Fortunata and Jacinta: The Story of Two Married Women (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Galdós
Translator: Wang Xiaoli et al.
Country: Spain
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-01-01
Features: Juanito and Jacinta got married in May 1871. Don Baldomero, with great insight, said that it was quite fashionable for young people to travel abroad immediately after their wedding. He also wondered why they didn’t go to Spain, which had so many interesting places, instead of going abroad—France, Italy, and so on. Back then, when he married Balvaretta, he had never been anywhere, not even to Campbeli. The only time he traveled abroad after marriage was when Count Pedro of Osuna did. Things have really changed now! Even the street vendor Berijillo Redondo, who sold ties near the post office, took a trip to Paris.
Juanito completely agreed with his father’s view. Because of the mourning period, they only had a simple lunch at home after the wedding ceremony, without any grand rituals. Estupi?ía wanted to say a few words in a toast, but Balvaretta stopped her before she could speak. The newlyweds, with tears in their eyes, kissed their relatives goodbye and hurried to the train station. They arrived in Burgos at three in the morning—their first stop on the journey. Despite the cold and the dark night, they felt very happy, as if they had endless sweet words to say and laughed heartily from time to time. However, joy could not drive away the deep fear in Jacinta’s heart—not just fear, but sometimes even terror. The sound of the carriage on the uneven road, the footsteps climbing the narrow stairs to the inn, the ugly room and furniture—all mixed with the filth of the city and the essence of the countryside, only added to her sorrow and terror. She trembled. How could she have such a strong love for her husband! How could she reconcile two completely opposite hopes? That is to say, should she let her husband leave or keep him by her side. If he left, leaving her alone would be like facing death; but if he stayed, embracing her passionately would also make her tremble with fear. She hoped he wouldn’t leave, that he would stay by her side, but she wanted him to be more restrained.
The next day, they went to the church very late. Now, Jacinta had learned a lot. She had learned the sweet nothings lovers say. She had never said such things before, but now she couldn’t hold them back any longer. She had no shame at all in saying to the man she adored, “I love you so clearly, you are everything to me,” and she often asked her husband if he, too, saw her as an idol and if he would stay with her until old age. Jacinta would ask this from time to time, and Juanito, pretending to be a child, would answer in a coquettish tone, saying “sí” as “si,” which he had taught her the night before. He also said in a childish and endearing way, “Do you love me too?” and added other annoying, foolish, and childish things in a solemn tone.
In the church, when the church official turned his back to show them the prayer room and the sacred vessels, the couple took the opportunity to steal a quick kiss in front of the sacred altar or behind the statue of some tomb. Juanito, an expert in the art of love and a roguish character, didn’t think such things were anything special. His irreverent actions deeply startled Jacinta, but she tolerated them. She thought of God and believed that if He saw such scenes, He would turn away, for He is the source of human love and always compassionate.
In the end, they decided that Fortunata would leave the convent and marry in late September. As the wedding approached, if this reformed nun was not fully prepared for the new life ahead, she at least did not doubt that she should marry. After all, none of us should aim for the sky in one leap but should be content with the blessings that God may bestow upon us.
In recent visits, Maximo had told her repeatedly that happiness was about to descend upon her. One day, he told Fortunata that he had already rented a house on Calle Sagonte, and the room was very beautiful and close to his aunt’s house. Another time, he described the furnishings of the room with great enthusiasm, telling her that almost all the furniture they needed was already in place. Do?a Lupita boasted that she was very good at such things and had been browsing the auction notices in the Gaceta every day, buying many bargains. The only piece of furniture she bought from a furniture store was the double bed, but thanks to Do?a Lupita’s skill, it didn’t cost much. Not only did they have a house and furniture, but they also had a maid. This maid was recommended by Toctomada and could do everything, including cooking delicious meals. She was middle-aged, proper, efficient, and very cautious. In Madrid, where it was rare to find someone as suitable, finding her was as good a deal as buying furniture. Her name was Patricia, but Toctomada called her Patricia, because he was a frugal man and didn’t like to use too many letters. He preferred abbreviations, saving saliva when speaking and ink when writing.
One afternoon, Maximo suddenly brought Fortunata some unexpected good news. When she entered the convent, she had left her valuable jewelry and fine clothes with Maximo, intending to redeem them when she had money. Now, he could happily tell his beloved that when she entered her new home, she would see the clothes and jewelry she had thrown into the sea during her ordeal. To be honest, Do?a Lupita liked these beautiful and expensive jewelry very much, and as for the velvet coat, it would be a fine dress with just a little modification. Naturally, Maximo brought up the issue of inheritance. He had already received his share of the inheritance and used some of the cash to redeem the pawned jewelry and clothes. He now had real estate, which was more important than cash. When discussing inheritance, Maximo also told Fortunata that his older brother Juan Pablo had had a fierce argument with Do?a Lupita. Juan Pablo had spent all his inheritance to pay off his huge debts and cover overdrafts under the Carlist government. But the inheritance was not enough, and he had even borrowed money from Do?a Lupita. Do?a Lupita was so angry that she cursed him with many harsh words! In short, the uncle and niece argued fiercely and refused to speak to each other thereafter. The nephew moved out and lived with his mistress. Long live morality! I am a traditionalist.
