"Possibly," he added, "I may come down and keep
you company a little. You must be dull alone; expect
me."

When Gabriel was locked into the church, he caught
sight of the high altar, resplendent with lights. He
made his usual trial of doors and railings; visited the
Locum and the large lavoratories, where once some
thieves had concealed themselves, and after he was
quite certain that there was no human being in the
church except himself, be seated himself in the



322 THE SHADOW OF THE CATHEDRAL

live in Toledo. You see this masquerade ? I wear it to-
day for the last time; to-morrow I shall taste the first
joy of my life, tearing this shroud into shreds, sadi
small shreds that no one will be able to use them. I
shall be a man. I will go far away, as far as I can. I
wish to know what the world is like as I have to live in
it. I know no one, I shall have no assistance. You are
the most extraordinary man I have ever known, and
here you are hidden in this dungeon by your own free
will, concealed in a Church which to your views must
be empty. I am not afraid of poverty. When one has
been God's representative on six reals a day one can
look hunger in the face. I will be a workman ; I will dig
the earth, if necessary. I will get employment on some-
thing — ^but I shall be a free man."

As the two friends walked up and down the cloister
Gabriel cotmselled Don Martin in deteimining the place
to which he should direct his steps, as his thoughts wav-
ered between Paris and the American republics, where
emigration was most needed.
