The Historical Nights Entertainment, Second Series

the Inquisit

and Frey Tomas de Torquemada, acting jointly on behalf of the Sovereigns-Ferdinand and Isabella-had appointed the first inquisitors for Castile, ordering them to set up a Tri

within the walled confines of their ghettos and never be found beyond them after nightfall, and that they should not practice as doctors, surgeons, apothecaries, or innkeepers. The desire to emancipate themselves fr

failed to find in this baptism the peace they sought. Bitter racial hosti

which invaded the city of Seville one day towards the end of December and took its way to the Convent of St. Paul, there to establish the Holy Office of the Inquisition. The fear of the New-Christians that they were to be the obj

etical pravity, they commanded the nobles of the Kingdom of Castile that within fifteen days they should make an exact return of the persons of both sexes who had sought refuge in their lordships or jurisdictions; that they arrest all these and lodge them in the

eminence. It even disquieted the well-favoured young Don Rodrigo de Cardona, who in all his vain, empty, pampered and rather vicious life had never yet known perturbation. Not that he was a New-Christian. He was of a lineage that went back to the Visigoths, of purest red Castilian blood, untainted by any strain of that dark-hued, unclean fluid alleged to flow in Hebrew veins. But it happened that he was in love with the daughter of the millionaire Diego de Susan, a girl whose beauty was so extraordinary that she was known throughout S

ved than that which afflicted Don Rodrigo as, tight-wrapped in hi

ould not return until the morrow. The servants were all abed, and so Don Rodrigo might put off his cloak and hat, and lounge at his ease upon the low Moorish divan, what time she waited upon him with a Saracen goblet filled with sweet wine of Malaga. The room in which she received him was one set apart for

Castilian lineage and clean Christian blood, forgot that she derived from the accursed race of the Crucifiers. All that he remembered was that she was the loveliest woman in Seville, daughter to the wealthiest man, and in that hour of weakness he decided to convert into reali

when will y

miled. The question did not greatly move her. Not knowing him for the scoundrel that he was, guessing nothing

u must ask my father

row, on his return." And h

sounded through the house. It brought her sharply to her feet, and loose from his coiling arms, with quickened brea

tsteps and of muttering voices. It

to Don Rodrigo, and breathed the qu

what action Diego de Susan would take upon discovering him. These Jewish dogs were quickly stirred to passion, and as jealous as their betters of the honour of their womenfolk. Already Do

chamber's end, a tiny closet that was no better than a cupboard contrived for the storing of household linen. She had-moved with a swift precision which at another time might have provoked his

in the room beyond, and

my daughter's room. If you will give me leave,

st have been some twenty of them assembled in that chamber. The mutter of voices had steadily increased, but so con

and on that silence beat the sharp, clea

Office is hardly likely to deal in justice, and that the most innocent may find himself at any moment exposed to its cruel mercies. Therefore it is for us now to consider how to protect ourselves and our property from the unscrupulous activities of this tribunal. You are the principal New Christian cit

ch. And with his horror was blent a certain increase of fear. If his situation had been perilous before, it was tenfold more dangerous now. Discovery, since he had ov

l customs, and his brother Fernandez, the licentiate, and there were others-all of them men of substance, some even holding office under the Crown. Not one was there who dissented from anything that Susan had said; rather did each contribute some spur to the general resolve. In the end it was concerted that each of those present should e

light of the lamp which Susan had left burning each looked into the other's white, startled face. So shaken was Don Rodrigo with

" he gasped. "What

-Christians to Judaism, an offense to be expiated at the stake. "Here was no Judaiz

heard treaso

dering measures of defence against oppression, injustice, and ev

he said. "You are of that foul brood yourself. But you cannot think to cozen me, who am of clean Old-christian blood and a

im from her great dark eyes; her lovely bosom rose and

Why, Perez is himself in holy orders

born, the sons of Jews, and Jews they remain under their cloak of mock Christianity, to be damned as Jews in the end." He was panting now with fiery indignation; a holy zeal inflamed

rence he swung towards the door. H

he saw only fear; he saw nothing of the hatred into which her love had been transmuted in that moment

hoed, and sought

Christian du

er purpose, she had snatched the heavy Toledo blade from hi

r, as Heaven watches us, I strike, and it maybe that

this Castilian gentleman, whom with pride she had taken for her lover. It was a knowledge that was to sear her presently with self-loathing and self-contempt. But for the moment her only con

e deletion you intend will destr

y to consider," answered h

you must set against it. Have you

weigh against a spi

ered, that is plain. In coming here in secret you

something learnt whilst you were hiding there like a thief from the

conscience?" he a

I fear

ortal soul?" He

alk in

e drew upon the fine gold chain about her neck, and brought forth a t

, or I rouse the servants and have you dealt with as one who has intruded here unbidden for an evil end." She backed away from him as she spoke, and threw wide the door. Then, confronting him from the threshold, she admonished him again,

of the Faith. But she cut him short. "For th

dable oath that she administered, an oath which it must damn his immortal soul to break. Because of that, because she imagined that she had taken the

the Inquisition, she still clung to that belief. Yet presently a doubt crept in, a doubt that she must at all costs resolve. And so presently she calle

y smell, that had for only furniture a couple of chairs and a praying-stool, and f

n, stooping slightly at the shoulders, haggard and pale of countenance, with deep-set, luminous dark eyes, and a tender, wistful mouth. This was the Queen's confessor, Frey Toma

e voice. "God help and strengthen you, my child, against the trials that may be i

ered, "I come to i

withhold pity who stand myself in need

her that I come t

what has been alleged against him, the benign tribunal of the Holy Office will bring his innocence to light, and rejoice therein; if he is guilty, if