Another day, Maximo and Fortunata talked about the beautiful new house they had rented, saying the view in front of the house was very lovely. From the balcony of the reception room, they could see the reservoir; the rooms had just been repainted, the bedroom was freshly decorated, the nearby streets were quiet, and there weren’t many residents. Each floor had two rooms, and there were only two floors. In addition to these advantages, everything was very convenient: the charcoal store was downstairs, and a few steps further ahead was the butcher shop. At the nearby crossroads, there was an import store. They had not ignored Maximo’s studies, which were crucial. In mid-September, he had finished his last exam and was about to graduate, and he would soon receive his diploma. Naturally, he would have to serve as an intern at the Samaniego pharmacy. Samaniego was seriously ill, and if he died, his widow would need to find two medical school graduates to run the business. Maximo would surely become his assistant, and over time, he would take over the store and eventually become the owner. In short, everything was going smoothly, and the future was smiling at them.
Hearing these two things, Fortunata was overjoyed and filled with hope, longing even more for the new life of peace and prosperity. She thought rationally and resolved to take that path. She was very satisfied with her home, her name, and her dignity as a person. Two days before leaving the convent, Fortunata confessed to Father Pintado. Her confession lasted a long time, and she carefully examined her soul, leaving no detail, no matter how distant, untouched. She prepared for confession as if she were preparing for an exam. The priest was particularly attentive and caring to her, and whenever she hesitated to speak, he gently guided her with clever words. Father Pintado was a shrewd old dog in this regard. Fortunata poured out her heart completely, and her confession to the priest turned into an intimate conversation between close friends. The priest gave her many helpful and practical advice, citing many tangible examples—some of which were quite humorous—to show her that if one is led by emotions, they may stray from the right path. He vividly described the benefits of a restrained and balanced life, warning against arrogance, recklessness, and excessive desires. Don Leon, from the heights of the soul to the realm of practical philosophy, repeatedly told Fortunata that a virtuous lifestyle was always beneficial. If one behaves improperly, even if they sometimes achieve brilliant victories, in the long run, they will inevitably bring some degree of suffering to others, and there is no need to mention hell in the afterlife. Even if they are not punished in this life, they will surely be punished in the next.
She walked forward aimlessly and found herself in the center of the Puerta del Sol. Without realizing it, she sat on the railing of the fountain and watched the bubbles in the water. A man in charge of public order glanced at her suspiciously, but she ignored him. She sat there for a long time, like a child on the axis of a merry-go-round, watching the trams and carriages passing around her. The cold and dampness finally forced her to move away from the fountain. She wrapped herself tightly in her large shawl and covered her face, slowly leaving the Puerta del Sol. Only her eyes were visible, and because they were so beautiful, many men gathered around her, teasing her, showing affection, and asking for permission to accompany her. This reminded her of those terrible moments in the past—was she going to return to that unhappy life? The thought caused her great pain, and the beautiful fantasies that had already taken root in her mind were completely shattered. Reality gradually took over in her mind. However, reality was repulsive and hateful to her, and she would rather remain in that dreamlike state. Among the men following her, one called out her name and boldly but politely blocked her path:
“Goodness, you’re wrapped up so tightly, Fortunata!”
She stopped in front of the man, considering what to say. She stared at him as if she were stupid.
“I’d like to get to know this face,” she thought. “Oh! It’s Don Evaristo.”
“Child, you weren’t paying attention while walking,” he said. “I’m going home.”
“How do you get here?” he asked her, surprised. “This road leads to the Royal Theater.”
“This is,” Fortunata said, looking around at the buildings. “I must have made a mistake. What am I doing?”
“Let’s take this road, I’ll walk with you,” Don Evaristo said kindly. “Go along Calle Capellanínez, then follow the route of Calle Lonpalmas, Olivo, Balbastre, San Onofre, Ortalesa, and Arcos.”
“Yes, that’s the way. But you mustn’t doubt what I’m saying,” she said.
“I’m a chaste woman, I’ve always been pure and untainted.”
Fejo looked at his girlfriend. Frankly, those beautiful eyes had always fascinated him, but that night, Fortunata’s eyes seemed to him utterly unremarkable. The abandoned woman quickly covered her mouth with her shawl again, and her companion didn’t say a word. However, since Fortunata insisted on repeating that she was a chaste woman, Fejo, who was usually very straightforward, had no choice but to ask her:
“Good friend, are you upset about something? I mean, have you had some misfortune? I’m your loyal friend, please tell me, and I’ll help you understand.”
“But you doubt,” Fortunata said, leaning against the wall. “You doubt that I’ve always been—”
“A chaste woman? How could I doubt that, my child? You don’t need to say more. What I doubt is that you’re not in good health. You’re too tired, I think we should call a carriage! Coachman!”
Maximiliano’s wife had Fejo support her as she mechanically entered the carriage. Being taken into a carriage by a random man she had just met was something that had happened to her before.