The Prime Minister by William Henry Giles Kingston
Lisbon that night. Ashe met Senhora Gertrudes, he told her to advise her young mistress tothink of marrying, instead of entering a convent, which generaldirections the old lady was very well able to obey.
"What is it the fidalgo has been telling me, that my child wishes to gointo a convent? Why, she never before uttered such an idea to me!Would she have all that beautiful fair hair cut off, and hide thatlovely face within the gloomy walls of a nunnery? I should die to seemy child so lost to the world."
"Oh no, no, I do not wish to go into a nunnery, my good ama," returnedClara, as soon as she had recovered sufficiently to speak; "but I do notwish to marry."
"Not wish to marry! Ha, ha! that's what many young ladies say, butdon't mean, minha alma! You would be very happy to marry, if the rightperson offered. Now, suppose that handsome young Don Luis d'Almeidaproposed to you. Would not he please you, my child?"
"Oh, but he is not the person selected for me, my good nurse," answeredClara, blushing as she spoke.
"Who is it, then, my love?--speak, pray," cried the nurse anxiously.
"It is that dark Count San Vincente, my brother's friend," answered theyoung lady.
"Oh, he is not half so handsome as Don Luis; so I am not surprised atyour not liking him; and he did not even deign to speak to me, when hecame out to meet us on our coming here. Don Luis will suit you muchbetter, and I will tell the fidalgo so. Come, now, dry your eyes, andyou shall be happy."
We fear, Senhora Gertrudes, you were not fulfilling your master'sintentions by your last impolitic observations.
"But, alas! my kind nurse, my father has pledged his word to the count,and cannot retract," answered Clara.
"I don't understand anything about pledging words; but I will not havemy child made unhappy, to please that rude count. So do not fear, mysoul. I will persuade your father, or I will frighten the count. Iwill do something or other; but you shall neither marry him nor go intoa convent. Now, go to bed again, my love, and to-morrow you will bequite well and happy."
As soon as it was reported that Donna Clara was sufficiently recoveredto receive visitors, numbers crowded to the door of the marchioness'spalace, eager to ascertain, in person, whether the beauty was overpraised, which, it was generally supposed, would adorn the Court. Amongthe first who came to make her acquaintance, whom she received in herown apartment, was Donna Theresa d'Alorna, the betrothed of the youngMarquis of Tavora; for, although their families were in no way related,that intimacy had been kept up between them which existed generallyamongst the Fidalguia, and was so necessary for their own preservationas an order, against all other classes. As Donna Theresa was announced,a slight blush tinged the fair cheek of Donna Clara; for she could notavoid coupling her name with that of Don Luis, till she recollected thathe had himself contradicted the report her nurse had heard; and she roseto receive her visitor with that elegant courtesy so natural to her.The young ladies saluted each other on the cheek before they spoke, whenClara led her guest to a seat.
"I have been longing to come and see you, since I heard of yourarrival," Donna Theresa began. "And no sooner was I told that you couldreceive me, than I flew hither."
Clara thanked her for her politeness.
"They told me you were very beautiful," she continued; "and, for awonder, report has not exaggerated your perfections. Oh! you willcommit immense havoc in the Court. You have but to appear, to conquer!"
Clara smiled, and assured her she was too complimentary.
"Oh, not half enough so!" she answered; "but it is said you are alreadygiven away; that the bargain is struck, the arrangements made; and thatthe Conde San Vincente is the happy man. However, I now see you are agreat deal too good for him. You cannot have seen him very often, Isuppose?"
"I have seen him but twice," answered Clara.
"Oh, how fortunate you were!" answered Donna Theresa, laughing. "Fewhave so many opportunities of judging of their future lords and masters.Then, for a second wonder, the report is correct, and you are betrothedto the count?"
"Oh, I trust in Heaven not," said Clara, sorrowfully: "I could neverlove the count."
"Very likely not," returned her visitor, laughing. "It is a questionseldom asked of us poor girls till we arrive at the altar, with a lie onour tongues. But your father wishes for the match?"
Clara bowed assent.
"Oh, then, I fear, poor bird, you are entrapped; but you need not beunhappy alone, for you have plenty of sisters in affliction;" and ashade passed over the lovely countenance of Donna Theresa.
"But is it possible to marry a man one cannot love?" asked Clara, withemphasis on her words.
"Possible! why yes, such is but a trifle, which thousands do every day,"answered her guest, laughing at her simplicity. "It is a trifle notworth thinking about. We poor women are doomed to have husbands of somesort; such is our unavoidable lot, and we must submit to it; but for mypart, I prefer having one I do not love; for he will give me much lesstrouble in managing, and I shall be able to enjoy as much liberty as Ican desire. Now I should advise you to follow my example."
Clara shook her head; she was shocked at what she heard.
"Ah, I see you have a great deal of rustic simplicity to cure yourselfof, before you can properly appreciate the pleasures of a city life; butafter you have married the count, I shall find you wonderfullyimproved."
"I can never marry the count: I shall enter a convent rather," saidClara.
