The Lieutenant returned much sooner than I had expected. He had been informed that His Excellency was closeted with Father Rocus, and could see no callers. This he took as an unfavorable indication of Salcedo's temper, until I assured him I had reason to believe that the padre was a friend and had called on the Governor-General in our behalf. The confirmation6 came during the afternoon in the form of a polite message, brought by Walker, requesting Pike to call at the palacio that evening without ceremony.
When he returned, it was with the news that all was settled except as to myself. The papers of the expedition were to be held, but Pike and the six men with him were to march for Natchitoches in three or four days, to be followed shortly by the detachment under Sergeant8 Meek9, which all this time had been carefully held back somewhere on the El Paso road. The Lieutenant was inclined to be anxious over my fate, but I could not but trust to the good offices of Father Rocus.
He met the padre at Salcedo's table the following noon, and answered in his usual fearless manner the adroit10 questions put to him by His Reverence11. This, I believe, must have proved the last straw to the Governor-General, for that evening, while we were visiting Malgares, Walker brought word that I was free to accompany Pike. In his excitement, he spoke12 of the padre's cleverness in mollifying His Excellency over the death of Medina, but Malgares averted13 a disclosure of my share in the affair by the laconic14 statement to Pike that he had killed the aide during a duel15.
Such a happy termination of the affair would have given me great satisfaction had I not been distressed16 over my failure to hear a word either of or from Alisanda. Even Doña Dolores was still refused admittance to her.
This was on a Sunday. Monday we spent in our preparations for marching. I had need of all the diversion I could find, to keep down the maddening thought that I should have to go without seeing my lady. In my despair I called upon Father Rocus, who counselled patience, and promised to do what he could to obtain for me a last meeting. But he warned me that even should he succeed, I could expect to see her only in the presence of the family. I begged him to give me some hope for the future. But he shook his head.
"Sabe Dios!—Quien sabe?" he said. "All that I can now say is that, if she cannot follow you to your free republic, she will take the veil."
"No!" I cried. "I cannot give her up!"
"You can if you must, my son. There are few mortals who at some time during their lives do not have to bear a heavy cross. If this one is laid upon your shoulders, you will bear it with manly17 strength. But there is still a hope for you. I shall advise with her before you pay your farewell call at Señor Vallois's. If there seems a way of escape, you will receive a message either from her or from myself."
I thanked the good padre, and left him, my heart in a tumult18 between fondest hope and blackest despair.
In the morning, which was that of the twenty-eighth of April, the day set for us to march, we visited about the city to say farewell to all our friends. But when we came to Don Pedro's I informed the Lieutenant that I wished him to make only a brief call and then go without me. Malgares, who was to march in charge of our escort, and with whom we had called upon the weeping Doña Dolores, assented19 to my request no less heartily20 than did Pike.
As I had expected, Don Pedro and Doña Marguerite received us with the utmost cordiality—but alone. In the midst of our call Father Rocus entered in a casual manner, but, unlike the Vallois, he greeted us with a marked coolness. I was seized with the dreadful suspicion that he had all along been playing double with me. Yet there was the memory of that meeting at the Parroquia to shame my doubt.
Before I could calm my thoughts, Pike and Malgares rose to leave. I followed them slowly to the door, then suddenly turned back and bent21 upon one knee to take the hand of Doña Marguerite.
"Señora," I begged, "for the love of God, give me a last word with her! I am going away all those thousands of miles—I fear I shall never again see her—have pity upon me! One word, señora!"
"Ave Maria purisima!" she murmured, bowing her head and sighing.
I had touched her heart. Another plea might have persuaded her. But Don Pedro came hastening back, his face as cold and hard as a stone.
"Your friends will be delayed, Señor Robinson," he said.
"Señor," I replied, rising to face him, "at the least have the justice to hear me out. You know that I love your niece with my whole heart and body and soul. You know that she loves me with a love that will last as long as life itself. Our love was born the first time we looked into each other's eyes; since then our love has never wavered. It drew me to her over deserts and mountains, through wildernesses22 before known only to the red savages23; it forced me to face singly the soldiers and prisons and garrottes of your tyrannical rulers. I know now that I cannot hope for you to turn from your cruel purpose. Yet for the sake of the friendship you once professed24 to bear me and for the sake of her love, give me at least a moment's farewell—a word of parting!"
Despite the desperate earnestness of my plea, he stood throughout without a trace of relentment in his cold face. But Doña Marguerite was a woman, and I had spoken from the depths of my heart.
"Santisima Virgen!" she cried. "It is only for a last moment's adieu!—Padre! padre, advise us!"
My heart gave a leap of wild hope as I saw Don Pedro look about at the padre with respectful attention.
