remember the alamo-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


removal　of　herself　and　her　daughters　to　the　convent。　　His
offer　to　take　charge　of　the　Worth　residencia　and　estate　was　in
her　conviction　a　proposal　to　rob　them　of　all　rights　in　it。　
She　felt　certain　that　whatever　the　Church　once　grasped　in　its
iron　hand；　it　would　ever　retain。　　And　both　to　Isabel　and
herself　the　thought　of　a　convent　was　now　horrible。　　〃They　will
force　me　to　be　a　nun；〃　said　Isabel；　〃and　then；　what　will　Luis
do？　　And　they　will　never　tell　me　anything　about　my　father　and
my　brothers。　　I　should　never　hear　of　them。　　I　should　never　see
them　any　more；　unless　the　good　God　was　so　kind　as　to　let　me
meet　them　in　his　heaven。〃

And　Antonia　had　still　darker　and　more　fearful　thoughts。　　She
had　not　forgotten　the　stories　whispered　to　her　childhood；　of
dreadful　fates　reserved　for　contumacious　and　disobedient
women。　　Whenever　Fray　Ignatius　looked　at　her　she　felt　as　if
she　were　within　the　shadow　of　the　Inquisition。

Never　had　days　passed　so　wearily　and　anxiously。　　Never　had
nights　been　so　terrible。　　The　sisters　did　not　dare　to　talk
much　together；　they　doubted　Rachela；　they　were　sure　their
words　were　listened　to　and　repeated。　　They　were　not　permitted
to　be　alone　with　the　Senora。　　Fray　Ignatius　had　particularly
warned　Rachela　to　prevent　this。　　He　was　gradually　bringing　the
unhappy　woman　into　what　he　called　〃a　heavenly　mind〃the
influence　of　her　daughters；　he　was　sure；　would　be　that　of
worldly　affections　and　sinful　liberty。　　And　Rachela　obeyed　the
confessor　so　faithfully；　that　the　Senora　was　almost　in　a　state
of　solitary　confinement。　　Every　day　her　will　was　growing
weaker；　her　pathetic　obedience　more　childlike　and　absolute。

But　at　midnight；　when　every　one　was　asleep；　Antonia　stepped
softly　into　her　sister's　room　and　talked　to　her。　　They　sat　in
Isabel's　bed　clasping　each　other's　hand　in　the　dark；　and
speaking　in　whispers。　　Then　Antonia　warned　and
strengthened　Isabel。　　She　told　her　all　her　fears。　　She
persuaded　her　to　control　her　wilfulness；　to　be　obedient；　and
to　assume　the　childlike　thoughtlessness　which　best　satisfied
Fray　Ignatius。　　〃He　told　you　to…day　to　be　happy；　that　he　would
think　for　you。　　My　darling；　let　him　believe　that　is　the　thing
you　want；〃　said　Antonia。　　〃I　assure　you　we　shall　be　the　safer
for　it。〃

〃He　said　to　me　yesterday；　when　I　asked　him　about　the　war；　‘Do
not　inquire；　child；　into　things　you　do　not　understand。　　That
is　to　be　irreligious；'　and　then　he　made　the　cross　on　his
breast；　as　if　I　had　put　a　bad　thought　into　his　heart。　　We　are
afraid　all　day；　and　we　sit　whispering　all　night　about　our
fears；　that　is　the　state　we　are　in。　　The　Lord　sends　us　nothing
but　misfortunes；　Antonia。〃

〃My　darling；　tell　the　Lord　your　sorrow；　then；　but　do　not
repine　to　Rachela　or　Fray　Ignatius。　　That　is　to　complain　to
the　merciless　of　the　All…Merciful。〃

〃Do　you　think　I　am　wicked；　Antonia？　　What　excuse　could　I　offer
to　His　Divine　Majesty；　if　I　spoke　evil　to　him　of　Rachela　and
Fray　Ignatius？〃

〃Neither　of　them　are　our　friends；　do　you　think　so？〃

〃Fray　Ignatius　looks　like　a　goblin；　he　gives　me　a　shiver　when
he　looks　at　me；　and　as　for　RachelaI　already　hate　her！〃

〃Do　not　trust　her。　　You　need　not　hate　her；　Isabel。〃

〃Antonia；　I　know　that　I　shall　eternally　hate　her；　for　I　am
sure　that　our　angels　are　at　variance。〃

In　conversations　like　these　the　anxious　girls　passed　the　long；
and　often　very　cold；　nights。　　The　days　were　still　worse；　for
as　November　went　slowly　away　the　circumstances　which
surrounded　their　lives　appeared　to　constantly　gather　a　more
decided　and　a　bitterer　tone。　　December；　that　had　always　been
such　a　month　of　happiness；　bright　with　Christmas　expectations
and　Christmas　joys；　came　in　with　a　terribly　severe；　wet
norther。　　The　great　log　fires　only　warmed　the　atmosphere
immediately　surrounding　them；　and　Isabel　and　Antonia　sat
gloomily　within　it　all　day。　　It　seemed　to　Antonia　as　if　her
heart　had　come　to　the　very　end　of　hope；　and　that　something
must　happen。

