IrestedJuanLepeinthehouseholdofDonEnriquedeCerda,onefigureamongmany,involvedintheswarmoffightingandservingmen.Therewasasquirewhohadservedhimlong.Tothisman,DiegoLopez,Iwascommitted,withenoughtoldtoenlisthisintelligence.HemanagedformeintheintricatelifeoftheplacewithaskilltomakegodMercuryapplaud.DonEnriqueandIwererarelytogether,rarelywereseenbymentospeakonetotheother.
　　Butintheinnerworldweweretogether.
　　Dayspassed.WefoundnothingyettodowhilealllisteninganddoingatSantaFewereboundupinthecrum-
　　blingofGranadaintoSpanishhands.Itseemedbesttowait,watchingchances.
　　Meantimetheshowglittered,andman'sstrongstomachcried``Life!Morelife!''ItglitteredatSantaFebeforeGranada,anditwasadyingemberinGranadabeforeSantaFe.Theoneglitteredandtriumphedbecausetheotherglitteredandtriumphednot.AndwhoaboveheldthebalancesevenandneithersorrowednorwasfeverishlyelatedbutwenthisownwaycouldonlybeseenfromtheVegalikeadreamoralinefromapoet.
　　ForthemostpartthenoblesandcavaliersinSantaFespentasthoughhardgoldwerespiritualgoldtobegatheredendlessly.Onemightsay,``Theygointoagardenandshaketreeeachmorning,whichtreeputsforthagaininthenight.''NoneseemedtoseeasonamaplaiddownSpainandthebrokenpeasantandthediggerofthegold.Noneseemedtofeelthattoilwhichorsoonorlatetheymustrecognizefortheirowntoil.ToilinSpain,toilinotherandfarlandswhencecametheirrichthings,toilinEurope,ArabiaandIndia!ApparelatSantaFewasathingtomarvelat.Thesteednolessthanhisriderwentgorgeous.
　　TheKingandQueen,itwassaid,didnotlikethispeacocking,butmightnothelpit.
　　TheythemselveswerepouringgoldintothelapoftheChurch.Itwasacapaciouslap.
　　Warsweregeneralenough,Godknew!Butnoteveryyearcouldonefindacampwherethefriarwasascommonasthearcherorthepikeman,andtheprelateastheplumedchieftain.
　　SantaFewascourtnolessthancamp,courtalmostasthoughitwereCordova.ThisQueenandKingatleastdidnotliveateaseinpalaceswhileothersfoughttheirwars.
　　North,south,eastandwest,throughthetenyears,theyhadbeenthemovingsprings.ItwasanableKingandQueen,apoliticKingandasincereandgodlyQueen,evenalovingQueen.Ifonly——ifonly——
　　IhadbeenaweekandmoreinSantaFewhenKingBoab-
　　dilsurrenderedGranada.HeleftforevertheAlhambra.
　　Granadagatesopened;herodeoutwithafewofhisemirsandservantstomeetKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella.
　　Thedayshonebright.Spaintowered,afiguredressedingoldandred.
　　SantaFepouredouttoviewthespectacle,andwiththerestwentDiegoLopezandJuanLepe.Sogreatfestival,sovividthecolor,soechoingthesound,sostatelyandvariousthemovement!LookingatthegreatstrengthmassingthereontheplainIsaidaloud,asIthought,toDiegoLopez,``Nowtheymightdosomeworthygreatthing!''
　　Thesquirenotanswering,Ibecameawarethataswirlinthethronghadpushedhimfromme.Stilltherecameananswerinadeepandpeculiarlythrillingvoice.``Thatisatruesayingandagoodaugury!''
　　IlearnmuchbyvoicesandbeforeIturnedIknewthatthiswasanenthusiast'svoice,butnotanenthusiastwithoutknowledge.Whoeverspokewasstrongenough,realenough.
　　Ilikedthevoiceandfeltacertaininnermovementoffriendship.
　　Someshiftamongthegreatactors,somepartingofbanners,keptussuspendedandstaringforamoment,thentheviewclosedagainstuswhocouldonlybeholdbysnatches.
　　Freed,Iturnedtoseewhohadspokenandfoundatall,stronglymade,white-hairedman.Thesilverhairwastoosoon;hecouldhardlyhavebeentenyearsmyelder.Hehadalong,fairfacethatmightoncehavebeentannedandhardenedbygreatexposure.Hisskinhadthatlook,butnowthebronzewasfaded,andyoucouldseethathehadbeenbornveryfairintint.Acrossthehighnoseandcheekboneswentapowderingoffreckles.Hiseyeswerebluish-grayandIsawatoncethathehabituallylookedatthingsafaroff.
　　HewasratherpoorlydressedandpushedaboutasIwas.
　　Whenthesurgeagaingavehimfooting,hespokebesideme.
　　```Nowthatthisisover,theymightdosomegreat,worthything!'Verytrue,friend,theymight!Itakeyourwordsforgoodomen.''Thethrongshotoutanarmandwewereparted.ThesameactionbroughtbacktomeDiegoLopez.
