Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 145: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

128 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the extermination of such bands as that of which I am the chief, for there are many such bands at present scattered — about the mountainous regions of this principality. Tor years to come may we safely continue our present pursuits. And now, perhaps, you will wonder wherefore, instead of adopting this course of life, I have not joined the forces still united under the command of General Cabrera. The explanation can be givenin afew words. An insult I received at his hands, and which as a junior officer I could not at the time resent, has engendered so strong a feeling of per- sonal dislike toward that chief that I could not serve under him.’ | “Count Christoval ceased speaking, and I remained wrapped up in deep meditation. His narrative had touched me profoundly. I could not find it in my heart to blame him, scarcely think the worse of him, for having adopted this mode of lite. Indeed, it was impossible to wonder that he had done so, and I knew, moreover, that these circum- stances were invested in the eyes of Spaniards with much less moral degradation and dishonouring taints than in other countries. It was likewise a source of satisfaction and an infinite rebef to my mind to learn that I was not the associate of blood-stained murderers, but that these men entertained, after their own fashion, certain notions of a correct and proper nature. I had received so much generous attention and delicate kindness at their hands, as well as on the part of the women, that I could not possibly insist upon quitting them at once without appearing ungrateful for all that hospitable treatment. Therefore, when my meditation was over, I intimated to Don Diego my willing- ness to abide with his band for another fortnight; but I was somewhat troubled when I beheld the glow of fervid delight and enthusiastic joy which suddenly animated his counte- nance, for I feared that he entertained toward me a senti- ment which I could not possibly reciprocate. He saw that- I was thus troubled, and again did the melancholy cloud settle upon his features. Then he hastened to change the conversation, and broke off into a lively strain of discourse mingled with anecdotes of the late Carlist warfare.’’ Gomichbooks (E(0) nm