The abbé had just entered the private parlour of Sister Prudence, a woman about fifty years old, with a pale and serious face and a sharp, penetrating eye. "Well, dear abbé," said she, "what news from Dom Diégo? When will he arrive?" "The canon has arrived, my dear sister." "With his niece?" "With his niece." "God be praised! Now, my dear abbé, let us pray Heaven to bless our plans." "Without doubt, my dear sister, we will pray, but, above all, let us play a sure game, for it will not be easy to win." "What do you say?" "The truth. This truth I have learned only this morning, and here it is; give me, I pray you, all your attention." "I am listening, my dear brother." "Moreover, that we may better agree, and clearly understand our position, let us first settle the condition of things in our minds. Two months ago, Rev. Father Benoit, who is engaged in foreign missions, and at present is in Cadiz, wrote to me recommending to my especial consideration Lord Dom Diégo, Canon of Alcantara, who was to sail from Cadiz to France with his niece, Dolores Salcedo." "Very well, my brother." "Father Benoit added that he was sufficiently acquainted with the character and disposition of Dolores Salcedo to feel sure that she could be easily persuaded to take the veil, a resolution which would have the approval of her uncle, Dom Diégo." "And, as she is the only heir of the rich canon, the house which she will enter will be greatly benefited by the fortune she inherits." "Exactly so, my dear sister. Naturally, I have thought of our convent of Ste. Rosalie for Senora Dolores, and I have spoken to you of these intentions." "I have adopted them, my dear brother, because, having some experience with young girls, I feel almost sure that I can, by persuasion, guard this innocent dove from the snares of a seductive and corrupt world, and decide her to take the veil in our house. I shall be doing two good works: save a young girl, and turn to the good of the poor riches which, in other hands, would be used for evil; I cannot hesitate." "Without doubt; but, now, my dear sister, the inconvenient thing is, that this innocent dove has a lover." "What do you tell me, my brother? What horror! But then, our plans." "I have just warned you that we must play a sure game." "And how have you learned this shocking thing, my dear brother?" "By the majordomo of Dom Diégo, a modest servant who keeps me informed of everything he can learn about the canon and his niece." "These instructions are indispensable, my brother, because they enable us to act with intelligence and security. But what ideas has this majordomo given you concerning this unfortunate love, my dear brother?" "Hear, now, how things have happened. The canon and his niece embarked at Cadiz, on a three-master coming from the Indies, and sailing for Bordeaux. Really, now, how many strange fatalities do occur!" "What fatalities?"