Juan de Velasco

“ You must forget that I am a girl. Can you forget?"
"No," said Velasco. "You were charming before, but you are irresistible now, in that velveteen jacket and scarf, with the curls on your brow. When you look at me so, with your head on one side, and your eyes half veiled, and the flush on your cheeks, you are sweet—I love you! Kiss me."
He pressed forward closely, his eyes still on hers; but she held him back with her hands, trembling a little.
"Velasco," she whispered, "Listen! I trust you. You are stronger than I; your wrists are like steel, but—I trust you. See—I trust you." ”

“ Could I exist, my liege, while lived the man who had disgraced me? No! I had a son---he has but done his duty. Ferdinand
And no more! Hence be it said, Velasco yielded up love, life, ay, more than life, rather than honour. For thee, unhappy lady, who hast been deprived at once of bridegroom and of father, we cannot punish where we find no guilt---no treacherous action nor intent is proved. We can but say: bring forth thy champion; Velasco promptly will obey his summons. The feud admits not of our interference. We have decided. Follow me, Hernando. ”

“ Hernando
We must be speedy in the achievement of our purposes. To horse! We'll reach the castle of Gonzalez ere the alarm is raised. There we are safe; and Izidora's mine. The massive gates shall keep out all intruders, even the king; and should Velasco venture to approach us, our cross-bow men shall send an arrow through him. Come! fortune beckons us. ”

“ When a man of your fame, Velasco, insists on befriending a Countess, and one who is the daughter of Mezkarpin, and an anarchist to boot—"
He spread out his hands: "Ah, she is beautiful, I know. I saw her at the Mariínski. She stared at you as if she were bewitched. You had every excuse; but get down on your knees, Velasco, and give thanks. It is no fault of yours that you are not tramping through the snow to Siberia now, just as she is. A lesser man, one whose career was less marked! By heaven, Velasco, what is it?—You are choking me!" ”

“ Trembling she returns the goblet to the cupbearer.
Velasco
What wouldst thou, Izidora? Izidora
Taste it not. Thou wouldst not quaff before the bride has sipp'd? Julio
I'll not be thwarted by thee. Ferdinand
Ah! Prevent him. Julio
My father aims the blow! It is Gonzalez! ( As Izidora springs to meet Velasco, he falls at her feet. )
Izidora (bending over him)
Oh, fatal treason! terrible revenge! Velasco
Thy love supports me---and thy arm enfolds me---my ebbing sight heaves its last glance on thee---thus dying, death is grateful. Oh, farewell! ”

“ The girl by his side was a wraith; they were dead, and this was some strange unaccountable happening in another world. The marble felt cold to his knees. Velasco tried to move, to rise, but the hand of the priest held him down. The voice chanted on:
"Hast thou, Velasco, a good, free and unconstrained will and a firm intention to take unto thyself to wife this woman, Kaya, whom thou seest here before thee?" ”

“ Ritter's voice lowered suddenly to a whisper, and he leaned forward, touching the other's hand with his own: "I tell you, Velasco, and I know what I say—you played to-day at rehearsal as none of them played, not even Sarasati, king of virtuosi; or Joachim, prince of artists. You played as if the violin were yourself, and your bow were tearing your own heart strings.... Don't move! Don't get up! What is it, Velasco? You are white as death and your eyes are staring! ”

“ At length, the whispering Court dared to revive Hernando's baseless charge, that by foul means thy father had been slain; that, dying, he reveal'd unto thy sister what fill'd her with unconquerable hate against Velasco. To her ears it came, the slanderous rumour, and in one wild burst of renew'd love, of sympathy and scorn, she proved it false, consenting to these nuptials! Julio
Here let them end. Ferdinand
How, Julio! wouldst thou dare dispute my ordinance. Attend thy sister, and lead her to the banquet-room. Anon, I, with Velasco and the bridal train, will meet you there ”

“ Not the Tsar himself! She was breathing, she was there; she was a woman and he was a man, and his strength was as the strength of a lion. What harm could befall her?
He bent his head on his breast and his lips touched her hair. Across the sodden floor of the prison, suddenly, came the first rays of dawn falling aslant, touching the shadows, the two figures crouching, the rats as they fled.
Velasco drew the cloak closer about the sleeping form of the girl, with a tender, protecting gesture. His eyes were alert. He had forgotten himself; he had forgotten his violin; he had forgotten his art. ”

