express, and I do not know what we can do, now that it has happened."

"That's it, mother! That's it!" broke in Felipe. "You see, you see it is
too late now."

The Senora went on as if Felipe had not spoken. "I suppose you would
really very much regret to part with Alessandro, and your word is in a
way pledged to him, as you had asked him if he would stay on the place,
Of course, now that all this has happened, it would be very unpleasant
for Ramona to stay here, and see him continually--at least for a time,
until she gets over this strange passion she seems to have conceived
for him. It will not last. Such sudden passions never do." The Senora
artfully interpolated, "What should you think, Felipe, of having her go
back to the Sisters' school for a time? She was very happy there."

The Senora had strained a point too far. Felipe's self-control suddenly
gave way, and as impetuously as he had spoken in the beginning, he spoke
again now, nerved by the memory of Ramona's face and tone as she had
cried to him in the garden, "Oh, Felipe, you won't let her shut me up
in the convent, will you?" "Mother!" he cried, "you would never do that.
You would not shut the poor girl up in the convent!"

The Senora raised her eyebrows in astonishment. "Who spoke of shutting
up?" she said. "Ramona has already been there at school. She might go
again. She is not too old to learn. A change of scene and occupation is
the best possible cure for a girl who has a thing of this sort to get
over. Can you propose anything better, my son? What would you advise?"
And a third time the Senora paused for an answer.

These pauses and direct questions of the Senora's were like nothing
in life so much as like that stage in a spider's processes when,
withdrawing a little way from a half-entangled victim, which still
supposes himself free, it rests from its weaving, and watches the victim
flutter. Subtle questions like these, assuming, taking for granted as
settled, much which had never been settled at all, were among the best
weapons in the Senora's armory. They rarely failed her.

"Advise!" cried Felipe, excitedly. "Advise! This is what I advise--to
let Ramona and Alessandro marry. I can't help all you say about our
obligations. I dare say you're right; and it's a cursedly awkward
complication for us, anyhow, the way you put it."

"Yes, awkward for you, as the head of our house," interrupted the
Senora, sighing. "I don't quite see how you would face