The　rain　lashed　the　earth；　the　wind　roared　around　the　house；
and　filled　it　with　unusual　noises。　　The　cold　was　a　torture
that　few　found　themselves　able　to　endure。　　But　it　brought　a
compensation。　　Fray　Ignatius　did　not　leave　the　Mission
comforts；　and　Rachela　could　not　bear　to　go　prowling　about　the
corridors　and　passages。　　She　established　herself　in　the
Senora's　room；　and　remained　there。　　And　very　early　in　the
evening　she　said　〃she　had　an　outrageous　headache；〃　and　went　to
her　room。

Then　Antonia　and　Isabel　sat　awhile　by　their　mother's　bed。　
They　talked　in　whispers　of　their　father　and　brothers；　and　when
the　Senora　cried；　they　kissed　her　sobs　into　silence　and　wiped
her　tears　away。　　In　that　hour；　if　Fray　Ignatius　had　known　it；
they　undid；　in　a　great　measure；　the　work　to　which　he　had　given
more　than　a　month　of　patient　and　deeply…reflective　labor。　　For
with　the　girls；　there　was　the　wondrous　charm　of　love　and
nature；　but　with　the　priest；　only　a　splendid　ideal　of　a　Church
universal　that　was　to　swallow　up　all　the　claims　of　love　and
all　the　ties　of　nature。

It　was　nearly　nine　o'clock　when　Antonia　and　Isabel　returned　to
the　parlor　fire。　　Their　hearts　were　full　of　sorrow　for
their　mother；　and　of　fears　for　their　own　future。　　For　this
confidence　had　shown　them　how　firmly　the　refuge　of　the　convent
had　been　planted　in　the　anxious　ideas　of　the　Senora。　
Fortunately；　the　cold　had　driven　the　servants　either　to　the
kitchen　fire　or　to　their　beds；　and　they　could　talk　over　the
subject　without　fear　of　interference。

〃Are　you　sleepy；　queridita？〃（little　dear）。

〃I　think　I　shall　never　go　to　sleep　again；　Antonia。　　If　I　shut
my　eyes　I　shall　find　myself　in　the　convent；　and　I　do　not　want
to　go　there　even　in　a　dream。　　Do　you　know　Mother　Teresa？　　Well
then；　I　could　tell　you　things。　　And　she　does　not　like　me；　I　am
sure　of　that；　quite　sure。〃

〃My　darling；　I　am　going　to　make　us　a　cup　of　tea。　　It　will　do
us　good。〃

〃If　indeed　it　were　chocolate！〃

〃I　cannot　make　chocolate　now；　but　you　shall　have　a　great　deal
of　sugar　in　your　cup；　and　something　good　to　eat　also。　　There；
my　darling；　put　your　chair　close　to　the　fire；　and　we　will　sit
here　until　we　are　quite　sleepy。〃

With　the　words　she　went　into　the　kitchen。　　Molly　was　nodding
over　her　beads；　in　the　comfortable　radius　made　by　the
blazing　logs；　no　one　else　was　present　but　a　young　peon。　　He
brought　a　small　kettle　to　the　parlor　fire；　and　lifted　a　table
to　the　hearth；　and　then　replenished　the　pile　of　logs　for
burning　during　the　night。　　Isabel；　cuddling　in　a　large　chair；
watched　Antonia；　as　she　went　softly　about　putting　on　the　table
such　delicacies　as　she　could　find　at　that　hour。　　Tamales　and
cold　duck；　sweet　cake　and　the　guava　jelly　that　was　Isabel's
favorite　dainty。　　There　was　a　little　comfort　in　the　sight　of
these　things；　and　also；　in　the　bright　silver　teapot　standing
so　cheerfully　on　the　hearth；　and　diffusing　through　the　room　a
warm　perfume；　at　once　soothing　and　exhilarating。

〃I　really　think　I　shall　like　that　American　tea　to…night；
Antonia；　but　you　must　half　fill　my　cup　with　those　little
blocks　of　sugarquite　half　fill　it；　Antonia；　and　have　you
found　cream；　my　dear　one？　　Then　a　great　deal　of　cream。〃

Antonia　stood　still　a　moment　and　looked　at　the　drowsy　little
beauty。　　Her　eyes　were　closed；　and　her　head　nestled
comfortably　in　a　corner　of　the　padded　chair。　　Then　a　hand　upon
the　door…handle　arrested　her　attention；　and　Antonia　turned　her
eyes　from　Isabel　and　watched　it。　　Ortiz；　the　peon；　put
his　head　within　the　room；　and　then　disappeared；　but　oh；　wonder
and　joy！　　Don　Luis　entered　swiftly　after　him；　and　before　any
one　could　say　a　word；　he　was　kneeling　by　Isabel　kissing　her
hand　and　mingling　his　exclamations　of　rapture　with　hers。

