ARTHUR
18

I have read about transitions influenced by magic; I have read about castles and deserts subject to the power of mantras; poets may exercise with their power, he said, but I am sure no transition has ever been imagined more incredible and more beyond the reach of foresight than the one I just experienced. Heaths disturbed by midnight storms can be turned into choir nymphs and banquets halls; forest swamps can provide a sudden place for colonnades and carnivals; but he whose senses are deceived finds himself still in the earth of his birth. These miracles are despicable in comparison to what put me under this roof and gave me to take part in this audience. I know that my emotions are in danger of being considered laughable by those who cannot understand for themselves the consequences of a limited and rural education.

In a short time the woman retired. I naturally hoped that some comment would be made on his behavior, and that the cause of his shock and sadness upon seeing me would be explained; but Welbeck said nothing about it. When he left, he went to the window and stood for some time, as if preoccupied with his own thoughts. Then he turned his head towards me, and, calling me by my name, asked me to accompany him upstairs. There was no cheerfulness or gentleness in his speech, but there was also no domineering or arrogant thing.

We entered an apartment on the same floor as my room, but it was separated by a spacious entrance. It was equipped with a bureau, cabinets, and bookshelves. "This," he said, "is your room and mine; but we must enter it and leave it together. I intend to act not as your master, but as your friend. My deformed hand" (saying so, he showed me his right hand) , the index finger that wanted to) "would not allow me to write accurately or excessively. For this reason I have asked for your help, in the work of a while. A lot of haste will not be necessary, and, for hours and duration of work, this will be seasonal and short.

"Your current situation is new to you, and therefore we will delay entering our business. In the meantime, you can entertain yourself in any way you want. Think of this as your home and get yourself used to it. Stay inside or out, busy or unemployed, as you see fit: only you will adjust to our domestic system for eating and sleeping; the maids will tell you about this. Next week we will enter the task I designed for you. Now you can pull."

I obeyed this mandate with a bit of awkwardness and hesitation. I went to my own room unhappy with the chance of loneliness. I threw myself into a chair and resigned myself to the thoughts that would naturally arise in this situation. I speculated about Welbeck's character and views. I saw that he was embodied in serenity and majesty. Wealth, therefore, is his; but in what is his luxury, and from where does he appear? What are the boundaries that limit it, and what is the level of immortality? I'm not used to the idea of floating or transferable wealth. Renting a house and land is the only type of property that until now can still be understood perfectly. My previous ideas led me to think of Welbeck as the owner of this residence and many houses and farms. For the same reason, I foolishly presume he was enriched by inheritance, and that his life had been uniform.

I next advertised his social condition. This mansion seemed to have only two occupants other than servants. Who is the nymph who has been hovering for a moment before me? Didn't he call her his daughter? Their obvious age difference would justify this relationship; but her guise, her face, and her accent, were unfamiliar. The language I suspect is Italian. How should he be the father of the Italians? But was there no foreign straightness on his face?

This idea seemed to open up a new world to my view. I have obtained, from my books, puzzling ideas about European governance and manners. I know that this is a period of revolution and hostility. Isn't this a famous fugitive from Provence or Milan? Their portable wealth, which might be considered great, they had brought here. Thus can be explained the sadness that envelops their faces. The loss of property and honor; the untimely death of a relative, and perhaps his wife, can provide eternal nourishment for regret. Welbeck's utterances, though quick and clear, as I imagined them, have a bit of a foreign idiom.

Until now I could not guess the reason why all this goodness was poured out on me. Doesn't this conjecture explain enough? No wonder that this resemblance is enhanced by assuming her dress.

Considering all circumstances, these ideas are, perhaps, inseparable from the possibilities. The appearance naturally suggested them to me. They are also strongly forced by tendencies. They threw me into the transportation of wonder and hope. As I reflect on incidents of my past life, and trace the chain of events, from my mother's death to the present, I almost agreed to the idea that some generous and powerful genius had prepared my way for me. The events that, when foreseen, would be most hated, and when they happened were considered very unlucky, are now considered profitable. Therefore I deduce the madness of despair, and the stupidity of a quick conclusion.

But what destiny is there for me? Maybe Welbeck will adopt me for his own son. Wealth is always distributed randomly. Outward relations are merely all that give us the right to the noble house and the throne. The identity itself often depends on the usual resemblance or falsity of the old nurse. Nations have risen with weapons, as in the case of Stuarts, because of someone whose authenticity has been denied and will never be proved. But if the cause is trivial and erroneous, the effect is very important and solid. It ensures a portion of our happiness and usefulness, and improves our destiny among peasants or princes.

Something may depend on my own behavior. Is it not necessary for me to develop all my virtues and remove all my defects? I see that this man's ability is very good. Perhaps he would not lightly or hastily decide to support me. He will be ruled by the evidence I will give of discernment and integrity. I have always been freed from temptation, and therefore undamaged; but this view of things has an uncanny tendency to reinforce my virtuous resolution. All in me is joy and joy.

There was only one thing that wanted to lift me to dizzying heights and give me a place among the stars in heaven. My likeness to her brother had affected this woman forcibly; but I was not her brother. I was elevated to a level with him and made tenant of the same house. Some relationships will happen between us. Time will be a barrier of levels and build intimacy, and this sexual relationship can foster love and end in a marriage— !