e experience did her a world of good. She waited
upon herself as a princess might condescend to minister to her own
wants--loftily, with a smile at her own complaisance. The very knowledge
that her husband was near at hand inspired her with courage. She went to
sleep assuring herself "that not even Fray Ignatius should again speak
evil of her beloved, who never thought of her except with a loyal
affection." For in married life, the wife can sin against love as well
as fidelity; and she thought with a sob of the cowardice which had
permitted Fray Ignatius to call her dear one "rebel and heretic."

"Santa Dios!" she said in a passionate whisper; "it is not a mortal sin
to think differently from Santa Anna"--and then more tenderly--"those
who love each other are of the same faith."

And if Fray Ignatius had seen at that moment the savage whiteness of her
small teeth behind the petulant pout of her parted lips, he might
have understood that this woman of small intelligence had also the
unreasoning partisanship and the implacable sense of anger which
generally accompanies small intelligence, and which indicates a nature
governed by feeling, and utterly irresponsive to reasoning which feeling
does not endorse.

CHAPTER VIII. MOTHER AND PRIEST.

. . . . "witness,

When the dark-stoled priestly crew,
Came swift trooping where the trumpet
Of foul Santa Anna blew."
* * * * *

"Rouse thee, Wrath, and be a giant;
People's Will, that hath been pliant,
Long, too long;

Up, and snap the rusty chaining,
Brittle bond for thy restraining,
Know the hour, the weak are reigning
Thou art strong.

* * * * *

"Rise and right the wrongs of ages;
Balance Time's unequal pages
With the sword."

It was nearly two o'clock when Don Luis mounted his horse and left the
Worth residencia. The storm still raged, the night was dark, the cold
intense, but the home of Lopez Navarro was scarce a quarter of a mile
away; and he found him waiting his return.

"You have still an hour, Luis. Come in and sit with me."

"As you say; and I wish to show you that I am capable of a great thing.
You do not believe me? Well, then give me again my own clothes. I will
resign these."

"You are most welcome to them, Luis."

"But no; I am in