CHAPTER VI.PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE.
It was about seven in the evening, when Tito and the Captain dismounted at the doors of the palace.
The news of the king’s danger had spread, and an immense crowd filled the court-yard.
As our young friend entered, he found himself face to face with Death, who was hastily leaving.
“Already?” asked Tito, anxiously.
“Not yet,” answered the sinister deity.
The physician breathed more easily.
“When, then?” he asked, after a pause.
“I cannot tell thee.”
“Oh! speak! If you but knew what Philip has promised me!”
“I can imagine.”
“But I must know if Louis I. is to die.”
“Thou wilt know it at the proper time.Pass on. The Captain has already entered the king’s chamber. He brings instructions from the royal parent. At this moment thou art announced as the first physician of the world. The people crowd the stairway to see thee arrive. Thou art about to meet Elena and the Countess of Rionuevo.”
“Oh! what happiness!” exclaimed Tito.
“Quarter past seven!” continued Death, consulting his pulse, which was his only and infallible timepiece. “They await thee. I must go.”
“But tell me—”
“True, I had forgotten! Listen:—If I am in the chamber when thou seest the king, thou wilt know that his illness has no cure.”
“And will you be there? Did you not say you were going away?”
“I do not know yet. I am ubiquitous, and should I receiveSuperiororders, there thou wilt see me, as in any other place where He may require my presence.”
“What have you been doing here?”
“I have killed a horse.”
Tito recoiled with horror.
“What!” he exclaimed, “you deal also with irrational beings?”
“What meanest thou by irrational? Has only man true reason? Reason stands alone; one does not see it from the earth.”
“But tell me,” said Tito, “animals, brutes, those which we call irrational, have they souls?”
“Yes and no. They have a spirit without free-will, and are irresponsible. But, to the devil with thee! What a questioner thou art to-day! Farewell—I go to a noble house to do thee another favor.”
“A favor! Me? Tell it me! What is its nature?”
“To prevent a certain wedding.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Tito, overwhelmed by a horrible suspicion, “is it possible...?”
“I can tell thee nothing more,” answered Death. “Enter, it grows late.”
“You distract me.”
“Quiet thyself; all will be well. I have promised thee supreme happiness.”
“Then we are friends? You do not intend to kill me or Elena?”
“Do not worry,” replied Death, with a sadness and solemnity, a tenderness and gayety, with so many and different tones of voice, that Tito gave up at once the hope of understanding him.
“Wait!” he said, finally, seeing that the shrouded being was moving away. “Repeat the hours, once more, to me, that I may make no mistake. If you are in the sick chamber, and do not look at the patient, it signifies that he will die of the disease.”
“Certainly; but should I face him, he dies during the day. If I lie in the same bed, he has three hours of life. If thou seest him in my arms, only one hour remains; but when thou seest me kiss his brow, say a prayer for his soul.”
“And you will not speak one word to me?”
“Not one. I lack permission to reveal in that manner the intentions of the Eternal One. Thy advantage over other men, consists only in thy ability to see me. Good night! Forget me not!” So saying, he disappeared in space.