"Oh, horror of horrors! I know not why such places were invented,except as a punishment for our sins, or by some sour, crusty oldfathers, to frighten their daughters into obedience to their tyrannicalcommands. I have heard some extraordinary stories about two or threeconvents in the old king's time, which I will tell you; for they mayamuse you, though I do not think they would encourage a modest younglady to enter one, as they are not much improved since then."
We do not give the stories; for we must observe, that the minds of youngladies in those days were less refined than at the present time; andthat they assumed far more freedom in their language, particularly thosewho had been educated like Donna Theresa; though the recital, to whichClara's pure ears were unaccustomed, made the blushes rise on hercheeks. It is only necessary to say, that several convents wereentirely suppressed by Pombal, on account of their scandalous excessesand immoralities, which had become a disgrace to civilisation andChristianity.
Donna Theresa's conversation had, however, the effect of making Clarafeel that she ought rather to undergo any misery than assume the veil;and, that her only course was to obey her father's commands; an opinion,her new friend did her utmost to foster. She became also accustomed tothe count's expression of features, which had, at first, alarmed her;for he exerted himself to please her, and her brother lost noopportunity of praising his generous qualities. The count had alsocontrived to gain over the old marchioness, by a variety of artifices,which he well knew how to practise, and the confessor, for someunexplained reason, had not again spoken to Clara on the subject of hertaking the veil; so that she was left, poor girl! with the old nurse, asthe only friend in whom she could confide, or who seemed to take a realinterest in her welfare. Yet, simple virtue, and purity of thought,will often strengthen the weak to counteract all the wiles and plots ofthe subtle intriguer, though confident in his strength and talent. Thusaffairs continued; her month of probation was nearly drawing to a close,and, in a few days, she must consent to receive the count as herhusband, or assume the veil; all she had heard increased her dislike tothe latter alternative, and everybody around her endeavoured to persuadeher, that the other was a very happy lot.
The count had, by some means or other, discovered the cause of thedelay; and that she was hesitating about accepting him, not from hishaving any rival in her affections, whom he might chastise, as he vowedhe would, if he discovered one; but, because she felt so great anantipathy to him, that she fancied she should prefer a life of seclusionin a convent, to wedding him with rank, wealth, and liberty. This wasnot very complimen
tary to him, nor was he pleased by it; but he was nota man who foolishly gave vent to his feelings in outward show, though hevowed an oath, deep and bitter, that, once master of that bright jewel,he would wring her young heart for its present obduracy, till she shouldrepent ever having dared, for an instant, to oppose his lordly will.
He persuaded the marchioness that gaiety was most likely to restore heryoung friend to her usual state of spirits and health; and, perhaps, theold lady was not sorry to discover a plausible excuse for opening herpalace once more to the gay world. Her father and brother wisely judgedthat if they could give her a taste for the amusements of society, shewas less likely to wish to quit it. There was also to be a Beja Mao,literally a kissing hands, or drawing-room, at
"What is it the fidalgo has been telling me, that my child wishes to gointo a convent? Why, she never before uttered such an idea to me!Would she have all that beautiful fair hair cut off, and hide thatlovely face within the gloomy walls of a nunnery? I should die to seemy child so lost to the world."
"Oh no, no, I do not wish to go into a nunnery, my good ama," returnedClara, as soon as she had recovered sufficiently to speak; "but I do notwish to marry."
"Not wish to marry! Ha, ha! that's what many young ladies say, butdon't mean, minha alma! You would be very happy to marry, if the rightperson offered. Now, suppose that handsome young Don Luis d'Almeidaproposed to you. Would not he please you, my child?"
"Oh, but he is not the person selected for me, my good nurse," answeredClara, blushing as she spoke.
"Who is it, then, my love?--speak, pray," cried the nurse anxiously.
"It is that dark Count San Vincente, my brother's friend," answered theyoung lady.
"Oh, he is not half so handsome as Don Luis; so I am not surprised atyour not liking him; and he did not even deign to speak to me, when hecame out to meet us on our coming here. Don Luis will suit you muchbetter, and I will tell the fidalgo so. Come, now, dry your eyes, andyou shall be happy."
We fear, Senhora Gertrudes, you were not fulfilling your master'sintentions by your last impolitic observations.
"But, alas! my kind nurse, my father has pledged his word to the count,and cannot retract," answered Clara.
"I don't understand anything about pledging words; but I will not havemy child made unhappy, to please that rude count. So do not fear, mysoul. I will persuade your father, or I will frighten the count. Iwill do something or other; but you shall neither marry him nor go intoa convent. Now, go to bed again, my love, and to-morrow you will bequite well and happy."
As soon as it was reported that Donna Clara was sufficiently recoveredto receive visitors, numbers crowded to the door of the marchioness'spalace, eager to ascertain, in person, whether the beauty was overpraised, which, it was generally supposed, would adorn the Court. Amongthe first who came to make her acquaintance, whom she received in herown apartment, was Donna Theresa d'Alorna, the betrothed of the youngMarquis of Tavora; for, although their families were in no way related,that intimacy had been kept up between them which existed generallyamongst the Fidalguia, and was so necessary for their own preservationas an order, against all other classes. As Donna Theresa was announced,a slight blush tinged the fair cheek of Donna Clara; for she could notavoid coupling her name with that of Don Luis, till she recollected thathe had himself contradicted the report her nurse had heard; and she roseto receive her visitor with that elegant courtesy so natural to her.The young ladies saluted each other on the cheek before they spoke, whenClara led her guest to a seat.
