tude of a
gentleman beneath them. If necessary, trust Ortiz fully. One thing above
all others remember--FLIGHT before a convent."

"Flight! Yes, death before it! I promise you, father. When we meet
again, you shall say, well done, Antonia."

It was now about midnight. They went back to the parlor. Luis and Dare
sat by the dying fire. They were bent forward, close together over it,
talking in a low voice. They rose when the doctor spoke, and silently
kissed Antonia.

"It will be a hard ride, now," said the doctor, and Dare answered,
mechanically, "but we shall manage it." He held Antonia's hand, and
she went with them to the rear of the house. Their horses were standing
ready saddled. Silently the men mounted. In a moment they had passed the
gate, and the beat of their horses' hoofs gradually died away.

But all through the clear spaces of the sky the Christmas bells were
ringing, and the serenaders were musically telling each other,

"At twelve will the Child be born!"

CHAPTER XII. DANGER AND HELP.

"A curious creed they weave,
And, for the Church commands it,
All men must needs believe,
Though no man understands it.
God loves his few pet lambs,
And saves his one pet nation;
The rest he largely damns,
With swinging reprobation."

"The Church may loose and bind;
But Mind, immortal Mind,
As free as wave or wind,
Came forth, O God, from Thee."
--BLACKIE.

Dr. Worth had set his daughter a task of no light magnitude. It was
true, that Rachela and Fray Ignatius could no longer disturb the
household by their actual presence, but their power to cause unhappiness
was not destroyed. Among the Mexican families loyal to Santa Anna
the dismission of the priest and the duenna had been a source of much
indignant gossip; for Rachela was one of those women who cry out when
they are hurt, and compel others to share their trouble. The priest had
not therefore found it necessary to explain WHY the Senora had called
upon a new confessor. He could be silent, and possess his dignity in
uncomplaining patience, for Rachela paraded his wrongs as a kind of
set-off to her own.

Such piety! Such virtues! And the outrageous conduct of the Senor
Doctor! To be sure there was cause for anger at the Senorita Antonia.
Oh, yes! She could crow her mind abroad! There were books--O