"Indeed, that is true, my lady," interjected a very pretty and unconventual young person, rising suddenly from behind certain frames of embroidery where she had been at work unseen, "the gentleman refers to that same Ramon Garcia, whose letters recommendatory I had the honour of submitting to you this morning. To kill in the King's name is surely no sin, else were soldiering a sin, and your reverend worthiness knows that, shriven or unshriven, the soldiers of Carlos Quinto go straight to heaven. And none can deny that, while on earth, a handsome uniform covers a multitude of sins!" "Hush, child, hush!" cried the Abbess, holding up her hands in horror; "your talk savours of the world. And indeed, that reminds me--how in the world came you here?" "I was seated at the embroidery," said the girl, demurely; "you set me the task yourself to be ready for our Lady of the Pillar's festival on Tuesday next." "Well, child, well--you can go now," said the Abbess, with a nod of dismission; "I would speak with this young man alone!" The girl cast a look at Rollo which remained with him long. It seemed to say, "I would gladly talk more with you, for your person is somewhat to my mind, and I do not think that further converse with me would prove entirely disagreeable to you!" This message was conveyed in a single glance, and Rollo, not the most impressionable of youths, read it every syllable without the slightest difficulty. He held up his hand almost involuntarily. "If this damosel is by any chance the Senorita Concha Cabezos, as I have some reason to suppose, though I have never before seen the young lady, it might be advantageous if she remained. She was formerly, as I am informed, in the family of Don Ramon Garcia, and can assist my mission very materially." Then Rollo opened out his plans in so far as they concerned Dolores, showing the Prioress how important it was, for the success of the arduous mission on which they had been despatched, that El Sarria should leave no anxieties behind him, and beseeching her for the sake of the King's cause, to receive Dolores within the convent as she had already received her child. The Prioress considered a while, and after many dubious shakings of the head, finally agreed. "It is indeed gravely irregular," she said, "but in these untoward circumstances the King's service overrides all. I will receive Dolores Garcia." "And if it be your will I will arrange the details with the Senorita Concha," said Rollo, promptly. "I need not, in that case, further detain the noble and reverend Prioress!"