Free Daughters of Spain by Jean Plaidy, 6.95

now that he was growing infirm. A sound in the night - and he would call to his attendants.
    'Are the doors guarded?'
    'Yes, Excellency,' would be the answer.
    'Make sure to keep them so.'
    He would never have anyone with Jewish blood near him. He was afraid of those with Jewish blood. It was but a few years ago that all Jews who would not accept the Christian faith had been mercilessly exiled from Spain on his decree. Many Jews remained. He thought of them sometimes during the night. He dreamed they stole into his room.
    He had every dish which was put before him first tasted in his presence before he ate.
    When a man grew old he contemplated death often, and Torquemada, who had sent thousands to their deaths, was now afraid that someone who had suffered through him would seek to hurry him from life.
    But duty called; and he had a plan to lay before the Sovereigns.
    He reached Alcala in the late afternoon. The residence of Ximenes was very sombre.
    Ruiz received Torquemada in the place of his master.
    'Does aught ail Fray Francisco Ximenes de Cisneros?' Torquemada asked.
    'He is recovering from an illness which has been most severe.'
    'Then perhaps I should not delay but continue my journey to Madrid.'
    'Let me tell him that Your Excellency is here. If he is well enough he will certainly wish to see you. Allow me to inform him of your arrival after I have shown you to an apartment where you can rest while I have refreshment sent to Your Excellency.'
    Torquemada graciously agreed to this proposal and Ruiz hurried to the bedside of Ximenes who had not left his bed since that horrifying encounter with Bernardin.
    He opened his eyes and looked at Ruiz as he entered. To this nephew he owed his life. Ruiz had dashed into the apartment as Bernardin had hurried out because Ruiz, who knew Bernardin well, had feared he might harm his brother. It was Ruiz who had revived his half-dead uncle and brought him back to life.
    Ximenes had since been wondering what action to take. Clearly he could not have Bernardin back in his household, but justice should be done. There should be punishment for such a crime. But how could he denounce his own brother as a would-be murderer?
    Ruiz came to stand by the bed.
    'Uncle,' he said, 'Tomas de Torquemada is with us.'
    'Torquemada! Here!' Ximenes attempted to raise his weakened body. 'What does he want?'
    'To have a word with you if you are well enough to see him.'
    'It must be some important business which brings him here.'
    'It must be. He is a sick man and suffering greatly from the gout.'
    'You had better bring him to me, Ruiz.'
    'If you do not feel strong enough I can explain this to him.'
    'No. I must see him. Have him brought to me.'
    Torquemada entered Ximenes's bedchamber and coming to the bed embraced the Archbishop.
    They were not unalike - both had the stern look of the man who believes himself to have discovered the righteous way of life; both were ascetic in the extreme, emaciated through hardship; both were well acquainted with semi-starvation and the hair shirt - all of which they believed necessary to salvation. Both had to fight with their own particular demon, which was a pride greater than that felt by most men.
    'I am sad to see you laid low, Archbishop,' said Torquemada.
    'And I fear you yourself are in no fit state to travel, Inquisitor.' Inquisitor was the title Torquemada enjoyed hearing more than any other. It was a reminder that he had set up an Inquisition the like of which had never been seen in Spain before.
    'I suffer from the gout most cruelly,' said Torquemada.
    'A strange sickness for one of your habits,' answered Ximenes.
    'Strange indeed. And what is this latest illness of yours?'
    Ximenes answered quickly: 'A chill, I suspect.'
    He was not going to tell Torquemada that he had been almost suffocated by his own brother, for if he had Torquemada would have demanded that Bernardin should be brought to trial and severely punished. Torquemada would doubtless have behaved