Isaura, the SlavePart 17
Página 1 de 9
Part 17
Clear complexion and skin as delicate as any white woman's; large black eyes; hair the same color, long and slightly wavy; small mouth, rosy and well-formed; white teeth, well arranged; prominent and well-cut nose; slender waist, graceful figure, and medium height; she has a small black mole on her left cheek, and above her right breast a burn mark, very similar to a butterfly's wing. She dresses with taste and elegance; she sings and plays piano to perfection. As she had an excellent education and has a good figure, she can pass anywhere for a free lady of good society. She fled in the company of a Portuguese man, by the name of Miguel, who says he is her father. It is natural that they have changed their name. Whoever apprehends her and takes her to the said master of hers, besides having all expenses paid, will receive a reward of 5:000:000 réis--.
--Really, Martinho?--exclaimed one of the listeners,--is what I have just heard on that paper? You have just drawn us the portrait of Venus, and you come to tell us she is a runaway slave!!...
--If you still do not want to believe it, read it with your own eyes: here is the paper...
--Indeed!--added another--a slave like that is worth apprehending, more for what she is worth in herself than for the five contos. If I catch her, I would have no desire at all to hand her over to her master.
--I am no longer surprised that Martinho is looking for her here; such a perfect creature can only be found in the palaces of princes.
--Or in the kingdom of the fairies; and by the signs and indications I can see that it can be none other than this new divinity who appeared today....
--Without more or less; you hit the mark,--interrupted Martinho, and calling them over to the door:
--Now come here,--he continued,--and look at that pretty girl dancing as a pair with Alvaro. Poor Alvaro, how full of himself he is! If he knew whom he is dancing with, his face would fall to his feet. Look carefully, my gentlemen, and see whether the signs do not match perfectly?...
--Perfectly!--one of the young men chimed in,--it is extraordinary! There I see the little mark on her left cheek, and it gives her infinite grace. If she has that butterfly wing over her breast, there can be no further doubt. O heavens! is it possible that such a beautiful girl is a slave!
--And that she has the audacity to present herself at a ball like this?--added another.--I still cannot make myself believe it.
--Well, as for me,--said Martinho--the matter is settled, as are the five contos, which I think are already singing to me in my pocket; and see you soon, my dear fellows.
And saying this he carefully folded the announcement, put it in his pocket, and rubbing his hands with cynical contentment, took his hat and withdrew.
--Great wretch!...--said one of his companions--what vile greed for gold this Martinho has! I can see that he is capable of having that girl arrested right here in the middle of the ball.
--For five contos he is capable of all the infamies in the world. Such a vile creature is a disgrace to the class to which we belong; we should all conspire to expel him from the Academy. Five contos I would give to be a slave of that rare beauty.
--It is astonishing! Who would say that beneath that angelic figure a runaway slave was hidden!
--And also who tells us that in the body of the slave an angel's soul is not sheltered?...
Chapter XIV.
The quadrille had ended. Alvaro, proud and full of jubilation, was leading his beautiful partner through the crowd, through a lively fusillade of glances of envy and admiration that crossed on his passage; on the pretext of offering her some refreshment, he kept leading her toward a room at the back, which was almost deserted. Until then he had not yet made to Elvira a declaration of love in positive terms, although that love was revealing itself at every moment, and each time more ardent and passionate, in his eyes, in his words, in all his movements and actions. Alvaro judged that he had already acquired complete knowledge of his beloved's heart, and in the two months during which he had studied her, he had discovered in her nothing but new charms and perfections. He was fully convinced that of all the beauties he had known until then, Elvira was in everything the most worthy of his love, and he no longer doubted even in shadows the purity of her soul, the sincerity of her affection. He thought therefore that without any fear of compromising his future, he could abandon his heart to the empire of that passion, which he could no longer dominate. As for Elvira's origin and provenance, it was something he did not preoccupy himself with even lightly, and he never remembered to inquire. The distinction of classes repelled his principles and philanthropic sentiments. Whether she was a princess whom destiny obliged to go as a fugitive, or whether she had her cradle in the hut of some poor fisherman, that was indifferent to him. He knew her in herself, he knew that she was one of the most perfect and adorable creatures that can be found on earth, and that was enough for him.
Alvaro observed in his habits, as we already know, the severity of a Quaker, and would be incapable of abusing the love he had inspired in the beautiful unknown, nestling in his spirit a thought of seduction.
On that night therefore the enamored youth, overcome and dazzled more than ever by the new charms and attractions that Elvira displayed amid the splendors of the ball, could not and did not wish to delay any longer the declaration that at every moment burned in his eyes, and fluttered on his lips, and as soon as he found himself in a place where he could be heard by no one but Elvira:
--D. Elvira,--he said to her with grave and moved voice,--if you are an angel in your house, in the halls of the ball you are a goddess. My heart has long belonged to you; I feel that my destiny from today onward depends only on you. Fatal or propitious, you will always be my star on the paths of life. I believe you know me enough to believe in the sincerity of my words. I am master of a considerable fortune; I have an honorable and respectable position in society; but I can never be happy if you do not consent to share with me those goods that fortune has lavished on me.
