"My prayers to Heaven, my fastings and castigations, my long and arduous voyages, with all the perils of the sea and land, have not been thrown away; and as a reward for my pious exertions, it has been given me to see visions, and to prophesy events, even before the saints above know them; ay, to speak in strange tongues the words of truth, even in such strange tongues that none can understand them." "You are doubtlessly highly favoured," answered his wary companion; "but methinks a little less outward demonstration of zeal, at the present moment, would have been more advisable, and you would yet have retained your post as confessor to the queen, and enjoyed the lofty satisfaction of leading her gentle soul to eternal salvation." "Ah! that is the subject about which I would speak," answered Malagrida: "most foully have I been thrust out of my office, and I would revenge myself, or I would say it is the duty of our order to punish that heretical, iron-hearted man, Sebastiao Carvalho, who has been the cause of all the injuries inflicted on us." "You speak words of wisdom, my brother," returned the crafty Jesuit; "but how would you accomplish the noble end you have in view, so greatly to the advantage of our holy religion, and the safety of our order?" "I would stir up the people against him, as one hateful in the sight of Heaven; I would call down the thunder of Rome upon his head; and I would work upon the fears and piety of the king to recall those who have for so long possessed the precious care of his soul, ere he delivers it into the power of the prince of darkness in the person of his minister." "But should the king refuse to hear you, and still follow the evil suggestions of Carvalho?" asked the other. "Then will I make him tremble on his throne!" exclaimed Malagrida. "The nobles and the people shall rise against his unholy power, and his death shall teach monarchs that our order is not to be trampled on with impunity." "Truly, my brother, the spirit of inspiration is on you," said the Superior, casting a keen glance towards him. "And nowhere can our order find a more zealous advocate." "For that was I born; for that have I fought; and for that will I die!" exclaimed Malagrida with enthusiasm. "Such is the spirit which should animate all our order, and we should triumph, in the name of our Lord, against all opposition which frail man can offer."