"A deep, horrible cistern which he hath in his house." This was spoken in a still lower voice.
Carlos was not yet sufficiently naturalized to horrors to repress a shudder. He said, "Then I fear it is at great risk to yourself that you show kindness to me."
"It is for the dear Lord's sake, señor."
"Then you--you too--love his Name!" said Carlos, tears of joy starting to his eyes.
"Chiton,[#] señor! chiton! But as far as a poor woman may, I do love him," she added in a frightened whisper. "What I want now to tell you is, that the noble lord, your brother--"
[#] Hush.
"My brother!" cried Carlos; "what of him? On, tell me, for Christ's dear sake!"
"Let your Excellency speak lower. We may be overheard. I know he has seen my master once and again, and has given him much money to provide your worship with good food and other conveniences, which he, however, not having the fear of God before his eyes--" The rest of the sentence did not reach the ear of Carlos; but he could easily guess its import.
"That is little matter," he said. "But oh, kind friend, if I could send him a message, were it only one word."
Perhaps the wistful earnestness of his tone awakened latent mother instincts in the poor woman's heart. She knew that he was very young; that he had lain there for dreary months alone, away from the bright world into which he was just entering, and which was now shut to him for ever.