' And he ceased exhausted.
Often since then I have thought of his words, and I still think of them
now that my own hour is so near. As will be seen Fonseca was a fatalist,
a belief which I do not altogether share, holding as I do that within
certain limits we are allowed to shape our own characters and destinies.
But his last sayings I believe to be true. God is and is merciful, and
death is not terrible either in its act or in its consequence.
Presently Fonseca spoke again. 'Why do you lead me to talk of such
things? They weary me and I have little time. I was telling of my will.
Nephew, listen. Except certain sums that I have given to be spent in
charities--not in masses, mind you--I have left you all I possess.'
'You have left it to ME!' I said astonished.
'Yes, nephew, to you. Why not? I have no relations living and I have
learned to love you, I who thought that I could never care again for any
man or woman or child. I am grateful to you, who have proved to me that
my heart is not dead, take what I give you as a mark of my gratitude.'
Now I began to stammer my thanks, but he stopped me. 'The sum that you
will inherit, nephew, amounts in all to about five thousand gold pesos,
or perhaps twelve thousand of your English pounds, enough for a young
man to begin life on, even with a wife. Indeed there in England it may
well be held a great fortune, and I think that your betrothed's father
will make no more objection to you as a son-in-law.
Pages:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121