.

Nor was it possible for Antonia to lock the door upon this pervading
spirit. After Doctor Worth's flight, it became necessary for her to
assume control over the household. She had promised him to do so,
and she was resolved, in spite of all opposition, to follow out his
instructions. But it was by no means an easy task.

Fray Ignatius had both the Senora and Rachela completely under his
subjection. Molly, the Irish cook, was already dissatisfied. The doctor
had saved her life and given her a good home and generous wages,
and while the doctor was happy and prosperous Molly was accordingly
grateful. But a few words from the priest set affairs in a far
pleasanter light to her. She was a true Catholic; the saints sent the
heretic doctor to help. It was therefore the saints to whom gratitude
was due. Had she not earned her good wage? And would not Don Angel
Sandoval give her a still larger sum? Or even the Brothers at the
Mission of San Jose? Molly listened to these words with a complacent
pleasure. She reflected that it would be much more agreeable to her to
be where she could entirely forget that she had ever been hungry and
friendless, and lying at death's door.

Antonia knew also that Rachela was at heart unfaithful, and soon the
conviction was forced on her that servants are never faithful beyond the
line of their own interest--that it is, indeed, against certain primary
laws of nature to expect it. Certainly, it was impossible to doubt
that there was in all their dependents a kind of satisfaction in their
misfortunes.

The doctor had done them favors--how unpleasant was their memory!
The Senora had offended them by the splendor of her dress, and her
complacent air of happiness. Antonia's American ways and her habit of
sitting for hours with a book in her hand were a great irritation.

"She wishes to be thought wiser than other women--as wise as even a holy
priest--SHE! that never goes to mass, and is nearly a heretic," said the
house steward; "and as for the Senorita Isabel, a little trouble will be
good for her! Holy Mary! the way she has been pampered and petted! It
is an absurdity. 'Little dear,' and 'angel,' are the hardest words she
hears. Si! if God did not mercifully abate a little the rich they would
grow to be 'almightys.'"

This was the tone of the conversation of the servants of the household.
It was not an unnatural tone, but it was a very unhappy one. People
cannot escape from the mood of mind th