in than Don Felipe Ramirez."

XXXII

As Chiquita and Padre Antonio left the _patio_, accompanied by Marieta
and old Juana, the women drew back from her as though from some unclean
thing. Gladly would they have spared Padre Antonio's feelings, but their
hatred and jealousy were too intense and the opportunity to cast a stone
at her too tempting for flesh and blood to resist.

Greatly to the astonishment of every one, it was noted that Padre
Antonio carried his head quite as high while leaving, as when he entered
the _patio_ during the early part of the evening. They expected him to
limp away, a crushed and broken old man; but they had yet to learn the
unbending spirit of the Padre. Although humble in the sight of God,
experience had taught him that the only way to command the respect of
men was to hold one's head high while among them.

What must he think of her now, to be requited thus after all he had
done for her? Chiquita asked herself as she, with Marieta and Juana,
followed him homeward. The opinion of the world concerning her, and
the loss of Captain Forest's love, seemed little in comparison to the
thought that he should believe she had betrayed his confidence. She
could endure anything but that. Had she but told him all in the
beginning, he might have been spared the shame of this disgrace.
Perhaps it was not yet too late; she would tell him all that night.
True, she could not make amends for the pain she had caused him, but
perhaps he would understand--forgive her.

She knew that a continuance of her residence in Santa Fe was no longer
possible. Strange that it should have ended thus, and what was before
her now? She knew the world only waited to shower wealth and distinction
upon her should she choose the stage for a career; or, she might return
to her people. But what would life be to her under any conditions
without Padre Antonio's respect and the Captain's love?

Strong and versatile and capable though she was to cope with the world,
her lot was not an enviable one. It was with Godspeed, not the
maledictions of one's neighbors, that she had hoped to leave the place
which had sheltered her so long. And Padre Antonio--how could she part
from him thus?

Captain Forest's last words were her only solace; he had tried to
believe in her to the end. Let come what might, they would remain with
her always like a benediction, a tower of strength in some future hour
of trial. And then there was Don Feli