“ His eyes, half veiled and dreamy, looked straight across the House into a loggia next to the Imperial Box, impelled thereto by some force outside of his own consciousness.
A girl with an exquisite flower-like face was leaning over the crimson rail, her gaze on his, fixed and intent. The gold of her hair glistened in the light. Her lips were parted, the bosom of her dress rising and falling; her small hands clasped.
Velasco gazed steadily for a moment; then he dropped his head again, and swaying slightly played on. ”

“ After a moment or two the door closed, and the sound of footsteps, scuffling in list slippers, died slowly away in the corridor. Velasco leaned forward with his head in his hands, his bloodshot eyes staring into the coals.
"He may be one of them," he murmured, "or he may not. You can't trust people. He is better out of the way."
The haggard look had deepened on his face; then he rose suddenly from his chair and went into the next room, dropping the curtain behind him. ”

“ Impregnable in honour! brave and noble! But dost thou not condemn me in thy heart, for the blind weakness of that sense of duty, or, for the strength of that o'ermastering passion, which wrongs a father for a lover's sake? Velasco
Why, what a restless conjurer of ill thy fancy is! Thou know'st, that all my hopes are staked upon the promise of this day. Izidora
Thou'rt pale, methinks. Velasco
And thou art beautiful! Izidora
We should be happy at a time like this. Velasco
Am I not happy? Is it not a joy to look into thy face? to hear thee speak? Izidora
Why should we not be happy? ”

“ She put out her hand and touched his:
"Sleep, Velasco. Your life is safe and your art. You have given them to me, but I will give them back again. Break off a piece of the bread, Velasco, and we will talk a little together while we eat. We have been such good comrades, you and I, and we care for one another—as comrades do. If you should die or—or leave me, it would break my heart—you know that."
"Ah, kiss me—Kaya! Let me take you in my arms! Come to me and let me kiss you on your lips!"
"You hurt me, Velasco, your hands are so strong! Not on the lips—Velasco—not on the—lips! ”

“ You cared only for your Stradivarius, and when you were not playing, you were nothing, not even a man. All your genius was concentrated there in your brows where the music lies hidden. Your virility was in your tones, and your strength in your fingers. What has come over you?"
"Am I changed?" said Velasco. His throat contracted. He held the glass to his lips, but he did not drink.
The Kapellmeister gazed at him strangely: "Yes, you are changed. In one year you have grown ten. What it is I cannot tell, but the look of your face is different. The mouth has grown rugged and harsh ”

“ Taking up the dagger.
The steel she left gleams on me! If Despair could ever justify self-sacrifice, now's the occasion, when my forfeit life is claim'd by her, to whom it was devoted. A sinew's quick contraction and 'tis done!---no, no, Velasco! 'tis a weary march! And many droop and falter by the way, and many, treading in forbidden paths, at their great Captain's sacred laws rebel---but the good soldier still maintains his post; obeys, and presses forward to the last ”

“ An official rushed forward and took the valise from Velasco's hand: "Here, sir—here! First class compartment!"
Velasco nodded breathlessly, and the two sank down on the crimson cushions; the door slammed. "Ye gods!" They were alone in the compartment; they were saved! Velasco gave a little laugh of triumph. He was hugging his violin close in his arms, and opposite him sat the slim veiled figure. She was looking at him from behind the veil—and she was his wife. "Ye gods!" he laughed again.
"Why are you trembling?" he said, "We are safe now. I told you I had the passports. ”

“ It is horrible, the storm and the blackness. Hear the wind shriek! The hoofs of the horses are padded with snow; they are galloping. How the carriage lurches and sways! Are you afraid, Kaya? Don't—don't take your hand away."
Velasco's voice was husky and forced like a string out of tune. It was strange, extraordinary to be sitting there in that dark, black cave, his hand clasping the hand of a woman, a stranger. The two sat silent. The horses plunged forward.
Suddenly they stopped. Velasco started as out of a dream and sprang to the window, wiping the steam from the panes with his sleeve. ”

“ Meanwhile arrangements for the conquest of New Mexico had been completed between Viceroy Velasco and Juan de Oñate, on August 24, 1595. Many and serious difficulties arose about the matter between Monterey and the principal leaders of the enterprise, so that several years elapsed before the expedition was fairly under way. Finally, in the autumn of 1597, Oñate set out with four hundred men, one hundred and thirty of whom had families. ”

