登陆注册
5195400000083

第83章

Perhaps there is no place in the world where servants more abound than at Madrid, or at least fellows eager to proffer their services in the expectation of receiving food and wages, though, with respect to the actual service which they are capable of performing, not much can be said; but I was in want of a servant of no common description, a shrewd active fellow, of whose advice, in cases of emergency, I could occasionally avail myself; courageous withal, for it certainly required some degree of courage to follow a master bent on exploring the greater part of Spain, and who intended to travel, not under the protection of muleteers and carmen, but on his own cabalgaduras.Such a servant, perhaps, I might have sought for years without finding; chance, however, brought one to my hand at the very time I wanted him, without it being necessary for me to make any laborious perquisitions.I was one day mentioning the subject to Mr.Borrego, at whose establishment Ihad printed the New Testament, and inquiring whether he thought that such an individual was to be found in Madrid, adding that I was particularly anxious to obtain a servant who, besides Spanish, could speak some other language, that occasionally we might discourse without being understood by those who might overhear us."The very description of person," he replied, "that you appear to be in need of, quitted me about half an hour ago, and, it is singular enough, came to me in the hope that I might be able to recommend him to a master.He has been twice in my service: for his talent and courage I will answer;and I believe him to be trustworthy, at least to masters who may chime in with his humour, for I must inform you that he is a most extraordinary fellow, full of strange likes and antipathies, which he will gratify at any expense, either to himself or others.Perhaps he will attach himself to you, in which case you will find him highly valuable; for if he please he can turn his hand to any thing, and is not only acquainted with two but half a dozen languages.""Is he a Spaniard?" I inquired.

"I will send him to you to-morrow," said Borrego, "you will best learn from his own mouth who and what he is."The next day, as I had just sat down to my "sopa," my hostess informed me that a man wished to speak to me."Admit him," said I, and he almost instantly made his appearance.He was dressed respectably in the French fashion, and had rather a juvenile look, though I subsequently learned that he was considerably above forty.He was somewhat above the middle stature, and might have been called well made, had it not been for his meagreness, which was rather remarkable.His arms were long and bony, and his whole form conveyed an idea of great activity united with no slight degree of strength: his hair was wiry, but of jetty blackness; his forehead low; his eyes small and grey, expressive of much subtlety and no less malice, strangely relieved by a strong dash of humour; the nose was handsome, but the mouth was immensely wide, and his under jaw projected considerably.A more singular physiognomy I had never seen, and I continued staring at him for some time in silence."Who are you?" I at last demanded.

"Domestic in search of a master," answered the man in good French, but in a strange accent."I come recommended to you, my Lor, by Monsieur B."MYSELF.- Of what nation may you be? Are you French or Spanish?

MAN.- God forbid that I should be either, mi Lor, J'AIL'HONNEUR D'ETRE DE LA NATION GRECQUE, my name is Antonio Buchini, native of Pera the Belle near to Constantinople.

MYSELF.- And what brought you to Spain?

同类推荐
  • 金鳌退食笔记

    金鳌退食笔记

    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。
  • 海运说

    海运说

    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。
  • 内丹诀

    内丹诀

    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。
  • 太平经合校

    太平经合校

    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。
  • 百香诗选

    百香诗选

    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
  • 邪媚帝妃:王爷你别逃

    邪媚帝妃:王爷你别逃

    江湖女子小狐,轻功上佳,武功……不大行。她说,练轻功是为方便上屋顶爬树窥美人以及觅食。为了一块桃花酥,她委身王府成了一名……丫鬟。当丫鬟她……也不大行。嬉笑怒骂是她的日常。可狐狸与秃鸟的故事……有点儿失控。秃鸟珝说:“此生,不求钟情。”秃鸟珝也说了:“她勾勾手指头,我便是千山万水,也甘之如饴。可为何……”总之,这是一个动物世界的故事,关于俘与被俘。
  • 皇权至上:邪魅九公主

    皇权至上:邪魅九公主

    十年前,她是青凤国的九公主,受其母后的牵连而被逐出皇宫。十年后,她是全国首富莫少卿的妹妹——莫离,传闻她有很多的男宠,亦有很多的女宠,个个都是俊美如神,漂亮似花。传闻她夜夜笙歌,纵情酒色;传闻她····其实她想要的并不多,她唯一只想要的只是那苍茫千万里的疆土,以及那至高无上的皇权仅此而已。
  • 现代名言妙语全集:知识名言

    现代名言妙语全集:知识名言

    这些名言警句句句经典,字字珠玑,精辟睿智,闪耀着智慧的光芒和精神的力量,具有很强的鼓舞性、哲理性和启迪性。具有成功心理暗示和潜在力量开发的功能,不仅可以成为我们的座右铭,还能增进自律的能力。
  • 雁门集

    雁门集

    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。
  • 亚拉赞歌

    亚拉赞歌

    沉睡已久的上古巨龙正不断的苏醒,一场世纪之战正缓缓拉开帷幕
  • 古城旧事

    古城旧事

    最近,科学家的一个研究成果让我沮丧:单个的光子速度仍然无法超越光速的极限。加上以前一大群光子以及它们所携带信息传播速度也低于光速的结论,证明了我们所处的现实世界,爱因斯坦“光速无法超越”这一经典理论仍然闪耀光辉,意味着结论永远不可能先于原因出现,也就是说,我们无法实现“穿越”,回到过去,或者达到未来。心灰意冷地望着七月初夜空中闪烁的繁星,感受这些成万上亿光年前发出的星光,此刻才被我双眼捕获的震撼。地面上的我,现在,却连幻想都失去了理论依据。曾经有一段时间,我是如此痴迷时空。买来天文望远镜,按照星图遥望行星、恒星和星座。
  • 技术性人力资源管理

    技术性人力资源管理

    2008年是作者进入高校工作的第五个年头。在进入高校前,他先后在两家企业工作十多年,担任过驻外分公司经理、特大型企业集团的办公室副主任和人力资源部经理等职。也正是因为有这些经历,使他对人力资源管理产生了浓厚的兴趣。在攻读博士学位期间,对战略管理、人力资源管理等进行了较为系统和深入的研究,书中内容大多都出自亲自操作和实践的经验总结和学习心得。
  • 十方纵横录

    十方纵横录

    星空彼岸,魔幻妖娆,长生之祸,纷乱万古!一段可歌可泣的侠义赞歌,一个重情重义的开朗少年,江湖上永远流传着他铿锵有力的话语:万世长生谁人要,我送诸雄去往生!
  • 总裁凶猛:盛宠纯情小娇妻

    总裁凶猛:盛宠纯情小娇妻

    四年前,冷阳因为妒忌,而险些毁了白琳琳,让她为之惊恐。四年后,他们再次相遇,为救她,冷阳不得不将她留在身边。从此,白琳琳的生命里多了一个霸道自我,却又宠她入骨的男人,“白琳琳,你是我的女人,别想逃。”
  • 万界独尊

    万界独尊

    你丹药多?我丹方无尽。你身怀秘术?及我九牛一毛?你武功盖世?三尺长剑,教你做人!顶尖功法无数,生活职业无双,热血的对决,犀利的打脸,一寸剑光,万里直驱,破碎虚空,成就圣位!你是天才?不好意思,连给我提鞋,你都不配!