mericans may yet number the most here, and then your power will be at
an end. Seemingly I was passive, but you are thwarted. We stand face
to face, and I scorn you, incarnate devil as you are. How dared you do
as you have done? Mine eyes are opened--you can no longer deceive me
with your lying legends and the marvelous traditions of your country.
I tell you, I hate you with an everlasting hate. You have led me far
from God, if there be a God, and may my curse follow you, even to your
grave!"

Fiercely the glowing face was bent upon him. Hate, scorn, bitterness
of heart, and utter desolation mingled strangely in the withering
glance. The Padre seized her arm, and hoarsely exclaimed:

"We know each other now: no matter, you cannot escape me: if force be
necessary to take you hence, I can command it at any moment. You know
full well my word is law; resist not, nor further rouse me--there is
no help for you save in submission. I will not leave you."

"Ere I follow you hence, yonder river shall close over my body. I tell
you now I will not accompany you."

He stepped to the door and whistled faintly. The next moment a
black-browed soldier stood before them.

"Herrara, she has broken her promise--she refuses to enter a convent,
and she defies me, and scorns our holy church. I somehow expected
this; and I charge you now, suffer her not to pass the threshold of
her own room; guard well the door, there is no window. See you,
Inez, you cannot escape me?" He whispered in the intruder's ear, and,
promising to come again the ensuing day, left the house, carefully
closing the door after him. Lighting his cigarrita, Herrara requested
Inez to seek her own apartment, that he might secure the door outside,
and then return to the fire. Without a word she ascended the stairs
to her own room. A chain was passed about the door, and then the
retreating steps of the soldier died away.

What should she do? Inez sat down to collect her thoughts, and looked
round the apartment. The walls were of solid rock, and in one corner
was a small grating of four iron bars, which admitted light and
air, but precluded all hope of escape in that quarter. The door was
secured, and no means of egress presented itself. Her eye rested on
her lamp, and a smile lit up the dark countenance of the prisoner. She
threw herself on her bed: slowly the hours rolled--midnight came at
last. She rose and listened--no stir, no sound of life reached her:
she glanced at