"Charry," while Fra Miguel and myself
accompanied her on foot. It was also agreed between us that we should
preserve the most rigid reserve and distance of manner in the Friar's
presence, rarely noticing or speaking with each other. One only
difficulty existed, which was by what pretence I should direct my steps
to Aguaverde. But here again Donna Maria's ready wit suggested the
expedient, as she said, laughing, "Are you not making a pilgrimage to
the shrine of Our Lady 'des los Dolores '?"

"So I am," said I. "Shame on me that I should have forgotten it till
now!"

"Did you never tell me," said she, archly, "that you intended to enter
'an order'?"

"Certainly," said I, joining the merry humor; "and so will I, on the
very same day you take the veil."

"And now, holy man," said she, with difficulty repressing a fresh
burst of laughter, "let us say, 'Good night.' Fra Miguel will awake at
daybreak, and I see that is already near."

"Good night, sweet sister," said I, once again pressing her fingers to
my lips, and scarcely knowing when to relinquish them. A heavy sigh
from the Friar, however, admonished me to hasten away; and I crept to
my place, and lay down beside the now almost extinguished embers of our
fire.

"What a good thought was that of the pilgrimage," said I, as I drew my
cloak around me; and I remembered that "Chico's" beads and his "book
of offices" were still among my effects in the saddle-bags, and would
greatly favor my assumption of the pious character. I then tried to
recall some of my forgotten Latin. From this I reverted to thoughts
of Donna Maria herself, and half wondered at the rapid strides we had
accomplished in each other's confidence. At last I fell asleep, to dream
of every incongruity and incoherency that ever haunted a diseased brain.
Nunneries, with a crocodile for the Abbess, gave way to scenes in the
Placers, where Nuns were gold-washing, and Friars riding down cataracts
on caymans. From such pleasant realities a rough shake of Fra Miguel
aroused me, as he cried, "When a man laughs so heartily in his sleep,
he may chance to keep all the grave thoughts for his waking. Rise up,
Senhor; the day is breaking. Let us profit by the cool hours to make our
journey."

As day was breaking we set out for Bexar, in the manner I had suggested;
Donna Maria riding, the Friar and myself, one either side of her,
on foot. Resolved upon winning, so far as might be, Fra Miguel's
confidence, I address