Part 54 (1/2)
The afternoon was deliciously balmy, and when the felucca drew in with the land, the surface of the sea was as smooth as that of an inland lake. There was just wind enough to cool the air, and to propel the little vessel three or four knots through the water. The day apartment occupied by our hero and heroine, was on the quarter-deck. It was formed, on the exterior, by a tarpauling, bent like the tilt of a wagon, while the interior was embellished with a lining of precious stuffs that converted it into a beautiful little saloon. In front, a canvas bulkhead protected it from the gaze of the crew; and, toward the stearn a rich curtain fell, when it became necessary to shut out the view. The latter was now carelessly festooned, permitting the eye to range over a broad expanse of the ocean, and to watch the glories of the setting sun.
Mercedes reclined on a luxurious couch, gazing on the ocean, and Luis touched a guitar, seated on a stool at her feet. He had just played a favorite national air, which he had accompanied with his voice, and had laid aside the instrument, when he perceived that his young wife did not listen, with her usual fondness and admiration, to his music.
”Thou art thoughtful, Mercedes,” he said, leaning forward to read the melancholy expression of those eyes that were so often glowing with enthusiasm.
”The sun is setting in the direction of the land of poor Ozema, Luis,”
Mercedes answered, a slight tremor pervading her voice; ”the circ.u.mstance, in connection with the sight of this boundless ocean, that so much resembleth eternity, hath led me to think of her end.
Surely--surely--a creature so innocent can never be consigned to eternal misery, because her unenlightened mind and impa.s.sioned feelings were unable to comprehend all the church's mysteries!”
”I would that thou thought'st less on this subject, love; thy prayers, and the ma.s.ses that have been said for her soul, should content thee; or, if thou wilt, the last can be repeated, again and again.”
”We will offer still more,” returned the young wife, scarce speaking above her breath, while the tears fell down her cheeks. ”The best of us will need ma.s.ses, and _we_ owe this to poor Ozema. Didst thou bethink thee, to intercede again with the admiral, to do all service to Mattinao, on reaching Espanola?”
”That hath been attended to, and so dismiss the subject from thy mind.
The monument is already erected at Llera, and we may feel regret for the loss of the sweet girl, but can scarce mourn for her. Were I not Luis de Bobadilla, thy husband, dearest, I could think her the subject of envy, rather than of pity.”
”Ah! Luis, thy flattery is too pleasing to bring reproof, but it is scarce seemly. Even the happiness I feel, in being a.s.sured of thy love--that our fortunes, fate, name, interests are one--is, in truth, but misery, compared with the seraphic joys of the blessed; and to such joys I could wish Ozema's spirit might be elevated.”
”Doubt it not, Mercedes; she hath all that her goodness and innocence can claim. Ma.s.s! If she even have half that I feel, in holding thee thus to my heart, she is no subject for grief, and thou say'st she hath, or wilt have, ten-fold more.”
”Luis--Luis--speak not thus! We will have other ma.s.ses said at Seville, as well as at Burgos and Salamanca.”
”As thou wilt, love. Let them be said yearly, monthly, weekly, forever, or as long as the churchmen think they may have virtue.”
Mercedes smiled her grat.i.tude, and the conversation became less painful, though it continued to be melancholy. An hour pa.s.sed in this manner, during which, the communion was of the sweet character that pervades the intercourse of those who love tenderly. Mercedes had already acquired a powerful command over the headlong propensities and impetuous feelings of her husband, and was gradually moulding him, unknown to herself, to be the man that was necessary to her own feelings. In this change, which was the result of influence, and not of calculation or design, she was aided by the manly qualities of our hero, which were secretly persuading him that he had now the happiness of another in his keeping, as well as his own. This is an appeal that a really generous mind seldom withstands, and far oftener produces the correction of minor faults, than any direct management, or open rebukes. Perhaps Mercedes' strongest arm, however, was her own implicit confidence in her husband's excellence, Luis feeling a desire to be that which she so evidently thought him; an opinion that his own conscience did not, in the fullest extent, corroborate.
Just as the sun had set, Sancho came to announce that he had let go the anchor.
”Here we are, Senor Conde--here we are, at last, Senora Dona Mercedes, lying off the town of Palos, and within a hundred yards of the very spot where Don Christopher and his gallant companions departed for the discovery of the Indies--G.o.d bless him a hundred-fold, and all who went with him. The boat is ready to take you to the sh.o.r.e, Senora; and there, if you do not find Seville, or Barcelona, cathedrals and palaces, you will find Palos, and Santa Clara, and the s.h.i.+p-yard-gate--three places that are, henceforth, to be more renowned than either: Palos, as having sent forth the expedition; Santa Clara, as having saved it from destruction, by vows fulfilled at its altars; and the gate, for having had the s.h.i.+p of the admiral built within it.”
”And other great events, good Sancho!” put in the count.