go, turning to the woman.

Ana had risen and was making for the stairs. Diego sprang to her and
seized her by the wrist. With her free hand she drew the stiletto from
her bosom and raised it to strike. Ricardo saw the movement, and threw
himself upon her.

"_Dios_!" cried Diego, as Ricardo felled the woman and wrenched the
weapon from her grasp. "My pretty angel, you have the venom of a
serpent! Sly wench! did you think to deceive your doting Padre?
But--_Dios nos guarde_!"

Carmen, awakened by the noise, had left her bed, and now stood at the
head of the stairs, looking with dilated eyes at the strange scene
being enacted below.

Silence fell upon the group. Ana lay on the ground, her eyes strained
toward the girl. Ricardo bent over her, awaiting his master's command.
He knew now that she had forever lost her power over the priest. Diego
stood like a statue, his eyes riveted upon Carmen. The girl looked
down upon them from the floor above with an expression of wonder, yet
without fear.

Diego was the first to find his voice. "Ah, my pretty one!" he
wheedled. "My lovely daughter! At last you come to your lonely padre!
Wait for me, _hermosissima_!" He puffed painfully up the steps.

"Carmen!--run!--run! Don't let him come near you--!" screamed Ana in a
voice of horror. Ricardo clapped his hand heavily over her mouth.

But the child did not move. Diego reached her and seized her hand.

"_Carissima_!" he panted, feasting his eyes upon her, while a thrill
passed through his coarse frame. "_Madre de Dios_, but you have grown
beautiful! Don Mario was right--you are surely the most voluptuous
object in human form that has ever crossed my path. _Bien_, the
blessed God is still good to his little Diego!"

He started away with her, but was detained by the loud voice of
Ricardo.

"_Bien_, Padre, my pay!"

"_Cierto, hombre_!" exclaimed Diego. "I was about to forget. But--a
father's joy--ah! _Bien_, come to me to-morrow--"

"_Na, Senor Padre_, but to-day--now! I have risked my life--and I have
a wife and babes! You will pay me this minute!"

"_Caramba_, ugly beast, but I will consign you to hell! _Maldito_! get
you gone! There are more convenient seasons than this for your
business!" And, still holding tightly to the girl's hand, he led her
into the study.

The woman turned upon Ricardo with the fury of a tiger. "See now what
you have done!" she screamed. "This will cost your life, for you have
put into his dirty