"Then it is true," she said. "It was not a dream. It was good in you to care for me and not desert me in my pollution, but I know now it is true, and you need not deny it." "But,"--began Mrs. Rizal. "I will not talk about it," interrupted the girl, "and God will reward you who are so different from other women in that you did not turn away from the victim as from a thing polluted. No, do not interrupt. I am strong now. There is only one thing I may do with the remnant of life left to me. I have no longer father or mother, God or redeemer. I have no place in society on earth. I have no lover, no chance for home or respectability. But I have hope and a purpose. It has just come to me. Do not deny me in the plan I have." "I will listen to your plan, but you are weak and not yet able to do anything." The girl leaped out of the bed, let down her hair and hunted a pair of shears. "Cut off my hair, closely," she said. "I fear you are not yet over the fever," remonstrated Mrs. Rizal. "I have had no fever," said the girl, "and I am well. I shall be strong for vengeance and justice. Nay, do not fear, good Mother Rizal, I am sane." "You have not told me your plan." "Inasmuch as Ambrosia Lonzello has lost all place in society and on earth, she had the fever and is dead. She is merely another victim of the friars. I, who stand before you, am not Ambrosia Lonzello. I am a man, now and henceforth. I feel within me the vigor and courage of manhood, proving the transformation. Henceforth I shall live only for vengeance and to assist Saguanaldo, who had been Ambrosia's friend. Cut off the hair that belies my sex, and then we all go to the field to give our lives for the cause." Mrs. Rizal expostulated, but in vain. She argued as to the girl's lack of strength, but was actually laughed out of the idea. At last she fell in with the plan, both as being in accord with her own desire and also as being perhaps the only course open to the girl after what had happened. A few hours afterward, then, the transformation was completed. The girl, with her hair cropped close and wearing a suit that had belonged in days past to Dr. Rizal, looked very much like a vigorous young man, and Mrs. Rizal was gratified to find that she showed no sign of failing physical powers. Indeed, she was to all appearance well again. "You see, I have merely been transformed into a new creature," said the youth, smiling and showing two rows of perfect white teeth. "My name is Hilario Agonoy, at your service." Bowing low. "When shall we go to the seat of war?" "Mañana [13]," replied the youth, gaily. "Don't you see that Ambrosia is dead?" XIII. OFF TO THE WAR. The next day Mrs. Rizal and her companion, known as Hilario Agonoy, set out into the country to join Saguanaldo.