoiced beyond measure to see hat alacrity she received his lessons, hat avidity she listened to his discourse, which was always equally

Antonia seeard for this acco to be a person of rank and family, reduced to his present situation by some unfortunate vicissitude of fate I was disposed to concur with this opinion, and actually conjured him to make me his confidant, with such protestations as left him no room to doubthiin to which surely no man would pretend who had the least claim to nobility of birth While I was thus undeceived inhis birth and quality, I was confirrity and moderation, and looked upon hiree Nevertheless, he was at bottom a most perfidious wretch, and all this modesty and self-denial were the effects of the most villanous dissimulation, a cloak under which he, unsuspected, robbed me of my honour and my peace