of the two. That thing in my head goes wrong when they give me
the _cuerda_. But when I can sit quiet like this, and they will let me
alone a little while, I love to think of Jesus our Lord, and of His
taking away all my sins. I know not wherefore I should be beaten for
that. It is my head, thou seest.'

"Poor, poor lady! I felt great tears running down _my face_, and
dropping on my gown as I knelt. `_Ay Senora mia_!' I said, so well as
I could falter it, `Jesus, our dear Lord, hath taken away all our sins
that do believe in Him. He loveth your Highness, and if you will cling
to Him, He will have you to dwell with Himself at the end of this life.'

"I felt I must use words easy to be received, for her understanding
seemed gone, and like unto that of a little child. `_Ay doncella mia_!'
she sighed, `I shall be glad when the end of this life is come.'

"And she laid down her poor head so wearily. `When the Lord seeth
good,' I answered. `Sometimes,' she said dreamily again, `I want so
sorely to go forth. I long so much to breathe the sweet, cool air--to
see the cork-trees and the olives. They never bring me so much as an
orange flower. Then my head goes wrong, thou seest, when this longing
cometh on me; and then--. And sometimes I feel sick, and cannot eat.
Then they make me eat with the _cuerda_. I wish Jesus would make haste
and help me. I used to understand it all better before I had the
_cuerda_. But I had my husband then, and my children around me. Not
one of them ever comes now; and there are six [Note 3]. My husband is
dead--I think he is; they say so [Note 4]. I think they might have let
one of them come, if only just to say "Mother" to me. I cannot
understand it now; and it seems so long--so long! _Ay de mi_! if Jesus
would come!'

"I could not utter another word ere Rosada brake in. `Ines!' she cried
in a loud whisper; `what do you here? Know you not, _amiga_, that the
Lord Marquis will well-nigh kill you if he find you in this chamber?
None of her Highness' women are ever allowed to enter at will. Back,
back, as fast as you can go!'

"Then, kneeling a moment, she said hastily, `_Criada umilisima de Su
Alteza_!' [`The most humble servant of her Highness.'] and arising,
pushed me forth of the chamber, and into mine own, almost before I knew
what she had said or done. Five minutes later, my Lord of Denia his
steps sounded in the corridor. `Thank the holy Virgin and all the
saints!'