He had not seen Thomas for a long time. He
addressed him with suavity and regrets, and yet, "was sure he would
be glad to hear that, in the present dangerous crisis, the Marquis de
Gonzaga had remembered the blood-tie and offered his protection to a
family so desolate."

Thomas Worth leaned upon the balusters, as if guarding the approach to
the Senora's apartments. He answered: "The protection of the marquis
is unnecessary. Three ladies are too great a charge for one so aged. We
will not impose it." The face of the young man was calm and stern, but
he spoke without visible temper, until the priest prepared to pass him.
Then he stretched out his arm as a barrier.

"Fray Ignatius, you have already passed beyond the threshold; permit me
to remind you of Dr. Worth's words on that subject."

"I put my duty before any man's words."

"Sir, for my mother's sake, I would not be disrespectful; but I assure
you, also, that I will not permit any man, while I live, to disregard my
father's orders regarding his own household."

"I must see the Senora."

"That, I reply, is impossible."

"Presume not--dare not to interfere with a priest in the duty of his
office. It is a mortal sin. The curse of the Church will rest upon you.

"The curse of the Church will not trouble me. But to treat my father's
known wishes with contempt--that is an act of dishonor and disobedience
which I will not be guilty of."

"Santa Maria! Suffer not my spirit to be moved by this wicked one. Out
of my path, Satanas!"

The last word was not one which Thomas Worth had expected. He flushed
crimson at its application, and with a few muttered sentences,
intelligible only to the priest, he took him firmly by the shoulder, led
him outside the door, and closed and barred it.

The expulsion was not accomplished without noisy opposition on the part
of Fray Ignatius, and it pained Thomas deeply to hear, in the midst of
the priest's anathemas, the shrill cries of his mother's distress and
disapproval.

The next domestic movement of Thomas Worth was to rid the house of Molly
and Manuel, and the inferior servants. It was not as easy a task as may
be supposed. They had been ordered by Fray Ignatius to remain, and the
order had not been countermanded. Even if the Senora and her daughters
were going east, and their services were not needed, they had no
objections to remain in the Worth house. They understood that the
Church would take possession, and the housekeep