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

G I L B L A S. 169
with a tempting lufcious air, as hindered the eye
to perceive her tfefefh.
Accordingly, I was difturbed at fight of her. I
forgot that I came thither to perform the office of
procurer ; fpoke in my own favour, and expref-
fed myfelf like a man infpired by the moft violent
[paffion. The young lady, in whom I found three
times more wit than fhe really had, (fo courteous
j did Pie feem) quite enchanted me by heranfwers ;
; and I began to lofe the government of myfelf, when
i her aunt, in order to moderate my tranfports, ad-
drefled me in this manner: “ Signior de Santillane,
I muff be free with you. On account of the cha-
rafler which I heard of your worfliip, I have per¬
mitted you to vifit jtie, without enhancing the
price of the favour, by ftanding on ceremony:
but don’t imagine yourfelf the nearer your point
for that reafon. I have hitherto brought up my
nieCe in retirement, and you are, as I may fay, the
firft cavalier to whofe eyes fhe has been expofed. If
you deem her worthy to be your wife, I fhall be
overjoyed at her good fortune. Confider therefore,
if Pie will fuit you at that price i for you cannot
have her at a cheaper rate.”
This well-aimed fhot frighted away Cupid, who
was juft going to let fly an arrow at me. To fpeak
without a metaphor, a marriage fo bluntly propOfed,
made me recoiled myfelf. I became again all of a
fudden the faithful agent of the count de Lemos,
and changing my tone, replied to Signiora Men-
cia, “ Madam, I am pleafed with your franknefs,
which I intend to imitate. Whatever figure I
make at court, I am not worthy pf the incom¬
parable Catalina, but have in view for her a much
more fplendid fate; in fhort, I defign her for the
prince of Spain.” “ Your refufal of my niece,
(replied the aunt coldly) was difobliging enough ;
Q_3 there