The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-31
MATRIMONIAL.

| gagedF' observed Vase putting Oh an innocent
| air.
"Undoubtedly-th is to say, there is moral
| engagement, though no betrothment has taken
| place. The uncertainty Of the times has induced
Dona Elvira to postpone: But this is nothing to
the purpose; another object brought me hither,
| friend vasco."
II am at your service, Senior"
al would have thee lend me fifteen doubloons -
"How SO! have you run through the ten lent
! you on the day of your arrival" exclaimed Vasco
| in q tone Of astonishment.
Had not, should not have troubled thee
now" replied Cabrera, very coolly.
my lord, you are free to make what account
you will of money! to scatterit abroad as you list
as that which is lightly got, to in the glitter
or gold something too resplendent to be kept long
under the eye. But he who labors through the
view matters in a different way. Neither the times,
which threaten the working man with ruin nor the
amount OF my earnings, would warrant me in ad-
vancing You such large sums for the future"
How, srrah! thinkest thou the loans will not be
repaid! Dost thou forget that my fathers bounty
kept thine from starving more than once?"
~ have 80 far been mindful of it," said vasco
with dignity, "that have lent you within the last
father ever cost the kind hearted Dom Sancho.
The total Of your debt to me is no less than sixty
five doubloons." ~
''Thou talkest, forsooth, as if we were equals. A
doubloon will go farther with one like thee than
hundred with one OF my rank. Thou highest as
well weigh the crumb that satisfies the cravings Of
the sparrow. against what is devoured by the hun
CRY eagle at meal"
Whereby you would imply that my debt is not
yet paid!' said vasco.
NAY, claim no debt; tits fresh loan ask"
"Tell me, Senior: did you not request me to
keep these matters from the world?
Undoubtedly; there was no reason why the
world should know them"
81 thought as much, and I held my tongue;
but while cautionng me, you showed but little
caution yourself"
stWhaf art hon. rivuo NJ
=" would merely warn you that my men know
that yon have borrowed money of me, which
amounts to saying that the whole place know it,"
"Beke, thou hast been slyly Boosting Of this ~
said the lord of Valverde, angrily.
Nay, credit me, that is not my wont. You
were your own tell-tale ; you let the coin tinkle
as you left my house two days ago. Besides, it
seems this has been suspected Tor some time
back"
"And where didst thou learn this ?"
in the workshop, from my own people. There
are some among them with sharp ears and keen
sight," replied Vasco.
"But OF course thou didst deny?"
"My lord, Vasco Peres was never known to lie
endeayored to treat the matter lightly, and to
dispel their suspicious; but when they insisted
and fatty dared me to deny, could not but admit
that which knew to be true"
"And ID my character and dignity to suffer thus?"
cried Dom Garcia, in towering passion, while
taking long strides up and down the room. And
am to be the theme of village scandal topic
for ill-mannered churls and gossiping old women
o by-word to be taught their saucy, half naked
brats Shall it be said that Dom Garcia de Ca
breira, Lord Of Valverde, the descendant of kings
was reduced to the necessity Of begging few
doubloons from one Of thy condition !"
"Senhor, if the pill be kept in the mouth too
long it must needs offend the palate. But yet your
secret has been kept two years; and if it is out
now you have only yourself to blame. In TRUTH the
best is never to do that which you would blush for
the world to know"
81 came not hither to be tutored by thee, sir
cooper; dost apprehend?' cried the fidalgo, furi-
ously.
Perfectly, noble sir" replied yasco, ironically;
"you would have ire keep my counsel locked up,
and my Golfer unlocked, with its contents at your
SERVICE"
"Trife not with my anger, knave, else thou may
est rue thy temerity,' screamed the Lord Of VAL
verde, as he seized a stick that stood in corner
and raised it with menacing gesture.
The eyes OF the young cooper flashed fire, his
brow contracted, the veins in his forehead began
to swell, and his teeth were so firmly locked
that the muscles OF his jawbones stood out.
With folded arms and closed lips he steadily
defiance in the look and the attitude of yasco
Pcres that impartial spectator would have
supposed that Dom Garcia thought it as well to
provoke no further the storm which was brew
ing in the breast of the affronted piebeian; for,
cashing the stick to the ground his fury suddenly
subsidized whilst his face assumed sullen express
sion, as il he were veXed with himself. But the
truth is, that yasco's posture had not inundated
Dom Garcia, who, whatever his other faults might
be, was no coward; it had only served to call HIM
to his senses. He was the more yexed at his i'll
timed outburst OF passion that, though naturally
OF sanguine temperament, lie was used to have
his irriability under such control as but seldom,
ii ever to let 1t run rut at least not in the pre-
sence of Others whereby he was generally noticed
for his GOODNESS and nerve.
"Eark you, Senior Dom Garcia said VascO,
after moments pause, and in stern tone of
voice, "henceforth seek money elsewhere; none
of mine shall again soil your hands. Not only
have you borrowed the plcbe.an's coin, and then
told him to his face that you deemed yourself
dishonored therein, but you have vcntured, in
my own house, to call me n knaye, and threaten
ME with stick. 1t is well for you you went no
further, for, as live, It's like you had lost the
most at that game
Come friend vasco; forgive a moments irrita-
ton. What amends dost tlon require? for have
wrongcd thee"
''This sufIices' replied vasco, with dignity.
"And now thar VIC are friends again, wilt thou
leEd the money"
What you repeat such a request after what has
been said r. observed Nasco, conteml taously.
'But it is urgent that should have it; and
know not where TO apply for IL in this place."
Nasco seemed to reflect Tor awhile, and then said,
in decided tone =
'.I'il let you have the money on one condition"
'tName itn
'That you promise never to ask me for moren
$50 be it, since it must needs be so. I'll trouble
thee no more, replied Cabrera, WHO saw by Vas
cos tone that there was 10 other alternative.
~
the cooper's house, after having received the
fifteen doubloons; and if we would know the mo-
tive that was strong enough to induce proud man
TO hunliliate himself III the manner described we
have only to follow his steps.
After crossing the bridge close by the convent
Dom Garcia walked on at hurried pace towards
the castle, which, rs ] have already stated was
situated Oh an cnGeuce 10 The north OF the village
About twenty minules brought him to it, and
having passed through several large apartments
he came to u small corridor. which led him into a
moderately sized room, in which was a table sur
rounded BY about dozen individuals, and unon
which might be seen several heaps of gold and
silver coin. These were a few Knights or suuircs
belonging to the company ot pom Garcia engaged
at their usua! Afternoon pas.lne.
Ia those times military discipline very diff
fercnt FROM what it became more recently; nor
was the limit which now separates the officers Of
the higher grades from those ii the lower observed
at the period of this story. There were then 10
regular armies for the first innovation of the kind
made by Charles VII. Of France, some two score
years before, would scarcely come VI. to notion
Of regular, disciplined army. In time Of war most
men were expected 10 t.tke up arms according 10
the eAIgencics; hence the esprit de corps was feel
ing unknown TO any breast, and social rank alone
determined the amount OF consideration each man
might claim. The reader will not, therefore. be
surprised TO learn that several Of those present
- L Z,