第53章

ABARBENEL.- People of course suspect me to be what I am;but as I conform outwardly in most respects to their ways, they do not interfere with me.True it is that sometimes, when Ienter the church to hear the mass, they glare at me over the left shoulder, as much as to say - "What do you here?" And sometimes they cross themselves as I pass by; but as they go no further, I do not trouble myself on that account.With respect to the authorities, they are not bad friends of mine.Many of the higher class have borrowed money from me on usury, so that I have them to a certain extent in my power, and as for the low alguazils and corchetes, they would do any thing to oblige me in consideration of a few dollars, which I occasionally give them; so that matters upon the whole go on remarkably well.Of old, indeed, it was far otherwise; yet, I know not how it was, though other families suffered much, ours always enjoyed a tolerable share of tranquillity.The truth is, that our family has always known how to guide itself wonderfully.I may say there is much of the wisdom of the snake amongst us.We have always possessed friends; and with respect to enemies, it is by no means safe to meddle with us; for it is a rule of our house never to forgive an injury, and to spare neither trouble nor expense in bringing ruin and destruction upon the heads of our evil doers.

MYSELF.- Do the priests interfere with you?

ABARBENEL.- They let me alone, especially in our own neighbourhood.Shortly after the death of my father, one hot-headed individual endeavoured to do me an evil turn, but I soon requited him, causing him to be imprisoned on a charge of blasphemy, and in prison he remained a long time, till he went mad and died.

MYSELF.- Have you a head in Spain, in whom is rested the chief authority?

ABARBENEL.- Not exactly.There are, however, certain holy families who enjoy much consideration; my own is one of these - the chiefest, I may say.My grandsire was a particularly holy man; and I have heard my father say, that one night an archbishop came to his house secretly, merely to have the satisfaction of kissing his head.

MYSELF.- How can that be; what reverence could an archbishop entertain for one like yourself or your grandsire?

ABARBENEL.- More than you imagine.He was one of us, at least his father was, and he could never forget what he had learned with reverence in his infancy.He said he had tried to forget it, but he could not; that the RUAH was continually upon him, and that even from his childhood he had borne its terrors with a troubled mind, till at last he could bear himself no longer; so he went to my grandsire, with whom he remained one whole night; he then returned to his diocese, where he shortly afterwards died, in much renown for sanctity.

MYSELF.- What you say surprises me.Have you reason to suppose that many of you are to be found amongst the priesthood?

ABARBENEL.- Not to suppose, but to know it.There are many such as I amongst the priesthood, and not amongst the inferior priesthood either; some of the most learned and famed of them in Spain have been of us, or of our blood at least, and many of them at this day think as I do.There is one particular festival of the year at which four dignified ecclesiastics are sure to visit me; and then, when all is made close and secure, and the fitting ceremonies have been gone through, they sit down upon the floor and curse.

MYSELF.- Are you numerous in the large towns?

ABARBENEL.- By no means; our places of abode are seldom the large towns; we prefer the villages, and rarely enter the large towns but on business.Indeed we are not a numerous people, and there are few provinces of Spain which contain more than twenty families.None of us are poor, and those among us who serve, do so more from choice than necessity, for by serving each other we acquire different trades.Not unfrequently the time of service is that of courtship also, and the servants eventually marry the daughters of the house.

We continued in discourse the greater part of the night;the next morning I prepared to depart.My companion, however, advised me to remain where I was for that day."And if you respect my counsel," said he, "you will not proceed farther in this manner.To-night the diligence will arrive from Estremadura, on its way to Madrid.Deposit yourself therein;it is the safest and most speedy mode of travelling.As for your animal, I will myself purchase her.My servant is here, and has informed me that she will be of service to us.Let us, therefore, pass the day together in communion, like brothers, and then proceed on our separate journeys." We did pass the day together; and when the diligence arrived I deposited myself within, and on the morning of the second day arrived at Madrid.