Before giving proceedings of this andother meetings let us have a look at the Church of Saint Peter and the monastery and see what happened to the monk of the monastery and its nun, and how the head priest (Isabella’s father) and Michael (Mirano’s father) received the news and what situation was created among the Christians of Cordova.It so happened that when these four girls left the Church of Saint Peter, thepoor monk was lying bound up and since he was gagged by a wad of rags he could not speak. The nun took out the rags from his mouth andreleased his hands and feet. But even after release he continued to be out ofhis senses and the nun ran about for help.Pilgrims, living in chambers, on hearing the noise, wrung their hands and, as usual, began to cry before theskeletons of saints. When the mourning ended and the monk and the nun composed themselves they took two donkeys of pilgrims and rode to the monastery. On reaching the monastery all the monks and nuns of the monastery came out to receive them, but when they found marks of humility, repentance and defeat on their faces they were thunder-struck. One of those present,however, taking courage, came forward and spoke to the monk.The man: Respected sir, the holy father (head priest) has sent this letter and directed that it should be replied at once.Monk (beating his breast): Alas ! howcan I show my face to the holy father. Alas! the accursed satan has deceived me: the satan who did not spare even the Lord without putting him to trial. Wretched Isabella and O accursed girls abomination on you and O daughter of satan! You yourself became an apostate and putus also to shame. O God! Thou seest what treatment has been meted out to Thine devoted servants.All the monks of the monastery were struck dumb on hearing this and looked at one another speechless The monk then with trembling hands opened the letter of the holy father and read. It said: “In order to persuade Isabella her three friends have gone to the monastery as I had informed you. I think the reconversion of Isabella is difficult. Ifher condition is yet unchanged, then hand her over to the Inquisition for this purpose. I will send to you some men in the evening to whom you should hand over the girl. Now you should send back the other three girls lest the devil may mislead them also and they fall not into the trap of Isabella.”On reading this the monk began to weep and cry loudly. After some time he spoke: What reply can I give to thisletter? I will myself go to the holy father and tell him how satan has putpious people to trial. So saying he stood up and walked out and took with him the saintly nun of France. Meeting the holy father at his house, he narrated the whole episode which the head priest quickly heard and then asked.Head priest: When I had directed you to keep a careful watch on Isabella, why did you fall in the trap of the girls and believing in their false revelation left the monastery? If such a situation had arisen, why did you not inform me?Monk: What reply can I give? Surely I have been at fault and fell into satan’s trap.Head priest: But tell me now what other monks were in conspiracy with the girls.Monk: No one else was in the conspiracy and as a precaution I did not tell anyone. Only this nun whose piety is well known was invloved in this episode.Head priest (to his servant): Just go and bring Michael and Peter and tell them they should stop all other work and come to me at once.The servant left and shortly after Michael and Peter arrived with three other priests, holding their hands on their chests. The head priest spoke, addressing Michael.Head priest: Your daughter Mirano has gone away with my daughter Isabella.Michael: What, holy father! What are you talking?Head priest: Not only Isabella and Mirano, Hanana and Mertha also gave a slip to the people of the monastery.Michael: Holy father! just say what happened.The head priest asked the monk to narrate to him the whole episode. The monk with tearful eyes narrated what had happened on which Michael and Peter also wept.Head priest: Why weep! Curse these filthy souls. The only regret is that Isabella escaped the grip of Inquisition.Michael: Holy father, this is not an ordinary matter. Christians will be humiliated all over Cordova and we will not be able to face the people.Head priest: Anyway, try to find out where these girls are now. We will setto work about it very soon.Three days later after one-third of thenight had passed all the other priestsof Cordova and zealous Christians began to gather in the great Church of Cordova. They were secretly directed to assemble in the great Church. Apparently there was no sign of a large gathering as there was no indication of any preparations for the meeting. People came and quietly and soberly sat in the large hall of the Church in front ofthe holy altar. This showed that for this special meeting people were secretly invited.A large cross was fixed on the altar over which Christ hung and below it Virgin Mary sat on her knees demonstrating her obedience. All the walls of the great Church were painted with the figures of saints anddisciples, looking like pictures from Roman and Egyptian mythology. Under these walls all those who came took their seats. Nuns, virgins, who where entertainers of pious priests, were also seen in the crowd. The head priest who was chief of this Church and father of Isabella was very cordially receiving all those whocame.With all this there was such silence and solemnity that no one outside of the Church could know what was happening inside. But the Muslims were informed even of this secret meeting and this secrecy of priests could not remain a secret. The head priest and Michael, standing at the gate, were directing zealous Christians with gestures to keep silence. But people were coming in streams. Several thousands of Christians had already collected in the Church, but the head priest was waiting for others to come. Under thestatue of the crucified Christ, a man said quietly to another near him: Brother, Lord’s name be glorified! Here is an envelope which I have to give to the head priest before the meeting begins, but Michael has ordered me to go and bring such andsuch a person soon. Now I have to carry out this order and so if you takethe trouble to give this letter to the head priest as soon as he comes it will be very kind of you.
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