Pagina 151 de 1118

There were no means more certain to impart courage to Father

Christopher than arrogance or pride. He had stood for a moment in

some embarrassment, passing through his fingers the beads of the

rosary that hung suspended from his girdle; but he soon "resumed

new courage, and revived," at the haughty air of Don Roderick. He

had, however, sufficient command over himself to reply with

caution and humility. "I come to supplicate you to perform an act

of justice: some wicked persons have, in the name of your

lordship, frightened a poor curate, and have endeavoured to

prevent his fulfilling his duty towards an innocent and

unoffending couple. You can by a word confound their

machinations, and impart consolation to the afflicted. You

can-and having it in your power-conscience, honour--"

"Speak to me of conscience, when I ask your advice on the

subject; and as to my honour, know that I only am the guardian of

it, and that whoever dares to meddle with it is a rash man."