he inquisitors dealt, a mercy so spiritual that it took

t of any sin against

, breaking in. "Consider well. Remember that your d

of her visit. Betimes she checked the rash impulse, perceiving that subtlety was here required; that a

a more fervent and pious Christian-New-C

een, as became the eyes of an inquisitor, the eyes of a s

of duty so pure that the delator did not hesitate to confess the sin of his own comm

r unspoken question. Yet she controlled herself, and tha

t. The friar slowly nodded. "Don Rodrigo conf

again; and as abruptly che

oed, and asked: "Who

felt as she would swoon. Then blind indignation against that forsworn betrayer surged to revive her. If it was through her weakness and undutif

eating slowly, ever on that musing, incredulou

ead the friar's grim countenance. "A J

you said he h

to that." Her pale lips

d not tell you, for instance, that this deletion was an act of revenge against me who refused to

er in sheer, incr

say that Don Rodrigo de Cardona is

ou evidence that sh

, lest you become an abettor of heresy, an

ed past the Alcazar, she espied across the open space a tall, slim figure in black, in whom she recognized her lover, and straightway she sent the page who paced beside her litter to call him to her side. The summons surprised

increased h

may judge," she told him sadly. "You wil

. Clearly she did not suspect him of betrayal; did not realize that an oath extorted by vi

" he lied a thought unsteadily.

ght from that meeting to inform against them. If I but had a list it were easy to discover the betrayer. One need but ascertain who is the one of all who were present whose

wiftly. Besides, he saw here a noble op

thickly. "Was there no one else

ith fear for this poor father of mine, so that I could not even consider his sin in its full heinousness, nor see how righteous was your intent

h his arm to assist her to alight from her litter, and

ill come and comfort me, you may. I will send you word when I

honour you for what you did. It is I w

erous, Don Rodrigo. God kee

of his rage, and began to wonder if such strict observance of religious duty was really worth while to a man who had his way to make in the world. In short, he was in the throes of reaction. But now, in her unsuspicion, he found his hopes revive. She need never know. The Holy Office preserve

r indisposed. This fretted him, damped his hopes, and thereby increased his longing.

or myself I care little; but I am concerned for you, Rodrigo, since if in spite of what has happened you would still wish to make me your wife, as you declared on Monday, it would be my wish to come to you well dowered. Now the inheritance which would

abe

igo was given the chance to make his own by marrying the beautiful Isabella at once, before sentence came to be passed upon her father. The Holy Office might impose a fine, but would not go further where

is resolve to marry her upon the morrow, and went next day

aisted gown, low-cut and close-fitting in the bodice, was of cloth of gold, edged with miniver at skirt and cuffs and neck. On her white bosom hung a priceless carcanet of limpid diamonds, and through the heavy tresses of her bronze-coloured hair was coiled a string

turously. Then added the impatient question: "The p

g glance. Languorously she lay against his breast, a

Rodrigo-in s

cry, an almost inarticulate ejaculation.

ser. "Oh, I am glad-so glad-that your love for me is tr

close. "What is t

ge knot so tied that it shall

quoth he, who ha

my veins, I would have a marriage that must satisfy even my father when he regains his fre

onscious of a premonitor

he asked her, and hi

d not only by a Christian priest, and in the Christian manner, but also

s turn limp, and relax their grip upon her,

deny me this condition, for I swear to you that once I am your wife you

lips writhed and twitched, and bea

you ask? I... I can't. It wer

rifice all to you, you will not make this little sacrifice for my sake, you even insult the faith that was my forbear

ttitude, to move her from her own. He ranted torrentially, but in vain. She stood as cold and aloof a

tchless woman, is a dream not easily relinquished. There was enough cupidity in his nature, enough neediness in his condition, to make the realization of th

so much as contemplated this, the Holy Office would acc

ldly. "For who should ever inform against you? The Rabbi who is waiting above-s

be sure

er the reluctance which his earlier hesitation had begotten in her, until it was he

ed him up to that bower of hers i

asked impatiently, look

f you are quite sure

otested enough? Can

re odd words; but he heeded not their oddness. He was hardly master of the wits which in themselves were never of the brightest. "I require

e, anxious to have this thing do

, and in accordance with the law of Moses. And now, where is the Rabbi?" He caught a sound and s

he expected, but a tall, gaunt man, stooping slightly at the shoulders, dressed in the white habit and black cloak of the order of St. Dominic, his face lost in the

mning words he had pronounced, Don Rodrigo stood blankly at gaze a momen

ionate, infinitely wistful countenance of Frey Tomas de Torquemada. And infinitel

one of your lineage, I required the evidence of my own senses. Oh, my poor child, by what wicked counsels have you been led s

ath, and this exploded. He flung out an arm

fooled and seduced me into this. It w

d. Had your heart been free of heretical pravity the trap had never caught you; had your f

e flung down upon his knees, and he

en make good and penitent amends for the follies of early life, I hoped and prayed for you. Yet that you should Judaize-that you should be bound in wedlock by the unclean ties of Judaism-Oh!" The melancholy voice broke off upon a sob, and Torquemada covered his pale face with his hands-long, white, emaciated, almost transparent hands. "Pra

ego de Susan, his fellow-conspirators, and Don Rodrigo de Cardona. The function presented but little of

the familiars of the Holy Office, came the condemned, candle in hand, barefoot, in the ignominious yellow penitential sack. Hemmed about by halberdiers, they were paraded through the streets to the Cath

was Isabella de Susan, known as la Hermosa Fembra, avenged by falseness upon t

cloister denied her and only death could give. In her will she disposed that her skull should be placed over the doorway of the house in the Calle de Ataud, as a measure of posthumous atonement for her sins.