king up arms. I know that
Orbajosa desires it; I know that all the inhabitants of this noble city
would bless him for it; I know that deeds are going to be done here
worthy of being recorded in history; but notwithstanding, let me be
allowed to maintain a discreet silence."

"Very well said," said Dona Perfecta. "I don't approve of ecclesiastics
taking any part in such matters. That is the way an enlightened priest
ought to act. Of course we know that on serious and solemn occasions, as
when our country and our faith are in danger, for instance, it is within
the province of an ecclesiastic to incite men to the conflict and even
to take a part in it. Since God himself has taken part in celebrated
battles, under the form of angels and saints, his ministers may very
well do so also. During the wars against the infidels how many bishops
headed the Castilian troops!"

"A great many, and some of them were illustrious warriors. But these
times are not like those senora. It is true that, if we examine the
matter closely, the faith is in greater danger now than it was then.
For what do the troops that occupy our city and the surrounding villages
represent? What do they represent? Are they any thing else but the vile
instruments of which the atheists and Protestants who infest Madrid make
use for their perfidious conquests and the extermination of the faith?
In that centre of corruption, of scandal, of irreligion and unbelief,
a few malignant men, bought by foreign gold, occupy themselves in
destroying in our Spain the deeds of faith. Why, what do you suppose?
They allow us to say mass and you to hear it through the remnant of
consideration, for shame's sake--but, the day least expected--For my
part, I am tranquil. I am not a man to disturb myself about any worldly
and temporal interest. Dona Perfecta is well aware of that; all who know
me are aware of it. My mind is at rest, and the triumph of the wicked
does not terrify me. I know well that terrible days are in store for us;
that all of us who wear the sacerdotal garb have our lives hanging by
a hair, for Spain, doubt it not, will witness scenes like those of the
French Revolution, in which thousands of pious ecclesiastics perished
in a single day. But I am not troubled. When the hour to kill strikes, I
will present my neck. I have lived long enough. Of what use am I? None,
none!"

"May I be devoured by dogs," exclaimed Vejarruco, shaking his fist,
which had all the hardness