The Daughter of an Empress

That was what Don Bempo was now considering, and what made him waver in

his first determination not to buy the fish.

There was only this one gigantic fish in the market; and, if he bought

it, Signor Gianettino, his enemy, of course, could not possess it; the

triumph of the day would then inure to the Spanish embassy, and Don

Bempo would come off conqueror. That was indeed a very desirable object,

but--twenty ducats was still an enormous price, and was not at all

reconcilable with the recommended economy.

At any rate he dared not buy the fish without first consulting the

major-domo of the duke.

"You will not, then, sell this fish for twelve ducats?" asked Don Bempo,

just as Gianettino had unnoticedly approached. "Reflect, man, twelve

ducats are a fortune--it is a princely payment!"

The fisherman contemptuously shook his head. "Rather than sell it for

twelve ducats I would eat it myself," said he, "and invite my friends,

these good Romans, as guests! Go, go, sublime Spanish Don, and buy

gudgeons for your pair of miserable ducats! Such a fish as this is too

dear for you; you Spanish gentlemen should buy gudgeons!"

"Bravo! bravo!" cried the laughing spectators. "Gudgeons for the Spanish

gentlemen with high-nosed faces and empty pockets!"

Don Bempo blushed with anger and wounded pride. "I shall unquestionably

buy this fish," said he, "for nothing is too dear for my master when the

honor of our nation is to be upheld. But you must allow me time to go

home and get the money from the major-domo. Keep the fish, therefore, so

long, and I will return with the twenty ducats for it."

And majestically Don Bempo made himself a path through the crowd, which

laughingly stepped aside for him, shouting: "Gudgeons for the Spanish

gentleman! Viva Don Bempo, who pays twenty ducats for a fish!"

"He will certainly not come back," said the fisherman, shaking his head.

"He goes to buy gudgeons!" cried another.

"What will you bet that he returns to buy the fish?" said a third.

"He will not buy it!" interposed a fourth. "These Spaniards have no

money; they are poor devils!"

"Who dares say that?" shrieked another, and now suddenly followed one of

those quarrels which are so quickly excited on the least occasion among

the passionate people of the south. There was much rage, abuse, and

noise. How flashed the eyes, how shook the fists, what threats resounded

there!

"Peace, my dear friends, be quiet, I tell you!" cried the fisherman,

with his stentorian voice. "See, there comes a new purchaser for my

fish. Be quiet, and let us see how much France is disposed to offer us."

The disturbance subsided as suddenly as it had arisen, and all pressed

nearer; all directed interrogating, curious, expectant glances at Signor

Gianettino, who just at that moment approached with a proud and grave

step, followed by the solemn train of six scullions with their baskets.