and the Senora brought him into her
private parlor and confided to him the strait they were in. He looked
with sympathy into the troubled, tear-stained faces of these three
helpless women, and listened with many expressive gestures to the
proposal of the priest and the offer of the old marquis.

"Most excellent ladies," he answered; "it is a plot. I assure you that
it is a plot. Certainly it was not without reason I was so unhappy about
you this afternoon. Even while I was at the bull-fight, I think our
angels were in a consultation about your affairs. Your name was in my
ears above all other sounds."

"You say it is a plot, Senor. Explain to us what you mean?"

"Yes, I will tell you. Do you know that Fray Ignatius is the confessor
of the marquis?"

"We had not thought of such a thing."

"It is the truth. For many years they have been close as the skin and
the flesh. Without Fray Ignatius the marquis says neither yes or no.
Also the will of the marquis has been lately made. I have seen a copy of
it. Everything he has is left to the brotherhoods of the Church. Without
doubt, Fray Ignatius was the, lawyer who wrote it."

"Senor, I always believed that would happen. At my marriage my uncle
made the determination. Indeed, we have never expected a piastre--no,
not even a tlaco. And to-day he was kind to me, and offered me his home.
Oh, Holy Mother, how wretched I am! Can I not trust in the good words of
those who are of my own family?"

"The tie of race will come before the tie of the family. The tie of
religion is strongest of all, Senora. Let me tell you what will take
place. When you and your children are in the house of the marquis,
he will go before the Alcalde. He will declare that you have gone
voluntarily to his care, and that he is your nearest and most natural
guardian. Very well. But further, he will declare, on account of his
great age, and the troubled state of the time, he is unable to protect
you, and ask for the authority to place you in the religious care of the
holy sisterhood of Saint Maria. And he will obtain all he wants."

"But, simply, what is to be gained by such treachery? He said to-day
that I was like his sister Mercedes, and he spoke very gently to me."

"He would not think such a proceeding really unkind. He would assure
himself that it was good for your eternal salvation. As to the reason,
that is to be looked for in the purse, where all reasons come from. This
house, which the good do