human
Father, I have come at your command, he said,
gpt
It is well, Alfonzo. What news do you bring me?
human
I have naught but the worst to reveal,
gpt
Speak it without fear: no one can here listen to your words, exclaimed the Father.
human
Stay, we will examine well the neighbouring bushes, to see that no lurking spy is there concealed.
gpt
Now, speak,
human
I have long watched for an opportunity to ascertain what you desired, began the stranger.
gpt
Yesterday, while the Minister was absent, I opened his bureau with the key you gave me. With trembling hands I searched each paper, and from all of importance I have made notes. At last I came to one roughly drawn out in Carvalho's writing: it was a plan to be submitted to the King for abolishing your whole order throughout the kingdom. He proposes to implicate you in some act of rebellion, or some illegal practice; then to surround your colleges, and to embark all who are professed, on board vessels for the coast of Italy, banishing you for ever from Portugal. He advises the King to allow no delay in executing his plan; for that every day you are increasing in power and malevolence, and that you will in time sap the very foundation of his throne.
human
Ah! thinks he so?--he shall find that he is not mistaken! exclaimed the Jesuit, with greater vehemence than he had ever before given way to.
gpt
No time must then be lost in putting our plot into execution, and we will try the success of both. Alfonzo, you have acted well, and will meet with the approbation of our general. You will, when you profess, rise rapidly to the highest rank in our order, and will become one of its brightest ornaments.
human
I merit no praise, returned the young neophyte, for such the Father declared him to be.
gpt
I have but done my duty.
human
You might yet win far greater praise, said the Father, scarce noticing his answer.
gpt
It would be a noble thing to destroy the great enemy of our order. It would at once free us from all further fear of danger.
human
I understand not your words, Father,
gpt
I speak of Carvalho's death, answered the Jesuit, calmly.
human
It is said that the dagger of the assassin cannot reach him,--that often has his life been attempted, but each attempt has failed. What steel cannot accomplish, the poisoned chalice may.
gpt
What mean you, Father?
human
It is simple to understand, my son: now listen calmly, returned the Jesuit, in a voice calculated to soothe his listener's fears.
gpt
It is a law, founded on nature and on justice, that we have a right to defend our lives and properties, at every cost, against those who would deprive us of either. No one would scruple to strike the assassin dead who would take our life, or the robber who would steal our purse: then can it be a sin to destroy the man who would blast our name, who would deprive us of our lawful power, and drive us forth to beggary and to death? Can Heaven blame us that we seek to deprive him of life who would thus treat us? No, my son; be assured that the death of that man of crime would be an acceptable sacrifice to the Ruler of the Universe.
human
Listen, Alfonzo, continued the Master.
gpt
You have determined to become the follower of the great Loyola: you seek by that means to gain power and influence among the men you have learned to despise. The way is open to you to follow if you will; but while Carvalho lives, our order in Portugal can never flourish. In him we have the most inveterate and deceitful foe we have ever known. He must die, or we shall meet a certain destruction. Hear me, Alfonzo: I speak not to a weak and trembling child, but to a man who has boldly dared, and successfully performed, and who will yet do more!
human
Take this parcel, he continued.
gpt
It contains a powder, which, when mixed with a glass of water, will not dim its crystal purity. Its effects are deadly, but slow, and no antidote has power to act against it; nor will the most clever physician be able to detect its workings on the human frame. Watch your opportunity, and mix it with the first beverage you see prepared for him; but beware no one else tastes of it, nor do you lose sight of it till he has drunk it to the dregs. Now then will our mighty tyrant have become a thing to loathe!
human
Father! exclaimed the young man, in a scarcely articulate voice,
gpt
I have ever obeyed your commands to the utmost; I have acted a part from which my heart revolts; I have betrayed the man who has confided in me,--but I cannot become a murderer. I could not live, and see the man who has taught me to admire and love him writhing in agony, and know that it was the effect of my foul act. In mercy take back the deadly powder.
human
Alfonzo, I expected not a like answer from you, replied the Priest, quietly taking back the paper.
gpt
I trusted that you had been taught to rise above the common and false prejudices of the world,--that you had bravely conquered the weak feelings of human nature, and were each day advancing in qualifying yourself to become a professed member of our order; but I see, alas! that I was mistaken, and that you are still held back by weak bonds, which a bold man would long ere this have broken through.
human
Spare me, Father, spare me a task I cannot perform!
gpt
Alfonzo, he answered,
human
Such, then, be my fate; I cannot murder,
gpt
Have I not told you that self-defence is not murder? returned the Jesuit.
human
On my head be the sin, if sin there be. Take your choice. If you still determine to follow our banner, obey my orders; if you seek to continue as a layman, and would gratify your passion by wedding the daughter of Carvalho, take this paper--'tis not you that give its contents, 'tis I--and no crime can be laid to your charge. 'Tis the shedding of blood alone against which the Scripture speaks. While Carvalho lives the fair girl can never be yours; if he dies, you may find means to win her; but if you pertinaciously refuse to follow my counsels, no power can avert your destruction.
gpt
Give me the fatal powder, exclaimed the youth, in a faltering voice.
human
I will not pledge myself to administer it, but I will act as circumstances demand. You, Father, shall not have cause to taunt me with my faltering purpose.
gpt
Spoken like one worthy to belong to our holy order, said the Jesuit.
human
Take the paper, and preserve it carefully. Meet me here to-morrow, if possible, at the same hour, and bring me all further information you can collect. Falter not in your purpose, my son, and let the high destiny which awaits you be an encouragement to perseverance in the holy course you have chosen.
gpt
Alfonzo, he continued,
human
I know full well what is yet passing in your mind. You hope to escape the performance of your promise. Remember, I speak in kindness, but I warn you. An ever watchful eye notes your every action, ay, and reads your inmost heart; and should you harbour, even for a moment, a thought of treachery, an awful doom will be yours, far more terrible than any the Minister, in his most savage mood, can devise.
gpt
I know it, I know it, exclaimed the aspirant,
human
The more glory in the performance, my son, returned the Father.
gpt
Now go, I have detained you too long already. Farewell, and the blessing of Heaven attend your enterprise.