Part 39 (1/2)
CHAPTER xxxVI
THE INTERFERENCE OF THE JESUIT
I could look no longer on that hellish scene It seeth, all manhood, had deserted me before the utter helplessness of our position There was nothing left except useless sacrifice--a le, the sole reward death under the war-club or by torture God knows it was not ht of her which so unnerved me, so paralyzed body and mind
The Puritan dropped his heavy hand on my shoulder
”Great Jehovah,” he muttered, ”look there!”
How he ever made it I know not; how he ever crept on tortured stu the dark, rocky tunnel; how he ever succeeded in penetrating unscathed that howling es--yet there, in the very lare, his pallid, girlish face uplifted, but concealed beneath the shadow of his cowl, the silver cross gleaht, beside Eloise, knelt the black-robed Jesuit Amid the sudden hush of surprise I overheard his voice, fearless, cal woreat brute struck at hiure reeled sideways to the force of the blow, but the words of prayer did not cease, nor his grasp on her hand relax Rallying from their astonishment, the warriors crowded in upon the to the floor I saw a brandishi+ng of clubs, a glitter of spears, yet the poor fellow ca for support on the woman's shoulder It was all in a flash of tie we could scarcely co above the babel, which ceased suddenly I glanced involuntarily toward Naladi She stood leaning forward, her hands gripping the stone parapet, conflicting e across her face
As the torches, uplifted, gleahter upon the motionless Queen, they revealed a look of perplexity, almost fear, in her cold eyes
What held her speechless? Was it remembrance of another life, when the stern word of the Church had been law? or was she uilty soul swayed by superstitious terror? She was all too strange a riddle for , but soeful cries of her savage followers died away into threatening murmurs; the _pere_ remained motionless, one hand on Eloise's bowed head, his white face shadowed by the hood, cal her who had commanded quiet
Slowly he lifted one aresture, his white extended hand see to have in it the authority of co, painted faces all about, the slight figure stood erect and fir witness to his earnestness, and never wavering from Naladi's scornful face
”Woine Christ may have spoken of old, ”release this prisoner, and h ly, yet only a hollow semblance came from between her white lips ”Pah!” she cried nervously, ”you speak bravely; pray, who gave you authority to give orders to the Daughter of the Sun?”
”One greater than the Sun, woman,” he answered ”I speak to you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and by authority of the Holy Catholic Church”
She leaned yet farther forward, as though seeking to penetrate the shadow concealing his face, a perceptible tremor apparent in her voice
”Who are you? Answer natius, a priest of the Order of Jesuits”
”And what do you suppose I care for your Role wave of my hand would condemn you to the place of yonder slaves” Her color rose in the wave of passion, sweeping fear aside ”I have nothing but hatred for your black robe, and your interference only intensifies my purpose Mark you nohat I say; if it be the will ofFrench woe her fate More, because of your insolence I give you also into their hands We take no orders fro forth with such clearness as al me to my feet ”You foul fiend of hell, do you think thus to impose your vile imposture on e satellites My life is in the hands of th to o I was bound to a stake in the valley below Ask these fiends, who do your bidding, whether I shrank back in terror, or made outcry as the flame ate into my flesh Gaze on these stumps blackened by fire, and learn how I value your threats Peace, woer mock the faith of your childhood”
”My childhood? You know nothing of that!”
”Do I not? Look upon ht fell full upon his countenance
Upon the silence broke a sharp cry, in which fear and surprise were strangely blended:
”Andre Lafossier!”
”Right, wootten Sunk as you are in shame and evil deeds, conscience yet lives and haunts you What do I know of you? Enough to justify calling you joint heir with all the fiends of hell, unless, like the thief on the Cross, repentance make white your black soul Yet, 'tis in ainst the Spirit for which there is no forgiveness Nothing in your face tellssoul You are a Queen, you say? Ay, of evil, of devils incarnate I would rather be this poor woman bound to the stake than you upon a throne Do your worst with us, but know that Andre Lafossier has nothing for you save disgust; still, as priest of Holy Church, I hold open the door of salvation through Jesus Christ”
Evidences of struggle marked Naladi's face, yet by now she had outwardly conquered the first shock of recognition, and stood a cold, stately statue, with glittering eyes on the slender figure of the priest
”I care as little for your Roly, ”as I do for the senseless rites of these savages But I alad it is you I have in my power If I am the queen of devils, they serve ht have spared you had you kept your tongue, but after those words you die I shall stand here and ht you shall know it true while I laugh at your agony”
She paused as if seeking to mark the effect of her words, but the _pere_ e of coain
”As you will, woain”