CHAPTER XLV - THE PROCESSION OF THE MADONNAS
“Now the procession commenced.
Lines of solemn monks, with their gray gowns fastened
at the waist with rope girdles, came out of their
monasteries and reverently followed the particular
Madonna worshipped by their order, as she was carried
around, standing on a platform carpeted with velvet,
dressed sumptuously, like a woman of the world.
Some of these Madonnas were covered with jewels richer
and in greater profusion than those worn by the Infanta
herself. One, our Lady of Montes Serat, was elevated
on a platform ten feet long, carried by eight stalwart
priests. The platform was carpeted with crimson
velvet, ornamented at the sides with heavy bullion
fringe. Her black velvet robe was studded with
diamonds over the whole length of its ample and flowing
train. This swept back to the verge of the platform
in heavy folds, while adown the front was one maze
of jewels, covering the velvet so thickly that you
could scarcely see it. A mantilla of such lace
as cannot be bought for gold, fell over her shoulders,
and in her stiff hand she carried a marvel of point
lace which, with a living person, would have answered
for a pocket handkerchief.
“Six tall tapers of white wax
shed their refulgence over the image, lighting up
all its wealth of jewels, and its sweeping draperies
into wonderful magnificence. The platform was
strewn with garlands and freshly gathered roses, which
perfumed the air as she passed through thousands and
thousands who looked upon her with smiles of wonder
and adoration.
“Just as this particular Madonna
came slowly in sight, a glorious sunset poured its
last beams upon us, filling the square with an atmosphere
of sifted gold. In the midst of this refulgence,
and just as our Lady of Montes Serat was approaching
the royal balcony, a strange scene surprised us.
“The worshipers of a rival Madonna,
composed of priests in sweeping robes that trailed
along the street some ten or fifteen feet, and tall
caps, like extinguishers, on the head crowded
so close upon our Lady of Montes Serat, that the whole
procession was thrown into confusion. One priest
trod on the trailing garments of another, forcing him
back against his brethren. Bitter rivalry between
the followers of both Madonnas was at work. The
two images were crowded together and hustled before
the balcony in which the Infanta sat, surrounded by
her royal guests; but the priests still in confusion
broke line and fell upon each other, dealing blows
that might have come from prize-fighters. The
guard took alarm, swords flashed from their scabbards.
A wild cry arose from the crowd. The tornado
of a great panic swept over it, and while we looked
on terrified, a cloud of dust, a few troopers riding
madly about with drawn swords, and the rival Madonnas,
standing stiff and stately before the Infanta’s
balcony, were all that remained of the crowd, or the
pageant.
“The square was empty, but every
street leading to it was closed up with frightened
people. The Infanta arose, knelt first to one
virgin, then to the other, with impartial homage,
and one of her officers gave some order from a window
of the house. Instantly every lamp in the square
blazed into brilliant light, and the people came crowding
back rapidly as they had left. The priests fell
into line, and the Infanta, sweeping down those balcony
steps with her four train bearers, placed herself in
front of our Lady of Montes Serat, and led the procession
forward in her own person.
“When the panic was at its height,
and the rush of people underneath our balcony was
like a stampede of wild animals, I felt myself growing
faint, and looked around for something to rest against.
That instant an arm supported me and a voice whispered,
’Do not be frightened, you are safe.’
“I started from his arms lest
he should feel the quick beating of my heart, and
replied quickly that I was not afraid.
“He left me then, and I could
have cried with vexation at receiving his kindness
so ungraciously. What must he think of me?
“While I was blaming myself
and wondering how I could redeem this seeming coolness,
Mrs. Eaton called James Harrington into the room from
which our balcony opened, where she held an animated
conversation with him. Lucy remained behind.
I noticed that she leaned over the railing and seemed
anxious about some one who had evidently been swept
off with the crowd, which was then gathering back
to the square. Directly I saw her face brighten,
and looking downward for the cause saw the young man
whom we had met on the steamboat, leaning against a
lamp post and looking up to our balcony in an easy,
familiar way, that annoyed me. Still I could
not withhold some admiration from the man. He
certainly was a splendid creature, formed in the perfection
of manly strength, and quite handsome enough to turn
the head of a vain girl like Lucy.
“I watched the movements of
these two persons listlessly, for the faintness had
not quite left me, and they seemed to me like creatures
in a dream. I saw Lucy take a note from her bosom
and tie it to a spray of orange blossoms which she
had been wearing there. This she held a moment
carefully in her hands, then leaning over the railing
dropped it.
“Had her mother called James
Harrington away, that Lucy might be left unwatched,
to give this signal to her strange admirer? All
this seemed like it. How innocent she looked
when James came back to the balcony! No sunshine
ever touched a red rose more sweetly than the smile
settled on her lips when he came and bent over her
chair.”