Part 11 (1/2)

”Yesterday.”

”You spoke of a diligence. You must have come from Barcelona by train.”

”Of course.”

”Then that must have been the train that stopped over there.”

”Yes; the train stopped. I understood that it was not going on any farther for a long time, for that the track was torn up. A diligence was prepared for those pa.s.sengers who were anxious to go on immediately, and I was most eager to proceed without delay, so as to get to my home as soon as possible. So, early this morning, we left, and came, without any incident of any kind until we reached a place about five miles away. There we were stopped and robbed. I believe all the pa.s.sengers were detained and held as prisoners--at least I myself was. I was handed over to the care of a peasant woman, who took me to a cottage. About two hours ago she came to me and told me that I might go, and urged me to fly at once. I could not understand her very well, for I know very little Spanish indeed, but I could see that she was sorry for me, and offered me this chance of escape. It was also quite evident that she considered me in great danger, and was frightened about me. I felt deeply grateful, and offered her a gold locket which had escaped the notice of the robbers, but she refused it. So then I started off. I've come along the road ever since, and have seen no one except yourself. And now, sir,” continued the lady, looking at the priest with intense earnestness, ”can you help me? Will you? Oh, for the love of--”

Here the priest interrupted her. The lady had spoken in a low voice, which had a very mournful cadence, and besides this there were signs of deep emotion in the tremulous tones and the agitated manner. Her flight had been a long and a hurried one; the exertion had been severe; her strength had been put forth to the utmost; she was on the verge of utter exhaustion. Everything in her appearance, voice, and manner combined to inspire pity and sympathy. The good priest had seemed not unmoved as she was speaking, and now he interrupted her, raising his hand, and speaking in a very gentle voice.

”Ah, now,” said he, ”come--none of that! Do you think me a savage, that you must pray to me for mercy? Help you!” he repeated, in stronger tones. ”Ay, madame, that will I, and with the last drop of my heart's-blood and to my life's end. There, is that strong enough?

Help you!”--and he gave a short laugh--”that's good, too! Why, what else have I been thinking of ever since I met you? What else can you suppose that I intend to do? Isn't it enough for me to see your distress? But come--it isn't quite so safe as it might be, and enemies may be lurking near. We must first find a place of retirement, where we can decide on what is best to be done.”

The tones of the priest's voice were now totally different from those which he had employed hitherto. These were harsh, dry, indifferent, almost mocking; but now they were full of sincere feeling and unmistakable truth. Their effect upon the lady was very marked and strong. She clasped her hands, bowed her head, and in her weakness was unable to bear up under this new revulsion of feeling; so she burst into tears and stood there weeping.

At this the priest was not a little embarra.s.sed. For a moment he seemed about to try to soothe her; but be checked this impulse, and looked away, whistling softly to himself. After a few moments he went on, speaking in a gentle voice:

”I've been going along alone easily enough, but now, if you will come with me, I shall have to make some changes in my plans. You see, two cannot travel so easily as one; and then you are a lady, and an English lady too, which in these parts means a wealthy foreigner--an object of plunder. You, as an English lady, run an amount of risk to which I, as a Spanish priest, am not at all exposed. So you see we can no longer remain in so public a place as this high-road. We must seek some secure place, at least for the present. You don't seem able to go much farther. This moonlight night is just the time for flight, but you need rest now, and unless you get that first you won't be able to escape at all. And so--what do you say to my hunting up a hiding-place for the night?”

As the priest began to speak, the lady had made a violent effort to recover herself and had succeeded well enough to listen attentively, only showing by an occasional sigh or sob that her distress had not yet pa.s.sed away altogether. At the priest's question she paused thoughtfully for a short time, and then said,

”My being with you will make a great difference to you?”

”Oh yes,” said the priest.

”It will perhaps endanger your safety,” continued the lady, anxiously.

”Oh, that is nothing,” said the priest; ”that is my normal state. I am always in danger.”

”Still, I should be sorry to add to your danger,” she said, hesitatingly; ”and if--if--”

”Well,” said the priest, sharply, ”if what?”

”If I am a source of danger,” said the lady, calmly, ”I should prefer going on alone, just as I was; and I shall only ask you to tell me what is the nearest town, and to give me generally the direction to it.”

”Oh, you will, will you?” said the priest, in the mocking tone which he had previously used. ”Well, then, madame, I shall only ask you to do as I say, and ask no questions. I know the country--you don't. I have registered a vow in heaven to save you, and save you I will, even in spite of all your teeth. I swear it in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!”

At these strange words the lady was silent for a few moments, and then said, in a tremulous voice,

”I'll do anything that you wish me to do.”

”Furthermore, my hearer,” continued the priest, suddenly a.s.suming and immediately dropping the whine of a rustic preacher, ”mark this--I don't mind saying a few words to ease your scruples: you cannot make my position any more dangerous than it is already. I carry my life in my hand all the time.”

”Still,” said the lady, ”you can easily take care of yourself; but what a terrible thing it would be if you should get into trouble on my account!”

”Well, I'll ask only one question--what is your calling in life?”

”I have no calling. I'm a lady--”