Pagina 153 de 1118

These words spread an indignant glow over the face of the father;

but swallowing them as a bitter medicine, he resumed: "You do not

believe that I am such; you feel in your heart that I am here on

no vile or contemptible errand. Listen to me, Signor Don

Roderick; and Heaven grant that the day may never arrive, when

you shall repent of not having listened to me! Listen to me, and

perform this deed of justice and benevolence. Men will esteem

you! God will esteem you! you have much in your power, but--"

"Do you know," again interrupted Don Roderick with warmth, but

with something like remorse, "that when the whim takes me to hear

a sermon, I can go to church? But, perhaps," continued he, with a

forced smile of mockery, "you are putting regal dignity on me,

and giving me a preacher in my own palace."

"And to God princes are responsible for the reception of his

messages; to God you are responsible; he now sends into your

palace a message by one of his ministers, the most unworthy--"