human
What, Senhor Pinto, shall we not see the land to-day? inquired the youth, in a tone of disappointment.
gpt
I thought we were close to it, and have been looking out for it all the morning.
human
So I have observed, answered the Captain,
gpt
How tantalising! returned the youth.
human
I had hoped that by this hour to-morrow we should have been safely moored in the Tagus.
gpt
Hope! Ah, 'tis a feeling in which youth may sometimes indulge with advantage, as it oft carries him through difficulties and disappointments, on his first setting out on the voyage of life, which might otherwise have made him turn back into harbour; but it often, too, proves a sad _ignis fatuus_, and, like a false light to the mariner, leads him on to quicksands and rocks, where it leaves him in the lurch. Now, an old sailor like myself is not to be deceived; and it is long since I gave up hoping; consequently, I am never led astray by such false lights. I find the surest way of being contented is, never to expect anything, and I then can never be disappointed, but receive as a Godsend, and be thankful for, each piece of luck that falls in my way. That is what I call philosophy.
human
But, my dear sir! returned the other, with animation,
gpt
Nay, nay, my dear Don Luis, you misunderstand me; I would not deprive you of that which you so warmly cherish on any account, returned Captain Pinto;
human
I wish merely to warn you that the object of your hopes may be like one of those beautiful islands we used to hear of, covered with glittering temples and palaces of crystal, but with which no cruiser ever came up, though some have sailed half round the globe, thinking each day they must drop an anchor in one of their tempting harbours. I've seen such sights in my time, but I never altered my course for them, and never intend to do so.
gpt
Ah, you can never, then, have experienced the glowing, eager sensation of hope almost accomplished, exclaimed Don Luis earnestly,
human
Pardon me, but I have though, interrupted Captain Pinto;
gpt
Thanks, thanks, my good sir; I understand your motives, answered Don Luis;
human
Well, I will give you no more lessons to-day, answered Captain Pinto;
gpt
the old man drew himself up proudly as he spoke,--
human
Of that I have no doubt, my friend, answered Don Luis, who had been listening to the old officer's long speech with some impatience, which, however, he endeavoured to conceal.
gpt
But can you tell me _how_ soon we shall reach the Tagus?
human
Ah, there again, ever anxious for the morrow? Ha, ha! there is some greater magnetic attraction drawing your soul towards Lisbon, beyond the mere natural wish of embracing your parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, a whole host of cousins, and other relations and friends; for people don't mind deferring that pleasure for a few days. Come, come, there is some fair lady in the case. I know it. Confess, confess I have hit it. Donna Theresa d'Alorna, for instance; the beauty of Portugal; the pride of the province; the toast of Lisbon; at whose feet kneel daily all the gay and gallant youths of the country to do homage to her charms? 'Tis said that even the king himself has become captive to her beauty, though that is only whispered; but the lady is scornful, it seems, and treats all alike with cruelty and disdain. There is no calculating the mischief she has committed: half-a-score of duels have been fought about her; one youth drowned himself in the Tagus, but was fished up before he was quite dead, the water having cooled his love; another was going to hang himself, but prudently informed a venerable aunt of his intention, who prevented him; and a third put a pistol to his head, but the weapon, like his skull, having no contents, he escaped destruction. I do not know what you will do when you have gazed on her charms; but I trust that if she treats you as she has other admirers, you will bring some of your hope into play, and seek a kinder mistress.
gpt
Yes, your unconquerable hope will stand you in good stead, he proceeded to say.
human
And yet the love of Donna Theresa were, by all accounts, a proud thing to boast of--more valued from the difficulty of obtaining it.
gpt
How know you that I love her? exclaimed Don Luis, suddenly:
human
I thought that secret hidden within my own bosom.
gpt
Think you that you could have sailed so many days with me, Joze Pinto, and I not discover the inmost secrets of your soul? Why, every scrap of paper with which the cabin has been strewed, covered with rhymes, has had her name inscribed on it; in your dreams, as you swung in your cot, even during the fiercest gale, you spoke but of her. I have heard it whispered in the calm night breeze which brought back your sighs, and I'll wager 'tis graven indelibly on every mast of my ship.
human
You treat me severely, Captain Pinto, answered Don Luis.
gpt
Although I may in my sleep have uttered that name so dear to me, which I have always held sacred, for I will not deny my affection; and though I may have written it on some paper which has escaped from my portfolio, yet I have not converted your masts into shrines sacred to love: they are not honoured by being marked with that name.
human
Well, then, I will confess I was but trying you, answered Captain Pinto;
gpt
I will acquit you of ever allowing even a scrap of paper with Donna Theresa's name on it to escape from your portfolio, or of ever having uttered it, to my knowledge, in your dreams, for I am not addicted to remaining awake when once I turn into my cot; indeed I knew not the lady of your affections till this minute, when I, by hazard, mentioned her name, and you owned your secret, though I long ago discovered your heart was not as free as I could wish it; but, seriously speaking, my young friend, I would have you think earnestly of what I have said, though my words sounded jokingly, and it may prove a valuable lesson to you. I will not breathe a word against Donna Theresa in particular; but remember numbers surround her, offering up daily incense of sighs and flattery, so that it were madness to confide too much in her constancy, or that of any woman so situated, and two years work great changes in the feelings of all. Come now, try to suppose her heartless and inconstant: 'tis better than being too sanguine; and I should grieve to see your heart breaking through disappointed love.
human
To believe her heartless is impossible, exclaimed Don Luis.
gpt
Though, on my word, you seem anxious to shake my confidence in her sex in general.
human
O, no, answered the Captain, laughing, or rather, it might be said, chuckling:
gpt
Poor youth, poor youth, if he persist in trusting to the love of such an one as Donna Theresa, he will be sadly disappointed!