登陆注册
4606300001043

第1043章

In further speaking of his character Don Domingo told me that the ministers had good cause for making him inaccessible, as whenever anyone did succeed in getting at him and asked a favour, he made a point of granting it, as it was at such times that he felt himself really a king.

"Then he is not a hard man, as some say?"

"Not at all. Kings seldom have the reputation they deserve. The most accessible monarchs are the least generous; they are overwhelmed with importunate requests, and their first instinct is always to refuse."

"But as Charles III. is so inaccessible he can have no opportunity of either granting or refusing."

"People catch him when he is hunting; he is usually in a good humour then. His chief defect is his obstinacy; when he has once made up his mind there is no changing it.

"He has the greatest liking for his brother, and can scarce refuse him anything, though he must be master in all things. It is thought he will give him leave to marry for the sake of his salvation; the king has the greatest horror of illegitimate children, and his brother has three already."

There were an immense number of persons at Aranjuez, who persecuted the ministers in the hope of getting employment.

"They will go back as they come," said Don Domingo, "and that is empty-

handed."

"Then they ask impossibilities?"

"They don't ask anything. 'What do you want?' says a minister.

"'What your excellency will let me have.'

"'What can you do?'

"'I am ready to do whatever your excellency pleases to think best for me'

"'Please leave me. I have no time to waste.'"

That is always the way. Charles III. died a madman; the Queen of Portugal is mad; the King of England has been mad, and, as some say, is not really cured. There is nothing astonishing in it; a king who tries to do his duty is almost forced into madness by his enormous task.

I took leave of M. Mocenigo three days before he left Aranjuez, and I

embraced Manucci affectionately. He had been most kind to me throughout my stay.

My cobbler had written to tell me that for the sum I had mentioned he could provide me with a Biscayan maid who could cook. He sent me the address of my new lodging in the Calle Alcala. I arrived there in the afternoon, having started from Aranjuez in the morning.

I found that the Biscayan maid could speak French; my room was a very pleasant one, with another chamber annexed where I could lodge a friend.

After I had had my effects carried up I saw my man, whose face pleased me.

I was anxious to test the skill of my cook, so I ordered her to get a good supper for me, and I gave her some money.

"I have some money," she replied, "and I will let you have the bill to-

morrow."

After taking away whatever I had left with Mengs I went to Don Diego's house, and to my astonishment found it empty. I went back and asked Philippe, my man, where Don Diego was staying.

"It's some distance, sir; I will take you there tomorrow."

"Where is my landlord?"

"In the floor above; but they are very quiet people."

"I should like to see him."

"He is gone out and won't be home till ten."

At nine o'clock I was told that my supper was ready. I was very hungry, and the neatness with which the table was laid was a pleasant surprise in Spain. I was sorry that I had had no opportunity of expressing my satisfaction to Don Diego, but I sat down to supper. Then indeed I

thought the cobbler a hero; the Biscayan maid might have entered into rivalry with the best cook in France. There were five dishes, including my favourite delicacy 'las criadillas', and everything was exquisite. My lodging was dear enough, but the cook made the whole arrangement a wonderful bargain.

Towards the end of supper Philippe told me that the landlord had come in, and that with my leave he would wish me a good evening.

"Shew him in by all means."

I saw Don Diego and his charming daughter enter; he had rented the house on purpose to be my landlord.

同类推荐
  • 丁香花

    丁香花

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 里乘

    里乘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 杂阿含经

    杂阿含经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 初仕录

    初仕录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 摩尼光佛教法仪

    摩尼光佛教法仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 如何赢得友谊及影响他人

    如何赢得友谊及影响他人

    分析和阐述了处理人际关系的3大技巧、使人喜欢你的6大方法、领导他人的12种技巧、说服他人的9大原则,这一套人际关系学令读者怦然心动,也使世界人类的相处之道为之一新,能够帮助读者最大化地挖掘自我潜能。
  • 王牌经纪人之出道之战

    王牌经纪人之出道之战

    练习生邹彦和家里作对,走上练习生的道路,原本只想做个唱跳歌手,却被自己的经纪人硬往演艺道路上扯,只不过在渐渐接触演戏的过程中,他越发喜欢上演员这份职业。
  • 雇主大人,不要过来了!

