Part 22 (2/2)

”Are in G.o.d's hands, as we are.”

”I will ride out and visit them, especially Fray Fernando.”

”Excuse me, Senor Don Carlos, but you will do nothing of the kind; that were to court suspicion. I will bear any message you choose to send.”

”And you?”

Losada smiled, though sadly. ”The physician has occasion to go,” he said; ”he is a very useful personage, who often covers with his ample cloak the _dogmatizing heretic_.”

Carlos recognized the official phraseology of the Holy Office. He repressed a shudder, but could not hide the look of terror that dilated his large blue eyes.

The older man, the more experienced Christian, could compa.s.sionate the youth. Losada, himself standing ”face to face with death,” spoke kind words of counsel and comfort to Carlos. He cautioned him strongly against losing his self-possession, and thereby running needlessly into danger. ”Especially would I urge upon you, Senor Don Carlos,” he said, ”the duty of avoiding unnecessary risk, for already you are useful to us; and should G.o.d spare your life, you will be still more so. If I fall--”

”Do not speak of it, my beloved friend.”

”It will be as G.o.d pleases,” said the pastor calmly. ”But I need not remind you, others stand in like peril with me. Especially Fray Ca.s.siodoro, and Don Juan Ponce de Leon.”

”The n.o.blest heads, the likeliest to fall,” Carlos murmured.

”Then must younger soldiers step forth from the ranks, and take up the standards dropped from their hands. Don Carlos Alvarez, we have high hopes of you. Your quiet words reach the heart; for you speak that which you know, and testify that which you have seen. And the good gifts of mind that G.o.d has given you enable you to speak with the greater acceptance. He may have much work for you in his harvest-field.

But whether he should call you to work or to suffer, shrink not, but 'be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy G.o.d is with thee whithersoever thou goest.'”

”I will try to trust him; and may he make his strength perfect in my weakness,” said Carlos. ”But for the present,” he added, ”give me any lowly work to do, whereby I may aid you or lighten your cares, my loved friend and teacher.”

Losada gladly gave him, as indeed he had done several times before, instructions to visit certain secret inquirers, and persons in distress and perplexity of mind.

He pa.s.sed the next two or three days in these ministrations, and in constant prayer, especially for the remaining monks of San Isodro, whose sore peril pressed heavily on his heart. He sought, as much as possible, to shut out other thoughts; or, when they would force an entrance, to cast their burden, which otherwise would have been intolerable, upon Him who would surely care for his own Church, his few sheep in the wilderness.

One morning he remained late in his chamber, writing a letter to his brother; and then went forth, intending to visit Losada. As it was a fast-day, and he kept the Church fasts rigorously, it happened that he had not previously met any of his uncle's family.

The entrance to the physician's house did not present its usual cheerful appearance. The gate was shut and bolted, and there was no sign of patients pa.s.sing in or out Carlos became alarmed. It was long before he obtained an answer to his repeated calls. At last, however, some one inside cried, ”_Quien es?_”[#]

[#] Who is there?

Carlos gave his name, well known to all the household.

Then the door was half opened, and a mulatto serving-lad showed a terrified face behind it.

”Where is Senor Cristobal?”

”Gone, senor.”

”Gone!--whither?”

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