view would be accompanied but with melancholy and sadness, the common
products of a last farewell, but in heaven he should eternally behold
them with pleasure, and without the least allay of sorrow.

Mascaregnas had already a high idea of Xavier's virtue; but this
wonderful disengagement from the world yet more increased the esteem
which he had of him; insomuch, that before they reached Portugal, he sent
an express to King John III. with no other errand, than to inform him of
the holiness of this second missioner to the Indies.

They arrived at Lisbon towards the end of June; and Xavier retired to the
hospital of All Saints, where Rodriguez, who came by sea, had taken up
his lodging. He found him much weakened with a quartan ague, which had
not left him; and embraced him just at the moment when his fit was coming
on him. But whether it were, that the extreme joy which Rodriguez found,
so unexpectedly to see him, dissipated the humour which caused his
disease, or that the embraces of Xavier had from that time an healing
virtue; certain it is that the fit came not, and from thenceforward the
sick man entirely recovered of that distemper.

Three or four days after, they were both called to court. The king and
queen, who were in company together, received Xavier as a saint, on the
report of Mascaregnas, and entertained him with all imaginable shews of
kindness. They asked them diverse questions concerning their way of
living; by what accident their new Society came to be formed; and what
was the ground and ultimate design of it; and at last desired to be
informed by them, from whence proceeded that strange persecution, which
was raised in Rome against their body, which had made so great a noise
over all Europe. Xavier made answer to all these demands in few words,
but so very pertinently, as much satisfied both their majesties: they