United States or Pakistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The window behind the grating seemed to open and shut without sound, for he heard nothing until a woman's voice asked who was there. "It is the Count Ramon de Sarrion who must without fail speak to the Sister Superior to-night," he answered, and composed himself again in the saddle with a southern patience. He waited a long time before the heavy doors were at length opened.
A white dog with one yellow and black ear a dog that might have been a nightmare, a bad, distorted dream of a pointer stood in front of Marcos de Sarrion as he read the letter and seemed to await the hearing of its contents. There are many persons of doubtful social standing, who seek to make up to bridge that narrow and unfathomable gulf by affability.
"And these periods of probation," said Sarrion, reverting to those generalities which form the language of the cloister. "May they be dispensed with?" "Anything can be dispensed with by a dispensation," was the reply.
And it came, uncompromisingly. "Yes," he said. She went to the door with a curt laugh and closed it behind her, with decision. Sarrion looked after her with a sudden frown. He looked for an instant as if he were about to suggest that Marcos might have made a different reply, and then decided to hold his peace. He was perhaps wise in his generation. Politeness never yet won a woman's love.
"Does she know ... does she know the joke?" "No," said Sarrion. "We are married," she said, standing squarely in front of Cousin Peligros. "Married ..." echoed the disciple of etiquette, faintly. "Married to whom?" "Marcos and I." But Cousin Peligros only gasped and covered her face with her hands. Marcos came into the room at this moment and scarcely looked at Cousin Peligros.
"And you know that I subscribe to Marcos' polite desire," said Sarrion with a light laugh. "I know you are an old dear," answered Juanita, jumping up and throwing aside her book. "And now I am going to bed." She kissed Sarrion and smoothed back his gray hair with a quick and light touch. "Good-night, Marcos," she said as she passed the door which he held open.
They had climbed for two hours, slowly and steadily, when the barking of a dog on the mountainside above them notified them that they were nearing their destination. "Who is it?" asked a voice presently. "Marcos de Sarrion," replied Marcos. "Strike no lights." "We have no candles up here," answered the man with a laugh.
Sarrion glanced across the table, as he spoke, at the face of his son, who was also a prompt man, but withal restful, as if possessing a reserve upon which to draw in emergency. For the restless and the uneasy are those who have all their forces in the field. "Do not sit up for me," said Marcos, rising. He stood and thoughtfully emptied his glass. "I shall change my clothes," he said, "and go out.
After his early coffee Sarrion went out into the Calle San Gregorio. The sound of deep voices chanting the matins came to him through the open doors of the Cathedral of the Seo. A priest hurried past, late, and yet in time to save his record of services attended.
"I have never been treated like this before," she said severely. Sarrion stood at the window, keeping Juanita in. "It will be all over in a few minutes," he said. "Holy Virgin! What a lesson for them." The din was terrible. The lady of delicate hearing placed her hands over her ears not forgetting to curl her little finger in the manner deemed irresistible by her generation.
Word Of The Day