arrived. "Where are you going?" he asked, and in his preoccupation
he gently tapped the young girl's cheek.

"To the convent to get my things," said she.

"Ah! ah! well, well! we shall see who is the stronger, we shall
see!" he murmured, as he left the two women somewhat surprised and
went up the steps.

"He's probably committing his sermon," said Aunt Isabel. "Come,
we are late!"

We cannot say whether Father Damaso was committing a sermon, but he
must have been absorbed in important things, for he did not offer
his hand to Captain Tiago.

"Santiago," he said, "we must have a serious talk. Come into your
office."

Captain Tiago felt uneasy. He answered nothing, but followed the
gigantic priest, who closed the door behind them.

While they talk, let us see what has become of Father Sibyla.

The learned Dominican, his mass once said, had set out for the
convent of his order, which stands at the entrance to the city,
near the gate bearing alternately, according to the family reigning
at Madrid, the name of Magellan or Isabella II.

Brother Sibyla entered, crossed several halls, and knocked at a door.

"Come in," said a faint voice.

"God give health to your reverence," said the young Dominican,
entering. Seated in a great armchair was an old priest, meagre,
jaundiced, like Rivera's saints. His eyes, deep-sunken in their
orbits, were arched with heavy brows, intensifying the flashes of
their dying light.

Brother Sibyla was moved. He inclined his head, and seemed to wait.

"Ah!" gasped the sick man, "they recommend an operation! An operation
at my age! Oh, this country, this terrible country! You see what it
does for all of us, Hernando!"

"And what has your reverence decided?"

"To die! Could I do otherwise? I suffer too much, but--I've made
others suffer. I'm paying my debt. And you? How are you? What do you
bring me?"

"I came to talk of the mission you gave me."

"Ah! and what is there to say?"

"They've told us fairy tales," answered Brother Sibyla wearily. "Young
Ibarra seems a sensible fellow. He is not stupid at all, and thoroughly
manly."

"Is it so!"

"Hostilities began yesterday."

"Ah! and how?"

Brother Sibyla briefly recounted what had passed between Brother
Damaso and Crisostomo.

"Besides," he said in conclusion, "the young man is going to marry
the daughter of Captain Tiago, who was educated at the convent of
our sisters. He is rich; he would not go about making himself en