Vaillant is called back to Santa Fe by Latour, but he does not know why. He is there three weeks when Latour tells him they are going for a ride. Vaillant is impatient to get back to his parish. They ride into the Sandia mountains and come upon a hill of golden rock, a hill that will furnish the cornerstone for the cathedral Latour plans to build in Santa Fe. The rock reminds both priests of the Popes’ Palace at Avignon.
Latour dreams of his church built in the Midi Romanesque style. He will hire a builder from France who is the son of an old friend. Vaillant thinks his friend’s plans are too extravagant. Latour justifies the expense as an investment in the future of the diocese. Vaillant feels uneasy and wonders why he has been called from Arizona. He wants a cathedral, but style does not seem important to him.
In this chapter, the reader learns that Dona Isabella has moved to New Orleans and that Padre Jesus of Isleta has died.
