n God's care."

Very slowly the doctor sauntered back to the parlor, like a man who has
a heavy duty to, do and hardly knows how to begin it. "But I will tell
Maria first," he whispered; and then he opened the door, and saw the
Senora bidding her children good-night.

"What a happy time we have had!" she was saying. "I shall never forget
it. Indeed, my dears, you see how satisfactory it is to be religious.
When we talk of the saints and angels, they come round us to listen to
what we say; accordingly, we are full of peace and pleasure. I know that
because I heard Fray--I heard a very good man say so."

She smiled happily at her husband, as she took his arm, and twice, as
they went slowly upstairs together, she lifted her face for his kiss.
Her gentleness and affection made it hard for him to speak; but there
were words to be said that could be no longer delayed; and when he had
closed the room door, he took her hands in his, and looked into her face
with eyes that told her all.

"You are going away, Roberto," she whispered.

"My love! Yes! To-night--this very hour I must go! Luis and Dare also.
Do not weep. I entreat you! My heart is heavy, and your tears I cannot
bear."

Then she answered, with a noble Composure: "I will give you smiles and
kisses. My good Roberto, so true and kind! I will try to be worthy of
you. Nay, but you must not weep--Roberto!"

It was true. Quite unconsciously the troubled husband and father was
weeping. "I fear to leave you, dear Maria. All is so uncertain. I can
only ask you two favors; if you will grant them, you will do all that
can be done to send me away with hope. Will you promise me to have
nothing to do whatever with Fray Ignatius; and to resist every attempt
he may make to induce you to go into a religious house of any kind?"

"I promise you, Roberto. By my mother's cross, I promise you!"

"Again, dear Maria, if you should be in any danger, promise me that you
will do as Antonia and Lopez Navarro think it wisest and best."

"Go with God, my, husband. Go with God, in a good hour. All you wish, I
will do."

He held her to his heart and kissed her, and she whispered amid her
tender farewells to himself, messages to her soils--but especially to
Juan. "Will you see Juan? If you do, tell him I repent. I send him a
thousand blessings! Ah, the dear one! Kiss him for me, Roberto! Tell him
how much I love him, Roberto! How I sorrow because I was cross to him!
My precious one! My go