"It is a hard question to decide, my children," deliberated Father Rocus. "It may well cause her more sorrow than relief. And yet—and yet—"
He paused and seemed to sink into prayerful meditation25. Don Pedro and Doña Marguerite bowed their heads and murmured "Ave!" I stood waiting, in a tremendous stress of doubt and joy, of hope and despair. At last the padre raised his head, and pronounced his opinion: "As her guardian26, Don Pedro, yours is the decision. Yet as her confessor, I advise, for the good of her soul, that you do not deprive her of this last consolation27. Even the meekest28 will rebel if pressed too hard, and she has a high spirit."
"Since you advise it, padre," acquiesced29 Don Pedro, though with evident reluctance30. "For the good of her soul, they may say adieu. But it must be here, in our presence."
Doña Marguerite hastened to pull the bell-cord. Chita appeared.
"Prepare your mistress to say adieu to Señor Robinson."
Chita darted31 away. We waited, I burning with impatience32, the others murmuring prayers. At last my sweet lady appeared in the curtained doorway33. Though she sought to smile, her face was wan34 and sad, and her beautiful eyes heavy as if she had wept much and slept little. Had not Doña Marguerite taken the precaution to lay a restraining hand on my wrist, I should have rushed forward and clasped the poor oppressed darling in my arms.
We were permitted to approach each other. I bent on one knee and pressed my lips to the little white hand she gave me. The others watched our every movement and listened for every word. Yet I could not restrain myself from speaking out the love with which my heart overflowed35.
"Dearest one!" I murmured, "it seems that we must now part—it may be forever! I do not see how I can bear to lose you, my darling. But, as the good padre says, we all have our crosses, and it may be that strength will be given to me to endure. Yet most of all my heart aches for your grief, Alisanda. God grant you surcease of sorrow!"
My voice failed me. I heard Doña Marguerite sob36. But Alisanda neither wept nor sobbed37. She gazed upward, with a spiritual glow in her dark eyes.
"God will do unto us according to His holy will!" she said.
"Ave Maria de los Dolores!" sobbed Doña Marguerite.
Alisanda looked down at me with the gaze which opened to me those fathomless38 wells of mystery.
"Juan," she said, "they tell me we can never wed7. If such be the will of God, we must submit. But—" She held up the gold crucifix of the rosary which hung about her neck—"by la vera cruz I vow39 to you, beloved, I will wed none other mortal than yourself. If I may not be your bride, I will become the bride of Christ!"
"Caramba!" swore Don Pedro. "Recall that vow! I command you!"
"God has heard it!" she answered.
"The vow is registered in heaven," confirmed Father Rocus.
"Absolve40 her!" demanded the don, fairly beside himself with chagrin41 at this sudden turn that threatened to frustrate42 all his designs.
"Satanas!" cried Don Pedro, turning upon me in a rage. "But for you, she would not have vowed44! Go!—"
"Nada!" I rejoined. "You said I could bid her farewell. I hold you to your word as a gentleman."
He turned on his heel, and strode over to stand beside Father Rocus, doubtless fearful that he could not otherwise restrain himself from attacking me.
"Be quick!" urged Doña Marguerite.
Alisanda took the rosary from about her white throat and held it out to me. Her voice kept to the same clear, brave note: "Adieu, my Juan! We part. You are not a Christian45, I know, yet as a sign for the guidance of your faith, I give you this golden symbol—la vera cruz!"
As her dear hand placed the cross in my palm, my love and despair burst all bounds. Forgetful of all else, I caught her to me and pressed my lips to hers in passionate46 grief. But in a moment she was torn from me by Don Pedro, who carried her off, half fainting, from the room. I would have followed had not Doña Marguerite and Father Rocus clung to me on either side and implored47 me to leave before the return of Don Pedro.
Half stupefied with despair, I permitted them to lead me to the stairway, where Doña Marguerite sobbed out an "Adios!" and turned back. The padre hurried me down the stairway and out into the street, where, after a hasty benediction48, he hastened back to pacify49 the violence of Don Pedro.
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1
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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3
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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scorpion
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| n.蝎子，心黑的人，蝎子鞭 | |
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6
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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7
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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8
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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10
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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11
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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12
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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13
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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14
laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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15
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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18
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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19
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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21
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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22
wildernesses
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| 荒野( wilderness的名词复数 )； 沙漠； （政治家）在野； 不再当政（或掌权） | |
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23
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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meekest
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| adj.温顺的，驯服的( meek的最高级 ) | |
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29
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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31
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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32
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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33
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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34
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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35
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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36
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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37
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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38
fathomless
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| a.深不可测的 | |
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39
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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40
absolve
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| v.赦免，解除（责任等） | |
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41
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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42
frustrate
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| v.使失望；使沮丧；使厌烦 | |
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43
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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44
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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45
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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46
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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47
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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49
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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