Languages & literature > Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane > Volume 3

6 I L B L A 5. 161
fie was a generous nobleman, who would foon make
thee eafy for life. Thou haft, doubtlefs, (added
he) followed the wife advice I gave thee, and
given the butler a little more rein. I congratulate
thee upon thy conduft ; for it is by fuch prudent
meafures only, that the ftewards in great families
become fo r«jh.”
I let Fabricius applaud himfelf as much as he
pleafed, for having introduced me to the fervice of
Count Galiano : after which, in order to moderate
the joy which he felt for having procured me fuch
a good port, I related the marks of gratitude with
which that nobleman had repaid my fervice: but
perceiving that my poet, while I made the detail,
fung his recantation within himfelf; I faid to him,
“ I forgive the Sicilian between you and me, I
have more caufe to rejoice than be forry, at his
behaviour towards me. If the count had not ufed
me ill, I fhould have followed him to Sicily,
where I (hould now be a fervant, in expeflation
of an uncertain eftablifhment. Jn a word, I fhould
not be confident to the Duke of Derma.” Nun-
nez was fo ftruck with thefe laft words, that he
continued, fome minutes, incapable' of uttering
one fyllable. Then breaking filence all of a hid¬
den ; “ Did I underftand you aright ? (faid he)
what 1 have you the confidence of the prime-
minifter?” “ I lhare it (I replied) with Don Ro¬
drigo de Calderona, and, in all appearance, I (hall
make great progrefs.” w Truly, Signior de San-
tillane (faid he) I look upon you with admiration !
you are capable of filling all forts of employments.
What talents you are mafter of! you have (to ufe
the expreffion of our tennis-court) the univerfal
tool : that is to fay, you are qualified for every
thing. Finally, Signior, (added he) I am over¬
joyed