alled so," said Rollo, gravely, "who for the King's
sake have borne reproach gladly--of whom this Ramon, called El Sarria,
is one. What he has done has been by order of our Don Carlos----"

"Indeed, that is true, my lady," interjected a very pretty and
unconventual young person, rising suddenly from behind certain frames of
embroidery where she had been at work unseen, "the gentleman refers to
that same Ramon Garcia, whose letters recommendatory I had the honour of
submitting to you this morning. To kill in the King's name is surely no
sin, else were soldiering a sin, and your reverend worthiness knows
that, shriven or unshriven, the soldiers of Carlos Quinto go straight to
heaven. And none can deny that, while on earth, a handsome uniform
covers a multitude of sins!"

"Hush, child, hush!" cried the Abbess, holding up her hands in horror;
"your talk savours of the world. And indeed, that reminds me--how in the
world came you here?"

"I was seated at the embroidery," said the girl, demurely; "you set me
the task yourself to be ready for our Lady of the Pillar's festival on
Tuesday next."

"Well, child, well--you can go now," said the Abbess, with a nod of
dismission; "I would speak with this young man alone!"

The girl cast a look at Rollo which remained with him long. It seemed to
say, "I would gladly talk more with you, for your person is somewhat to
my mind, and I do not think that further converse with me would prove
entirely disagreeable to you!"

This message was conveyed in a single glance, and Rollo, not the most
impressionable of youths, read it every syllable without the slightest
difficulty.

He held up his hand almost involuntarily.

"If this damosel is by any chance the Senorita Concha Cabezos, as I have
some reason to suppose, though I have never before seen the young lady,
it might be advantageous if she remained. She was formerly, as I am
informed, in the family of Don Ramon Garcia, and can assist my mission
very materially."

Then Rollo opened out his plans in so far as they concerned Dolores,
showing the Prioress how important it was, for the success of the
arduous mission on which they had been despatched, that El Sarria should
leave no anxieties behind him, and beseeching her for the sake of the
King's cause, to receive Dolores within the convent as she had already
received her child.

The Prioress considered a while, and after many dubious shakings of the
head, finally agreed.

"It is