ews on every hand my daughter. The heretics are swarming
like wolves around the Missions. Several of our holy brothers have
endured the last extremity. These wolves will even enter the city, and
you will be in danger. I have come to take you to the convent. There,
Holy Mary will be your safety."

"But these wolves might attack the convent, father!"

"Our Blessed Lady is stronger than they. She has always kept her own."

"Blessed be the hand of God and Mary! will trust in them. Ah, Antonia!
Listen to Fray Ignatius! He says we must go to the convent--the heretics
are coming. They have even slain some priests at the Mission."

"Fray Ignatius has been misinformed, dear mother. When a man wears a
gown and has no arms Americans do not molest him. That is certain. As
for the convent it is impossible. My father forbade it. If the Americans
enter the city, he is with them. He will protect us, if we should need
it, which is not likely."

"Disobedient one!"

"Pardon. I wish only to obey the commands of my father."

"I absolve you from them."

"They are between God and my soul. There is no absolution from duty."

"Grace of God! Hear you, Senora! Hear you the rebellious and disobedient
one! She has defied me to my face! She is near to being anathema! She is
not your daughter! She is bewitched. Some evil spirit has possession of
her. Let no one touch her or speak to her; it shall be a mortal sin."

Antonia fell at her mother's knee. "Mi madre! I am your daughter, your
Antonia, that you carried in your breast, and that loves you better than
life. Permit me not to be accused of sin--to be called a devil. Mother,
speak for me."

At this moment Isabel entered. Seeing the distress of her mother and
sister she hastened to them; but Fray Ignatius stepped between, and
extending his arms forbade her nearer approach.

"I forbid you to speak to your sister. I forbid you to touch her, to
give her food, or water, or sympathy, until she has humbled herself, and
obtained the forgiveness of her sin."

Then mother love stood up triumphant over superstition. "I and my
daughter are the same," said the Senora, and she gave her hand to
Antonia. "If she has sinned, we will bear the penance together; she and
I together."

"I command you to stand apart. For the good of Antonia's sinful soul, I
command you to withdraw yourself from her."

"She is my daughter, father. I will bear the sin and the punishment with
her. The Holy Mother will unde