　　Speakingtohimlaterofthetallman,hesaidthathehadnoticedhim,andthatitwastheItalianwhowouldgotoIndiabywayofOcean-Sea.
　　KingBoabdilgaveuphiscitytoKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella.OverGranada,highagainstthebrightsky,roseandfloatedthebanners.Cannon,thebiglombards,roared.Mars'musiccrashedout,thenthetrumpetsceasedtheircryingandinsteadspreadamightychanting._TeDeumLaudamus!_
　　Atlastthemassedbrightnessoutintheplainquiveredandparted.Thepageantrybroke,widecurvingandreturningwithsomefreedombutwithordertoo,intoSantaFe.
　　IsawtheQueenandtheKingwiththeirchildren,andtheGrandCardinal,andprelatesandprelates,andtheMarquisofCadiz,andmanyagrandeeandfamousknight.DonEnriquedeCerdaandhistroopcameby.
　　DiegoLopezandIreturnedtothetown.IsawagainthemanwhowouldfindIndiabyawayunpassed,asfarasoneknew,sincetheworldbegan!Hewasenteringahousewithafriarbesidehim.SomethingcameintomymindoftheconventofLaRabida.
　　CHAPTERV
　　SOMEdayswentby.TheKingandtheQueenwiththecourtandagreattrainofprelatesandgrandeesandknightsrodeinstatethroughGranada.DonEnrique,returning,toldmeofitinhisroomatnight,oftheChristianserviceinthemosqueandthethroningintheAlhambra.
　　``Now,''hesaid,``aftergreataffairs,ouraffairs!IhavehadspeechwiththeMarchionessofMoya.''
　　``ThatistheQueen'sfriend?''
　　``Yes.DonaBeatrixdeBoabdilla.Westoodtogetherbyafountain,andwhenshesaid,`WhatcanIdoforyou?'
　　Ianswered,`Thereissomething.'Thenwhileallwentinpageantrybeforeus,Itoldherofthehermitageintheoakwoodandoftheunhappysmalltower,andofyouandmeandthoseothers,andwhatwasdonethatday.DonJayme,Itolditlikeaminstrelwhobelieveswhathesings!AndthenIspokeofto-day.Sheisnopunysoul,norissheinpriest'sgrip.Sheactsfromherownvision,notfromthatofanother.TheQueenisnoweaksouleither!Shealsohasvision,buttoooftensheletsthechurchmentakehervisionfromher.ButDonaBeatrixisstrongerthere.
　　Well,shepromiseshelpifwecanshowherhowtohelp.''
　　Isaid,``Ihavebeenthinking.Itseemstomethatitwaswrongtocomehereandputmyweightuponyou.''
　　``No!''heanswered.``Didwenotswearthen,whenwewereyoungmen?Andweneedednooathsneither.
　　Letsuchthoughtsbe——Iamgoingtothepalaceto-morrow,andyouwithme.TheKingandtheQueenridewithagreattrainintoGranada.ButDonaBeatrixwillexcuseherselffromgoing.Thepalacewillbealmostempty,andweshallfindherinthelittlegalleryabovetheQueen'sgarden.''
　　Thenextmorningwewentthere,DonEnriquedeCerdaandhissquire,JuanLepe.Thepalacerosegreatandgoodlyenough,withthechurchathand.Allhadbeenbuiltasbymagic,silkenpavilionsflyingawayandstouthousessettlingthemselvesdown.SunkamongthewallshadbeenmanagedasmallgardenfortheQueenandherladies.A
　　narrow,latticedandroofedgallerybuiltwithouttheQueen'sroomslookeddownuponorangeandmyrtletreesandafountain.HerewefoundtheMarchionessdeMoya,withhertwowaitingdamselswhomshesetbythegallerydoor.
　　DonEnriquekissedherhandandthenmotionedtome.
　　DonJaymedeMarchenamadehisreverence.
　　Shewasastrongwomanwhowouldgodirectlytotheheartofthings.Alwaysshewouldlearnfromthemanhimself.SheaskedmethisandIanswered;thatandtheotherandIanswered.``DonPedro——?''Itoldtheenmitythereandthereasonforit.``TheJewishrabbi,mygreat-grandfather?''Iavowedit,butbythreeCastilianandChristiangreat-grandfatherscouldnotbecountedasJew!PractiseJudaism?No.MygrandmotherJudithhadbeenChristian.
　　Shedrovetotheheartofit.``YouyourselfareChristian.
　　Whatdoyoumeanbythat?WhattheQueenmeans?
　　WhattheGrandCardinalandtheArchbishopofGranadameans?WhattheHolyOfficemeans?''
　　Ikeptsilenceforamoment,thenItoldheraswellasI
　　might,withoutfeverandwithoutmelancholy,whatIhadwrittenandoftheDominican.
　　``Youhavebeen,''shesaid,``animprudentcavalier.''
　　Thefountainflashedbelowus,agraydoveflewovergarden.Isaid,``Thereisatext,`Withallthygetting,getunderstanding.'Thereisanother,`ForGodsolovedtheworld'——thatHewishedtoimpartunderstanding.''