    雇主大人,不要过来了!

    她的雇主大人总说:你个没用的东西。却又总是对她伸出援手。将她一直留在身边。 她的雇主大人总说:你不要爱上我。却又总是无意中做了太多让她动心的事。 很多人都说徐小需就是东方定养的一只小猫。独立乖巧不粘人。还有一点小脾气。从大学开始到工作,徐小需做了东方定四年的保姆,三年的秘书。她巧妙的隐藏着内心的爱意。小心翼翼想缩短彼此天地般的距离。 她发挥着自己将近两百的智商,在东方定每一步靠近里,争取着每一分可能。 可当别人走向他,如此天造地设的美景。让徐小需就此在爱里走投无路。 他却又找了过来。 “徐小需,饭做好了没?”东方定每日必来报道。 “雇主大人,你已经不是我雇主了!能不能不要再过来了!”
  • 动物农场

    动物农场

    《动物农场》是一部政治寓言体小说,故事描述了一场“动物主义”革命的酝酿、兴起和最终蜕变;一个农庄的动物不堪人类主人的压迫,在猪的带领下起来反抗,赶走了农场主,牲畜们实现了“当家作主”的愿望,农场更名为“动物农场”,奉行“所有动物一律平等”;之后,两只处于领导地位的猪为了权力而互相倾轧,胜利者一方宣布另一方是叛徒、内奸。此后,获取了领导权的猪拥有了越来越大的权力,成为新的特权阶级;动物们稍有不满,便会招致血腥的清洗:农庄的理想被修正为“有的动物较之其他动物更为平等”,动物们又恢复到从前的悲惨状况。
  • 恶魔心尖宠:甜心过来抱

    恶魔心尖宠:甜心过来抱

    开学第一天,他夺走她的初吻。还不停的使唤她做事跑腿。“臭丫头,给我捶腿。”“臭丫头,帮我买东西。”“臭丫头,把狗拿开!”“臭丫头,我冷,过来抱我。”世界上还有比慕斯更可悲的人吗?她上辈子是毁灭了银河系?遇到这么个无赖大少爷。“尹君临!你…你色狼!”“我就对你色。”某男贼笑的说。[1v1双洁√]
  • 过妻不候:陆总的隐婚情人

    过妻不候:陆总的隐婚情人

    因为无意间的举动,她被迫和一个毫无感情的男人结了婚。两年的时间,没有人知道她陆太太的身份。就连陆家,也对她的存在嗤之以鼻。在她将孕检报告放在他的面前时,只换来了他一句冷笑。“想要为陆家生儿育女?只怕你还没有这个资格!”只是,既然没有资格,三年之后,又是谁将她压在了身下,掐着她的脖子恶狠狠的说道,“不是我的孩子,就不应该出生!”他不爱她,却一定要禁锢着她,哪怕她遍体鳞伤,体无完肤。他就是要留着她,就算只剩下尸体!--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 松峰说疫

    松峰说疫

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 冤家路窄:逃婚也有爱

    冤家路窄:逃婚也有爱

    在一个风和日丽的好天气中,本要娶邻国郡主的王爷和本要嫁青梅竹马的少主同时逃婚,在这么不巧的情况下又同时相遇,相遇之后一同躲避家人的追捕,在以为好玩的才刚刚开始之时,一个阴谋才慢慢浮出水面。女主说:俗话说的好,百年修得同船度,但是!我要是知道和你在一条船上,那百年前我早就跳河自杀了!男主说:哼,千年修得共枕眠,我要是早知道我这个脑袋和你躺在一个枕头上,真想回到千年前去,我先把我这脑袋砍下来塞茅房去。
  • 崇相集选录

    崇相集选录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 我的独立系统

    我的独立系统

    猩红如血的眼珠,清澈碧绿的笛子,挥起一卒,歌谣天下。仙女伴奏,颤动诸天!凤舞狂动的身躯,手握一戟,血色猩红,临威八方,血饮诸天!?飘渺无边的天际,一人,一笛,一酒,一饮,人则临威,笛则一曲,酒则千年沉淀,饮则八荒清泉,曲,动人心,动苍天。