Les fils de la tortue. English Read online

  CHAPTER II.

  THE COUNTRY HOUSE.

  Between Valparaiso and Rio Claro, halfway to Santiago, stood adelicious country house, belonging to Don Juan de Dios-Souza ySoto-Mayor, a descendant of one of the noblest and richest familiesin Chili: several of its members have played an important part in theSpanish monarchy.

  The Soto-Mayors are counted among the number of the bravest andproudest comrades of Fernando Cortez, Pizarro, and all those heroicadventurers who, confiding in their sword, conquered for Spain thosevast and rich countries, the possession of which allowed Philip II. tosay at a later date, with truth, that the sun never set on his states.

  The Soto-Mayors have spread over the whole of South America; in Peru,Chili, and Mexico, branches of this powerful family are found, who,after the conquest, settled in these countries, which they have notquitted since. This has not prevented them, however, from keeping uprelations which have ever enabled them to assist each other, and retainunder all circumstances their power and their wealth.

  A Soto-Mayor was for ten years a Viceroy of Peru, and in our time wehave seen a member of this family prime minister and chief of thecabinet at the Court of Spain.

  When the American Colonies raised the standard of revolt against thePeninsula, Don Juan de Dios, although already aged and father of afamily, was one of the first who responded to the appeal of their newcountry, and ranged themselves under its banner at the head of all theforces and all the servants they could collect.

  He had fought the War of Independence as a brave soldier, and hadendured courageously, and, before all, philosophically, the numerousprivations which he had been compelled to accept.

  Appointed a general when Spain, at length constrained to recognise thenationality of her old colonies, gave up the struggle, he retired toone of his estates, a few leagues from Valparaiso, and there he livedin the midst of his family, who loved and respected him, like a countrygentlemen, resting from his fatigues and awaiting his last hours withthe calmness of mind of a man convinced that he has done his duty, andfor whom death is a reward rather than a punishment.

  Laying aside all political anxieties, devoid of ambition, andpossessing an immense fortune, he had devoted himself to the educationof his three children, Inez, Maria, and Juanito. Inez and Maria weretwo maidens whose beauty promised to equal that of their mother, DonaIsabel de Costafuentes. Maria, the younger, according to the customprevalent in Chilian families, was forced into a convent in order toaugment the dowry of her sister Inez, who was nearly sixteen, and onlyawaited Maria's taking the veil to solemnize her own marriage.

  Juanito, the eldest of the three, was five-and-twenty; he was ahandsome and worthy young man, who, following his father's example,entered the army, and was serving with the rank of Major.

  It was eight in the evening, and the whole family, assembled in thegarden, were quietly conversing, while enjoying the fresh air after astifling day.

  The weather seemed inclined to be stormy, heavy black clouds coursedathwart the sky, and the hollow moaning of the wind could be heardamid the distant mountains; the moon, half veiled, only spread a vagueand uncertain light, and at times a splendid flash tore the horizon,illumining the space with a fantastic reflection.

  "Holy Virgin!" Inez said, addressing the general, "only see, father,how quickly the flashes succeed each other."

  "My dear child," the old gentleman answered affectionately, "if I maybelieve certain wounds, which are a barometer for me, we shall have aterrible storm tonight, for they cause me intense suffering."

  And the general passed his hand along his leg, while the conversationwas continued by the rest.

  Don Juan de Soto-Mayor was at this period sixty-two years of age; hewas a man of tall stature, rather thin, whose irreproachable demeanourevidenced dignity and nobility; his grey hair, abundantly on thetemples, formed a crown round the top of his head, which was bald.

  "Oh! I do not like storms," the young lady continued.

  "You must say an orison for travellers, Inez."

  "Am I to be counted among the number of travellers, senorita?"interrupted a dashing cavalier, dressed in a splendid military uniform,and who, carelessly leaning against an orange tree, was gazing at Inezwith eyes full of love.

  "You, Don Pedro; why so?" the latter said eagerly, as she gave a poutof adorable meaning. "You are not travelling."

  "That is true, senorita; at least, not at this moment, but--"

  "What Colonel!" Don Juan said, "are you returning to Santiago?"

  "Shortly, sir. Ah! you served at a good time, general; you fought, atany rate, while we parade soldiers are fit for nothing now."

  "Do not complain, my friend; you have your good moments too, and thewar which you wage is at times more cruel than ours."

  "Oh!" Inez exclaimed, with a tremor in her voice, "do not feel annoyed,Don Pedro, at your inaction; I fear lest those wicked Indians may beginagain at any moment."

  "Reassure yourself, Nina, the Araucanos are quiet, and we shall nothear anything of them for a long time; the last lesson they receivedwill render them prudent, I hope."

  "May heaven grant it!" the young lady remarked, as she crossed herselfand raised her eyes to heaven; "But I doubt it."

