e Spanish trick of screening
my face upon occasion--I joined the Governor and his beautiful spouse in
the brightly lighted _comedor_, where covers at table were laid for
three. I was thankful for Melinza's absence, for to play at love-making
that night would have been beyond my powers.

At first I could eat nothing; but an urgent glance from Dona Orosia,
and the thought of what need there would be for all my strength prompted
me to force some morsels, in spite of the convulsive swelling of my
throat. I made shift, also, to answer when addressed by either host or
hostess; but the Governor was in no great spirits himself and seemed to
stand in some awe of his lady's frown.

Suddenly, without the door, sounded voices in altercation, and a servant
entered, protesting with many apologies that there was a reverend father
without who demanded to see his Excellency at once on a matter that
would brook no delay.

The Governor leaned back in his chair with an air of great annoyance;
but Dona Orosia said quickly, "Bid the father enter."

A tall form in a friar's dark habit appeared on the threshold. I
recognized, under the cowl, the thin, sallow face and the sombre eyes. I
had seen them at the door of the chapel in the castle courtyard on the
night of our arrival, and many times since. They belonged to Padre
Felipe, the confessor of the Governor's wife, and her adviser, I
believed, in affairs temporal as well as spiritual. Something told me he
had come hither at her bidding, and I glanced at her for confirmation;
but Dona Orosia leaned with one elbow on the table, her chin upon her
white hand, the other rounded arm outstretched with an almond in the
slim fingers for the delectation of the green parrot on his perch beside
her. Not a flicker of interest was visible on her beautiful, sullen
face; so I turned away with some disappointment to hear what the padre
was saying.

His voice was low-pitched and husky, and I could scarce distinguish what
he said, save that it concerned someone who was ill--nay, _dead_, it
seemed, and needing instant burial.

The Governor listened with a gathering scowl upon his face, till
suddenly he started up with such haste that his chair fell backward with
a noisy clatter.

"_Santa Maria!_ Dead of the black vomit? And you come hither with the
vile contagion clinging to your very garments!"

"Nay," said the friar's deep, hollow voice, as he lifted a reassuring
hand. "I have changed my robes. You a