The Life and Adventures of Guzman D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, vol. 3/3

Guzman appears at the Grand Duke’s Court, where a Lady falls in love with him.

The Grand Duchess had lately been brought to bed of a Prince, or rather she was just recovering from her accouchement; and there was an entertainment every day at the palace, where all persons of distinction of both sexes did not fail to resort. The Cavaliers who lodged in the same hotel with me, and who were of the first class of nobility of the country, being only come to Florence to join in those diversions, were so much the more assiduous in their attendance, as by these means they made their court to their Prince. My host inquired of me the first evening of my stay, whether I would eat by myself or with those gentlemen. I replied, that I would do myself the honour of supping with them; and when the time came, I entered the room just as they were seating themselves at table. I assumed an easy carriage, and affected the man of consequence, of which I was quite capable, and after I had saluted them politely, I seated myself at the upper end of the room in a chair which was handed me by Sayavedra, who performed his part of the ceremony to admiration.

This bold step attracted the attention of all the company present, who, wishing to know who I was, were uselessly employed in inquiring that information of each other in a whisper. They were most impatient to hear me speak, hoping to discover my nation by my accent. I was malicious enough to keep them in doubt even on this point. In vain did they endeavour to provoke me to speak by little attentions at table; I answered all their civilities either by most gracious looks or by an inclination of the head. Being obliged, however, to utter a few words, I passed in their opinion for a Roman; but afterwards giving orders to Sayavedra in Spanish, puzzled them as much as before.

One of these gentlemen, more curious than the rest, rose from table in order that he might go and interrogate the host as to who I was. In a few moments he returned to his seat with a satisfied air, and whispered something to those next him, and they to the others; and I was in a short time recognised by the whole party as the nephew of the Spanish Ambassador.

As soon as supper was over, all the company, looking upon me as a young nobleman, crowded round me, and one of them addressing me said: “Perhaps I was not aware that there was almost every day a ball at court, on account of the birth of the young prince, that there would be one held that very evening, and that if I had the least wish to go, they would have the pleasure of conducting me to the palace.” I replied, “that it would be most ungracious in me to reject so polite an offer, though indeed my travelling clothes formed some obstacle to the gratification of my curiosity; but that nevertheless, as I was not known at Florence, I would have the honour of accompanying the party to partake of an amusement of which I was exceedingly fond.” All the party, except myself, were very elegantly dressed; as to me I did nothing but change my shirt, and adjust myself a little. Ill-dressed as I was, however, in comparison with the others, you will hear what happened to me at the ball.

When we entered the saloon, the Duke and a large party were already assembled there. His Highness fixed his eyes on me immediately; and this somewhat disconcerted me. I thought that he was either displeased at the plainness of my dress, or found something ridiculous in my person; and what convinced me the more was, that he pointed me out to a courtier who stood by him, and as I imagined desired him to ascertain who I was. I was not wrong in my conjecture; the courtier, whom I did not lose sight of, made his way through the crowd and accosted one of the gentlemen whom I had accompanied, whispered something to him, received an answer in the same manner, and then returned to the Grand Duke, to whom I saw him give an account of his commission. All this appeared to me equivocal enough, and I did not know what to think of it, when the same gentleman who had been addressed by the courtier, approached and said to me: “You are known, Signor Cavalier; the Grand Duke knows that you are a relation of the Ambassador from Spain to Rome. I should advise you to go immediately and salute the Prince; he looks at you continually, and seems to wish that you should take that liberty.”

I followed the gentleman’s advice, thinking that I could not do less; and accordingly advanced towards the Grand Duke, who perceiving my design, was so condescending as to advance half-way to meet me. I commenced with a most profound bow, and addressing his Highness, told him in Italian, in an easy but respectful manner, “that I had but just arrived at Florence, and I trusted he would pardon my presumption for having ventured even in a ball-room, to offer him my most humble respects; but having been informed that it was his desire to know my name, I had come to announce it to him myself.” “I know it already,” answered the Prince, “and I am not a little surprised to hear a Spaniard speak Italian as well as a native of Rome.” To this remark I answered in Spanish, “that I had long resided in that city.” He replied, in the Castilian language, “that he never heard any one of my countrymen pronounce Italian so perfectly.” Then, turning the conversation on my Uncle the Ambassador, he told me, “he was well acquainted with him from having had many affairs of consequence between them, and that he should be most proud to testify his respect for him in my person.” He then invited me to frequent the Court, with a thousand other compliments, to which I could make no other answer than by bowing almost down to the ground. This was not all; the Grand Duchess came up at that moment, and I had the honour of being presented to her by the Prince her husband, who told her at the same time who I was; and I verily flatter myself that I got out of this dilemma in better style than, perhaps, the real nephew of the Spanish Ambassador would have done in my place.

