2oS the dean of Badajoz, a tale. Feh. S. 



lain from the pope, brought, a few months afterwards^ 

 the cardinal's hat, with a complimentary brief from 

 his holinefs, who invited him to come and afsist him 

 with his counsels, in governing the christian world ; 

 he permitted the archbilhop to dispose of his mitre 

 in favour of whom he pleased. DonTorribid was not 

 at Compostella when the pope's mefsenger camh 

 there ; he was on a visit to his dear son, who still 

 remained a poor curate to a small pariQi in Toledo ; 

 "' — he soon returned ; but for this time he had not the 

 trouble to request the vacant archbifhoprick. Tlie 

 prelate ran out to meet him with open arms : *' My 

 dear master, I am happy to tell you two pieces of 

 good news instead of one ; your disciple is a cardi- 

 nal, and your son will fhortly be one, or I have no 

 interest at Rome. I wiflied in the mean time to 

 have made him archbilhop of Compostella ; but only 

 think how unfortunate he is, or rather I am; my mo- 

 , ther, whom wr left at Badajoz, has written to mej 

 during your absence, a cruel letter, which has totally 

 disconcerted all my measures. She insists upon my 

 nominating, as my succefsor, the archdeacon of my 

 former church, the licenciateDon Pablos de Salazar, 

 her confefsor, and intimate friend ; ihe threatens me 

 with her death, if Ihe does not obtain what Ihe wifh- 

 es for her dear ghostly father, and I have not i 

 doubt but flie will keep her word. My dear master, 

 put yourself in m^ place, ftiall I kill my mother ?" 

 DonTorribiowasnot a man to recommend a parricide j' 

 he appla:uded the nomination of Don Pablos, and dic^ 

 not fliow the smallest resentment against the mothcf 

 of the prelate. 



