Part 10 (1/2)
Already Carlos was in training for that contest--though as yet he knew not that there was any contest before him, save the general ”striving against sin” in which all Christians have to take part. For the joy of the Lord is the Christian's strength in the day of battle. And he usually prepares those faithful soldiers whom he means to set in the forefront of the hottest battle, by previously bestowing that joy upon them in very full measure. He who is willing to ”sell all that he hath,” must first have found a treasure, and what ”the joy thereof” is none else may declare.
In this joy Carlos lived now; and it was as yet too fresh and new to be greatly disturbed by haunting doubts or perplexing questions. These, for the present, came and pa.s.sed like a breath upon a surface of molten gold, scarcely dimming its l.u.s.tre for a moment.
It had become his great wish to receive Orders as soon as possible, that he might consecrate himself more entirely to the service of his Lord, and spread abroad the knowledge of his love more widely. With this view, he determined on returning to Seville early in October.
He left Nuera with regret, especially on account of Dolores, who had taken a new place in his consideration, and even in his affections, since he had begun to read to her from his Book. And, though usually very calm and impa.s.sive in manner, she could scarcely refrain from tears at the parting. She entreated him, with almost pa.s.sionate earnestness, to be very prudent and careful of himself in the great city.
Carlos, who saw no special danger likely to menace him, save such as might arise from his own heart, felt tempted to smile at her foreboding tone, and asked her what she feared for him.
”Oh, Senor Don Carlos,” she pleaded, with clasped hands, ”for the love of G.o.d, take care; and do not be reading and telling your good words to every one you meet. For the world is an ill place, your wors.h.i.+p, where good is ofttimes evil-spoken of.”
”Never fear for me,” returned Carlos, with his frank, pleasant smile.
”I have found nothing in my Book but the most Catholic verities, which will be useful to all and hurtful to none. But of course I shall be prudent, and take due care of my words, lest by any extraordinary chance they might be misinterpreted. So that you may keep your mind at peace, dear Mother Dolores.”
b.. The Light Divided from the Darkness:
XII.
The Light Divided from the Darkness.
”I felt and feel, whate'er befalls, The footsteps of thy life in mine.”--Tennyson
In the glorious autumn weather, Don Carlos rode joyfully through cork and chestnut groves, across bare brown plains, and amidst gardens of pale olives and golden orange globes s.h.i.+ning through dark glossy leaves.
He had long ago sent back to Seville the guard with which his uncle had furnished him, so that his only companion was a country youth, trained by Diego to act as his servant. But although he pa.s.sed through the very district afterwards immortalized by the adventures of the renowned Don Quixote, no adventure fell to his lot. Unless it may count for an adventure that near the termination of his journey the weather suddenly changed, and torrents of rain, accompanied by unusual cold, drove him to seek shelter.
”Ride on quickly, Jorge,” he said to his attendant, ”for I remember there is a venta[#] by the roadside not far off. A poor place truly, where we are little likely to find a supper. But we shall find a roof to shelter us and fire to warm us, and these at present are our most pressing needs.”
[#] An inn.
Arrived at the venta, they were surprised to see the lazy landlord so far stirred out of his usual apathy as to busy himself in trying to secure the fastening of the outer door, that it might not swing backwards and forwards in the wind, to the great discomfort of all within the house. The proud indifferent Spaniard looked calmly up from his task, and remarked that he would do all in his power to accommodate his wors.h.i.+p. ”But unfortunately, senor and your Excellency, a _very_ great and princ.i.p.al n.o.bleman has just arrived here, with a most distinguished train of fine caballeros--his lords.h.i.+p's gentlemen and servants; and kitchen, hall, and chamber are as full of them as a hive is full of bees.”
This was evil news to Carlos. Proud, sensitive, and shy, there could be nothing more foreign to his character than to throw himself into the society of a person who, though really only his equal in rank, was so much his superior in all that lends rank its charm in the eyes of the vulgar. ”We had better push on to Ecija,” said he to his reluctant attendant, bravely turning his face to the storm, and making up his mind to ten miles more in drenching rain.
At that moment, however, a tall figure emerged from the inner door, opening into the long room behind the stable and kitchen, that formed the only tolerable accommodation the one-storied venta afforded.
”Surely, senor, you do not intend to go further in this storm,” said the n.o.bleman, whose fine thoughtful countenance Carlos could not but fancy that he had seen before.
”It is not far to Ecija, senor,” returned Carlos, bowing. ”And 'First come first served,' is an excellent proverb.”
”The first-comer has certainly one privilege which I am not disposed to waive--that of hospitably welcoming the second. Do me the favour to come in, senor. You will find an excellent fire.”
Carlos could not decline an invitation so courteously given. He was soon seated by the wood fire that blazed on the hearth of the inner room, exchanging compliments, in true Spanish fas.h.i.+on, with the n.o.bleman who had welcomed him so kindly.
Though no one could doubt for an instant the stranger's possession of the pure ”sangre azul,”[#] yet his manners were more frank and easy and less ceremonious than those to which Carlos had been accustomed in the exclusive and privileged cla.s.s of Seville society---a fact accounted for by the discovery, afterwards made, that he was born and educated in Italy.