pose, God willing, leaving this
city for Toro to-morrow morning by daybreak," answered Herezuelo. "We
shall not be out of danger even there; but I have duties to perform at
that place, and I shall at all events be at my post."
"I wish you had arranged to start to-night," said Don Domingo. "The
delay of a few hours is dangerous. If, indeed, you can discover an
excuse for leaving the country altogether, let me entreat you to do so.
The storm I see coming may blow over; but you are a man of note, and as
the tallest trees are the most quickly blown down, you would be the
first assailed."
"I have no fancy for fleeing from danger, and feel disposed rather to
face my enemies, and argue the case with them," observed the advocate.
"The only arguments they trust to are the rack and the stake," answered
Don Domingo. "Against them your eloquence will avail you nothing.
Trust not to any one of the Romish priesthood, nor to those under their
influence; they are sworn foes of true religion and liberty, and the
more enlightened they believe you to be the more eager they will be for
your destruction."
These and other arguments used by Don Domingo at length induced
Herezuelo to agree to set forth on his journey immediately that he could
procure a conveyance for his wife and her attendant. Don Domingo
himself offered, indeed, to remain and assist them; but of this the
advocate would not hear, and the friends departed, the former taking the
road for Calahora, where he hoped to meet with De Seso.
Don Domingo, who was dressed as a Spanish cavalier of rank, attended by
a servant, pushed on at a rapid rate. He was no coward, but he knew
full well what the Inquisition had in store for him should he be taken,
and he wished to escape their treatment. He avoided as much as possible
all inns and places resorted to by the public, and kept, when he could,
out of the high road. He hoped thus to reach De Seso, and to persuade
him to bear him company in his flight.
Calahora was reached without interruption. The noble De Seso was very
unwilling to believe the reports which Don Domingo brought him.
"You go, my friend; but I cannot carry my wife and young children, and
will not desert them," he answered.
No arguments would move him. He did not even think that the inquisitors
would venture to interfere with persons in his position.
Reluctantly Don Domingo left his friends to proceed on his journey.
Hoping to avoid observation, h
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