The Portland daily press., 1873-10-04
HISTORY OF A BOOK.
Translated for the Press from the French of
Lucien BiGrt.
Concluded.
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi.
I awoke late: while dressing, I thought of
asking "a new question OF Donna Gertrudis-
and | thought also OF the charming mind of
Tomas. Sne bad recounted to me her con-
quests the evening before, during supper: and
the remembrance she evoked made me-
dream. / had allowed myself to glide down
the decliyity of "reminiscences before my com
PLEASANT auditor. Nevertheless there was a
little qulzzlng in he laughter; in the ques-
tons, the remarks of the young lady; but
two or three times she had clasped my had
with so much cordiality, that I was not an
CRY. As [ left my chamber, I met her.
II thought you were an early riser, Doc
tor she said without reproach. ''Since day.
break have been waiting for you.''
1T is scarcely eight O'clock"
mo matter, you know the governor of the
city, General Tracons ?"
"a Iittle''
'He has for you the consideration that ey-
cry one accords to you in this country, where
your name is talismaE, l have many times
pc. ceiyei "
''For thirty years I have endeavored to do
good around me, Sonora; these people are
good, and they have some liking for me-
'Will you conduct me to the house of the
general, doctof?'
every willingly; but I must make some
excuse for not gong to see him during the
three weeks have been in Puebla."
''Weli, you can speak to him of your Co
mara; he commands the police, and his de-
tectlVeS could aid 20 [ in your researches
The idea appeared to me ingenious. The
Sonora was soon ready-and we started on
foot. Men and women turned round as we
passed; they saluted us.
by the way" said 1 to my companion,
'whv do you go to the mansion of the gem
eral?'
''ro ask pardon for Lobo," she answered
TRANQUILITY.
looked at her with surprise.
''He saved me from frightful outrage: I
owe lin my life, and he has even saved yours
little, doctor. DO you not think that we
have been ungrateful? There is price on
his head, aud it is to us that he must owe his
pardon. Your recitas yesterday suggested
to me the step. Can l count upon you?"
l answered YES" without quite c0mpre-
bending what the story of the generous af-
fiction which had tortured my heart in nv
youth, had in common with the pardon of an
outlawed bandit-but the sentence of death
troubles me always, and have asked pity for
the culpable, Systematically.
We were introduced without delay into the
presence of Traconis. He was a splendid
man and perfect cabatLero. He appeared
fattered by the visit of Tomasi. His admir-
alton for the marvellous beauty of nv COM
icately upon her voice-her talent; and was
profuse in his offers of service.
Plainly, clearly, Tomasi made her request;
the eneral became serious,
Yesterday" said he," l should have been
able to satisfy YOU, Sonora; today, what you
ask does not depend uron me at ALL"
He took paper from his Writing table,
and handed it to the young lady, who became
pale. 1t was an order from JuareZ to DESTROY,
cost what If miObf Inhn and his hmm DIV
daring stroke the celebrated bandit had
pillaged some boxes belonging to. the English
g ,vernment; two officers had been killed :;
and the ambassador demanded justice.
BY turns humble, gentle, naughty, imperi-
ous-Tomasi supplicated, entreated; Joined
with her. The general, while protesting his
wish to do us avor,placed before us the Or
ders he had received
He would close his eyes, he would attempt
nothing against tn Lobe, would allow him
to escape-but to give him safe conduct, the
indulgence requested for him-theJ was i'm
possible. He offered to wrife to Mexico in
his own name, in the name of Tomasi. in
mine; he could do no more.
Tomas was silent until we regained the ho-
tel; but her unsteady step, the nervous move
ments of her hand upon my arm. revealed
her trouble, her chagrin, vexation.
HE is stupid and dull-your governor"
she said, as she threw herself upon the sofa
''aud l see. doctor, that you have very little
influence with him. In my country they
would have acceded to me instantly the par
don | asked; but these are savages here
The Lobo has not killed his father or mother
that know; he has killed man. Indeed
I,too-I have wished to kill a ma, %
She arose, she trembed; Selling a small
riding-whip lying upon the centre table, she
struck here and there the furniture the pic
tues, clock, vases, breaking aud running ev-
erythiDg.
This time it was not tigress at play,
bounding in the sun, that | had before my
eyes, but furious animal-wild, having
thirst for revenge. She was beautiful always,
even in her sorrowful rage could not help
admiring her. Weary of striking, breaking,
spelling, she threw herself upon the sofa and
burst into tears; | retired with discretion to
go to the house of Perez
Towards four O'Clock in the evening, as
returned penslvely to the hotel, having ob-
tanned some information upon the Gomara
which decided me to leave for Mexico at once
the horse of Tomasi passed by me: alone
according to her custom. She wore black
riding habit and her light hair escaped in
golden cnrls from her felt hat, ornamented
with scarlet plume.
Her grace compelled even the Indians to
watch her movements. She saluted me with
friendly gesture, and appeared at first in
clined to speak; but, striking her horse, she
disappeared. Near seven o'clock there was
great confusion in the Italian company-the
cGRtGtrjce had not appeared; and they sad
died some horses for aer friends who wished
to 20 in search of her,
AT ten O'Clock the diligence from Vera
Cruz arrived; the travellers had been stripped
ana robbed. At midnight, as | was mount
ing the Mexican diligence, an Italian arrived
IN great conservation announcing that they
had found Iomasi upon the route to Amozoc
one had perhaps fallen victim to the very
one Tor whom that very morning she had
ASKED pardon with so much generosity.
eOulh scarcely gather the details. when
the dliigence carried me away. | was over
come, anu tear dropped from my ewes when
tho99nt OF the sad fate of the Young ladv
Ihat uestiny mad thrown in my way. and for
Wholh L hdd great sympathy So much
grace beauty taleut, spirit, youth, DESTROYED
~ an ins'aht ny .he rude band of an Apache
troubled my philosophy and disturbed NV
sleep. my
The sun arose, and came little Inv lift,e
to just appreciation of things arounJ mo
We dew near Mexico, where I must mal-a -
last effort to discover the first edition of c.
mora and L endeavored 10 shake off nv,
sadness, having need of all my elast city Of
mind.
repeated to myself, not without reason
that there were in the world many thousand
pretty women ready to replace Tomas; on
the contrary, there existed olly three or foul
copies Of the edition of the Gomara of 1552-
but must say would have, think. readily
renounced this treasure, to restore to life thai
magnificent form whose marble witness
saw again appearing upon the trunk OF The
0huehuete.
CHAPTER VIII.
passed month, nearly, in Mexico-ris
ing early, retiring late; coming back each eve.