Marianita was in tears. It was she one would have thought that had suffered a misfortune; while Gertrudis, whose eyes shone with a sort of melancholy satisfaction for the act she had accomplished, appealed to be endeavouring to console her sister! "Do not weep, my poor Marianita!" said she. "Perhaps, had it not been for my culpable weakness, in consenting to defer the fulfilment of my vow, this sad affair would not have arisen. Now I am more confident, that whatever danger he may run, God will restore Rafael safe to me. Go and tell him that I wait here to bid him _adios_. Bring him here, but stay with us yourself. Remember that, sister. Remain here along with us, for I cannot trust my strength. I might never allow him to leave me. Go, dearest, and return quickly!" Marianita, covering her face with a kerchief, and endeavouring to dry her tears, hastened upon her errand. Gertrudis, left alone, looked towards the two long plaits which she had placed beside her upon the table. The lips of Don Rafael had kissed them but the moment before; and, perhaps, influenced by this sweet souvenir, the young girl took them up and pressed them repeatedly to her own. Then laying them once more upon the table, she knelt down, to seek in prayer the strength of which she stood in need. She was still upon her knees when Marianita, followed by Don Rafael, entered the chamber--that virgin sanctuary of the two sisters, where man, except their father, had never before penetrated. A rapid glance told Don Rafael that the sacrifice had been accomplished. He was already too pale to change countenance. Gertrudis rose and seated herself upon a _fauteuil_. Marianita also took a seat, but in a remote corner of the apartment. Don Rafael remained standing. "Come here, Don Rafael!" said Gertrudis, "come near me. Kneel before me. No!--on one knee!--upon both only before God. So! Place your hands in mine! Look into my eyes." Don Rafael obeyed these gentle injunctions without resistance or reluctance. What more could he wish, than thus to bend before her whom he loved? To press those white delicate fingers between his own strong hands? To drink from those swimming eyes as from the fountain of love? What more could man desire? "Do you remember what you just now said to me, Don Rafael? `_Oh! Gertrudis, there is no love that could repay such a sacrifice! And however beautiful she might be, that young girl must appear in the eyes of her lover as beautiful as an angel_!' Are you still of the same opinion?" And with a sweet smile the questioner looked down in the face of her lover. "There, hush!" continued she, placing her little hand over his lips, "you need not make reply. Your eyes--you have beautiful eyes, my Rafael!--your eyes answer in the affirmative."