l^gi. dean of BaJajoz, a tale, 209 



This mother, if it must be known, was a good 

 sort of an old woman, 1 almost childifti, who lived 

 with her cat and housekeeper^ and scarce kncA^ tie 

 name of her confefsor. Was it likely that it was 

 Ihe who gave the archbiflioprick to Don Pablos ? was 

 it not rather a very devout and very pretty Galician 

 \vidow, a near relation of the archdeacon's, at who e 

 home his lordfliip most afsiduously edified h-imself 

 during his stay at Compostella ? However it may 

 be, Don Torribio followed his new highnefs to Rome. 

 Scarce were they arrived there when the pope died. 

 It is easy to foresee where this event will lead us ; 

 the conclave is opened, the whole sacred coLege unite 

 in favour of the Spanifli cardinal ; — he is now pope ! 

 After the ceremonies of the exaltation, Don Torribio, 

 admitted to a private audience, wept with joy as he 

 kifsed the feet of his pupil, whom he saw fill the 

 pontifical throne with so much dignity. He madest- 

 ly represented his long and faithful services ; he re- 

 TtiinTled his holinefs of his promises, inviolable pro- 

 raises, and which had been renewed before he enter- 

 ed the conclave ; he hinted a few words about the 

 hat, which he had just quitted in receiving the tiara ; 

 but, instead of afking the hat for Don Benjamin, he 

 ended by a trait of moderation, scarce tube credited : 

 He protested he renounced all ambitious expecta- 

 tions ; his son and himself would be too happy if his 

 liolinefs, witli his benediction, would have the good- 

 ncfs to give them a small civil employment; or ai*. an- 

 nuit)' for their lives, that would be sufficient for th; 

 moderate wants of an ecclesiastic and a philoso- 

 pher. 



VOL. vii. Q D f 