  "Come, come," the general exclaimed, gaily, "hold your tongue, littlegirl, and instead of talking about such serious things, try to be moreamiable to the poor colonel, whom you take a pleasure in tormenting."

  Inez pretended not to hear the words which her father had just said toher, and turning to her mother, who, seated by her side, was talking toher son in a low voice.

  "Mamita," she said, coaxingly, "do you know that I am jealous of you?"

  "Why so, Inez?" the good lady asked.

  "Because, ever since dinner you have confiscated Juanito, and kept himso closely to you that it has been impossible for me to tease him oncethe whole evening."

  "Have patience, my pet," the young man said, as he rose and leaned overthe back of her chair; "you will make up for lost time; besides, wewere talking about you."

  "About me! Oh, brother, make haste and tell me what you were saying."

  And the girl clapped her little childish hands together, while her eyeswere lighted up by curiosity.

  "Yes," said Don Juanito, maliciously; "we were talking about yourapproaching marriage with my friend, Colonel Don Pedro Sallazar."

  "Fie! you naughty fellow," Inez said, with a mocking smile; "you alwaystry to cause me pain."

  While saying these words, the coquette shot a killing glance in thedirection of the colonel.

  "What! cause you pain!" her brother answered: "is not the marriagearranged?"

  "I do not say no."

  "Must it not be concluded when our sister Maria has pronounced hervows?"

  "Poor Maria!" Inez said, with a sigh, but quickly resumed her usualgood spirits.

  "That is true; but they are not yet pronounced, as my dear Maria willbe with us shortly."

  "They will be so within three months at the most."

  "Ah!" she exclaimed lightly, "before then the donkey and its driverwill die, as the proverb says."

  "My daughter," the general remarked, gravely, "the colonel holds yourword, and what you have just said is wrong."

  The girl blushed: two transparent tears sparkled on her long lashes;she rose quickly, and ran to embrace her father.

  "Forgive me, father; I am a madcap."

  Then she turned to the colonel, and offered him her hand.

  "And do you also forgive me, Don Pedro? For I did not think of what Iwas saying."

  "That is right," the general exclaimed; "peace is made, and I trustthat nothing will disturb it in future."

  "Thanks for the kind wish," said the colonel, as he covered with kissesthe hand which Inez abandoned to him.

  "Oh, oh!" Don Juan remarked, "here is the storm; let us be off."

  In fact, the lightning flashed uninterruptedly, and heavy drops of rainbegan beating on the foliage which the gusts continued to agitate.


  All began running toward the house, and were soon collected in thedrawing room.

  In Europe it is difficult to form an idea of the magnificence andwealth which American houses contain; for gold and silver, so preciousand so rare with us, are profusely employed in Chili, Peru, and theentire southern region.

  The description of the room in which the Soto-Mayor family soughtrefuge will give a sketch of what is called comfort in these countries,with which it is impossible for us to contend, as concerns everythingthat relates to splendour and veritable luxury.

  It was a large octagonal room, containing rosewood furniture inlaidwith ebony; the floor was covered with mats of Guayaquil straw of afabulous price; the locks of the doors and window fastenings were ofmassive silver; mirrors of the height of the room reflected the lightof pink wax candles, arranged in gold candelabra enriched with preciousstones; and on the white and gold damask, covering the space below thelooking glass, hung masterpieces of art signed by the leaders of theSpanish and Italian schools.

  On the credence tables and whatnots, so deliciously carved that theyseemed made of lacework, were arranged China ornaments of exquisiteworkmanship--trifles created to excite for a moment the pleasure of theeye, and whose manufacture had been a prodigy of patience, perfection,and invention. These thousand nothings,--on which glistened orientalgems, mother-o'-pearl, ivory, enamel, jasper, and all the productsof the mineral kingdom, combined and mingled with fragrant woods;feathers, &c.,--would of themselves have absorbed a European fortune,owing to their inestimable value.

  The lustre of the crystal girandoles, casting multicoloured fires, andthe rarest flowers which grew down over enormous Japanese vases, gave afairy like aspect to the apartment; and yet, of all those who had comethere to seek shelter from the bad weather, there was not one who didnot consider it quite usual.

  The conversation interrupted in the garden had just been recommencedindoors, when a ring of the visitor's bell was heard.

  "Who can arrive so late?" the general asked; "I am not expectinganybody."

  The door opened, and a servant appeared.

  "Mi amo," he said, after bowing respectfully; "two travellers,surprised by the storm, ask leave to take shelter in the house."

  At the same time a vivid flash rendered the candles pale, and atremendous peal of thunder burst forth. The ladies uttered a cry ofalarm, and crossed themselves.

  "Santa Virgin!" Senora Soto-Mayor exclaimed, "do not receive them, forthese strangers might bring us some misfortune."

  "Silence, madam," the old gentleman answered; "the house of a Spanishnoble must ever be open to the unfortunate."

