Part 25 (2/2)
Still, he understood now that Francisco was a entle instincts, and naturally in this dilemma he turned to seek for counsel to his only white companion Francisco listened to the story quietly; indeed, for the most part it was already known to him
”Well,” he said, when Leonard had finished, ”I suppose that you e her mind when once she has made it up, and if you were to refuse to start, mark my words, she would make the expedition by herself, or try to do so As to this story of treasure, and the possibility of winning it, I can only say that it see is so impracticable that it will probably be successfully accomplished”
”Hum!” said Leonard, ”sounds a little paradoxical, but after that slave camp business, like you I am inclined to believe in paradoxes And now, Father, what do you propose to do?”
”I? to accompany you, of course, if you will allow me I am a priest and will play the part of chaperon, if I can do nothing else,” he added with a smile
Leonard whistled and asked, ”Why on earth do you mix yourself up in such a doubtful business? You have all your life before you; you are able, andfor you to gain by this journey; on the contrary, it , ”sorrohich cannot be forgotten”
”My life and death are in the hand of God,” the priest answered hu and He will appoint the end As for that sorrohich cannot be forgotten, what if it is already with me?” And he touched his breast and looked up
The eyes of the two men o away and try to forget her?” said Leonard
The speech was blunt, but Francisco did not resent it
”I do not go,” he answered, ”because it would be useless So far as I am concerned the mischief is done; for her there is none to fear While I stay it is possible that I may be able to do her soreat sin, but she does not know, and will never knohile I live, for you are a , and she has no eyes to see What am I to her? I am a priest--no man I am like a woman friend, and as such she is fond of ainst myself, and her, and you Alas! who could help it? She was like an angel in that Inferno, so kind, so sweet, so lovely, and the heart is evil”
”Why do you say that you sinned against me, Francisco? As to the rules of your Church, I have my own opinion of them Still, there they are, and perhaps they prick your conscience But what harm have you done to ht after the slave camp was burnt, that I believed you to be man and wife I believe it yet, and have I not sinned doubly therefore in worshi+pping a woman who is wedded?
Still, I pray that as you are one before Heaven and the Church, so you may become one in heart and deed And when this is so, as I think that it will be, cherish her, Outram, for there is no such woman in the world, and for you she will turn the earth to heaven”
”She s have happened,” said Leonard rasped the priest's delicate hand ”You are a true gentle of all this and I suspected you As for thefor , she dislikes me, and I do not wonder at it: most women would under the circumstances But whatever befalls, I honour you and always shall honour you I o this journey, it is laid onalso, more from perversity than for any other reason, I fancy So you are co too: well, ill do our best to protect her, both of us, and the future must look to itself”
”Thank you for your words,” Francisco answered gently, and turned away, understanding that Leonard thought hione, Leonard stood for a while led web in which he found hie and desperate enterprise Nor was this all, for about him were other coht be expected in connection with such a h they are frequent enough in the civilised life of men, were scarcely to be looked for in the wilds of Africa, and a his companions were his ward, who chanced also to be the lady whoht, cared nothing for him; and a priest as enamoured platonically of the sa about her union with anotherthe journey and the fabled treasure out of it; only then the scene should be laid elsewhere
Leonard laughed aloud as he thought of these things; it was so curious that all this should be heaped upon hireat events are frequently crowded together without sense of distance or proportion
But even as he laughed, he re matter for anybody concerned, unless it were Juanna Alas! already she was ht, less attainable Well, there it was, he accepted it as it stood She had entered into his life, whether for good or for evil remained to be seen He had no desire to repeat the experiment of his youth--to wear out his heart and exhaust hiht after all turn to ood on his lips This tis should take their chance The business of life remained to him, and he would follow it, for that is the mission of ift of Heaven, after which it is useless to seek and to strive
Meantime he could find time to pity Francisco, the priest with so noble a heart
CHAPTER XVIII
SOA SHOWS HER TEETH
Three months had passed since that day, when Juanna declared her unalterable determination to accompany Leonard upon his search for the treasures of the People of the Mist