human
Do you bring me any news, holy Father? said the Marchioness, as the Jesuit was ushered into the apartment in which she was seated; and her attendants, at a sign from her, had withdrawn.
gpt
Will the King revoke the sentence of banishment pronounced against that pious saint and holy father, Malagrida; or must we still be deprived of his righteous counsels and exhortations?
human
Alas, lady! the heart of the King is still hardened, I fear through the evil advice of that incarnation of the prince of sin, answered the Priest.
gpt
He has not only not revoked the sentence, but is planning fresh aggressions against our Church and holy religion. Before long, if such unheard-of wickedness is not put a stop to, we shall become a nation of atheists and heretics.
human
The words of the sainted Malagrida will come too true, exclaimed the Marchioness:
gpt
Heaven forbid that I should say so, said Father Jacinto.
human
He is the Lord's anointed, and the heritage of this kingdom is his. My brother Malagrida cannot counsel aught that is wrong; but I would first use milder means. I would seek to turn his heart from wickedness, and lead him to the path of righteousness.
gpt
Has not that been tried, Father, and found to fail? exclaimed the proud Marchioness, impatiently.
human
Has he not refused to listen to the words of our religion, and banished from his presence those who are alone able to teach them to him? By what other means, then, can you hope to work his conversion?
gpt
By the gentle influence of your sex, lady, may that happy end be accomplished. The King loves your daughter-in-law, Donna Theresa, with the most ardent passion; but she is cold and indifferent to him, and faithful to her husband. By her means might his heart be turned to religion, if she would exert her power over him. This she will not do while she fears the censure of the world, who, misinterpreting her conduct, will deem her guilty of infidelity to her husband, while she is innocent of any crime.
human
What, Father, you would not ask my daughter-in-law to dishonour the proud name she bears!
gpt
Heaven forbid, interrupted the Jesuit.
human
I would ask her to do only that which is right. She possesses the means of gaining power to forward a holy cause, and I would counsel her to exert it. But, lady, of her own accord she will not do so; her youth and timidity, her fear of offending you and her husband, prevent her from encouraging the advances of the King. Were you, on the contrary, to sanction her holy efforts to enchain him completely, her scruples would cease; and the censorious world would then be convinced that she was guiltless of dishonouring her noble husband, your son, and that she received the visits of the King through that pure friendship which draws persons of similarity of tastes and disposition together.
gpt
I comprehend your reasons, Father, and pardon me that I should for a moment have misunderstood your expressions. I will see Theresa, and persuade her no longer to treat the King so coldly. I was aware that he had visited her; but my son is still ignorant of the fact, and it will be better not to inform him of it yet; he is young and passionate, and might not understand our motives.
human
Your caution is advisable, lady, said the Jesuit.
gpt
It is a wise plan never to communicate our intentions to more persons than is necessary; and I would advise you to speak on this subject to no one else.
human
I will follow your counsel, Father, answered the Marchioness.
gpt
But tell me, should Theresa not succeed in turning the King from his evil course, and, should he still persist in persecuting the servants of the Church, what means must we then pursue?
human
Any will be justifiable, responded the Priest.
gpt
Events are in the womb of time, and, according as they appear, so must we guide their course.