Brother Sibyla briefly recounted what had passed between Brother Dámaso and Crisóstomo.
“Besides,” he said in conclusion, “the young man is going to marry the daughter of Captain Tiago, who was educated at the convent of our sisters. He is rich; he would not go about making himself enemies and compromise at once his happiness and his fortune.”
The sick man moved his hand in sign of assent.
“Yes, you are right. He should be ours, body and soul. But if he declare himself our enemy, so much the better!”
Brother Sibyla looked at the old man in surprise.
“For the good of our sacred order, you understand,” he added, breathing with difficulty; “I prefer attack to the flatteries and adulations of friends; besides, those are bought.”
“Your reverence believes that?”
The old man looked at him sadly.
“Remember this well,” he went on, catching his breath; “our power lasts as long as it’s believed in. If we’re attacked, the Government reasons: ‘They are assailed because in them is seen an obstacle to liberty: therefore we must support them!’”
“But if the Government should listen to our enemies, if it should come to covet what we have amassed—if there should be a man hardy enough——”