Another little item of news was allowed to filter out and sedulously
propagated, to the effect that the Commendatore had refused, politely
but firmly, to accept any remuneration for his services. Such a thing
could not be thought of! Pleasure and duty rarely coincided as in this
case, where it was both a pleasure to come to this charming island and
a duty to say a few words in Court about this unfortunate young man--to
defend the oppressed to the utmost of his miserable ability, and
thereby approve himself a good son of the Church.
"Your servant in everything!" he added. "And if you would now accept
from me a humble donation of one thousand francs to be distributed, as
His Reverence thinks best, among the needy poor of Nepenthe, you would
indeed make me your debtor for life!"
Such was the great man's speech, as reported. It was a pure invention
on the part of Torquemada who, being a high-principled ecclesiastic,
had clear-cut orthodox views anent the utility of pious legends. He
knew it would sound well among the populace.
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