is father, though a Jew, had been in his way an
aristocratic man, allied with many a noble family, for until the reign
of King Emanuel, who persecuted the Hebrews, they had enjoyed great
distinction in Portugal. In those days it had been hard to distinguish
Jews from Christians. At the time of the expulsion a few favored
Israelites had been allowed to stay, among them the worthy Rodrigo, the
doctor's father, who had been the king's physician and was held in high
esteem by the sovereign. Lopez obtained the highest honors at Coimbra,
but instead of following medicine, like his father, devoted himself to
the humanities.

"There was no need to earn his living--to earn his living," continued
the monk, speaking slowly and carefully, and repeating the conclusion
of his sentence, as if he were in the act of collating two manuscripts,
"for Rodrigo was one of the wealthiest men in Portugal. His son Lopez
was rich, very rich in friends, and among them were numbered all to whom
knowledge was dear. Even among the Christians he had many friends. Among
us--I mean in our library--he also obtained great respect. I owe
him many a hint, much aid; I mean in referring me to rare books, and
explaining obscure passages. When he no longer visited us, I missed him
sorely. I am not curious; or do you think I am? I am not curious, but
I could not help inquiring about him, and then I heard very bad things.
Women are to blame for everything; of course it was a woman again. A
merchant from Flanders--a Christian--had settled in Porto. The doctor's
father visited his house; but you probably know all this?"

"Of course! of course!" cried the magistrate. "But go on with your
story."

"Old Doctor Rodrigo was the Netherlander's physician, and closed his
eyes on the death-bed. An orphan was left, a girl, who had not a single
relative in Porto. They said--I mean the young doctors and students who
had seen her--that she was pleasing, very pleasing to the eye. But it
was not on that account, but because she was orphaned and desolate, that
the physician took the child--I mean the girl."

"And reared her as a Jewess?" interrupted the magistrate, with a
questioning glance.

"As a Jewess?" replied the monk, excitedly. "Who says so? He did
nothing of the sort. A Christian widow educated her in the physician's
country-house, not in the city. When the young doctor returned from
Coimbra, he saw her there more than once--more than once; certainly,
more often tha