'
'Then you will take it. Now I have something more to say before we come
to terms. I do not want you to play the part of an apothecary's drudge.
You will figure before the world as my nephew, come from abroad to learn
my trade. You will help me in it indeed, but that is not all your duty.
Your part will be to mix in the life of Seville, and to watch those whom
I bid you watch, to drop a word here and a hint there, and in a hundred
ways that I shall show you to draw grist to my mill--and to your own.
You must be brilliant and witty, or sad and learned, as I wish; you must
make the most of your person and your talents, for these go far with my
customers. To the hidalgo you must talk of arms, to the lady, of love;
but you must never commit yourself beyond redemption. And above all,
young man'--and here his manner changed and his face grew stern and
almost fierce--'you must never violate my confidence or the confidence
of my clients. On this point I will be quite open within you, and I
pray you for your own sake to believe what I say, however much you may
mistrust the rest. If you break faith with me, YOU DIE. You die, not by
my hand, but you die. That is my price; take it or leave it. Should you
leave it and go hence to tell what you have heard this day, even then
misfortune may overtake you suddenly. Do you understand?'
'I understand.
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