Part 73 (2/2)
”Not--not knowing your language, you know.”
”My language!” said Lopez; ”what does that matter? He has the language of the Church, and that language every priest uses in the formulas and services of the Church, whether he is a Spaniard, or an Englishman, or an African negro. He celebrates the sacraments in the words laid down by the Church, and the languages of the various nations have nothing to do with these holy rites. I fear, senor, you are raising objections which will seem as strange and unreasonable to your friend, this good priest, as they do to me.”
At this Brooke was struck dumb. He had nothing more to say.
”You will tell your friend,” said Lopez, ”to be ready at an early hour to-morrow morning. I also will do myself the honor, senor, to invite you to give us the pleasure of your company on this occasion.”
Brooke bowed, and murmured something about the consciousness which he had of the honor that Lopez had done him; and in the midst of these commonplaces Lopez retired.
After his departure Brooke remained silent for a long time. Talbot feared the worst, and as she had divined already the meaning of this visit, she understood perfectly the feelings of Brooke. So she said not a word, but patiently waited until he chose to speak. At length he told her all.
”I thought so,” said Talbot.
”What will you do?” asked Brooke, in a low voice.
”Nothing,” said Talbot, simply.
”Nothing?” repeated Brooke. ”What can I do?”
”Can you not do what he requests?” asked Brooke, in a trembling voice.
”What! and marry them?”
”Why not?”
”It is impossible!” said Talbot, firmly.
”Oh heavens!” moaned Brooke, in a tone of despair.
”Oh, Brooke, do not talk like that!” said Talbot, entreatingly. ”Have I not already said all that can be said?”
”Well,” said Brooke, ”listen to reason for a moment. Only think what marriage is. It is a union of two loving hearts. In Scotland people marry themselves. Why cannot you do in Spain what you might safely do in Scotland?”
”Yes,” said Talbot, ”and in Turkey a man may marry a hundred wives. Why may not you do in Spain what you may safely do in Turkey? Oh, Brooke!
Brooke! Are you altogether candid now, and true to your better self? Do not tempt me, Brooke. Do not try to shake me. My mind is clear on this point. I cannot do wrong, not even to please yon, Brooke.”
As Talbot said this she looked at Brooke with a glance that penetrated to his soul. Her eyes showed unfathomable tenderness and devotion, yet her face and her voice told of a resolve that was immutable.
Then Brooke tried another tone.
”Confound these Spaniards!” he cried. ”Talbot! Talbot! Come, why not marry this couple of cursed fools and have done with it?”
Of these words Talbot took no notice whatever. She was silent for a time and thoughtful. Then she went on to speak:
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