The ball then commenced, and I retired from where I stood, for fear of incommoding the dancers. After three or four dances, a lady came up and was introduced to me by the Duke’s desire. I affected to wish to decline dancing, though in fact I was particularly desirous; and pleaded in excuse, that I had not long alighted from horseback, as might be seen by my frightful dishabille. The Prince who heard me, put an end to the contest, by crying out that he was sure I could not refuse so lovely a lady, even were I to dance in boots. At this desire I instantly obeyed, and my dancing attracted the attention of the whole company. The Grand Duchess especially, who preferred Terpsichore to all the other Muses, was so much pleased, that she requested me to dance some of the newest figures, in which I acquitted myself equally well. This exhilirated my spirits to such a degree, that I made love to all the ladies in company. I would tell you, moreover, friendly reader, were I not fearful of being deemed conceited, that of all the women in Italy, the Florentines understand genteel behaviour the best, and I was by no means badly received among them.

Among the rest there were three young ladies present, who were decidedly the ornaments of the Ball. I never saw more perfect beauties. It would have puzzled any honest man to have made his choice of one of them. I soon decided, however, favour of a Brunette, who attracted me by a certain je ne sçai quoi which the others did not possess. I attached myself to that lady only during the whole ball.

One of the gentlemen who had brought me to the palace, perceiving my penchant for this Brunette, approached me; “Signor Don Guzman,” said he with a smile, “how many lovers will you distract with jealousy this night, if you continue your attentions to that lady, who is a rich widow, and has a great number of admirers.” My vanity was flattered by this information, which inspired me with the design of attempting the conquest of a heart which was disputed by so many rivals. I hazarded some soft speeches which were not ill-received, but while my favorable progress inclined me to push my success, the Grand Duchess, who had not danced since her confinement, took a fancy to do me the honour of choosing me for her partner. In fact, foreseeing the consequences, I did all in my power to avoid it: but she would take no denial. The Grand Duke, though he approved of the great respect I paid the Princess by my diffidence, gave me to understand by a nod, that he wished I would comply with the desires of her Highness: so that there were no means of escaping. I danced and performed even better than before: which pleased the Duchess so much that she would not leave off dancing with me, until the Prince was obliged to beg her to desist, lest so much exertion should injure her health.

Their Highnesses then retired, and I accompanied them to their apartment, together with the Lords of the Court, and returned with an air of impatience to the ball-room, when I found the pretty Brunette was also about to retire. I made love to her with so much ardour, that I had the pleasure to see that she quitted me with regret. As soon as she was gone I returned to the Hotel, with the before-mentioned gentlemen who had rejoined me. I was so taken up with the honour that had been conferred on me that evening, that I said but little in answer to the compliments they paid me on my talents for dancing. On our arrival at the Hotel, we took leave of each other with great politeness, and retired to our chambers.

When I was alone with Sayavedra: “My friend,” said I, “my joy overpowers me, I must ease my heart.” At the same time I recounted to him all that had happened at the ball, where I had been so much distinguished, the infinite praise bestowed on me by the Duchess, and my flattering reception from the Duke. My confident cared for nothing but what was solidly advantageous. Praises he looked on as smoke; but the account of the widow charmed him. His eyes sparkled with joy when I mentioned her to him, “Think nothing of the rest,” said he; “this may turn out to your advantage, if you know how to profit by the favourable impression you have made on that lady.” Sayavedra and I employed half the night in building castles in the air on this subject, and in deliberating what course we ought to take to bring the affair to a happy issue. It was resolved in council that on the ensuing day we should procure the large trunk we had spoken of before, and that I should purchase as splendid a suit as my purse would afford, to enable me to sustain at Court the character I had already assumed.

This resolution was followed by my giving strict orders to Sayavedra to be in the field early the next morning to put our plans in practice: after which I went to bed. Not that I could close my eyes during the whole night, for it was already day, when, by rocking myself so incessantly with chimeras, I fell asleep for a short time. Sayavedra, who had returned from executing his commissions, came into my room and awoke me. He was followed by a Tailor, at whose shop he had found a suit ready made, which had never been worn. The Tailor told me, that it had been ordered by a young Nobleman, who had suddenly disappeared from Court, after having lost a large sum of money by gaming, and that he desired nothing better than to get rid of it at a fair price. I got up directly and tried it on, and most fortunately it fitted me as well as if it had been made for me. Nothing was wanting but to fix the price: which we agreed on, after a dispute which would have lasted longer, if the Tailor had not wanted money, and if I had not had an earnest longing for the suit; to which he added some gold lace to correspond: which completed it in the fashion of dress at Rome.