Part 3 (2/2)
”Therefore,” went on the King--”it is my unpleasant task to be compelled to inform you, Monsignor, that the inhabitants of the district your Order seeks to take under its influence, have the strongest objection to your presence among them. So strong indeed is their aversion towards your Society, that they have pet.i.tioned me in numerous ways, (and with considerable eloquence, too, for 'untaught barbarians') to defend them from your visitation. Now, to speak truly, I find they have all the advantages which modern advancement and social improvement can give them,--they attend their places of public wors.h.i.+p in considerable numbers, and are on the whole decent, G.o.d-fearing, order-loving subjects to the Throne,--and more I do not desire for them or for myself.
Criminal cases are very rare in the district,--and the poor are more inclined to help than to defraud each other. All this is so far good,--and, I should imagine,--not displeasing to G.o.d. In any case, as their merely temporal sovereign, I must decline to give your Order any control over them.”
”You refuse the concession of land, Sir?” said Del Fortis, in a voice that trembled with restrained pa.s.sion.
”To satisfy those of my subjects who have appealed to me, I am compelled to do so,” replied the King.
”I pray your Majesty's pardon, but a portion of the land is held by private persons who are prepared to sell to us----”
A quick anger flashed in the King's eyes.
”They shall sell to me if they sell at all,”--he said,--”I repeat, Monsignor, the fact that the law-abiding people of the place have sought their King's protection from priestly interference;--and,--by Heaven!--they shall have it!”
There was a sudden silence. Sir Roger de Launay drew a sharp breath,--his habitual languor of mind was completely dissipated, and he studied the inscrutable face of Del Fortis with deepening suspicion and disfavour. Not that there was the slightest sign of wrath or dismay on the priest's well-disciplined countenance;--on the contrary, a chill smile illumined it as he spoke his next words with a serious, if somewhat forced composure.
”Your Majesty is, without doubt, all powerful in your own particular domain of society and politics,” he said--”But there is another Majesty higher than yours,--that of the Church, before which dread and infallible Tribunal even kings are brought to naught----”
”Monsignor Del Fortis,” interrupted the King, ”We have not met this morning, I presume, to indulge in a religious polemic! My power is, as you very truly suggest, merely temporal--yours is spiritual. Yours should be the strongest! Go your way now to your Vicar-General with the straight answer I have given you,--but if by your 'spiritual' power you can persuade the people who now hate your Society, to love it,--to demand it,--to beg that you may be permitted to found a colony among them,--why, in that case, come to me again, and I will grant you the land. I am not prejudiced one way or the other, but I will not hand over any of my subjects to the influence of priestcraft, so long as they desire me to defend them from it.”
Del Fortis still smiled.
”Pardon me, Sir, but we of the Society of Jesus are your subjects also, and we judge you to be a Christian and Catholic monarch----”
”As I am, most a.s.suredly!” replied the King--”Christian and Catholic are words which, if I understand their meaning, please me well! 'Christian'
expresses a believer in and follower of Christ,--'Catholic' means universal, by which, I take it, is intended wide, universal love and tolerance without sect, party, or prejudice. In this sense the Church is not Catholic--it is merely the Roman sect. Nor are you truly my subjects, since you have only one ruler, the Supreme Pontiff,--with whom I am somewhat at variance. But, as I have said, we are not here to indulge in argument. You came to proffer a request; I have given you the only answer I conceive fitting with my duty;--the matter is concluded.”
Del Fortis hesitated a moment,--then bowed low to the ground;--anon, lifting himself, raised one hand with an invocative gesture of profound solemnity.
”I commend your Majesty to the mercy of G.o.d, that He may in His wisdom, guard your life and soften your heart towards the ministers of His Holy Religion, and bring you into the ways of righteousness and peace! For the rest, I will report your Majesty's decision to the Vicar-General.”
”Do so!”--rejoined the King--”And a.s.sure him that the decision is unalterable,--unless the inhabitants of the place concerned desire to have it revoked.”
Again Del Fortis bowed.
”I humbly take my leave of your Majesty!”
The monarch looked at him steadfastly as he made another salutation, and backed out of the presence-chamber. Sir Roger de Launay opened the door for him with alacrity, handing him over into the charge of an usher with the whispered caution to see him well off the Royal premises; and then returning to his sovereign, stood ”at attention.” The King noted his somewhat troubled aspect, and laughed.
”What ails you, De Launay?” he asked--”You seem astonished that for once I have spoken my mind?”
”Sir, to speak one's mind is always dangerous!”
”Dangerous--danger!--What idle words to make cowards of men! Danger--of what? There is only one danger--death; and that is sure to come to every man, whether he be a hero or a poltroon.”
”True,--but----”
”But--what? De Launay, if you love me, do not look at me with so expostulatory an air! It does not become your inches! Now listen!--when the next press reporter comes nosing round for palace news, let him be told that the King has refused permission to the Jesuits to build on any portion of the Crown lands demanded for the purpose. Let this be made known to Press and People--the sooner the better!”
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