“No,” I exclaimed suddenly.
“No what?”
We had been silent for a few minutes, during which time I thought a great deal and finally had an idea; my exclamation, however, was so loud that my neighbor got a fright.
“I’m not having it,” I went on. “They say that we’re not old enough to marry, that we’re children, youngsters—that’s what I’ve heard them say, youngsters. Fine: but two or three years will soon be over. Will you swear something? Swear that you’ll marry no one but me?”
Capitu had no hesitation in swearing: I even saw that her cheeks were flushed with pleasure. She swore twice and then a third time:
“Even if you marry someone else, I’ll keep my oath, and never marry.”
“If I marry someone else?”
“Anything can happen, Bentinho. You might find another girl who loves you, you could fall in love with her and marry her. Who am I for you to think of me if that happened?”
“But I’m swearing, too! I swear, I swear by Almighty God that I will marry no one but you. Is that enough?”
“It should be enough,” she said, “I don’t dare ask any more. Yes, you swear … But let’s swear another way; let’s swear that we’ll marry one another, come what may.”
You can see the difference; it was more than the choice of the spouse, it was the affirmation that we were going to be married. My young friend was able to think clearly and fast. It was true, the previous formula was limited, as it was merely exclusive. We could end up unmarried, like the sun and moon, without going back on the oath at the well. This formula was better, and had the advantage of strengthening my will against my ordination. We swore by the second formula, and were so happy that all fear of danger vanished. We were religious, and heaven was our witness. I no longer feared even the seminary.
“If they really insist, I’ll go; but I’ll pretend it’s just any school; I’m not going to be ordained.”
Capitu feared our separation, but ended up accepting this scheme as best. We would not upset my mother, and time would fly until the moment when the marriage could take place. Any resistance to the seminary, on the other hand, would confirm José Dias’ accusation. It was Capitu, not I, who made this reflection.