Antonia　looked　with　amazement　and　delight　at　this　apparition。　
How　had　he　come？　　She　put　her　hand　upon　his　sleeve；　it　was
scarcely　wet。　　His　dress　was　splendid；　if　he　had　been　going　to
a　tertullia　of　the　highest　class；　he　could　not　have　been　more
richly　adorned。　　And　the　storm　was　yet　raging！　　It　was　a
miracle。

〃Dear　Luis；　sit　down！　　Here　is　a　chair　close　to　Iza！　　Tell　her
your　secrets　a　few　minutes；　and　I　will　go　for　mi　madre。　　O
yes！　　She　will　come！　　You　shall　see；　Iza！　　And　then；　Luis；　we
shall　have　some　supper。〃

〃You　see　that　I　am　in　heaven　already；　Antonia；　though；　indeed；
I　am　also　hungry　and　thirsty；　my　sister。〃

Antonia　was　not　a　minute　in　reaching　her　mother's　room。　　The
unhappy　lady　was　half…lying　among　the　large　pillows　of　her
gilded　bed；　wide　awake。　　Her　black　eyes　were　fixed　upon
a　crucifix　at　its　foot；　and　she　was　slowly　murmuring　prayers
upon　her　rosary。

〃Madre！　　Madre！　　Luis　is　here；　Luis　is　here！　　Come　quick；　mi
madre。　　Here　are　your　stockings　and　slippers；　and　your　gown；
and　your　mantillano；　no；　no；　do　not　call　Rachela。　　Luis　has
news　of　my　father；　and　of　Jack！　　Oh；　madre；　he　has　a　letter
from　Jack　to　you！　　Come　dear；　come；　in　a　few　minutes　you　will
be　ready。〃

She　was　urging　and　kissing　the　trembling　woman；　and　dressing
her　in　despite　of　her　faint　effort　to　delayto　call　Rachela
to　bring　Luis　to　her　room。　　In　ten　minutes　she　was　ready。　　She
went　down　softly；　like　a　frightened　child；　Antonia　cheering
and　encouraging　her　in　whispers。

When　she　entered　the　cheerful　parlor　the　shadow　of　a　smile
flitted　over　her　wan　face。　　Luis　ran　to　meet　her。　　He　drew　the
couch　close　to　the　hearth；　he　helped　Antonia　arrange　her
comfortably　upon　it。　　He　made　her　tea；　and　kissed　her　hands
when　he　put　it　into　them。　　And　then　Isabel　made　Luis　a　cup；
and　cut　his　tamales；　and　waited　upon　him　with　such　pretty
service；　that　the　happy　lover　thought　he　was　eating　a　meal　in
Paradise。

For　a　few　minutes　it　had　been　only　this　ordinary　gladness　of
reunion；　but　it　was　impossible　to　ignore　longer　the　anxiety　in
the　eyes　that　asked　him　so　many　questions。　　He　took　two
letters　from　his　pockets　and　gave　them　to　the　Senora。　　They
were　from　her　husband　and　Jack。　　Her　hands　trembled；　she
kissed　them　fervently；　and　as　she　placed　them　in　her　breast
her　tears　dropped　down　upon　them。

Antonia　opened　the　real　conversation　with　that　never…failing
wedge；　the　weather。　　〃You　came　through　the　storm；　Luis？　　Yet
you　are　not　wet；　scarcely？　　Now　then；　explain　this　miracle。〃

〃I　went　first　to　Lopez　Navarro's。　　Do　you　not　know　this　festa
dress？　　It　is　the　one　Lopez　bought　for　the　feast　of　St。　James。　
He　lent　it　to　me；　for　I　assure　you　that　my　own　clothing　was
like　that　of　a　beggar　man。　　It　was　impossible　that　I　could　see
my　angel　on　earth　in　it。〃

〃But　in　such　weather？　　You　can　not　have　come　far　to…day？〃

〃Senorita；　there　are　things　which　are　impossible；　quite
impossible！　　That　is　one　of　them。　　Early　this　morning　the
north　wind　advanced　upon　us；　sword　in　hand。　　It　will　last
fifty　hours；　and　we　shall　know　something　more　about　it　before
they　are　over。　　Very　well；　but　it　was　also　absolutely
necessary　that　some　one　should　reach　San　Antonio　to…night；　and
I　was　so　happy　as　to　persuade　General　Burleson　to　send　me。　
The　Holy　Lady　has　given　me　my　reward。〃

〃Have　you　seen　the　Senor　Doctor　lately；　Luis；〃　asked　the
Senora。

〃I　left　him　at　nightfall。〃

〃At　nightfall！　　But　that　is　impossible！〃

〃It　is　true。　　The　army　of　the　Americans　is　but　a　few　miles
from　San　Antonio。〃

〃Grace　of　God！　　Luis！〃