human
Depend on it, senhor, the peaceful serenity of a monastic life is the most happy lot a female can enjoy in this vale of tears; there, free from the cares and disappointments which her sisters in adversity are doomed to suffer, she spends her days in prayers and thanksgivings, in anxious expectation of the arrival of her heavenly Bridegroom.
gpt
Your arguments are very powerful, Senhor Padre, returned his companion;
human
Such ideas are but the instigations of the evil one, jealous that an immortal soul should be lost to him for ever, answered the Priest.
gpt
Trust not to any feelings which war against the spirit on the side of the flesh. No human mind can conceive the dark machinations which the father of sin employs to drag forth a chosen child from the bosom of our holy Church, except we, who in our avocations study his works, and are prepared to repel him with the arms of our faith.
human
You doubtless speak words of truth and wisdom, said the gentleman;
gpt
Let that be my care, returned the Priest, frowning darkly.
human
I will prepare her gentle soul for the happy change. But have you never, then, informed her of her mother's dying wish, delivered to me after she had received extreme unction at my hands, that her daughter should be dedicated to the service of the Church?
gpt
I confess, Father, that I have hesitated to speak to her on the subject, fearful of throwing a gloom over the bright and elastic spirits of her youth,
human
Know you not, that the sooner the wings of a young bird are clipped, the less will it wish to fly; and therein have you done wrong; but clearly do I perceive the work of Satan again, in this seeking to ruin your soul, and that of your daughter. Ah! he is even now riding near you, plotting deeds of darkness. Get thee gone, thou spirit of evil! he exclaimed with vehemence, making the sign of the cross.
gpt
Avaunt thee, Sathanas! Fear him no longer, my son; he has flown off to the regions of iniquity, from whence he came.
human
With you by my side, I fear not the evil spirit, answered the Fidalgo, though the expression of his countenance belied his words;
gpt
With all these arrangements I was perfectly acquainted, said the Priest, in a calm tone;
human
Father, you press me hard, exclaimed the Fidalgo, in a tone of voice which showed that his feelings were galled; and his ghostly confessor saw that he might be going too far.
gpt
I seek to do what is best for the honour of my family, for my daughter's happiness, and for the repose of the soul of my departed wife; what more would you have me do?
human
It is enough, returned the Priest;
gpt
I promise so to do, holy Father, if thus her sainted mother vowed her to the Church, exclaimed the Fidalgo;
human
I seek alone the good of her precious soul,