DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48088#0086
MURILLO.
67
every human being to avoid gross evil and infidelity. Every battle against faithless thoughts
can only end in the victory of the strongest love. In this respect presence always has a great
advantage... If I were Murillo, I would not any more than he be persuaded to remove to a
distance from my dearest treasure. Lead him yourself onwards in his career of art, become the
muse, who can inspire him, the supreme arbiter and moulder of his taste, in this way you will
help him more than by causing him the unspeakable sorrow of separation from you.”
“I may confess' everything to you,” said Beatrix, blushing, “I love Murillo so inexpressibly,
that I do not allow' him the rest necessary for his studies. How many thousand times have I
resolved, not to visit the Trianon, and yet I find myself again and again before the old garden-
door, which leads to Murillo’s cottage.”
“Then you have not kept your promise...,” said Jacinto. “However, I am not here as a
father confessor, but as your faithful friend. It is therefore unsuitable for me to reproach you
for conduct which I should blame as a priest, but must excuse as a man. Let us consider the
matter from another point of view. Do you think that Don Bartolome, when surrounded by the
ladies of Madrid, will offer all the resistance to their persuasive beauty, of which you imagine
him capable?”
Beatrix changed colour.
“Oh! I am certain of him,” she said, as she forced herself to smile.
“You do not believe what you say, you wish to send your jewel to the market, and then
doubt, whether it will find a purchaser. I advise you not to do so.”
“I must admit the truth of your last accusation, and I confess,” said Beatrix, as she sank
upon her knees, “that my own passion is beyond my control.”
“Well,—marry him, and be happy.”
“Oh! if I could endure the thought,” exclaimed Beatrix, “of being the wife of a man, who
is not the first artist in Spain.”
“Then try the effect of a separation, and let experience give you further advice,” said Jacinto.
“Fly, as you had resolved. I can offer you the castle of Carabella in the Sierra G-uadarama which
I possess, as my child’s guardian. But it is not fitted up, and the neighbourhood is bare and wild.
“So much the better, it will suit my state of mind. But who will accompany me, give me
your advice.”
Jacinto considered, and answered, “I think you cannot be too careful on this point. Your
good name might be endangered.”
“I must be accompanied by no cavalier, but only by well-armed muleteers,” said Beatrix.
“Who at the first pop of the highwayman’s gun, (for these mountains are infested by robber
Lords) would run off, and leave you to your fate, if you had no better guide. Think of some-
one whom you can trust, and who would also be an agreeable companion ...”
“And let it be added, that he should not be so foolish as to fall in love with me, within
the first four-and-twenty hours,” continued Beatrix.
“That would not be such great folly,” said Jacinto. “I will ask the count of Villa-
manrique, to recommend a cavalier; for some years he has entertained all the young nobility of
Seville at his house.”
“My protector need be no Adonis,” said Beatrix. “Besides, you may spare yourself the
journey to Count Villamanrique, for I know that he will certainly recommend the painter
Pedro de Moya, who has just arrived from England, and whc lives with the count.”
9*
67
every human being to avoid gross evil and infidelity. Every battle against faithless thoughts
can only end in the victory of the strongest love. In this respect presence always has a great
advantage... If I were Murillo, I would not any more than he be persuaded to remove to a
distance from my dearest treasure. Lead him yourself onwards in his career of art, become the
muse, who can inspire him, the supreme arbiter and moulder of his taste, in this way you will
help him more than by causing him the unspeakable sorrow of separation from you.”
“I may confess' everything to you,” said Beatrix, blushing, “I love Murillo so inexpressibly,
that I do not allow' him the rest necessary for his studies. How many thousand times have I
resolved, not to visit the Trianon, and yet I find myself again and again before the old garden-
door, which leads to Murillo’s cottage.”
“Then you have not kept your promise...,” said Jacinto. “However, I am not here as a
father confessor, but as your faithful friend. It is therefore unsuitable for me to reproach you
for conduct which I should blame as a priest, but must excuse as a man. Let us consider the
matter from another point of view. Do you think that Don Bartolome, when surrounded by the
ladies of Madrid, will offer all the resistance to their persuasive beauty, of which you imagine
him capable?”
Beatrix changed colour.
“Oh! I am certain of him,” she said, as she forced herself to smile.
“You do not believe what you say, you wish to send your jewel to the market, and then
doubt, whether it will find a purchaser. I advise you not to do so.”
“I must admit the truth of your last accusation, and I confess,” said Beatrix, as she sank
upon her knees, “that my own passion is beyond my control.”
“Well,—marry him, and be happy.”
“Oh! if I could endure the thought,” exclaimed Beatrix, “of being the wife of a man, who
is not the first artist in Spain.”
“Then try the effect of a separation, and let experience give you further advice,” said Jacinto.
“Fly, as you had resolved. I can offer you the castle of Carabella in the Sierra G-uadarama which
I possess, as my child’s guardian. But it is not fitted up, and the neighbourhood is bare and wild.
“So much the better, it will suit my state of mind. But who will accompany me, give me
your advice.”
Jacinto considered, and answered, “I think you cannot be too careful on this point. Your
good name might be endangered.”
“I must be accompanied by no cavalier, but only by well-armed muleteers,” said Beatrix.
“Who at the first pop of the highwayman’s gun, (for these mountains are infested by robber
Lords) would run off, and leave you to your fate, if you had no better guide. Think of some-
one whom you can trust, and who would also be an agreeable companion ...”
“And let it be added, that he should not be so foolish as to fall in love with me, within
the first four-and-twenty hours,” continued Beatrix.
“That would not be such great folly,” said Jacinto. “I will ask the count of Villa-
manrique, to recommend a cavalier; for some years he has entertained all the young nobility of
Seville at his house.”
“My protector need be no Adonis,” said Beatrix. “Besides, you may spare yourself the
journey to Count Villamanrique, for I know that he will certainly recommend the painter
Pedro de Moya, who has just arrived from England, and whc lives with the count.”
9*