পাতা:সদগুণ ও বীর্য্যের ইতিহাস.djvu/১৫৯

[ 156 ) occasion paid a visit to his native village, a female relative being ashamed of appearing before him in her homely dress, was hastily retiring, but was stopped by Ximenes, who bade her continue her employment. “This dress,” said he, “ and this employment suit you well, attend to your household affairs.” The disinterestedness of the Cardinal was the more remarkable, as his authority as Regent was almost unlimited ; wealth, honors, and power, were all at his command, but in no instance had his private interests the smallest influence in their dis tribution. His large revenues were all expended in public acts of munificence, or in relieving the suffering poor. As a statesman he was profound, and decisive; during the twenty months of his Regency, he raised the Spanish monarchy to a degree of power and splendour, never known before or since. Howmelancholy is it to reflect on the reward which awaited such invaluable services ! 'Qn