　　Shesatquiet,seemingtolistentothefountain.Thenshesaid,``AreyoureadytoavowwhentheyaskyouthatineveryparticulartowhichtheGrandInquisitormaypointyouarewrong,andthatallthatHolyChurchthroughmouthofHolyOfficesaysisright?''
　　Isaid,``No,Madam!PresentChurchisnotaslargeasTruth,norasfairasBeauty.''
　　``Youmaythinkthat,butwillyousaytheother?''
　　``SaythatchurchorkingdomexactlymatchesTruthandBeauty?''
　　``ThatiswhatIamsureyouwillhavetosay.''
　　``Then,no!''
　　``Idonotsee,''shesaid,``thatIcandoanythingforyou.''
　　Therewasachairbesideher.Shesatdown,herchinonherhandandhereyeslowered.Silenceheldsaveforthefountainplashing.DonEnriquestoodbytherailing,andJaymedeMarchenafelthisconcern.Buthehimselfwalkedjustthen——DonJaymeorJuanLepe——intolongpatience,intogreatersteadfastness.Intotheinnerfieldscametranslucence,goldlight;cameandfaded,butleftstrength.
　　DonaBeatrixraisedhereyesandletthemdwelluponme.``Spainbreedsboldknights,''shesaid,``butnotsomanyafterallwhoareboldwithin!Notsomany,Ithink,asarefoundinItalyorinFrance.''Shepausedamoment,lookingattheskyabovetheroofs,thencamebacktome.
　　``Itishopeless,andyoumustseeit,totalkinthosetermstotheonlypowersthatcanleadtheHolyOfficetoforgetthatyoulive!ItishopelesstotalktotheQueen,tellingherthat.Shewouldholdthatshehadentertainedheresy,andherimaginationwouldnotletheralone.Iseenaughtinthisworldforyoutodobuttogooutofitintoanother!
　　Thereareotherlands——''
　　Adamselhurriedtoherfromthedoor.``There'sastirbelow,Madam!SomethinghasbroughttheQueenhomeearlierthanwethought——''
　　TheMarchionessdeMoyarose.DonEnriquekissedherhand,andJaymedeMarchenakisseditandthankedher.``I
　　wouldhelpifIcould!''shesaid.``ButinSpainto-dayitisdeadlydangeroustotalkorwriteasthoughtherewerefreedom!''
　　Shepassedfromthegallery,DonEnriqueandIfollowing.
　　Wecameuponalandingwithagreatstairbeforeus.
　　Quickashadbeenhermaidens,theywerenotquickenough.
　　Manyfolkwerecomingupthebroadsteps.DonaBeatrixglanced,thenopenedadoorgivingintoagreatroom,apparentlyempty.Shepointedtoanoppositedoor.``Thelittlestair!Gothatway!''DonEnriquenoddedcomprehension.
　　Wewereintheroom;thedoorclosed.
　　Atfirstitseemedanemptygreatchamber.Thenfrombehindasquareofstretchedclothcameaman'shead,followedbythefigurepertainingtoit.Thefullmanwascladafterarichfancyandheheldinhishandabrushandlookedatusatfirstdreamilyandthenwithkeenness.
　　Heknewme,differentlyarrayedthoughIwas,andlookedfrommetoDonEnrique.``MasterManuelRodriguez,''
　　saidthelatter,``IwouldstopforgoodtalkandtoadmiretheQueen'slikeness,butdutycallsmeoutofpalace!
　　Adios!''Hemadetowardthedooracrossfromthatbywhichwehadentered.Thepainterspokeafterus.``Thatdoorisbolted,DonEnrique,ontheotherside.Idonotknowwhy!Itisnotusuallyso.''
　　DonEnrique,turning,hurriedtothefirstdoorandveryslightlyopenedit.Ahummingenteredthelarge,quietroom.
　　Heclosedthedoor.``TheQueeniscomingupthegreatstair.TheArchbishopofGranadaiswithherandawholetrainbeside!''Hespoketothepainter.``Ihavenoaudience,andforreasonswouldnotchoosethismomentasoneinwhichtoencountertheleastdisfavor!Iwillstayherebeforeyourpictureandadmireuntillandingandstairwaysarebare.''
　　``Iftobeinvisibleisyourdesire,''answeredManuelRodriguez,``youhavewalkedintotrouble!TheQueeniscominghere.''
　　DonEnriqueexclaimed.JuanLepeturnedeyestothepainter.Theblueeyesmetmine——thererosetherushypool,theredozedthebrokenboat.ManuelRodriguezspokeinhisvoicethatwasatoncecoolandfineanddryandwarm.``Itisbesttodarethoroughly!PerhapsImayhelpyou——asthus!WishingtospeakwithDonEnriqueofanaltarpaintingfortheChurchofSaintDominic,I
　　askedhimhereandhecame.Wetalked,andhewillgivethepicture.Then,hearingtheQueen'sapproach,hewouldinstantlyhavebeengone,butalack,thesmalldoorisbarred!——
　　Asforfishermanyonder,fewlookatsquirewhenknightisinpresence!''
