Chapter VII: Part 7

I did not yet know what punishment the judges intended to impose on Sayavedra, and I was at dinner with Pompey, when one his servants, who had heard the sentence pronounced, rushed into the room quite out of breath, and cried out with as much apparent satisfaction, as if he had announced the restoration of my property: “Huzza! Signor Don Guzman, the thief who has robbed you, is condemned to the Pillory and the iron collar, and he is just now going to be fastened into it. It will be your own fault if you do not witness his punishment.” I regretted at this moment that this fool was not my own servant, and that I was not at liberty to knock his teeth down his throat for it; for if ever I was tempted to strike a man, it was upon this occasion. I was obliged however to endure this mortification, as well as the cold treatment which I experienced from that time from my host. He changed all at once from one extreme to the other, and looked upon me only as a stranger who incommoded him, and whom he wished to get rid of.

Is it possible! you will say. What the Pompey to whom you had been so serviceable, and who in his letters professed himself so sincerely obliged,--could this very Pompey repay you with ingratitude? alas it was but too true. He assumed all at once a cool and distant air, and gave me to understand by his behaviour, that he desired my absence. This conduct was owing in a great measure to my telling him that I should not return to Rome for some time. He concluded from this, that I should not have it in my power to render him any further service, and in all probability, as we should have no continued connexion between us, he was quite indifferent as to whether I was dissatisfied with him or not. He even went so far as to ask me without ceremony when I intended to proceed on my journey. I answered him that I should set out the next day; upon which he replied with a distant air, that he was sorry to part with me so soon, though he never made the slightest motion to press me to stay any longer. I was not a little vexed to think of having taken so much pains to oblige a man who felt so little gratitude, that far from offering me any assistance to make me some amends for what he had caused me to lose, he was so unfeeling as to count the minutes with impatience until I was out of his house. So that the first thing I did the next morning was to take leave of Signor Pompey, and I took care by my manner towards him, to let him see the opinion I entertained of his conduct.

CHAP. XXXV.

_Soon after his departure from Sienna, Guzman meets with Sayavedra, whom he takes into his service, and carries with him to Florence._

I was so anxious to escape from Sienna, that clapping spurs to my horse, I disappeared like lightning from the eyes of the ungrateful Pompey. After proceeding some miles, I perceived at a distance a man on foot, who appeared exactly to resemble my thief Sayavedra. In fact it was he, who, in pursuance of his sentence of banishment, was hastening to quit the territory of Sienna, to exercise his talents in some other place.

I could not help feeling an emotion of pity, at the sight of this miserable wretch; and thinking less of his treachery than of the infinite assistance he had rendered me in the hog adventure, I could not refrain from speaking to him. He also had recognised me, and when I came near him, ran up to me bathed in tears, and, clasping my knees, he entreated me a thousand times to pardon his ingratitude and his perfidy. He added, that he wished with all his soul, to expiate his crime, to be my slave for life; and that if I would receive him, I might rely on his oath, that he would be the most faithful servant in the world. After I had reflected on this proposal, I thought I had better accept it.

Do you not blame me, friendly reader, for encumbering myself with an attendant whose character I was aware of, and who had already robbed me, and would not fail to give me another specimen of his skill the first opportunity? I know by my own experience, that evil propensities are not so soon got rid of; but now that from my own poverty I had nothing to lose, honesty did not appear to me to be an indispensable requisite in a servant. In the _profession_ that I foresaw I should soon be obliged to follow, I should I knew have occasion for a _virtuoso_, and Sayavedra was one exactly for my purpose.

I took him, therefore, into my service; and I had as good reason afterwards to congratulate myself on having renewed my acquaintance with him, as I had before to regret that I had ever known him. He soon convinced me, when we arrived at the inn where we intended to sleep, that I had acted most wisely in attaching him to me. He was always on the alert to contribute in every way to my convenience, and I could not sufficiently admire the attention with which he endeavoured to anticipate my every desire. In short, his extreme zeal, good understanding, and spirits, conspired to console me considerably for the loss of my goods. Very early the next morning we set out again, one on horseback and the other on foot, and proceeded to Florence, which I had heard so highly spoken of. Praised, however, as it had been to me, the magnificence of its buildings amazed me exceedingly. Sayavedra, who observed my astonishment, said to me with a smile, “it appears to me, that you are somewhat agreeably surprised at the sight of this city.” “In truth, you have guessed rightly,” replied I, “I am completely charmed with it; I did not think there was another Rome in the world.” “And yet,” replied he, “you see nothing of its beauties to what may be seen. Some of the houses here, which might pass for as many palaces, are ornamented within with some of the most beautiful works of architecture. Florence may with great truth be called the eighth wonder of the world; since it is the flower of flowers, and the flower of all Italy.” Sayavedra then related to me the History of Florence, from the time of the civil wars of Catiline.

My squire Sayavedra, who was well acquainted with the town, from having lived there some time, conducted me to one of the best inns, where he was pleased to make me pass for a Spanish gentleman, named Don Guzman, and nephew to the Ambassador from Spain to Rome. With the greatest effrontery he communicated my quality to the landlord _in confidence_. Being without baggage, and having only one horse between us, seemed to belie his assertions; but to throw something like the appearance of probability on his story, he said that we had been obliged to set out in great haste, and that we expected a servant to follow us instantly with our trunks. Although the inn was full of gentlemen of the first importance, I was shewn into one of the best rooms, the landlord having been given to understand that I had come to Florence on an affair of consequence, and that I should probably make a long stay; this caused him to behave in the most respectful manner to me.

The next day, the prudent Sayavedra was of opinion that we ought to buy a large chest, and give out that it contained our most valuable property, though intending to fill it at our leisure with whatever fortune might be pleased to send us. I approved of his idea, and charged him to make the purchase immediately.

END OF VOL. II.

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