"I have entered this church, this holy sanctuary, without crossing myself; and passed the image of the Blessed Virgin without kneeling." She paused, and bent her head lower. 'The Padre then said, "My daughter, thy sins are grievous; my heart bleeds over thy manifold transgressions." "Even so, my Father; even so." "Dost thou still bear enmity to Manuel Nevarro, who loves thee truly, and is thy promised husband?" "No, my Father; I desire to be speedily reconciled to him whom I have offended." "Wilt thou promise to offer no objection, but become his wife?" "My Father, I do not wish to be his wife; yet thy will, not mine." A smile of triumph glittered in the Padre's eye at this confession; yet his low tone was unchanged. "Inez, I will not force thee to marry Manuel, yet thou shalt never be another's wife. In infancy thou wast promised, and thy hand can never be joined to another. Choose you, my daughter, and choose quickly." "Padre, give me time. May one so guilty as I speak out?" "Yes, speak; for I would have thine inmost thoughts." "Father, let me spend a month of quiet and peace among the holy sisters at San Jose; there will I determine either to be Manuel's wife, or dedicate the remainder of my life to the service of God and our most Holy Lady." "You have spoken well: even so shall it be; but, Inez, I would question you further and see you answer me truly, as you desire the intercession of the Blessed Virgin." Inez lifted her head, and fixing her eyes full on his swarthy face, replied with energy: "My Father, even as I desire the intercession of our Blessed Virgin, so will I answer." The head was bent again on her bosom. He had sought to read her countenance during that brief glance, but there was a something in its dark depths he could not quite understand. "My daughter, hast thou been of late with that Protestant girl, by name Mary Irving?" "I have seen her twice since last confession." "Where did you meet her?" "Once at Senora Perraras, and once she came for me, to walk with her." "Answer truly. Upon what subjects did you converse?" Inez seemed striving to recall some portion of what had past. At last she said, "Indeed, Padre, I cannot remember much she said. It was mostly of birds, and trees, and flowers, and something, I believe, about this beautiful town, as she called it." "Think again. Did she not speak lightly of the blessed church, and most holy faith? Did she not strive to turn you to her own cursed doctrines, and, above all, did she not speak of me, your Padre, with scorn?" "No, my Father, most truly she did not." Again she raised her eyes to his face. Piercing was the glance he tent upon her. Yet hers fell not beneath it: calm and immovable she seemed. He lifted his hand menacingly.