　　Notimetodebatehisoffer,whichindeedwasbothwiseandkind!Chamberlainsflungopenthedoor.IncametheQueen,withherthePrincessJuanaandseveralofherladies.BesideherwalkedFernandodeTalavera,HerHighness'sconfessor,yesterdayBishopofAvilabutnowArchbishopofGranada.Behindhimmovedtwolesserecclesiastics,andwiththeseDonAlonzodeQuintanella,Comptroller-
　　GeneralofCastile.Othersfollowed,noblesandcavaliers,twosoberlycladmenwholookedlikesecretaries,aFranciscanfriar,threeorfourpages.Theroomwaslargeandhadatablecoveredwitharichcloth,twogreatchairsandafewlesserones.
　　ThepainterandDonEnriquebentlowtotheMajestyofCastile.InthebackgroundJuanLepemadesquire'sobeisance.IwasbeardedandmyfacestainedwithaMoorishstain,andIwasinshadow;itwasidletofearrecognitionthatmightnevercome.TheQueenseatedherself,andherdaughterbesideher,andwithhergoodsmilemotionedtheArchbishoptoachair.Thetwoecclesiastics,bothvenerablemen,weregivenseats.Therestofthecompanystood.TheQueen'sblueeyesrestedonDonEnrique.
　　Shespokeinaclear,mildvoice,threadedwithdignity.
　　Wereyousummonedthither,DonEnriquedeCerda?''
　　Heanswered,``No,Highness!IcametothepalacetoseekMasterManuelRodriguezwhoistopaintformeanaltarpiecefortheChurchofSaintDominic.YouandtheKing,Madam,IthoughtwereinGranada.Notfindinghiminhisownlodging,Imadeboldtocomehere.Thenatonce!beforeIcouldhastenaway,youreturned!''
　　ThetruenatureofthisQueenwastothinknoevil.Hercountenanceremainedmild.Hehaddonevaliantservice,andshewassisterly-mindedtowardthegreaterpartoftheworld.Nowshesaidwithserenity,``Thereisnofault,DonEnrique.Staywithusnowthatyouarehere.''
　　Bowingdeeply,hejoinedabrother-in-arms,DonMigueldeSilva.Hissquirestoodintheshadowbehindhim,butfoundachance-leftlaneofvisiondownwhichmuchmightbeseen.
　　TheQueencomposedherself,inherchair.``Thisistheposition,MasterManuel?''Thefairman,sofineandquickthatIlovedtolookathim,bowedandsteppedbacktohiscanvas,wherehetookuphisbrushandfelltowork.TheQueenandtheArchbishopbegantospeakearnestlytogether.
　　WordsandsentencesfloatedtoJuanLepestandingbythearras.TheQueenmadethoughtfulpauses,lookingbeforeherwithsteadyblueeyesandasomewhatliftedface.I
　　notedthatwhenshedidthisManuelRodriguezpaintedfast.
　　Therefellapauseintheirtalk.Somethingdifferingfromthesubjectofdiscourse,whateverinitsfullnessthatmightbe,seemedtocomeintohermind.Shesentherglanceacrosstheroom.
　　``DonEnriquedeCerda——''
　　Thetonesummoned.Whenhewasbeforeher,``Itwasinmymind,''saidtheQueen,``tosendforyouwithinadayortwo.Butnowyouarehere,andthismomentwhileweawaittheKingisasgoodasanother.WehavehadlettersfromtheBishopofSevillewhomwereverence,andfromDonPedroEnriqueztowhomweowemuch.TheyhavetodowithJaymedeMarchenawhohaslongbeensuspectbytheHolyOffice.HehasfledSeville,gonenoneknowwhere!DonPedroinformsus,DonEnrique,thatyearsagothismanstoodamongyourfriends.Hedoesnotthinkitprobablethatthisisyetso——nordoI,DonEnrique,knowingthatyoumustholdinabhorrencetheheretic!''
　　Shelookedmildlyuponhim.``InyouthwemakechancefriendshipsthickasMay,butmanhoodweedsthegarden!
　　Andyetwethinkitpossiblethatthismanmayinhishearttradeonoldthingsandmakehiswaytoyouorsendyouappeal.''Shepaused,thensaidinaquietvoice,``Shouldthathappen,DonEnrique,onyourallegiance,andasagoodChristian,youwilldoallthatyoucantoputhiminthehandsoftheHolyOffice.''
　　Shewaitedwithherblueeyesuponhim.Hesaid,andsaidquietly,``Itwaslongago,Madam,whenIwasayoungmanandcareless.Iwilldoallthatliesinmetodo.ButSpainiswideandthereareshipstoAfricaandothershores.''
　　Shesaid,``Yes,IdonotseesuchanonedaringtocometoSantaFe!Buttheysaythattendemonspossessaheretic,andthathecrossesstreamsuponahairorwalksedgesofhighwalls.''
　　Withherringedhandshemadegestureofdismissal.Hebowedlowandsteppedbacktohisformerplace.
