Dead silence, heavy and stifling, fell upon Josè. Slowly his throat filled, and his ears began to throb. Diego sat before him, smiling and twirling his fat thumbs. He looked like the images of Chinese gods Josè had seen in foreign lands. Then the tortured man forced a laugh. Of course, the strain of yesterday had been too much for him! His overwrought mind had read into words and events meanings which they had not been meant to convey. "True, _amigo_," he managed to say, striving to steady his voice. "But we spiritual Fathers should not forget--" Diego laughed egregiously. "_Caramba_, man! Let us get to the meat in the nut. Why do you think I am in Simití, braving the wrath of Rosendo and others? Why have I left my comfortable quarters in Banco, to undertake a journey, long and hazardous, to this godless hole?" He paused, apparently enjoying the suffering he saw depicted upon Josè's countenance. "I will tell you," he resumed. "But you will keep my confidence, no? We are brother priests, and must hold together. You protect me in this, and I return the favor in a like indiscretion. _Bien_, I explain: I am here partly because of the revolution, as I told you yesterday, and partly, as I did not tell you, to see my little girl, my daughter, Carmen-- "_Caramba_, man!" he cried, bounding to his feet, as he saw Josè slowly rise before him. "Listen! It is God's truth! Sit down! Sit down!" Josè dropped back into his chair like a withered leaf in the lull of a winter's wind. "_Dios y diablo_, but it rends me to make this confession, _amigo_! And yet, I look to you for support! The girl, Carmen--_I am her father!_" Diego paced dramatically up and down before the scarce hearing Josè and unfolded his story in a quick, jerky voice, with many a gesture and much rolling of his bright eyes. "Her mother was a Spanish woman of high degree. We met in Bogotá. My vows prevented me from marrying her, else I should have done so. _Caramba_, but I loved her! _Bien_, I was called to Cartagena. She feared, in her delicate state, that I was deserting her. She tried to follow me, and at Badillo was put off the boat. There, poor child, she passed away in grief, leaving her babe. May she rest forever on the bosom of the blessed Virgin!" Diego bowed reverently and crossed himself.