There came a morning, however, when Patty felt that a respite from Don Felipe would be rather an agreeable change, so she started up the road toward a certain spot which Tomás had pointed out to her in one of their walks. It was removed from the _carretera_, so that only by certain twistings and turnings along narrow paths could one reach the silent shrine of _Nuestra Señora de Piedad_, whose tiny chapel closely embowered in the protecting branches of tall trees, stood at an angle of the wooded ways. Unfortunately for Patty’s desire for solitude, fate sent two knights her way and turned the current of her meditations. Just as she was about to leave the _carretera_ she espied a wretched-looking beggar beating his donkey, for in Spain a beggar may ride and has not the least shame of his profession. It is more noble to beg than to work and no disgrace to be poor. The tender-hearted Patty, who was nothing if not fearless, stopped short at sight of the poor beast’s affliction. “What are you beating that donkey for?” she demanded fiercely. The man muttered something under his breath and then whined out a petition for alms in the name of Mary. [Illustration: “‘WHAT ARE YOU BEATING THAT DONKEY FOR?’”] “Not a _perrono_ will I give to a man who treats his beast so,” said Patty. “I should think you would be ashamed to beg, anyhow, a great strong man like you. What has your donkey done that you should abuse him? He looks thin enough, goodness knows.” “He is an obstinate beast,” replied the man; “he threw me off in the dust.” “I don’t blame him for being an obstinate beast with such a master,” returned Patty with spirit, “and I am glad he threw you off, poor creature.” The man cast a baleful glance at her and fell to belaboring the donkey with redoubled energy. “Oh dear, oh dear!” Patty wrung her hands and looked right and left for someone to appear to whom she could appeal. Then out of a cloud of dust suddenly issued a horseman, a little spruce old man on a black horse. “Don Felipe!” cried Patty, eagerly. “Señorita!” exclaimed Don Felipe drawing up short. “What is the matter?” he asked as he alighted. “This man is beating his donkey unmercifully, and will not stop.” Don Felipe smiled. “Only a donkey, señorita. You are too tender-hearted. The man is but a beggar and is not fit for you to speak to. Here,” and he threw the man a copper which was received obsequiously and with whining thanks. “Won’t you tell him not to abuse his donkey?” begged Patty. “It has to work hard and looks so thin.” “What would be the use, my dear young lady? As soon as our backs were turned he would do it again; it is the way of these people; they are ignorant and one must make some difference between man and beast. No doubt the man is likewise hungry. Come, my dear young lady, let us go on toward the village and leave this wretched beggar.” “I am not going to the village,” said Patty determinedly.