Part 10 (1/2)

”Louise,” he said, at length, ”those are the first sensible words I have heard you utter since we were married. Your idea is a capital one!”

”I am glad you think so,” she replied, wisely refraining from commenting upon her husband's doubtful compliment. ”The Abbess at Valki told me only the day before yesterday, that for every soul brought into the holy church, a Christian's happiness would be increased tenfold in Paradise.”

”Fanatical absurdities,” cried the Count, who was as free from religious sentiment as his wife was devout. ”If I consent to have the child brought up in a convent, I am not actuated by any considerations of future reward or punishment. I don't believe in such antiquated dogmas.

But to the convent he shall go, and when they have taught him to forget his origin and his religion, when they have educated him into a fanatical, Jew-hating priest, then will I use him to wreak upon his own race that vengeance which I have sworn never to forego.”

Louise shuddered at her husband's vehement gestures and pa.s.sionate words. His eyes rolled wildly, his whole body seemed swayed by uncontrollable rage. Little Jacob, although he understood nothing of the Count's words, recoiled instinctively and hid his face in his hands.

Drentell gradually regained his composure, and after walking up and down the room for a few moments, in apparent meditation, he rang the bell.

A servant entered.

”Take the boy back to the barn, and keep him there until I ask for him again,” he commanded. ”Then harness up at once and send for _Batushka_ Alexei, the Abbot of the convent at Poltava. Tell his reverence that I desire to see him as soon as possible on matters pertaining to the holy church.”

The servant disappeared, taking Jacob with him, and the Count and Countess were left alone to discuss their plans.

It was almost night when the vehicle containing the Abbot rolled up to the villa, and the _batushka_ (priest) was announced. He was a powerfully built man, displaying a physique of which a Roman gladiator might have been proud. His grizzled beard reached down to his waist, and his flowing black robes gave him the appearance of a dervish. Alexei enjoyed the reputation of being very devout, and the cloister of which he was the head was known as the most thoroughly religious in the Empire. To this man the future of the Jewish lad was to be entrusted.

When the holy man entered the library, both the Count and his wife crossed themselves reverently.

”Your excellency has sent for me,” said Alexei, slowly.

”Yes, _batushka_,” answered the Count. ”We wish to place in your pious care a young Jewish boy who, having escaped from his parents' roof, and having much to fear from the anger of his people, desires to seek present safety and ultimate salvation of his soul in the bosom of our holy church. I at once thought of you, as I believe that under your tuition the lad will be instructed in all that is essential to the perfect Christian.”

”Your excellency does me too much honor,” said the priest, meekly. ”With the grace of our Lord Christ, I shall do my utmost to bring this lamb into the fold.”

”The boy is feverish and his mind wanders,” continued the Count. ”If you interrogate him, he will tell you that he received certain injuries--a broken arm and a mutilated ear--from the Christians. I happen to be conversant with the facts of the case and know that he was injured by members of his own family, in their impotent frenzy to keep him from seeking the solace of the only saving church. I desire you to remember three things, _batushka_: Firstly, that this boy must be taught to forget absolutely that he belongs to that accursed people; secondly, the idea must be firmly implanted in his mind that he has been mutilated by the Jews; and thirdly, he must be taught to despise and detest the Hebrew race with all the hatred of which his soul is capable. Do you understand me?”

”I do, your excellency. You desire the boy to so far forget his former a.s.sociations, that he will belong heart and soul to the church of Christ; and as a further precaution that he may never harbor a desire to return to the religion of his fathers, you desire us to impress him with an implacable hatred, a thirst for revenge against his race, for wrongs they have inflicted upon him.”

The Count looked at the priest significantly; they had understood one another.

”You will find the boy docile,” continued Drentell, ”and unless he belies the characteristics of his people, you will find him quick and intelligent. Employ that intelligence for the good of our holy faith and to the prejudice of the Jewish race. Give him every advantage, every inducement to advance, and shape his career so that in him the church will find a faithful supporter and an earnest champion.”

”And the Jews an enemy before whom the stoutest of their number shall quail,” continued the priest. ”So shall it be, your excellency.”

”I shall expect to receive occasional reports of his progress. Let him be taught to respect me as his benefactor, and once a year I desire him to spend a week or two with me, in order that by wise counsels and salutary advice, I may a.s.sist the holy church in her n.o.ble work.

Remember, too,” and here the Count's features a.s.sumed a threatening look, ”that this act of to-day is done by the authority of his majesty the Czar, who will hold you accountable for the strict observance of all you have promised.”

The priest bowed his head humbly.

”I reverence the church, your excellency,” he answered, ”but above all I owe allegiance to its spiritual head, the Czar.”

All preliminaries having been arranged, Jacob was sent for. The priest, who not unnaturally expected to see a young man, was greatly surprised at the appearance of this puny child. He concealed his astonishment as well as possible, merely observing:

”I presume, your excellency, this is my future pupil.”

”It is, and may he prove worthy of his eminent teacher.”