CHAPTER XXI
Bernardo Learns the Secret of his Birth—Joins the Moors
ND now Bernardo is home again in the red-walled streets of Leon. Others long for life, he has sought for death; but the dark angel has not answered to his call.
As he paces along a narrow path bordering the city walls, above him the low turrets which Witica had spared, looking over to the green plains of Galicia, he knows that he has won himself a name as great as that of Pelayo, but a dark frown is on his young face, and gloomy thoughts chase each other through his brain.
How changed from the frank and joyous youth is this dark-visaged warrior! He shuns all his former friends; to no one will he speak, and least of all to the king, whom he justly accuses as the cause of his dishonour.
“What matters the splendour of my deeds,” he tells himself, speaking aloud, “when the mystery of my birth shuts me out from knightly deeds? Who will cross swords with Bernardo, save in the tumult of the battlefield? The fair face of woman never will shine on me; no love token touch my hand, no child call me father. O cruel parents, could not all my achievements move you to own a son so long forgotten? Who are you? Are you dead, to remain unmoved when the name of Bernardo rings throughout Spain? Who knows”—and his mind shifts to another train of thought—“but that my father himself may feel that his name will dishonour me?”
“O Bernardo, wrong not your father,” speaks a low voice behind him. “It is not his fault, the deep vaults of a prison cover him.”
Bernardo, who has not realised that he had been thinking aloud, turns with amazement and finds himself face to face with Doña Sol, an ancient gentlewoman, camaréra to Queen Berta.
“Now may the saints bless thee, venerable Señora,” he cries, seizing her wrinkled hands, “if you can tell me aught of that which never leaves my thoughts.”
“All is known to me,” is the answer. “The king was but a child when I first came to the palace, but,” and she moves to and fro uneasily, and searches around cautiously with her eyes, “if I should be suspected of having disclosed the secret, nothing but my death would satisfy the king. These ramparts are too public for such speech. Come into the shadow of that tower yonder, where no one can hear us.”