dona perecta-第27节
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neither very remote nor very recent。 It may also be said that Orbajosa (called by the Romans Urbs Augusta; although some learned moderns; enquiring into the etymology of the termination /ajosa/'*' are of the opinion that it comes by it from being the richest garlic…growing country in the world) is neither very near Madrid nor very far from it; nor can we say whether its glorious foundations are laid toward the north or toward the south; toward the east or toward the west; but that it may be supposed to be in any part of Spain where the pungent odor of its garlic is to be perceived。
'*' Rich in garlic。
The billets of residence being distributed by the authorities; each soldier went to seek his borrowed home。 They were received by their hosts with a very ill grace and assigned the most atrociously uninhabitable parts of the houses。 The girls of the city were not indeed among those who were most dissatisfied; but a strict watch was kept over them; and it was considered not decent to show pleasure at the visit of such rabble。 The few soldiers who were natives of the district only were treated like kings。 The others were regarded as invaders。
At eight in the morning a lieutenant…colonel of cavalry entered the house of Dona Perfecta Polentinos with his billet。 He was received by the servants; by order of its mistress; who; being at the time in a deplorable state of mind; did not wish to go down stairs to meet the soldier; and by them he was shown to the only room in the house which; it seemed; was disposable; the room occupied by Pepe Rey。
〃Let them settle themselves as best they can;〃 said Dona Perfecta; with an expression of gall and vinegar。 〃And if they have not room enough; let them go into the street。〃
Was it her intention to annoy in this way her detested nephew; or was there really no other unoccupied room in the house? This we do not know; nor do the chronicles from which this true history is taken say a word on this important point。 What we know positively is that; far from displeasing the two guests to be thus boxed up together; it gave them great pleasure; as they happened to be old friends。 They were greatly surprised and delighted when they met; and they were never tired of asking each other questions and uttering exclamations; dwelling on the strange chance that had brought them together in such a place and on such an occasion。
〃Pinzonyou here! Why; what is this? I had no suspicion that you were in this neighborhood。〃
〃I heard that you were in this part of the country; Pepe; but I had no idea; either; that I should meet you in this horrible; this barbarous Orbajosa。〃
〃But what a fortunate chance! For this chance is most fortunate providential。 Pinzon; between us both we are going to do a great thing in this wretched town。〃
〃And we shall have time enough to consult about it;〃 answered the other; seating himself on the bed in which the engineer was lying; 〃for it appears that we are both to occupy this room。 What the devil sort of a house is this?〃
〃Why; man; it is my aunt's。 Speak with more respect about it。 Have you not met my aunt? But I am going to get up。〃
〃I am very glad of it; for then I can lie down and rest; and badly I need it。 What a road; friend Pepe; what a road; and what a town!〃
〃Tell me; have you come to set fire to Orbajosa?〃
〃Fire!〃
〃I ask you because; in that case; I might help you。〃
〃What a town! But what a town!〃 exclaimed the soldier; removing his shako; and laying aside sword and shoulder…belt; travelling case and cloak。 〃This is the second time they have sent us here。 I swear to you that the third time I will ask my discharge。〃
〃Don't talk ill of these good people! But you have come in the nick of time。 It seems as if Providence has sent you to my aid; Pinzon。 I have a terrible project on hand; an adventure;a plot; if you wish to call it so; my friend;and it would have been difficult for me to carry it through without you。 A moment ago I was in despair; wondering how I should manage; and saying to myself anxiously; 'If I only had a friend here; a good friend!' 〃
〃A project; a plot; an adventure! One of two things; Senor Mathematician: it is either the discovery of aerial navigation; or else some love affair。〃
〃It is serious; very serious。 Go to bed; sleep a while; and afterward we will talk about it。〃
〃I will go to bed; but I will not sleep。 You may say all you wish to me。 All that I ask is that you will say as little as possible about Orbajosa。〃
〃It is precisely about Orbajosa that I wish to speak to you。 But have you also an antipathy to this cradle of illustrious men?〃
