human
I trust that you are one of those making a change for the better, Senhor Padre, said Luis;
gpt
I am glad to find that you do not forget your old friends, as I was at first afraid you were going to do, returned the Friar.
human
With regard to my costume, you belie it, to say that it is not suited to the character of an honest man; for let me assure you, that, doubt it as you may, I have turned honest; and where can you find a more honourable dress than that of a soldier?
gpt
Yet, such is surely not suited to your character as a friar,
human
Why not? may I not belong to the church militant, returned Fre Lopez.
gpt
However, to confess the truth, I have my friar's robes carefully wrapped up in my valise behind me, and I intend before long to don them for ever; for I am growing weary of the fatigues and dangers of the wild life I have led, and pine for the quiet and security of the cloister. Yet, let me assure you that it was for your sake I assumed my present disguise. I heard that you were about to travel this way, and, knowing that the roads were very far from safe, on account of the number of thieves who have been frightened out of Lisbon, I thought it my duty to accompany you, to prevent your suffering from them.
human
Many thanks for your attention; but are you not afraid of being apprehended yourself as a suspicious character? You heard that the Minister has issued an order to the corregidors of all the towns in the south, to stop every one who has no pass from him, in case they should be carrying off any property stolen from the city.
gpt
Oh yes, senhor, I heard of the order, and am provided with a pass, if necessary; but I should think it would not be asked for in such worshipful company as yours.
human
Then you had some other motive in favouring me with your company?
gpt
People generally have more than one motive for their good actions, returned the Friar.
human
Now, if I, being a rogue, preserve you from the rogues, you, in return, being an honest man, are bound to preserve me from the fangs of the law; therefore, the obligation is mutual, and I have the satisfaction of performing a good action, and receiving a service from you besides. Don't think I am the less honest on that account. I tell you my motives, whereas another man would keep them secret, or, at all events, give you only one of them; but I scorn such hypocrisy.
gpt
You are honest,
human
You flatter me, senhor, interrupted the Friar.
gpt
It is the first time, for many a long year past, that I have been told so; and I will endeavour to merit the good opinion you have formed of me.
human
I shall be indeed glad to hear that you have foresworn the very suspicious companions with whom I have so frequently met you,
gpt
I have already bidden farewell to most of them. There they hang, like fruit on the trees, thanks to the mild clemency of the Minister! As the Friar spoke, he pointed towards Lisbon.
human
I am glad enough to get beyond the sight of those ghastly corpses. Ah, senhor! it is a dreadful thing to hang people up in that way; and many an innocent man is among them. Thank Heaven, I have not such deeds on my conscience! That reminds me, senhor, that I have gained some information which may assist you in discovering what you spoke to me about. I was speaking to one of those poor fellows the night before he was caught and hung,--and, by-the-bye, he no more deserved hanging than I do!--he told me that he had been employed, some time ago, in carrying a young fidalgo, who had been wounded in a night-fray, to a house in the outskirts of Lisbon; but that he could not exactly tell where it was, and who was the person. He had been hired by Rodrigo, who did not mention the name of their employer. The poor fellow was to have accompanied me the next day to try and find out the house, but he was hung instead. Ah! I am a great enemy to the system of hanging.