hange the taste of the Virgin.

San Diego followed Magdalena, but he did not seem to rejoice over the
fact, for he was as precise in his behavior as on the morning when he
followed along behind San Francisco. Six brothers of the Third Order
drew the car. San Diego stopped before the platform and awaited for
the people to salute him.

But it was necessary to await the car which contained the image of the
Virgin. Preceding this car were some people dressed in a fantastic
manner which made children cry and babies scream. In the midst of
that dark mass of habits, hoods and girdles, to the sound of that
monotonous and nasal prayer, one could see, like white jessamine,
like fresh pansies among old rags, twelve young lassies dressed in
white, crowned with flowers, with hair curled and eyes bright as the
necklaces they wore. Seizing hold of two wide blue bands which were
tied to the car of the Virgin, they drew it along, reminding one of
doves drawing the car of Spring.

And now when the images were all attentive, when this child and
that had been slapped sufficiently to make him listen to the verses,
when everybody had his eyes fixed on the half open curtain, at last,
an aaaah! of admiration escaped from the lips of all.

And the sight merited it. A young child appeared with wings, riding
boots, a cordon over its shoulder, a belt and a plumed hat.

"The Senor Alcalde!" cried some one, but the young prodigy recited
a poem in such a manner that the Alcalde was not offended at the
comparison.

The procession then continued. San Juan followed out his bitter career.

As the Virgin passed before the house of Captain Tiago, a heavenly song
greeted her like the words of an archangel. It was a sweet, melodious,
supplicating voice, weeping the Ave Maria of Gounod. The music of
the procession was silenced, the praying ceased, and Father Salvi
himself stopped. The voice trembled and brought tears to the cheeks
of those who heard it. That voice expressed more than a salutation,
a prayer, or a plaint.

From the window, where he was viewing the procession, Ibarra heard
the voice, and melancholy took possession of his heart. He understood
what that soul was suffering and what was expressed in that song. He
was afraid to think of the cause of that grief.

The Governor General found him pensive and sad.

CHAPTER XXI

DONA CONSOLACION.

Why were the windows in the alferez's house closed? Where was
the masculine face a