"Since my last confession, I accuse myself of many sins. I have missed mass, vespers and many holy ordinances of our most holy church. Have borne hatred, and given most provoking language.
"I have broken the engagement thou did'st command me to keep; have angered Mañuel, and enraged my father greatly. I neglected fasting on the day of our most holy Saint ----.
"I have entered this church, this holy sanctuary, without crossing myself; and passed the image of the Blessed Virgin without kneeling." She paused, and bent her head lower.
'The Padre then said, "My daughter, thy sins are grievous; my heart bleeds over thy manifold transgressions."
"Even so, my Father; even so."
"Dost thou still bear enmity to Mañuel Nevarro, who loves thee truly, and is thy promised husband?"
"No, my Father; I desire to be speedily reconciled to him whom I have offended."
"Wilt thou promise to offer no objection, but become his wife?"
"My Father, I do not wish to be his wife; yet thy will, not mine."
A smile of triumph glittered in the Padre's eye at this confession; yet his low tone was unchanged.
"Inez, I will not force thee to marry Mañuel, yet thou shalt never be another's wife. In infancy thou wast promised, and thy hand can never be joined to another. Choose you, my daughter, and choose quickly."
"Padre, give me time. May one so guilty as I speak out?"
"Yes, speak; for I would have thine inmost thoughts."
"Father, let me spend a month of quiet and peace among the holy sisters at San Jose; there will I determine either to be Mañuel's wife, or dedicate the remainder of my life to the service of God and our most Holy Lady."
"You have spoken well: even so shall it be; but, Inez, I would question you further and see you answer me truly, as you desire the intercession of the Blessed Virgin."
Inez lifted her head, and fixing her eyes full on his swarthy face, replied with energy: "My Father, even as I desire the intercession of our Blessed Virgin, so will I answer."
The head was bent again on her bosom. He had sought to read her countenance during that brief glance, but there was a something in its dark depths he could not quite understand.
"My daughter, hast thou been of late with that Protestant girl, by name Mary Irving?"