Page 135 sur 1118

"Give a seat to the father," said Don Roderick. A servant

presented a chair, and the good father apologised for having come

at so inopportune an hour. "I would speak with you alone on an

affair of importance," added he, in a low tone, to Don Roderick.

"Very well, father, it shall be so," replied he; "but in the

meanwhile bring the father something to drink."

Father Christopher would have refused, but Don Roderick, raising

his voice above the tumult of the table, cried, "No, by Bacchus,

you shall not do me this wrong; a capuchin shall never leave this

house without having tasted my wine, nor an insolent creditor

without having tasted the wood of my forests." These words

produced a universal laugh, and interrupted for a moment the

question which was hotly agitated between the guests. A servant

brought the wine, of which Father Christopher partook, feeling

the necessity of propitiating the host.