"I have been longing to come and see you, since I heard of yourarrival," Donna Theresa began. "And no sooner was I told that you couldreceive me, than I flew hither."
Clara thanked her for her politeness.
"They told me you were very beautiful," she continued; "and, for awonder, report has not exaggerated your perfections. Oh! you willcommit immense havoc in the Court. You have but to appear, to conquer!"
Clara smiled, and assured her she was too complimentary.
"Oh, not half enough so!" she answered; "but it is said you are alreadygiven away; that the bargain is struck, the arrangements made; and thatthe Conde San Vincente is the happy man. However, I now see you are agreat deal too good for him. You cannot have seen him very often, Isuppose?"
"I have seen him but twice," answered Clara.
"Oh, how fortunate you were!" answered Donna Theresa, laughing. "Fewhave so many opportunities of judging of their future lords and masters.Then, for a second wonder, the report is correct, and you are betrothedto the count?"
"Oh, I trust in Heaven not," said Clara, sorrowfully: "I could neverlove the count."
"Very likely not," returned her visitor, laughing. "It is a questionseldom asked of us poor girls till we arrive at the altar, with a lie onour tongues. But your father wishes for the match?"
Clara bowed assent.
"Oh, then, I fear, poor bird, you are entrapped; but you need not beunhappy alone, for you have plenty of sisters in affliction;" and ashade passed over the lovely countenance of Donna Theresa.
"But is it possible to marry a man one cannot love?" asked Clara, withemphasis on her words.
"Possible! why yes, such is but a trifle, which thousands do every day,"answered her guest, laughing at her simplicity. "It is a trifle notworth thinking about. We poor women are doomed to have husbands of somesort; such is our unavoidable lot, and we must submit to it; but for mypart, I prefer having one I do not love; for he will give me much lesstrouble in managing, and I shall be able to enjoy as much liberty as Ican desire. Now I should advise you to follow my example."
Clara shook her head; she was shocked at what she heard.
"Ah, I see you have a great deal of rustic simplicity to cure yourselfof, before you can properly appreciate the pleasures of a city life; butafter you have married the count, I shall find you wonderfullyimproved."
"I can never marry the count: I shall enter a convent rather," saidClara.
"Oh, horror of horrors! I know not why such places were invented,except as a punishment for our sins, or by some sour, crusty oldfathers, to frighten their daughters into obedience to their tyrannicalcommands. I have heard some extraordinary stories about two or threeconvents in the old king's time, which I will tell you; for they mayamuse you, though I do not think they would encourage a modest younglady to enter one, as they are not much improved since then."
We do not give the stories; for we must observe, that the minds of youngladies in those days were less refined than at the present time; andthat they assumed far more freedom in their language, particularly thosewho had been educated like Donna Theresa; though the recital, to whichClara's pure ears were unaccustomed, made the blushes rise on hercheeks. It is only necessary to say, that several convents wereentirely suppressed by Pombal, on account of their scandalous excessesand immoralities, which had become a disgrace to civilisation andChristianity.
Donna Theresa's conversation had, however, the effect of making Clarafeel that she ought rather to undergo any misery than assume the veil;and, that her only course was to obey her father's commands; an opinion,her new friend did her utmost to foster. She became also accustomed tothe count's expression of features, which had, at first, alarmed her;for he exerted himself to please her, and her brother lost noopportunity of praising his generous qualities. The count had alsocontrived to gain over the old marchioness, by a variety of artifices,which he well knew how to practise, and the confessor, for someunexplained reason, had not again spoken to Clara on the subject of hertaking the veil; so that she was left, poor girl! with the old nurse, asthe only friend in whom she could confide, or who seemed to take a realinterest in her welfare. Yet, simple virtue, and purity of thought,will often strengthen the weak to counteract all the wiles and plots ofthe subtle intriguer, though confident in his strength and talent. Thusaffairs continued; her month of probation was nearly drawing to a close,and, in a few days, she must consent to receive the count as herhusband, or assume the veil; all she had heard increased her dislike tothe latter alternative, and everybody around her endeavoured to persuadeher, that the other was a very happy lot.
The count had, by some means or other, discovered the cause of thedelay; and that she was hesitating about accepting him, not from hishaving any rival in her affections, whom he might chastise, as he vowedhe would, if he discovered one; but, because she felt so great anantipathy to him, that she fancied she should prefer a life of seclusionin a convent, to wedding him with rank, wealth, and liberty. This wasnot very complimen
He persuaded the marchioness that gaiety was most likely to restore heryoung friend to her usual state of spirits and health; and, perhaps, theold lady was not sorry to discover a plausible excuse for opening herpalace once more to the gay world. Her father and brother wisely judgedthat if they could give her a taste for the amusements of society, shewas less likely to wish to quit it. There was also to be a Beja Mao,literally a kissing hands, or drawing-room, at