〃These garlic…venderswe call them the garlic…vendersmay be as illustrious as you choose; but to me they are as irritating as the product of the country。 This is a town ruled by people who teach distrust; superstition; and hatred of the whole human race。 When we have leisure I will relate to you an occurrencean adventure; half… comic; half…tragicthat happened to me here last year。 When I tell it to you; you will laugh and I shall be fuming。 But; in fine; what is past is past。〃
〃In what is happening to me there is nothing comic。〃
〃But I have various reasons for hating this wretched place。 You must know that my father was assassinated here in '48 by a party of barbarous guerillas。 He was a brigadier; and he had left the service。 The Government sent for him; and he was passing through Villahorrenda on his way to Madrid; when he was captured by half a dozen ruffians。 Here there are several dynasties of guerilla chiefsthe Aceros; the Caballucos; the Pelosmalosa periodical eruption; as some one has said who knew very well what he was talking about。〃
〃I suppose that two infantry regiments and some cavalry have not come here solely for the pleasure of visiting these delightful regions。〃
〃Certainly not! We have come to survey the country。 There are many deposits of arms here。 The Government does not venture; as it desires; to remove from office the greater number of the municipal councils without first distributing a few companies of soldiers through these towns。 As there is so much disturbance in this part of the country; as two of the neighboring provinces are already infested; and as this municipal district of Orbajosa has; besides; so brilliant a record in all the civil wars; there are fears that the bravos of the place may take to the roads and rob all they can lay hands on。〃
〃A good precaution! But I am firmly convinced that not until these people die and are born over again; not until the very stones have changed their form; will there be peace in Orbajosa。〃
〃That is my opinion too;〃 said the officer; lighting a cigarette。 〃Don't you see that the guerilla chiefs are the pets of this place? Those who desolated the district in 1848 and at other epochs; or; if not they; their sons; are employed in the market inspector's office; at the town gates; in the town…hall; in the post…office; among them are constables; sacristans; bailiffs。 Some have become powerful party leaders and they are the ones who manage the elections; have influence in Madrid; bestow placesin short; this is terrible。〃
〃And tell me; is there no hope of the guerilla chiefs performing some exploit in these days? If that should happen; you could destroy the town; and I would help you。〃
〃If it depended upon me They will play their usual pranks no doubt;〃 said Pinzon; 〃for the insurrection in the two neighboring provinces is spreading like wildfire。 And between ourselves; friend Rey; I think this is going to last for a long time。 Some people smile and say that it would be impossible that there should be another insurrection like the last one。 They don't know the country; they don't know Orbajosa and its inhabitants。 I believe that the war that is now beginning will have serious consequences; and that we shall have another cruel and bloody struggle; that will last Heaven knows how long。 What is your opinion?〃
〃Well; in Madrid I laughed at any one who spoke of the possibility of a civil war as long and as terrible as the Seven Years' War; but since I have been here〃
〃One must come to the heart of this enchanting country; see the people at home; and hear them talk; to know what the real state of affairs is。〃
〃Just so。 Without knowing precisely on what I base my opinion; the fact is that here I see things in a different light; and I now believe that it is possible that there may be a long and bloody war。〃
〃Exactly so。〃
〃But at present my thoughts are occupied less by the public war than by a private war in which I am engaged and which I declared a short time ago。〃
〃You said this was your aunt's house。 What is her name?〃
〃Dona Perfecta Rey de Polentinos。〃
〃Ah! I know her by reputation。 She is an excellent person; and the only one of whom I have not heard the garlic…venders speak ill。 When I was here before I heard her goodness; her charity; her innumerable virtues; everywhere extolled。〃
〃Yes; my aunt is very kind; very amiable;〃 said Rey。
Then he fell into a thoughtful silence。
〃But now I remember!〃 exclaimed Pinzon suddenly。 〃How one thing fits in with another! Yes; I heard in Madrid that you were going to be married to a cousin of yours。 All is clear now。 Is it that beau