  And he left the room, followed by the domestic. The Senora hung herhead at her husband's reproach, but being enthralled by superstition,she kept her eyes anxiously fixed on the door through which thestrangers would enter. In a few minutes the general re-appeared,conducting Delbes and Diego el Vaquero.

  "This house is yours, gentlemen; enter, in Heaven's name;" he said tothem, affably.

  Leon bowed gracefully to the ladies, then to the two officers, andthanked the general for his cordial reception.

  "So long as you deign to honour my poor house with your presence,gentlemen," the latter replied, courteously, "we are entirely at yourservice; and if it please you to drink mate with us, we shall feelflattered."

  "I accept your proposal, sir, with thanks."

  Diego contented himself with nodding his head in the affirmative; thegeneral rang, and ordered the mate. A minute later, a butler came in,carrying a massive gold salver, on which were arranged exquisitelycarved mate cups, each supplied with an amber tube. In the midst ofthe cups were a silver coffeepot full of water, and a sandalwood boxcontaining the leaves. On golden saucers were piled regalias, and huskand paper cigarettes.

  The butler placed the salver on a table to which the company satdown, and he then retired. After this, Senora Soto-Mayor preparedthe decoction, poured the burning liquid into the cups, and placedthem before the guests. Each took the one within reach, and was soondrawing up the mate, while observing deep silence and sitting in acontemplative attitude. The Chilians are very fond of this beverage,which they have borrowed from the Indians, and they display some degreeof solemnity when they proceed to drink it.

  When the first mouthfuls had been swallowed, the conversation beganagain. Leon took a husk cigarette from one of the saucers, unrolled it,rubbed the tobacco for a moment in the palm of his hand, then remadeit with the consummate skill of the inhabitants of the country, lit itat the flame of a small gold lamp prepared for the purpose, and, aftertaking two or three whiffs, politely offered the cigarette to DonaInez, who accepted it with a gracious smile, and placed it between herrosy lips.

  Colonel Don Pedro had not seen the Frenchman's action without a certaintwinge of jealousy; but at the moment when he was about to light thecigarette which he held in his hand, Inez offered him the one Leon hadgiven her, and which she had half smoked, saying--

  "Shall we change, Don Pedro?"

  The colonel gladly accepted the exchange proffered to him, gave hiscigarette to the young lady, and took hers, which he smoked withrapture.

  Diego, even since his arrival at the house, had not once opened hislips; his face had grown clouded, and he sat with his eyes fixed on thegeneral, whom he observed askance with an indefinable expression ofhatred and passion.

  Leon knew not to what he should attribute this silence, and feltalarmed at his comrade's strange behaviour, which might be noticed bythe company, and produce an unpleasant effect in their minds.

  Inez laughed and prattled merrily, and several times in listening toher voice Leon was struck by a vague resemblance to another voicehe had heard, though he was unable to call to mind under whatcircumstances he had done so. Then on scrutinizing Senora Soto-Mayor'sfeatures, he thought he could detect a resemblance with someone heknew, but he could not remember who it was.

  Believing himself the dupe of an illusion, he had to get rid of thenotion of explaining to himself a resemblance which probably onlyexisted in his imagination; then, all at once, on hearing a remark thatfell from Inez's lips, he turned to recognise an intonation familiar tohis ears, which plunged his mind once more into the same perplexity.

  "Madre," said Inez to her mother, "Don Pedro informs me that his sisterRosita will take the veil at the convent of the Purisima Concepcion onthe same day as my beloved Maria."

  "They are, indeed, of the same age," the Senora replied.

  Leon started, and could not repress an exclamation.

  "What is the matter, Caballero?" the general asked.

  "Nothing, general; merely a spark from my cigarette that fell in myponcho," Leon replied, with visible embarrassment.

  "The storm is lulling," Diego said, at length emerging from hissilence; "and I believe that we can set out again."

  "Can you think of such a thing, my guests? Certainly not; the roads aretoo bad for me to let you depart. Besides, your room is prepared, andyour horses are resting in the corral."

  Diego was about to refuse, but Leon did not allow him the time.

  "Since you wish it, general, we will pass the night beneath your roof."

  Diego was obliged to accept. Moreover, in spite of what he stated, thestorm, instead of lulling, redoubled its intensity; but it could beseen that the Vaquero obeyed against his will the necessity in whichhe found himself of remaining, and that he experienced an invinciblerepugnance in submitting to it.

  The evening passed without any further incident, and about ten o'clock,after prayers had been read, at which all the servants were present,they separated.

  The general had the two smugglers conducted to their bedroom by a peon,after kindly wishing them good night, and making them promise not toleave his house the next morning without wishing him good-bye, Leon andDiego thanked him for the last time, and so soon as they reached theirapartment, dismissed the servant, for they were eager to cross-questioneach other.