St. Rose of Lima by Sr. Mary Alphonsus

Author:Sr. Mary Alphonsus [Alphonsus, Sr. Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TAN Books
Published: 2015-06-24T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Marriage of the Lamb

How Oliva, Gaspar and Isabel lived through the next few hours they never quite knew. As for Rose and the other children, they were told nothing of Archbishop Toribio's coming visit. With the help of Gaspar and her mother, Oliva managed to insure that they would be away at the time, all except Rose.

"I am to have a distinguished caller this afternoon who has particularly asked for you," she said. "So you must be at home."

There was nothing unusual in this remark; it was one that Rose had heard a hundred times before. She did not ask who the caller was to be; it made little difference to her. The routine was always the same. At first, Oliva received the visitor; then, on her request, Rose was sent for. There were saccharine greetings and preposterous compliments. As soon as she could, Rose withdrew.

Despite her fears, Oliva achieved a composed appearance for the archbishop's visit. She made Rose wear her finest and most striking costume. She ordered Mariana and Rose to decorate the front gate, the doorways and windows of the house with garlands. Above the door leading into the living room, which was the only room Oliva had in which she could entertain guests, they had hung a cross of red and yellow roses, surrounded by sprays of fern and orange blossoms. Oliva knew that the archbishop would be pleased by this gesture in his honor, no matter what his errand. Such decorations were often used by her wealthy friends, for they frequently entertained the great.

From the moment of Toribio's arrival, Oliva was stunned. He had not come alone or with his secretary, as she imagined he would. Instead, he brought with him his young niece, María de Quiñones. Oliva had met her only once and then only for a few moments at a reception, so she was bewildered at this visit. If Grimanesa had come with her brother, Oliva would have been less astonished; in fact, she would have been pleased and flattered. But for Archbishop Toribio to come with his niece and ask for Rose at once, this sent her imagination scurrying. What could it mean?

She had not long to wonder. After a few remarks about Gaspar, Isabel and herself, the archbishop came to the discussion of the children. So! Matthias and young Gaspar had enlisted with the Chilean troops! And they had remained in the army! And her other daughters? Ah, yes. She had lost a daughter at Quive. The archbishop's face saddened. These deaths of the young are so hard to bear, so difficult to understand. But we must rely on the wisdom of God who does all things well and orders all for our good. Her daughter Bernardina had married? Indeed! He would pray for her future happiness and that of her favored husband. Ramón, Andrés and Fernando were employed? Good.

By now there was no one left to ask about except the three youngest children and Rose. Oliva was alarmed.

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