He came into her room with a doleful countenance, saying, as he crossed himself, “God be here!”
“And with you, father,” answered the Senora, cheerfully—a mood she had assumed at the last moment, by a kind of instinct.
“There is evil news 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.”