“ Velasco began to pace the room slowly. "If you had a costume like mine," he said, "If your hair were cut—" Then he brightened suddenly and ran forward to the girl, snatching her hands from her eyes, dragging her to her feet.
"What a fool I was!" he cried, "What an idiot! Quick, Kaya! My chum is an artist; he is off now in Sicily, painting the rocks, and the sea, and the peasants; but his things are all there in his room next to mine, just duds for his models you know. Go—go! Put on one like mine. You shall be a boy. We will be boys together, gypsies, and play for our living. ”

“ Velasco! De Lerma
My son!
Gonzalez (Aside)
The heir of my detested foe! It is unnatural! It must not be! Ferdinand
Velasco! thou art welcome---this surprise has pluck'd away the only sharp regret that rankled in our breast. Let music hail the lost one found, the banish'd one return'd; on! to the banquet-room! There will we pledge joy to this fair alliance! May the stars shed their auspicious influence upon it! ”

“ SCENE I Before the Castle of De Lerma---Time, sunset.
( Enter Velasco in the full costume of a knight of the eleventh century, followed by Alfonzo, his squire. )
Velasco
Home! home, at last, Alfonzo! There they shine, the old ancestral bulwarks, in the rays of the declining sun! A year has passed since last I gazed upon them---there they rise, the same, as when a careless child I play'd beneath their mighty shadows. How each nook prates of the olden time! The very air is fragrant as the breath of infancy! Old towers! ”

“ Exit Ferdinand, followed by De Lerma, Gonzalez, Julio, and lords. Izidora goes up the stage followed by Hernando. The groups gradually disperse.
Velasco (to Favillo)
If I err not, it is the daughter of the Count Gonzalez? Favillo
You're right, sir. One would note her 'mong a thousand. Velasco
She's passing fair. Favillo
Look you, she turns away, as conscious of our notice. 'Tis a pity she weds that recreant kinsman by her side. Velasco
Weds him? Hernando? Can she love him, sir? Favillo
Love him? ”

“ Ritter pulled forward an arm-chair and motioned the Musician towards it:
"Sit down, Velasco. Will you have a pipe, or cigar? You look exhausted, man! This fasting before is too much for you; you are pale as death. Shall I send out the watchman for food, or shall we wait and go to the Keller together?"
Velasco nodded and sank back in the chair, covering his eyes with his hand:
"Is it usual for musicians to go mad?" he said.
"Heavens!" exclaimed the Kapellmeister, "What are you talking about? Usual? Of course not! Some do. What is the matter with you, Velasco? ”

“ Velasco sat huddled on the floor of the cart, his violin and the knapsack slung from his shoulders; his arms still clasping the slight, dark form, protecting it from the jolting of the runners. He was muttering to it under his breath:
"Kaya—poor little one! Your curls are damp against my cheek; your forehead is ice! Courage, little comrade. Now—your heart beats faster—your eye-lids are flickering! Another moment and you will be warm and safe. The lights of the tea-house are ahead. Moujik—faster! We will drink a glass of vodka together, all three! Faster—faster!" ”

“ Velasco
Ah, lady! poorly can the heart disguise, in flippant Fancy's garniture of words, its true emotion. Love's a sorry masker. Izidora
'Then Love bears no similitude to thee. 'Twas of the wars we spake. Velasco
Enough of them. Oh! ne'er did mariner long toss'd at sea, with no benignant star to point his course, hail with more rapture the first gleam of land, than I from War's seam'd visage and wild glance, turn to the blue eyes of maternal peace! Oh! not the joyous shout of victory was e'er to me so grateful as the sight, which the declining sun this day revealed. Izidora
What sight? ”

“ He begs earnestly that you will conduct the last Act in his place."
"I—?" said Velasco.
"There is no other musician in the House, sir, who could do it. The Kapellmeister is in great distress. The minutes are passing."
"Tell him I will come," said Velasco, "I will come." He rose and followed the usher from the loggia.
When the curtain went up for the third Act, a young, slender figure appeared in the orchestra pit, mounting the platform; only his head with the dark hair falling, the arm raised, and the baton, were visible. The House was in darkness ”