ternoon it was some relief to see the confessor coming up the
garden. He had resumed his usual deliberate pace. His hands were folded
upon his breast. He looked as the mournful Jeremiah may have looked,
when he had the burden of a heavy prophecy to deliver.

The Senora sat down with a doggedly sullen air, which Antonia understood
very well. It meant, "I am not to be forced to take any way but my own,
to-day"; and the wise priest understood her mood as soon as he entered
the room. He put behind him the reproof he had been meditating. He
stimulated her curiosity; he asked her sympathy. No man knew better than
Fray Ignatius, when to assume sacerdotal authority and when to lay it
aside.

And the Senora was never proof against the compliment of his personal
friendship. The fight, as it affected himself and his brotherhood
and the convent, was full of interest to her. She smiled at Brother
Servando's childish alarm; she was angry at an insult offered to the
venerable abbot; she condoled with the Sisters, wept at the danger that
the famous statue of the Virgin de Los Reinedias had been exposed to;
and was altogether as sympathetic as he could desire, until her own
affairs were mentioned.

"And you also, my daughter? The sword has pierced your heart too, I am
sure! To know that your husband and sons were fighting against your God
and your country! Holy Mother! How great must have been your grief. But,
for your comfort, I tell you that the saints who have suffered a fiery
martyrdom stand at the feet of those who, like you, endure the continual
crucifixion of their affections."

The Senora was silent, but not displeased and the priest then ventured a
little further:

"But there is an end to all trials, daughter and I now absolve you from
the further struggle. Decide this day for your God and your country.
Make an offering to Almighty God and the Holy Mother of your earthly
love. Give yourself and your daughters and all that you have to the
benign and merciful Church. Show these rebels and heretics--these
ungrateful recipients of Mexican bounty--what a true Catholic is capable
of. His Divine Majesty and the Holy Mary demand this supreme sacrifice
from you."

"Father, I have my husband, and my sons; to them, also, I owe some
duties."

"The Church will absolve you from them."

"It would break my heart."

"Listen then: If it is your right hand, or your right eye--that is, if
it is your husband, or your child--you are comm