The Last Look | Page 3

Inquisition are more piercing than those of the whole
world combined," answered Don Gonzales, in a low voice, which came
hissing forth from between his almost clenched lips, in a tone which
was calculated to produce more effect on the mind of the hearer than
the loudest outburst of passion.
When the Bishop rose from his seat, he approached the rest of the

company with a smiling aspect, and addressed them with that dignified
courtesy for which Spaniards have ever been celebrated. Few would
have guessed the feelings which were even then agitating his bosom;
still, the party felt relieved when he and his softly-spoken, keen-eyed
attendants took their departure.
CHAPTER TWO.
THE INQUISITION.
At the time our story commences, the inquisitors scarcely suspected
how far the opinions they so much dreaded had extended. They had
satisfied themselves hitherto with burning Jews, Moors, and the poorer
class of Christians, whose opinions did not agree with those of the
Roman Catholic Church. Thus, when Don Gonzales Munebrega, soon
after his arrival at Seville on ecclesiastical business, paid the visit
which has been described to Dona Mercia de Cisneros, he was
considerably startled at hearing her young daughter utter expressions
which showed that she had been taught doctrines of a heretical
character. The whole family were in his power. He had once loved
Dona Mercia; she had rejected him. How should he now use that power?
Tumultuous feelings agitated his bosom as he mounted the
richly-caparisoned mule which stood ready to convey him to the
convent where he lodged.
This was not the only visit he paid to Dona Mercia; but, though
courteous to her guest, she was ever on her guard, and carefully kept
Leonor out of his way. For once in his life he was baffled. Whenever he
paid his visits the same caution was observed. At length he was
compelled to take his departure from Seville. Years rolled on, but he
never forgot the remarks made to him by the young Leonor de Cisneros.
He had hated her father, he had been rejected by her mother. It is
difficult to describe the feelings with which he regarded the daughter,
still less those which he had entertained for the mother. Were they holy
and pure? The lives of thousands of cardinals, bishops, and priests of
all degrees, is the best answer to the question.

Don Gonzales Munebrega was rising in the Church. He had become
Archbishop of Tarragona. His heart had become harder and harder; in
reality an infidel--an alien from God--a hater of all that was pure and
holy, he thought that he was becoming devout. He was resolved that if
he was not on the right way to heaven, no one else should get there by
any other. The war was now to begin against heresy and schism--terms
abused, especially the latter, at the present day almost as much as in the
darker days of Popish supremacy. There are to be found clergymen of
the Church of England who can, unconcernedly, see many of their flock
going over to the Church of Rome, whom they have possibly led
half-way there; and yet should any of the rest of their congregation,
disgusted with their Ritualistic practices, or fearing the effect of their
false teaching on their children, strive to set up an independent place of
worship, or to join any already established body of Christians,
anathemas are hurled at their heads, and they are told that they are
guilty of the heinous crime of schism--schism, in the sense they give it,
a figment of sacerdotalism, priestcraft, and imposture. But does the
crime of schism not exist? Ay, it does; but it is schism from the true
Church of Christ, the Church of which He is the head corner-stone, the
beautified in Heaven, the sanctified on earth; from God's people, who
are with Him in glory, who are with us here below, who are yet to be
born; from the glorious company of the redeemed; from Jesus Christ,
the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the whole world, the risen
Saviour, the one Intercessor between God and man. Those are guilty of
trying to create schism who tell God's people--trusting to the same
precious blood shed on Calvary--that it is a crime to worship together,
to commemorate the Lord's death together, to put out the right hand of
fellowship, to call each other brethren; ay, those are the causers of
schism, against whose evil machinations Christian men have cause to
pray.
But we must return to Spain. The year 1552 arrived. During it an
auto-da-fe was celebrated at Seville, but as only a few poor Moors and
Jews were burnt, it did not create much sensation; still there was no
lack of spectators to see the burning. Several criminals were