[Footnote:  In a note George Eliot gives the following explanation of the word marranos:  “The name given by the Spanish Jews to the multitudes of their race converted to Christianity at the end of the fourteenth century and beginning of the fifteenth.  The lofty derivation from Maran-atha, the Lord cometh, seems hardly called for, seeing that marrano is Spanish for pig.  The ‘old Christians’ learned to use the word as a term of contempt for the ‘new Christians,’ or converted Jews and their descendants; but not too monotonously, for they often interchanged it with the fine old crusted opprobrium of the name Jew.  Still, many Marranos held the highest secular and ecclesiastical prizes in Spain, and were respected accordingly.”]

In the conversation between Don Silva and this uncle, the Prior expresses in the strongest language his conviction that Fedalma will in time reveal her gypsy blood, and that any rejection on the part of Don Silva of the life assigned him by his birth will end in sorrow and misery.  When Don Silva declares his intention of following his own inclinations the Prior answers,—­

  Your strength will turn to anguish, like the strength
  Of fallen angels.  Can you change your blood? 
  You are a Christian, with the Christian awe
  In every vein.  A Spanish noble, born
  To serve your people and your people’s faith. 
  Strong, are you?  Turn your back upon the Cross—­
  Its shadow is before you.  Leave your place: 
  Quit the great ranks of knighthood:  you will walk
  Forever with a tortured double self,
  A self that will be hungry while you feast,
  Will blush with shame while you are glorified,
  Will feel the ache and chill of desolation
  Even in the very bosom of your love.

This eloquent expostulation against rejection of any of those ties and obligations imposed by birth and race is repeated again in the plea of Zarca to his daughter, when he urges that there is no life and joy for Fedalma apart from that race to which she belongs and those social conditions which gave her mind its characteristics.

  Will you adopt a soul without its thoughts,
  Or grasp a life apart from flesh and blood? 
  Till then you cannot wed a Spanish Duke
  And not wed shame at mention of your race,
  And not wed hardness to their miseries—­
  Nay, wed not murder.

Zarca and the Prior are each faithful to race, religion and social tradition.  Each knows his duty, is content with the opportunities given him by social inheritance, is thoroughly in harmony with his own past.  Both are consequently strong, resolute, successful.  Zarca is a grand character, and though a hero in a nation of vagabonds, he wholly identifies himself with his people and accepts their destiny as his own.  The Prior is a haughty Spanish Churchman, who has inherited all the traits of a noble family, and is proud of his priestly functions.