These words of Alvaro, so gentle, so imbued with the most sincere and profound love, which under other conditions would have fallen like celestial balm on Isaura's heart, bathing it in ineffable effluvia of bliss, were now for her like an atrocious and stinging sarcasm of destiny, a hymn of heaven heard amid the tortures of hell. She saw on one side an angel who, taking her by the hand with a gentle smile, showed her an Eden of delights, to which he strove to lead her, while on the other side the hideous figure of a demon tied a heavy shackle to her foot, and with all its weight dragged her toward a gulf of eternal sufferings.
For poor Isaura, full of frights and suspicions, during a pause had noticed the movements of the infamous Martinho, when, leaning against the threshold of the little room with a paper in his hand, he seemed to examine her with the most minute attention. That sight produced in her the effect of a lightning bolt; she no longer doubted that she was discovered, and irremissibly lost forever. A sudden vertigo darkened her eyes, it seemed to her that the ground was failing beneath her feet, and that she was being swallowed by the jaws of an immeasurable abyss. In order not to fall she had to grip tightly with both hands onto Alvaro's arm, leaning on his chest.
--What is the matter, my lady?--he had asked her, frightened.--Are you unwell?...
--Somewhat,--answered Elvira with faint and panting voice, and reviving little by little.--It was a sharp pain ... a stitch on this side ... but it is passing ... I am not accustomed to this crush ... the whirl of the dance did me harm.
--But you will get used to it in a short time,--replied Alvaro, holding one of her hands and supporting her with an arm by the waist.--You were born to shine in the halls;... but, if you wish to withdraw....
--No, sir; let us continue; we are at the end now...
With these evasive answers Alvaro was reassured, and because of the rapid movements of the quadrille in the final figure, which immediately followed, he could not notice the extreme pallor and profound disturbance of Elvira's features. The unfortunate girl was no longer dancing, she dragged herself automatically through the room; her spirit was not there, she heard and saw nothing else but the repugnant figure of Martinho, posted like a threatening sphinx beside the door of the little room, toward which she turned from time to time eyes full of anxiety and dread. And all her blood flowed back to her heart, which trembled like that of the dove that feels the pitiless claw of the hawk stretched over its neck.
In such a state of fright and perturbation, Isaura could not figure out what she should answer to that so sincere and passionate declaration of the youth. She kept silence for a few moments, which Alvaro interpreted as timidity or emotion.
--You do not want to answer me?--he continued with gentle voice,--a single word is enough....
--Ah! sir,--she murmured sighing, what can I answer to the sweet words that I have just heard from your mouth. They enchant me, but....
Elvira interrupted herself abruptly; a sudden shudder shaking Alvaro's arm made him look at her with start and uneasiness.
--It is he!...--this sound whispered through her lips like a hoarse and convulsive groan; she had just caught sight of Martinho, entering the room in which they were, and she felt a mortal chill run through her whole body.
--Excuse me, sir;--she continued;--it is not possible for today to hear your sweet words; I feel unwell; I need to withdraw. If you would be so kind as to take me to where my father is...
--Why not, D. Elvira?... but oh!... how pale you are!... you are suffering much, are you not?... do you want me to accompany you?... to call a doctor for you?... there are some right here....
--Thank you, sir Alvaro; do not worry; this is a passing ailment, fatigue perhaps; once I arrive home I will be well.
--And you want then to withdraw without leaving me a single word of consolation and hope?...
--For consolation perhaps, but for hope....
--Why not?
--If even I myself cannot have it...
--Then you do not love me....
--I love you very much.
--Then you will be mine...
--That is impossible...
--Impossible!... what obstacle can there be?...
--I cannot tell you, sir; my misfortune.
This amorous confidence, at the moment when it was at its most interesting point, was brusquely interrupted by the presence of Martinho, who crossed in front of them, making a deep bow. Alvaro, indignant, knitted his brow, and was on the point of driving off the intruder, as one drives off a dog. Elvira stopped as if petrified with dread.
--Sir Alvaro, Martinho said to him respectfully,--with Your Lordship's permission, I need to say two words to this lady, to whom Your Lordship is giving your arm.
--To this lady!--exclaimed the gentleman in amazement.--What business have you with this lady?
--A matter of the utmost importance; she knows it well, better than I and you do.
Alvaro, who knew Martinho well, and knew how abject and despicable he was, judging that this was the maneuver of some envious and cowardly rival, who was using that wretch to insult him or expose him to ridicule, had a surge of indignation, but restraining himself for a moment:
--Do you have any business with this man?--he asked Elvira.
--I!?... none, certainly; I do not even know him,--stammered the girl, pale and trembling.
--But, my God! Dona Elvira, why do you tremble like that? how pale you are!... cursed intruder, who makes you suffer so!... oh! by heaven, Dona Elvira, do not be so frightened. Here I am at your side, and woe to him who dares to insult us!
--No one wants to insult you, Sir Alvaro;--replied Martinho; but the matter is more serious than you think.
--In short, Sir Martinho, stop beating around the bush and tell us here and now what you want with this lady.
--I can tell it; but it would be better that Your Lordship did not know it.
Comentários (0)