　　Thesunfloodedinatwindow.ManuelRodriguezpaintedsteadily.TheQueensatstill,withliftedfaceandeyesstrainedintodistance.ShesighedandcamebackfromwasteswhereshewouldbeChristian,oh,whereshewouldbeChristian!andbeganwithatender,maternallooktotalkwithherdaughter.
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THEdoorgivinguponthegreatcorridoropened.Onesaid,``TheKing,Madam!''KingFerdinandenteredquietly,inthesoberfashionofasoberandableman.
　　Hewascoolandbalanced,truealwaystohisownconceptionofhisowndues.TheQueenroseandsteppedtomeethim.Theyspoke,standingtogether,afterwhichhehandedhertoherchairandtookbesidehertheothergreatchairwhichthepageshadswiftlyplaced.AftergreetinghisdaughterandtheArchbishophelookedacrosstothepainter.
　　``MasterManuelRodriguez,goodday!''
　　Therefellamomentofsun-drenchedquietinwhichtheyallsatfortheirpicture.ThensaidtheKing,``Madam,wearetogether,andherearethosewhohavebeenourchiefadvisersinthisaffairofdiscoveries.MasterChristopherusisbelow.Wenotedhiminthecourt.Letushavehimhereandseethistoo-long-draggingmatterfinished!Onceforallabatehisdemands,oronceforalllethimgo!''
　　Theysentapage.Againtherewassunnysilence,theninatthedoorcamethetall,muscular,gray-eyed,silver-
　　hairedmanwhomIhadmetthedayKingBoabdilsurrenderedGranada.
　　HemadereverencetotheQueenandtheKingandtotheArchbishop.ItwastheQueenwhospoketohimandthatgently.
　　``MasterChristopherus,wehavehadathousandbusinesses,andsoourmatterherehaswaitedandwaited.To-
　　daycomesunawarethisquiethourandwewillgiveittoyou.HerewithusaretheArchbishopandotherswhohavebeenourcounsellors,andhereisDonAlonzodeQuin-
　　tantellawhohathalwaysstoodyourfriend.Inallthehurly-
　　burlyweyettooktime,twodaysago,tositincouncilandcometoconclusion.Andnowwegiveyouourdetermination.
　　Inallreasonitshouldgiveyoujoy!''Shesmileduponhim.``Howmanyyearssincefirstyoulaidyourplanbeforeus?''
　　Heansweredherinadeepvoice,thrillingandcrowdedwithfeeling.``Sevenyears,MadamyourHighness!Likeaninfantlaidatyourfeet.Andwinterhasblownuponit,andsunshinecarryinghopehaswalkedaroundit,andthenagainthecoldwindrises——''
　　TheKingspoke.``MasterChristopherus,inwarmuchelsehastocease!Inmuchwehavehadtofindpatience,andyouhavetofindit.''
　　``MylordKing,yes!''repliedthetallman.``ItiseighteenyearssinceinLisbon,lookingupontheseaoneday,Isaidtomyself,`Isthereaquestionthatisnottobeanswered?Thisoceanistobecrossed.ThenwhydonotI
　　crossit?ThereisCipango,CathayandIndia!Goldandspicesarethere,andherelieships,andbetween,whenallissaid,isonlysea!Godmadetheseatobesailed!Yondertheyworshipidols,hereweworshipChrist.Thereareidols,hereisChrist.OnceaChristopheruscarriedChristacrosswater!'Eighteenyearsago.Isaid,`Icandoit!'
　　Isayitto-day,mylordandmylady.Icandoit!''
　　OftheseatedgreatonesonlytheQueen'sspiritappearedtoanswerhis.Heseemedtoenchanther,totakeherwithhim.ButtheKing'scoolfaceregardedhimwithsomethinglikedislike.Hespokeinanedgedvoice.``SaintChristopheraskednogreatwage.Thatisthepoint,MasterChristopherus,soletustoit!AtlasttheQueenandI
　　say`Weagree'tothisenterprise,whichmaybringforthfruitormaynot,ormaymeanmereemptylossofshipsandmenandofourmonies!Yetwesay`yea.'Butwedonotsay`yea',MasterChristopherus,tothetoogreatferryfeewhichyouask!Isay`ask',butverilythetoneisofcommand!''
　　ThemanwhomtheycalledMasterChristopherusmadeaslow,widegestureofdeprecation.TheArchbishoptooktheword.``Toomuch!Youaskahundredtimestoomuch!Imustsaytoyouthatitisunchristianlyarrogance.
　　Youtalklikeasoldan!''Anassentingmurmurcamefromtheotherecclesiastics.
　　TheQueenspoke.``MasterChristopherus,ifitbeagreatthingtodo,isnotthedoingitandtherebyblessingyourselfnolessthanothers——isnotthatreward?NotthatCastileshalldenyyoureward,no!TrustmethatifyoubringusthekeyofIndiayoushallnotfindusniggardly!
