"With you by my side, I fear not the evil spirit," answered the Fidalgo, though the expression of his countenance belied his words; "and I will take the earliest opportunity of putting your directions into execution, though I knew not that my wife had expressed a wish that her daughter should enter a convent. During her last illness, you informed me she often prayed that I would permit her child to assume the veil, rather than I should compel her to wed against her inclination. This I consented to do, trusting she would nor wish to rebel against my will in the choice of a husband: as yet, her heart is free, and I have arranged that she shall marry, though yet she knows not of it, the young Conde de San Vincente, one of the oldest Puritano families, and one of the most wealthy; so that he is in every way unexceptionable. He is also a great friend of my son, who is very anxious for the match; and he tells me that the count is longing to see his intended bride. I therefore trust I shall have no difficulty on the subject, and that Clara, who has always been a dutiful child, will make no objections." "With all these arrangements I was perfectly acquainted," said the Priest, in a calm tone; "but suppose she objects to marry the young count, will you not then follow her mother's wishes? or, I may say more--for, know that your wife devoted her daughter to the Church, and the quiet of her soul depends on the fulfilment of her vows." "Father, you press me hard," exclaimed the Fidalgo, in a tone of voice which showed that his feelings were galled; and his ghostly confessor saw that he might be going too far. "I seek to do what is best for the honour of my family, for my daughter's happiness, and for the repose of the soul of my departed wife; what more would you have me do?" "It is enough," returned the Priest; "you promise, then, that if your daughter, Donna Clara, refuses to obey your wish that she should marry the Conde de San Vincente, she shall assume the veil, with the portion that you would bestow on her if she wedded; for, remember, if you do not, it is at the peril of your own soul, of her's, and of that of your departed wife." "I promise so to do, holy Father, if thus her sainted mother vowed her to the Church," exclaimed the Fidalgo; "but I know that my sweet child will not for a moment dream of disobeying my wishes." "I seek alone the good of her precious soul," returned the Priest; and for some time they rode on in silence.