　　Butweandtheywhoadviseusstumbleatyourprescribingwealth,honorsandgiftsthattheysaytrulyarebetterfittingagreatprince!Trustusforenrichmentandforhonordoyoucomebackwiththegreatthingdone!LeaveitallnowtoTimethatbringstopass.SoyouwillbeclearertogoforthtotheblessedcarryingofChrist!''
　　Shespokeearnestly,aQueen,butwithmuchaboutherofwomanly,motherlysweetness.Isawthatshegreatlylikedthemanandsomewheremethisspirit.ButtheKingwasgatheringhardness.Hespoketoasecretarystandingbehindhim.``Haveyouittherewrittendown,theItalian'sdemand?''
　　Themanproducedapaper.``Read!''Butbeforeitcouldbeunfolded,MasterChristopherusspoke.
　　```Italian!'SevenyearsinSpainandteninPortugal,andagoodwhileinPortoSantothatbelongstoPortugal,alittleinEnglandandinUltimaThuleorIceland,andlong,longyearsuponshipsdeckedandundeckedinalltheseasthatareknown——fourteenyears,childhoodandboyhood,inGenoaandatPaviawhereIwenttoschool,andallmyyearsofhopeinChrist'sKingdom,andintheuplandsofgreatdoers-andyourHighnesssaystomeforaslightingword,`Italian!'IwasborninItaly,butto-day,forthisturn,KingFerdinand,youshouldcallme`Spaniard'!As,ifKingJohnsendsmeforthbewillcallmePortuguese!
　　OrKingHenrywillsay,`ChristophertheEnglishman'
　　orKingCharles,towhomverilyIseethatImaygo,shallsay,`Frenchman,towhomallowethemarriageofEastandWest,butFranceowesEmpire!'''
　　TheKingsaid,``Itmaybeso,oritmaynotbeso,MasterChristopherus——Read!''
　　Thesecretaryread:TheGenoese,CristoforoColombo,calledinSpainCristobalColon,andintheLatinChristopherusColumbus,statesanddemandsinsubstanceasfollows:
　　SailingwestwardhewilldiscoverfortheKingandQueenoftheSpainstheIndiesandCathayandCipango,tothegreatgloryandenrichmentoftheseSovereignsandthepassingtherebyofSpainaheadofPortugal,andlikewiseandabovealltothegreatgloryofChristandofHolyChurch.Hewilldothis,havingseenitclearformanyyearsthatitistobedone,andhetheinstrument.AndforthefindingbygoingwestwardofthesaidIndiaandallthegainoftheworldandtheKingdomofGodandofourSovereignstheKingDonFerdinandandtheQueenDonaIsabella,hebargaineththus:
　　``HeshallbenamedAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea,wherebyhemeansthewholewaterwestofthelinedrawnbytheHolyFatherfortheKingofPortugal.HeshallbemadeViceroyandGovernorofallcontinentsandislandsthathemaydiscover,claimandoccupyfortheSovereigns.AndthesaidChristopherusColumbus'seldestsonshallholdtheseofficesafterhim,andtheheirofhisson,andhisheir,downtime.Heshallbegrantedonetenthofallgold,pearls,preciousstones,spices,orothermerchandisefoundorboughtorexchangedwithinhisadmiraltyandviceroyship,andthistitheislikewisetobetakenbyhisheirsfromgenerationtogeneration.Heoronethatheshallnameshallbejudgeinalldisputesthatariseinthesecontinentsandislands,sobeitthatthehonoroftheSovereignsofSpainisnottouched.
　　HeshallhavethesalarythathaththeHighAdmiralofCastile.HeandhisfamilyshallbeennobledandhenceforthbecalledDonandDona.Andfortheimmediatesailingofshipshemay,ifhesodesire,beataneighthoftheexpenseofoutfitting,forwhichheshallbereturnedaneighthofalltheprofitofthisthefirstvoyage.''
　　Thesecretarydidnotmakethetermslesssoundingbyhisreading.Windinleaves,wentastirthroughtheroom.
　　Iheardapagenearmewhispering,``OSanctaMaria!
　　Thehanger-on,theneedyone!SincethebeginningoftimeI'veseenhimatdoors,sunnyandcloudydays,thebig,droningbee!''ManuelRodriguezpaintedon.Ifelthisthought.``Ishouldliketopaint_you_,AdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!''
　　Theroomrecomposeditself.OutofsilencecametheKing'svoice,chillanddry.``Weabatesovastaclaimforsovastreward!Butwewouldbenaughtelsebutjust,andinourabilitylavish.Readnowwhatwewilldo!''
　　Thesecretaryread.Ithadacertainlargenessandgoodliness,asgorewardsforadventure,evenforgreatadventure,whatthesovereignswoulddo.Theroomthoughtitshouldanswer.TheKingspoke,``Wecanpromisenomorenorotherthanthis.Itcontentsyou,MasterChristopherus?''
　　Thelong-faced,high-nosed,gray-eyedmananswered,``No,mylordKing.''
　　``Yourowntermsornone?''
　　``Mineornone,yourHighness.''
　　TheKing'svoicegrewacuttingwind.``TothattheQueenandIanswer,`Oursornone!'''Pushingbackhischair,heglancedatsunoutofwindow.``Itisover.I
　　inclinetothinkthatitwasatbestbutanemptyvision.Youaredismissed,MasterChristopherus!''
　　TheGenoese,bowing,steppedbackwardfromthetable.
　　Inhisfaceandcarriagewasnothingbroken.Hekeptcolor.TheQueen'sglancewentafterhim,``Whatwillyoudonow,MasterChristopherus?''
　　Heanswered,``Mylady,yourHighness,Ishalltakehorseto-morrowforFrance.''
　　TheKingsaid,``France?——KingCharlesbuyseverlow,nothigh!''
　　TheSovereignsandthegreatchurchmenandthelessgreatwentawaytogether.Afterthemflowedthehighattendance.
　　Allwent,DonEnriqueamongthelast.Followinghim,Iturnedhead,forIwishedtoobserveagaintwopersons,thepainterManuelRodriguezandtheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea.Theformerpaintedon.Thelatterwalkedforthquitealone,comingbehindthegrinningpages.
　　InthecourtbelowIsawhimagain.Thearchwaytostreetsenttowardusadeepwedgeofshadow.Hehadacloakwhichhewrappedaroundhimandalargeroundbatwhichhedrewlowoverhisgray-blueeyes.Withafirmstephecrossedtothearchwaywherethepurpleshadowtookhim.
　　JuanLepemustturntohisownpartwhichnowmustbedecided.IwalkedbehindDonEnriquedeCerdathroughSantaFe.WithhimkeptDonMigueldeSilva,wholovedDonEnrique'ssisterandwouldstilltalkof_devoir_andofplans,nowthatthewarwasended.WhenthehousewasreachedhewouldenterwithusandstilladheretoDonEnrique.Butatthestairfootthelatterspoketothesquire.
　　``Findmeinanhour,JuanLepe.Ihavesomethingtosaytothee!''Histonecarried,``Doyouthinktheplacetheremakesanydifference?No,bythegodoffriends!''
　　IlethimgothinkingthatIwouldcometohimpresently.
　　ButI,too,hadtoactunderthegodoffriends.InDiegoLopez'sroomIfoundquillandinkandpaper,andthereI
　　wrotealettertoDonEnrique,andfindingDiegogaveittohimtobegivenintwohoursintoDonEnrique'shand.
　　ThenJuanLepethesquirechangedinhisownroom,narrowandbareasacell,totheclothingofJuanLepethesailor.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　DUSKwasdrawingdownasIstolewithlittletroubleoutofthehouseintothestreetandthenceintothemazeofSantaFe.ThatnightIsleptwithminstrelsandjugglers,andatsunriseslippedoutofCordovagatewithmuleteers.TheywereforCordovaandImeanttogotoMalaga.Imeanttofindthereaship,maybeforAfrica,maybeforItaly,thoughinItaly,too,sitstheInquisition.
　　Butwhoknowswhatitisthatturnsaman,unlesswecallithisGenius,unlesswecallitGod?IletthemuleteerspassmeontheroadtoCordova,letthemdwindleinthedistance.AndstillIwalkedanddidnotturnbackandfindtheMalagaroad.ItwasasthoughIwereonthesea,andmybark,washanginginacalm,waitingforawindtoblow.AmanmountedonahorsewascomingtowardmefromSantaFe.Watchingthesmallfiguregrowlarger,I
　　said,``Whenheisevenwithmeandhaspassedandisalittlefigureagaininthedistance,Iwillturnsouth.''
　　Hecamenearer.SuddenlyIknewhimtobethatMasterChristopheruswhohadenteredthewedgeofshadowyesterdayinthepalacecourt.Hewasoutofitnow,inthebroadlight,onthewhiteroad——onthewaytoFrance.Heapproached.
　　TheoceanbeforePaloscameandstoodagainbeforeme,saltandpowerful.Thekeen,far,skylineofitawokeanddrew!
　　ChristopherusColumbuscameupwithme.Isaid,``A
　　Palossailorgivesyougoodmorning!''
　　Checkingthehorse,hesatlookingatmeoutofblue-grayeyes.Isawhimrecollecting.``Dressisdifferentandpoorer,butyouarethesquireinthecrowd!`SailorPalossailor'——There'ssomemeaningtheretoo!''
　　Heseemedtoponderit,thenaskedifIwasforCordova.
　　``No.IamgoingtoMalagawhereItakeship.''
　　``ThisisnottheMalagaroad.''
　　``No.ButIaminnohurry!Ishouldliketowalkamilewithyou.''
　　``Thendoit,''heanswered.``Somethingtellsmethatweshallnotbeilltravelerstogether.''
　　Ifeltthatalsoandnomorethanhecouldexplainit.
　　Butthereason,Iknow,standsintheforestbehindtheseedling.
　　Hewalkedhishorse,andIstrodebeside.HeaskedmynameandIgaveit.JuanLepe.WetraveledCordovaroadtogether.Presentlyhesaid,``IleaveSpainforFrance,anddoyouknowwhy?''
　　SaidJuanLepe,``Ihavebeentoldsomething,andIhavegatheredsomethingwithmyowneyesandears.YouwouldreachAsiabygoingwest.''
　　Hespokeinthemeasuredtoneofarecitaloftenmadealiketohimselfandtoothers.``IholdthatthevoyagefromPalos,say,firstsouthtotheCanariesandthenduewestwouldnotexceedthreemonths.YetIbegantogowesttoIndiafulleighteenyearsago!Ihavevoyagedeighteenyears,withdeadcalmsandheadwinds,withstormsandback-puttings,withpiratesandmutinies,withfoodandwaterlacking,withonlyGodandmypurposeforfriend!I
　　havetouchedatthecourtofPortugalandatthecourtofSpain,and,roundaboutway,atthecourtofEngland,andatthehousesoftheDogesofVeniceandofGenoa.Theyallkeptmeswinginglongatanchor,buttheyhavenevergivenmeafurtheringwind.EighteenyearsgoingtoIndia!ButwhydoIsayeighteen?TheLordputmeforthfromlandsidethedayIwasborn.BeforeIwasfourteen,attheschoolinPavia,Hesaid,`Gotosea.SailunderthycousinColomboandlearnthroughlongyearsalltheinchesofsaltwater.'LaterHesaid,onedaywhenwewereswingingoffAlexandria,`Study!Teachthyself!Buybooks,notwinenorfineclothesnorfavorofwomen.Studyonlandandstudyatsea.Lookateverymapthatcomesbeforeyou.
　　Learntomakemaps.Whenaworldmapcomesbeforeyou,lookatthewesternsideofitandthinkhowtofillitoutknowingly.Listentoseamen'stales.Learntoviewtheinvisibleandtofeelunderfoottheroundnessofmyearth!'
　　``AndHesaidthatsameyearoffAleppo,`Learntocommandships.LearninKingReinier'swarandinwhatotherwarGenoamakes.Learntodirectmenandpatientlytohearthem,windinginandoutoftheircounsels,keepingthyselfalwayswiserthanthey.'Well,Istudied,andlearned,andcancommandashiporships,andknownavigation,andcanmakemapsandchartswiththebest,andcanruleseamen,lovingthemthewhile.Longago,IwenttothatschoolwhichHeset,andcameforth_magister!_LongafterHisfirstspeaking,IwasatPortoSanto,wellnamed,andthereHesaid,`SeekIndia,goingwestward.'''Heturnedhisfacetothesun.``IhavebeengoingtoIndiafifty-sixyears.''
　　JuanLepeasked,``Why,onyesterday,wereyounotcontentwiththeKingandQueen'sterms?Theygrantedhonorandcompetence.Itwastheestateofaprincethatyouasked.''
　　Somemomentspassedbeforeheanswered.Thesunwasshining,theroadwhiteanddusty,themountainsofElvirapurpletothetopsandtheresplashedwithsilver.Whenhespoke,hisvoicewaschanged.Neithernownorhereafterdidhediscourseofmoney-goldandnobilityflowingfromearthlykingswiththatimpersonalexaltationwithwhichhetalkedofhiserrandfromGodtolinktogethereastandwest.
　　Buthedrewthemsomehowintrainfromthelast,hidinghereIthought,anearthlyweaknessfromhimself,andtheweaknesssointertwinedwithstrengththatitwashardtodivideparasitefromoak.
　　``Didyousee,''heasked,``aboywithme?ThatwasmysonDiegowhomIhaveleftwithafriendinSantaFe.
　　Fernando,hishalf-brother,isbutachild.IshallseehiminCordova.Ihavetwobrothers,deartomebothofthem,DiegoandBartholomew.Myoldfather,DominicoColombo,stilllivesinGenoa.Helivesinpoverty,asIhavelivedinpovertythesemanyyears.AndthereisPedroCorreo,towhomIowemuch,husbandofmywife'ssister.
　　Mywifeisdead.ThemotherofFernandoisnotmywife,butIloveher,andsheispoorthoughbeautifulandgood.
　　Iwouldhaveherlesspoor;Iwouldgiveherbeautifulthings.Ihaveloveformykindred,——loveandyearningandcareanddesiretodothemgood,alikethosewhotrustmeandthosewhothinkthatIhadfailedthem.Idonotfailthem!''
　　Wepaddedonuponthedustyroad.Ifelthisinnerwarmth,divinedhislife.ButatlastIsaid,``WhattheQueenandKingpromisewouldgiverichcare——''
　　``Ihavefriendstoo,forallthatIrideoutofSpainandseemsopooranddesolate!Iwouldrepay——ay,tentimesover——theirfaithandtheirhelp.''
　　``Still——''
　　``Therearemoreoverthepoor,andthosewhostudyandneedbooksandmapsthattheycannotpurchase.Thereareconvents——oneconventespecially——thatbefriendedmewhenIwasaloneandnighhopelessandfurtheredmycause.Iwouldgivethatconventgreatgifts.''Turninginthesaddlehelookedsouthwest.``FrayJuanPerez——''